Mummy to a one-year-old overnight!

hayleyc_2

My DS is almost 14 months, and his favourite things at the moment are..

TV contollers, Books with holes he can poke his fingers through, cups and pots that he can put things in and then take them out, pots and pans and wooden spoons, welly boots and puddles, keys, emptying the kitchen cupboards, having his tummy tickled and kissed, bouncing on our legs, running around and pressing buttons (preferably buttons on the computer or TV that he's not meant to touch).

Before you bring your daughter home (while you still have 5 mins to spare!) look on netmums, mumsnet, surestart etc etc for all the local toddler groups and activites for her age group. We don't go to things every day but it helps to have activities on at least 2 or 3 days so that there's a bit of structure to the week. At the moment we go to a toddler group and also a baby gymnastics group which he loves. It's also a great way to meet other mums.

Good luck and congratulations.

Hayley

Kavanne

madsmum wrote: »

also make sure you know as much as possible about the babies parents. Make a book of memories for her, so she knows as much as possible when she gets older.

MM

That's up to the OP, surely? Each parent makes different decisions.

cobbingstones

I guess I was thinking about when the child wants to know about their past. I used to work within social services and this was extremely encouraged.

MM

foxxymynx

Just wantd to say congratulations x

pandora205

Congratulations - this must be a wonderful moment for you.

As a long-time mum of 3, I'd say don't be seduced by shops and manufacturers into getting everything brand new. There is a whole commercial world built around marketing to parents and the temptation is (first time around) to get every gadget and latest fashion there is. Apart from car seats most things can be sourced second hand and in very good condition.

The same applies for toys really though some basics can be bought brand new.

I did the whole designer baby first time but by number 3 I'd stopped using lots of the stuff and streamlined the stuff I carried with me too.

Oh and do try to give real food not baby jars as they are expensive and have no merits other than convenience over a healthy adult diet.

If you want a really great book I'd suggest Penelope Leach's Baby and Child, as has been a best seller for years and is so practical.

oystercatcher

Congratulations.

Just wanted to add, your little one is obviously being adopted for a reason and with maybe a sad past and definitely a few changes as she arrives, she may behave like a much younger child and appreciate toys appropriate to slightly younger children as well as those children of her own age and above.

Hope it all goes well , have fun

Oystercatcher

kazwookie

Best wishes and good luck

skint-student-nurse

congratulations! try poundland or boots for feeding equipment as they last ages and are fairly durable. i didnt have a high chair as such but you can get booster seats that have a tray that attatch onto normal dining chairs for around £15 @ argos.

here are some useful links for you for freebies and/or coupons:
www.goodluckmum.com - sainsburys/huggies promotion

http://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10052&categoryId=29956&langId=-1&catalogId=10552 - free pampers change bag and coupons every few months

http://www.tesco.com/babyclub/ - vouchers

also try bounty, hipp organic and any other baby-related product webistes for offers and freebies!

hope this helps you prepare for your bundle of joy! i have a daughter who is three, if i find any more useful things for you, i will post them x

UKTigerlily

Awwww congratulations! That's awesome news, what's her name? Will you change it or keep it? Remember we will want lots of pics when baby arrives! You must be so excited x

vaio

madsmum wrote: »

also make sure you know as much as possible about the babies parents. Make a book of memories for her, so she knows as much as possible when she gets older.

madsmum wrote: »

I guess I was thinking about when the child wants to know about their past. I used to work within social services and this was extremely encouraged.

When this baby grows up its life & memories are going to be comprised of less than a year with parent(s) who, for whatever reason, didn’t want her, some time with foster parents and 17 years in the loving family that the OP is going to provide.

Given their track record I’d be very suspicious of following anything that social services “extremely encourage” and in any event I don’t think that adoptive parents can get anything other than very general info about the birth parents. The child can but only when she is 18.

Very best for the future OP, I’d suggest you print out and keep read wannabe sybil’s & Hayley’s posts above, I think they’ve got it absolutely spot on.