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O2 has recently put together a wishlist of top Christmas gifting tips (ranging from savings to best times to buy); and I thought I’d add to this by adding my ...
Lesbemums is an award-winning LGBT Family, Travel and Lifestyle blog created by Kate & Sharon.
Established in 2012, Kate & Sharon share what it’s like to be an LGBTQ family, as well as their adventures around the UK and beyond.
![[AD - 🎅 Giveaway 🤶] At the age of six we've reached bit of a danger zone when it comes to Father Christmas. We knew there would be that risk when he'd start school, but we thought it would be a lot later than year two. T is very much a believer, thankfully, however we've already had a few questions this year about what happens when children stop believing - I imagine there's been a few comments made at school. We're of the opinion that Father Christmas exists for anyone who wants to believe. How about you?
For anyone else at the same point as us, @laplandletters are here to help! #LaplandLetters are the home of magical letters sent straight from the big man himself. As well as personalised letters, they also offer unique gifts to go alongside your letter. From Santa Keys and Keepsake boxes to Reindeer Food to Cookie mixes! We received ours this week and T was beyond speechless. It was a real treat to witness, and reassured us that we still very much have a believer in the family.
If your believer is in need of a pick-me-up, here's a festive little #giveway where one family* can #win a magical #Christmas delivery for each of their children! Each child will receive their own big bundle of exciting Christmas activities, a personalised letter and certicate from Santa, plus an invitation to join the Lapland Elf Club. All delivered in a beautiful, bright red envelope complete with Lapland post mark!
To be in with a chance of winning, just complete the following:
🎅Like this post.
🎅Follow us and @laplandletters.
🎅Comment letting us know how you keep the magic going!
⚠️ Terms and Conditions ⚠️
*Limited to a maximum of 5 children.
➡️ Ends: 23:59:59 Sunday 5th December 2021.
➡️ Not associated with Instagram or Facebook.
➡️ No cash alternative. Over 18's only.
➡️ Prize will come directly from Lapland Letters and not Lesbemums.
➡️ Winner will have until 12th December 2021 to claim their prize before another winner is chosen.
➡️ Lapland Letters will coordinate with the prize.
➡️ Lapland Letters will dispatch prizes no later than Friday 17th December, to ensure delivery before Christmas Eve.
Good Luck 🤞
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![I've always preferred wearing more "masculine" clothing. It's been part of my own identity and gender expression, and has always made me feel "safe". The moment I fell pregnant, however, everything I knew about masculinity and femininity was challenged.
#Gender is a social construct, which means society determines what classes as "masculine" and "feminine", referring to the expected characteristics and "norms" for men, women, boys and girls. Ranging from what you wear and how you cut your hair, to how you walk and talk. I've never been against feminity, it's just something that never made me feel welcome or comfortable. When I fell pregnant, however, it was quite the internal conflict as I've always seen masculinity and femininity as opposite ends of a scale. But as soon as I started to wear different clothing to what I was used to it changed my outlook almost immediately.
Yesterday, I wore a dress (and tights!) for the first time in at least 15 years. It felt very strange at first (and cold - I chose the wrong time of year to shave my head and wear tights) but it felt comfortable. I've even come to realise that I can remain my masculine self, whilst also adding some femininity to it. That #masculinity and #femininity can compliment each other and exist at the same time.
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![[AD] I don't know about you, but we're slowly dipping our toes into the festive spirit. Whilst we haven't yet got the tree out, we have recently donned our Christmas jumpers!
In light of the recent Climate Conference though, we're trying to be conscious of remaining sustainable whilst still enjoying the festivities! Making small changes, such as using eco-friendly, recyclable cards & wrapping, and choosing to eat less meat will make a huge difference!
@fandfclothing have just dropped their sustainable Christmas range, with the jumpers featured made from at least 50% recycled materials. It's such a welcome sight seeing big brands making these small changes to help the planet!
What ways are you remaining sustainable this Christmas? Have you got any tips?
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#FandFClothing
#IOnlyPoppedInFor](https://i1.wp.com/lesbemums.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/259585660_4569732793103104_3253647401964989155_nfull.jpg?ssl=1)
![[AD - Discount Code] You may have seen on our stories recently that T has become quite a social butterfly. He's decided to join a couple of new clubs at school, which means evenings can be quite busy what with homework on top of that some days. With this, we try and make any free evenings relaxing as possible!
Last year, we were invited to be part of @pebblegear tiny testers team to try out their new range of Disney-themed tablets. It was such a pleasure as it meant T got to play with some of his favourite #Disney characters; whilst we knew that he was safe doing so. A year later, and T is still playing with his tablet - although he's recently found all the musical apps!!! 🎶🎹🎧
Aimed at 3-8 year olds and with over 500 apps, games and e-books to choose from, there's something for everyone and tons to keep little ones occupied. Our review is still live on the blog, but as an overview the Pebble Gear Kids’ Tablet has been specifically designed to give children safe and secure access to the digital world. With over 25 years experience, Pebble Gear offer a space that is ad-free with zero pop-ups and no opportunity for in-app purchasing.
This year we're delighted to be collaborating with @pebblegear again to offer our followers a special limited edition discount code offering ✨15% off✨ the range of #PebbleGear tablets and accessories for #BlackFriday. ➡️ Simply use code
‘LMB15’ at checkout to apply!
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!["Are you a Mummy or a Daddy?"...
Is probably the most common question I get asked by kids, usually in the play park. More so in the summer than the winter, when there's less layers. In the past, T has even been asked this on occasion too. I get it. I have short hair, boobs, and I have somewhat of a deep voice.
The thing is, I'm not bothered when kids ask me this. Because kids are awesome and are just trying to work things out. Therefore, I tell them how it is and they often move on.
What I do get bothered about though sometimes is how the parents then react to this question if they've overhead their kids asking me this. Most parents - and I do genuinely mean most - make that 😬 face, they might mouth "sorry", or they might come over to see if I'm alright. We have a good conversation and it's done. Cool. But there was one occasion when a parent, upon coming up to me, very nicely said "Gosh I'm so sorry, it's just that you're a little confusing". As if it was *my* fault that the encounter I had just had with their kid had happened. 💀
Folks, we need to stop encouraging and enforcing this binary view of what mummies and daddies look like. It's not only a lie but it's potentially harmful to anyone who dares break the binary. Yesterday, @ro.reveur wrote an excellent post about masculine appearing mums & parents and it felt so validating and wonderful reading about someone with similar experiences to mine. Being #LGBTQ and a parent can be very isolating at the best of times, but it's even more so when you don't "fit" societal expectations and norms. You're often victim to looks and stares, and people feel entitled to ask questions.
I know I've said this before, but please offer your children an open window as well as a mirror. Show them different people at the same time as allowing them to find their own identity. Because it'll soon be the difference between them asking a question out of curiosity to being that parent who was so uncomfortable with difference that they'd rather hit it with a proverbial stick.
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![We've had bit of a busy one this weekend, with the highlight being a special 60th birthday party for one of my (Kate) mums. It's been somewhat of a turbulent year for them so it was wonderful to finally celebrate something.
To relax after a hectic afternoon of celebration (and calming over-excited cousins high on cake!) we then spent some time in one of our local woods. We played in dens and just enjoyed all the colours of the forest, and it did not disappoint!
Autumn is looking gorgeous this year, and with T being that little bit older we've found that walks in the woods are a lot more playful. He loves expanding twig dens, looking for rabbit and fox holes, and generally enjoying what the forest has to offer.
How has your weekend been? Did you find yourself in the woods? What did you get up to?
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#CapturingTheseDays #OutdoorsAndHappy #ExplorerKids #FreespiritedChildhood #CandidChildhood #KidsOfTheOutdoors #KidsOfIG #KidsOfInstagram #WhateverTheWeatherKids #StandStillMyChild #Kids_Unscripted #MoreToExploreOutdoors #LetThemBeWild #KidsWhoExplore](https://i1.wp.com/lesbemums.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/256639319_2645247685608415_5869804621859931469_nfull.jpg?ssl=1)
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