Mum's The Word - February 2, 2016

I remember doing it myself – brushing my teeth for longer than necessary or re-arranging teddies on the bed. Then re-re-arranging them.

Now we’ve suddenly noticed William is in on the act.

It started the other week, with him needing a drink after he’d settled down in his cot – off I trotted downstairs for some water for him. He took the tiniest sip, then two minutes later he was apparently thirsty again.

Then the other night, the little chap spotted the fruit bowl in the kitchen and asked for an apple before bed. He’s never, ever interested in an apple when I offer one at lunchtime.

But, not wanting to refuse a healthy interest in fruit, I found myself peeling an apple and handing slices to him when we should have been upstairs reading a book.

Then there’s been the potty plan – pyjamas were on, teeth had been brushed, book read, and I was lifting William into his cot when he suddenly shouted “wee wee!”

“Have you done a wee wee? That’s okay, you’ve got your bedtime nappy on,” I said.

“No, wee wee, wee wee, wee wee.”

Not wanting to discourage him from using his potty, off came his pyjama bottoms and nappy and there he sat, reading a book – added time-wasting, of course.

To be fair, the little chap was true to his word, but I can’t help thinking he was using the potty as a stalling strategy.

And finally last night, we had William’s most ingenious time wasting tactic – hiding behind the curtain, so we couldn’t find him to take him to bed.

Although, the two little feet poking out gave him away eventually!