letitgo

First post here - I'm wondering if we're mostly Canadians? Anyway, I've been watching Corrie since 1983 - so I was happy to see a forum here. I have to add that I cannot stand Maddie - what is worse, I'm beginning to get really annoyed with Sophie because of her. I really don't see where this storyline is going to go. All the humour went out of the Websters when Rosie left. I read a story online that they are going to be bringing in several new characters. Of all that have arrived, the only ones I'm even remotely interested in are Steph and Luke. Andrea - can't stand her. Kal - blah. Maddie - horrible. Sharif - whatever. Phelan is pure evil.

Most moms have an available cupboard full of plastic bowls, etc. They can entertain toddlers forever. It looked to me like that is exactly what was in the cupboard. I saw nothing wrong with Jen walking in front of Zoey when taking the sandwiches into the bedroom - Zoey didn't fall. You cannot hover over toddlers every second of their lives. If she did fall, she'd pick herself up and keep going. It wasn't like she was teetering at the top of a staircase. Likewise, there was no problem with the bed or nap time. How easy would life for mothers be if toddlers did exactly what they were told the first time. Of course, those wouldn't be toddlers - they'd be robots.

There are situations - such as potty training and diaper changes - that would be rather embarrassing to both Will and Zoey in later years - I'm not much interested in those aspects of their life and can't imagine why anyone would be. If Bill and Jen want the viewing public to be a part of their children's medical appointments and challenges, then that is up to them, although I can see this coming back to haunt the kids in later years too. I loved the Christmas show, so I would like to see family celebrations, perhaps a day with mom and dad in the pool or going to the park for a picnic. Just nice, normal family things. And of course where Jen gets those fabulous clothes!

My goodness! Reading this I've come to realize that I must have been a "supermom" too! Who knew? My youngest loved tea parties, dress up - all the girly things - and I was happy to oblige her. Even with "fancy" sandwiches. Not so difficult if you own a cookie cutter or know how to cut the crusts off and cut them into fingers. I tried the same with my older daughter - but she was having none of it - wasn't interested in taking tea - so, I learned, as Jen will learn, that if tea parties aren't Zoey's thing, just move along to the next adventure. That's the wonderful thing about parenting - discovering your child - they don't come with manuals. There will be hits and there will be misses. At 2 Zoey is young to grasp the idea of "Tea" - but she certainly wasn't suffering or being forced to do something unpleasant. I'm pretty sure most of it was done for the cameras, anyway.

Jen is sure enjoying dressing the kids! All their clothes are adorable!

I stand corrected.

No one that they would go to school with would even know about the "cake" et al. Because those would be other 3 year olds, and I highly doubt that most 3 year olds are savvy enough to connect Will to "cake"; or even be watching the show. Some of the scenarios presented here are really not realistic. Just because Bill is a lax disciplinarian, doesn't mean Will is spoiled. Just because Jen is stricter doesn't mean she's favouring her daughter over her son. My 3 year old took it in her head one day to bite everyone that came near her. She didn't learn it from us. Maybe she saw something on tv - I don't know, but her "Jaws" imitation didn't send her down the path to destruction. She managed to grow up to be a lawyer even though at 3 she was biting everyone in sight. And I don't think I was a lousy mother because I couldn't get her to stop. It's called being a kid. That's what they do - and you can be as horrified as you like, but ask any parent their experiences with toddlers. They'll all have similar stories. I'm just saying you can't jump on either one of them, as a parent, for normal toddler behavior and their handling of it; and Will's behavior is perfectly normal. (As for how do I know that people with no children have rather rigid opinions of their parenting? They said so in their posts.)

I rarely join Forums - I'm more of a lurker, but after reading this thread I felt I did have something to say. I am amazed at the remarks concerning Jen and her parenting style. Ironically it always seems that those without children are the experts. Will is acting like a typical 3 year old. He wanted cake. In his little mind that settles the matter. Jen didn't have cake. She stated it (also, praising him for doing such a good job eating his dinner). When he didn't get it - he fussed. It wasn't even a "melt-down". Believe me, if you had children you'd know that this was no tantrum. Jen realized that after explaining it to him that it would simply increase his frustration. She left him safely seated and ignored his whiny behaviour. This was the perfectly correct thing to do. He quickly got over his snit - because that is what 3 year olds do. He is not in danger of becoming a spoiled brat (not that it's any of our business, whether they are on tv or not). He is not in danger of over or under-eating or eating the wrong things. Jen and Bill are intelligent, educated people. They will not feed them a diet of macaroni and cheese, nor will they deny them a treat. Like all older siblings when they are greeted with a new child, Will regressed somewhat. Considering his little life up to this point I'd say he's doing amazingly well. He isn't traumatized, he's not being ignored and Zoey is not being favoured over him. They are simply being a young family - who have learned as all new parents do - "don't sweat the small stuff". I am amazed that Jen is so involved during such a hard time in her life. I wouldn't blame her if she took to her bed and let Bill and the nanny handle things while she is sick - but she doesn't. She carries on in a way I know I couldn't. To "snark" just for the sake of being "snarky" really doesn't accomplish very much.