3 parenting skills I am yet to master

It has been 2 years and 6 months since I first began my journey through this crazy thing called motherhood. There are some days where I feel like I am totally nailing this mum gig, days where I feel like being a Mum is what I was put on this planet to do. There are also the bad days though. The days where nothing is going right, the tears won’t stop and the tantrums are relentless. Those awful days that make me feel like a complete and utter failure and not worthy of the prestigious title that is ‘Mummy’.

However, the good days definitely outweigh the bad and most of the time I feel like I have got this motherhood thing under control. There are still some parenting skills I am yet to master though. Things I have been doing for the past 30 months that I should probably be an expert at by now and yet, I continue to perform these basic parenting tasks as though it is my first day on the job.
Here are 3 parenting skills I am yet to master, let me know if you are a bit pants when it comes to these things too!
1. Changing a nappy – If I had to guess I would say I have had to change over a thousand nappies since becoming a Mum. Babies are just poo machines and things don’t get much better once they hit toddlerhood. It takes me ages to change Leo’s nappy, easily twice as long as it should. If he has pooed it can take me a good 10 minutes to sort out the chaos down there, surely by now I should be able to change a dirty nappy in under a minute, eyes closed and one arm tied behind my back?

2. Manoeuvring the pram – I hate Leo’s pram with a passion. It is so big and bulky and just impossible to manoeuvre efficiently. It still takes me ages to get it in and out of the car and as for getting it through a pull door? Well that continues to remain one of life’s most difficult challenges. I just don’t understand how you can do it without someone helping? At least with a push door you can go out backwards. 

3. Getting baby to nap – Despite my blog name, nap time does not come easily in this house. Leo makes me work hard for my one hours peace a day. I have to either take him for a walk in the pram for half an hour or drive around in circles until he nods off. When he was a baby I would spend hours nursing him in my arms, bobbing him up and down in his bouncy chair or rocking his car seat. There has never been any of this self settling for a nap business and, now he’s 2 and a half, I doubt there ever will be.
There you have it, 3 basic parenting skills I am yet to master. There are definitely more mummy tasks that I am not perfect at but I cant wing it through most of those. These 3 though, these get me every single time. I look forward to the day when Leo is toilet trained and will walk happily for hours so I can chuck those nightmare nappies and that stupid pram in the bin. I won’t be so happy to say goodbye to the naps though…
Do you struggle with any of these parenting skills too? Is there anything else you would add to the list? I am hoping I am not the only Mum out these who has trouble doing all of these.

This post is linked to

My Random Musings

Cuddle Fairy

Mummuddlingthrough

Diary of an Imperfect Mum: Family Fun Linky
My Kid Doesn't Poop Rainbows
Pink Pear Bear
Reflections From Me
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57 Comments

  1. March 14, 2016 / 9:24 am

    I haven't mastered nappy changing either – as my baby gets older she gets wigglier, which makes it harder to actually get the nappy on. Napping can still be a struggle too – while she's learned how to nap in her cot for her morning nap, her afternoon nap requires a long walk in the pram. At least it keeps me fit! #fartglitter

  2. March 14, 2016 / 10:08 am

    hehehe! I don't think I ever mastered nappy changing. It sometimes took me forever.
    I was useless at driving the pushchair. I was so glad when my girls grew out of it. lol
    #bigpinklink

  3. Cuddle Fairy
    March 14, 2016 / 10:26 am

    You will eventually master the nappies. The pushchair will forever be your best friend & nemesis. I hate the double doors where the two doors are each like a half a door size so you have to somehow open both at once & get the pram in. And everyone in the shop just watches rather than help… As soon as you can, get a small stroller instead! And napping depends on the child – we can't make another human eat, sleep, drink or poop. This I have learned. #AnythingGoes x

  4. Kerry-Ann F
    March 14, 2016 / 11:24 am

    I never had a pram for my two, I had them in a car seat and stuck the car seat in a trolley! Voila! Instant pram, lol. Both my Munchkins were not big on naps but the youngest, at 18 months old, didn't think naps were for her…I just had to put her to bed earlier at night otherwise she would have been very grumpy! My Munchkins are tweens and teens now and I'm still learning…every day because, once you do master a particular parenting skill it is sod's law that they move into another phase where said skill is no longer relevant, lol. #fartglitter

  5. March 14, 2016 / 12:54 pm

    I wonder if we ever master any parenting skill? Even though I'd say I've got plenty of experience at changing nappies for example – can you ever master it?? Not sure. Happily there's no such thing as perfect parenting is there (a big relief), only good enough! #AnythingGoes

  6. Nicola Hatch Lighterness
    March 14, 2016 / 5:36 pm

    I bet you are good at other things though…someone once said to me that you shouldn't worry about the things you struggle with, as others will envy things that you're good at. What comes easily for you will be harder for someone else, and vice versa. Found your post via #bigpinklink 🙂

  7. March 14, 2016 / 8:36 pm

    Oh I was completely useless with the pushchair too! I had plenty of practice but just couldn't go out without clipping someone. I thought I was good with naps until I had my second daughter, then I realised the first had been good ha! X #mg

  8. March 15, 2016 / 8:09 am

    Nap times never were mastered with my first, so I gave up 20mins of trying for just 20 mins peace wasn't worth it! Fortunately seem to have cracked with my 2nd, he'll actually ask to go to his bed after lunch and sleep for 1-2 hours and he's nearly 3! #TwinklyTuesday

  9. March 15, 2016 / 10:17 am

    Our tot has become less wriggly so I'm better at nappy changes and our buggy is maneuverable, thankfully. Forget naps so. That's the main reason we did cry it out.
    #fartglitter

  10. March 15, 2016 / 12:59 pm

    Lol! I'm a granny and just as I get smug and think I've mastered the nappy thing Bear gives me another hurdle. Rolling over, kicking, screaming, getting up and running away! I have a stroller so not too bad with that. Nap time! Bear never falls asleep playing or eating or any of those cute things toddlers do. Until he dropped from 2 naps to 1 it could take an hour or more just to get 30 mins nap. You are definitely not alone #abitofeverything

  11. March 15, 2016 / 1:31 pm

    Haha I can relate so much with one and two. Nappy changes are still complicated with my little miss, she loves too wiggle her legs and pull at the nappy. Prams…eurgh I cannot drive one of these nearly two years on. I am always running over peoples feet too. ooops. I am sure in time you will mastered all three. lol #TwinklyTuesday

  12. March 15, 2016 / 1:47 pm

    Hahaha this is so funny! I think I'm doing ok I'm the nappy and pram maneouvering departments but the getting baby to sleep I am a total failure at! Thanks for sharing – Kat X #twinklytuesday

  13. heidi williams
    March 15, 2016 / 3:15 pm

    It's funny, we read all the books and we are sure this is going to be cake, we are totally prepared for anything that comes up and then they arrive and its all blown to you know what! I realized this when my oldest was choking on a piece of cereal and yes I scared the crap outta her with raising her up by one leg and turning her upside down, patting her back. At that point I was glad I read the books:) We don't do it perfect, we do the best we can and hope they arent scarred for life

  14. March 15, 2016 / 10:48 pm

    I am totally with you on all three of these. I had a double buggy (not a little neat one, a huge thing that arrives into a shop 5 mins before I appear at the back of it). I was an absolute liability with it! I also apparently still struggle with baby grows and I cannot get the poppers lined up right!! I always end up having to undo them and start again. Every. Single. Time!

    Great post as always!
    Dawn x
    #abitofeverything

  15. March 17, 2016 / 8:23 am

    I hear you! My son is just a couple of months younger than yours. Trying to change a nappy on a toddler is akin to trying to get an octopus in a matchbox. Limbs flailing everywhere! My little boy dropped his nap back in September and hasn't had one since – tough going as I know he is knackered come mid afternoon, he just never gives in! #FAMILYFUN

  16. March 17, 2016 / 9:35 am

    Oh hun I feel you. I remember those days and all I can say is it does get better… or maybe it's just different. I hated changing nappies, our pushchair wasn't too bad, and nap times were non existent. However now I have an 11 year old (OMG how did that happen!) and a 6 year old and things are better. I'm a dab hand at parenting now! Of course now I have to deal with the Tween tantrums – definitely not fun. I think you'll get into your stride eventually, and it'll probably be just as your little one is ready to ditch those nappies and start school – that's how it worked for me!
    #familyfun

  17. Mummy In a TuTu
    March 17, 2016 / 12:03 pm

    haha i think it depends what mood they are in as to how quick you can change a nappy
    #familyfun

  18. March 17, 2016 / 1:04 pm

    I like your positivity – 'yet to master" means you are well on your way to expert status in my book! #coolmumclub

  19. Talya - Motherhood: The Real Deal
    March 17, 2016 / 2:12 pm

    Lol almost three years in and I am still a total donut with a pram so hopefully that should make you feel better! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub lovely x

  20. Yvonne
    March 17, 2016 / 5:40 pm

    The pram never gets easier, we now have a stroller and that is even worse. I have to kick it to move sometimes, no joke!! #coolmumclub

  21. Katy - Hot Pink Wellingtons
    March 17, 2016 / 8:46 pm

    I am a ninja nappy changer – mainly because my son is a terror when it comes to changing it! I can put it on him with him in any position, and in record time! Now, getting him to nap on the other hand, certainly for the last two weeks that has all gone to pot! And I clonk the pushchair on things all the time – there is an awful door to our local coffee shop that I just cannot for the life of me operate! #coolmumclub

  22. March 18, 2016 / 11:17 am

    I struggled with the pushchair at the beginning lost count how many things i bumped into and baby grows i could never do them up properly!

  23. Agent Spitback
    March 18, 2016 / 11:40 am

    LOL….Yes, I don't think I have ever mastered the "napping" thing as well, and I don't think I ever will. The nappy changing…ooohhh…scary times when the toddler is running and will not lie down. Luckily these are all behind me now and I don't have to practice them anymore. Thanks for sharing with #abitofeverything

  24. March 18, 2016 / 3:31 pm

    Love this. I am so with you! In fact, I just shared my '5 things I'm not a natural at' post with #FamilyFun and it features some of the same points!! Nappy changing and pram pushing are much harder than you expect them to be, right?! #FamilyFun

  25. March 18, 2016 / 9:52 pm

    lol i can totally agree with this. It is hard to master all of these. Different ages come with different stages of difficulty. We just do what we can Thanks for linking #abitofeverything xx

  26. March 19, 2016 / 7:18 am

    It is so hard when they wiggle around isn't it?!I like to keep my daily 20mins re walk with the pram is keeping me fit too 🙂 xx

  27. March 19, 2016 / 7:19 am

    Glad I'm not the only one! I can't wait for my boy to be out of the pram xx

  28. March 19, 2016 / 7:20 am

    That is very good advice Becky and very true. Ohh those double doors are a nightmare, I can't get through them without help xx

  29. March 19, 2016 / 7:23 am

    Car seat on trolley, that's a genius idea. I have a feeling you might be right, Leo is nearly potty trained now so looks like even if I do figure out the perfect nappy training technique I won't be needing it much longer. Eep, I better having teenagers comes with a whole load of different challenges xx

  30. March 19, 2016 / 7:24 am

    Hmm I don't know, maybe if you are super nanny you would probably be a master haha. Yes, definitely no such thing as a perfect parent, we just do the best we can and hope that it is good enough 🙂 xx

  31. March 19, 2016 / 7:26 am

    That is a very interesting way of looking at things, I like it. There are lots of things I am good at, good the bedtime routine nailed so maybe I should just concentrate on how good I am at that haha xx

  32. March 19, 2016 / 7:27 am

    Haha, nice to hear I'm not the only dangerous pram driver out there 🙂 xx

  33. March 19, 2016 / 7:28 am

    That is amazing,what I would do for Leo to ask to go for his nap. Yes I agree, sometimes the struggle of getting hem to sleep just isn't worth the effort xx

  34. March 19, 2016 / 7:29 am

    It is a lot easier if they keep still isn't it?I think of I got a smaller pram it might be easier to drive!Thanks for hosting xx

  35. March 19, 2016 / 7:32 am

    Aww so lovely to hear I'm not the only one lacking these parenting skills. I hate it when Leo runs away mid nappy change, especially if he has pooed – gross! Aww it is cute when they fall asleep eating, that's only happened once with Leo. It's funny how it takes so much effort to get little ones to nap, especially when they are so clearly tired most of the time xx

  36. March 19, 2016 / 7:33 am

    Eeep, I sometimes run people over too so you're not alone there!Hopefully both of us will be expert nappy changers/pram drivers one day 🙂 xx

  37. March 19, 2016 / 7:34 am

    Well, 2 out if 3 is pretty good going in my book. From the comments it seems naptime is hard for lots of us xx

  38. March 19, 2016 / 7:36 am

    Oh, how scary that must have been for you and your daughter. Glad to see the baby books were good for something. Yep I agree, it's all about doing the best we can, our kids can't ask for more than that 🙂 xx

  39. March 19, 2016 / 7:38 am

    Ahh the double buggy!!I am soo glad I have never needed one of those, they look more complicated to drive than a lorry, I would definitely be running people over. Ahh yes, baby grows were a nightmare too, so glad my boy is out of those now xx

  40. March 19, 2016 / 7:39 am

    Haha, so true..tiddlers are extremely octopus like. I don't know how you cope now naps have stopped?!Leo would be a nightmare come 5 o clock if he didn't have a sleep xx

  41. March 19, 2016 / 7:41 am

    Glad to hear it gets better!Tweenage tantrums don't sound fun, I'm glad I don't need to worry about those for a while. I have a feeling your right, Leo is almost potty trained so even if I do master nappy changing I won't be doing it for much longer xx

  42. March 19, 2016 / 7:42 am

    Very true!If Leo is sleepy it doesn't take long but if he is hyper it involves lots of running around and wrestling the nappy on!xx

  43. March 19, 2016 / 7:43 am

    You have to be optimistic about these things Anita. I'm sure I'll figure it all put eventually 🙂 xx

  44. March 19, 2016 / 7:43 am

    It makes me feel loads better, thanks! 😀 xx

  45. March 19, 2016 / 7:44 am

    Oh no, I would have thought a stroller would be easier. You can't win sometimes can you?haha xx

  46. March 19, 2016 / 7:46 am

    Hahaha, I would be mortified if I ran over an old person. I have come close to knocking over shop displays though. Glad to hear you are mastering lots of parenting skills, go you!I definitely need to focus on the things I am good at, who cares if I can't drive a pram 🙂 xx

  47. March 19, 2016 / 7:47 am

    Teach me your ninja ways please?!Nap time is such a pain isn't it, they clearly need a sleep so why do they fight it?xx

  48. March 19, 2016 / 7:48 am

    It seems there are lots of us out there who can't drive a pushchair!Yes baby grows were annoying, I'm glad I don't need to worry about them anymore xx

  49. March 19, 2016 / 7:50 am

    Lucky you!I am looking forward to the day when I won't need to do these any more. Yup, it is very scary times when a toddler is running around with no nappy on, especially of you haven't been able to clean them up yet xx

  50. March 19, 2016 / 7:51 am

    Ohh I will have to pop over for a read of that :). Definitely, nappy changing is so hard and prams need to be made smaller or doors/shops need to be made atleast twice the size!xx

  51. March 19, 2016 / 7:52 am

    I totally agree, I am sure once this stage has passed there will be a whole loads of other parenting skills I will need to learn. Oh well, it's all part of the fun 🙂 xx

  52. March 19, 2016 / 9:56 am

    oh my list would be endless and I am 11 years (almost 12 years) in! There are skills that just feel impossible. But long gone are our naps, prams, and nappies. My baby is 6 now! I had a huge pram too, it was hard to get around but super handy for filling with shopping! As long as we master cuddles all will be good in the world of mothering #mg Thanks for linking up, hope to see you next week xx

  53. March 20, 2016 / 8:53 pm

    Oh my dear I know this is no help whatsoever as you're in the stage you're in but one day the naps, nappies and prams will be a distant memory…she said from experience.
    #bigpinklink #fartglitter #twinklytuesday #bloggerclubuk #coolmumclub

  54. March 24, 2016 / 7:48 pm

    Aww I totally agree, it is all about the cuddles and I'm definitely good at those. Haha, the only reason I like my pram is because it's got a big basket for shopping!xx

  55. March 24, 2016 / 7:50 pm

    Thanks, I look forward to the day where they are just a memory!xz

  56. October 18, 2016 / 2:44 am

    I am terrible with the stroller too! My daughter always hated it and spent most of the time in a carrier so whenever I try to use the stroller now it’s a struggle.

    • Wendy
      October 18, 2016 / 12:20 pm

      Ahh I hate prams, our small buggy is no better either! Atleast your daughter likes being in a carrier and you don’t just have to carry her everywhere 🙂 xx