Before I had children I had a very clear image of the type of parent I would be.

I would always maintain cool composure because everyone knows children can smell fear. I would never, ever smack, nor allow junk food, and enforce a strict bedtime. My children would be clean, and my house would be tidy with just one little play area for toys.

Oh, and I would always remain fun. Naturally, I’d be the funnest mum ever.

Fast forward almost 3 years and I can pretty much see y’all sniggering into your cup of tea.

Lego, Little People and dinosaurs are all over my floor, my kids’ faces are smeared with snot and breakfast and the piles of washing, both clean and dirty, are mammoth, and I’m sitting at my computer instead of getting onto it.

I’d like to say I’ve learned to pick my battles, but I probably haven’t. Sometimes I feel like I’m getting beaten by a little guerilla toddler.

Toddler terrorism is rife in my house, and I’m ashamed to say that I am not above bribery, and depending on the circumstance, I may even just succumb to the tyranny.

One fine example was at oh five hundred hours this morning, after I’d been up a gazillion times with a sick Kiki, and having a supremely snotty nose myself, I heard D Man saying he didn’t want to sleep anymore.

I wasn’t havin’ that!

Usually, I can stealthily commando in, shove Ratty in his arms, cover him up, and be out of the room before he could say ‘I want milk’, but this morning he said –

I want the fluffy blankie.

Bugger. I’d put it away. In the baby’s room.

I said gently, ‘No darling, it’s sleepy time now, we’ll get the fluffy blankie out of Kiki’s room in the morning. Stay in bed until it’s light outside. Night night.’

I WANT THE FLUFFIE BLANKIE, shrieked my little dictator.

A few things ran through my mind, and of course, I know I should have stood my ground, but all hell would have broken loose, everyone would have been crying and up for the day and I just wasn’t ready for that.

So, Mini Despot got his blankie.

And I got half an hour more sleep.

Was it worth it?

Yes.

Tomato Sauce Battles

Another one we’re having currently is over tomato sauce. The boy has discovered the joy of the tangy, sweet/sour condiment from the Heinz Gods, and I agree that some foods must have sauce. A pie, fish and chips, hell, even Shepherd’s pie, but not everything to cross the dinner table needs to be doused.

Broccoli, for instance, does not need sauce.

I put my foot down over this one, and I put it down good.

Perhaps it’s easier to stand my ground in the light of day… thankfully, this little healthy sausage rolls recipe yields healthy snacks begging to be loved with sauce.

When it came to this healthy sausage rolls recipe, Boy had his way.

Healthy sausage rolls recipe

Yields 25, depending on how big you make them

Healthy sausage rolls recipe ingredients:

• 350g pork
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 zucchini, finely grated
• 1/2 carrot, finely grated
• 2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 3 sheets ready rolled puff pastry
• 1 egg yolk
• sesame and poppy seeds
• sauce to serve

How to make this healthy sausage rolls recipe:

1. To make this healthy sausage rolls recipe, first preheat oven to 200C
2. Place your fennel and mustard seeds in a dry frying pan over a medium heat and toast until lightly golden and fragrant. Pop into a mortar and pestle and give them a good bashing.
3. Lightly fry your onion until it is translucent.
4. Toss your pork, veges and onion and spices into a bowl and mix together thoroughly. This healthy sausage rolls recipe recommends seasoning well.
5. Cut your sheet of pastry into three equal slices and using a tablespoon to measure out your mixture, roll up your little sausage rolls until the mixture is finished.
6. Lastly in the steps for this healthy sausage rolls recipe, brush the rolls with egg yolk and sprinkle with the seeds before popping them into the oven until they are golden brown – about 20 mins.
7. This healthy sausage rolls recipe demands to be served with sauce, of course.

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