We are ideally looking for an experienced mum or someone with childcare experience. You must have your own transport and preferably be CRB checked. However we can sort this out for you should you not have this certificate.

The job will involve hosting children’s parties in Leeds and surrounding areas You must have a wonderful way with children and be happy to travel. The fantastic thing about this job is we won’t ask you to work every weekend! AND its good fun. How good is that?
So what qualities are we looking for?
• Mature and experienced with children. Either childcare background or a mum.
• Car driver with own transport
• Preferably CRB checked.
• Availably to work weekends
• Flexible.

INTERESTED? Please contact us now via: littlemissprincess.parties@ntlworld.com sending a copy of your CV and as much information as you can give us.

Our first one is the ‘Christmas Photo Shoot and Makeover Party‘ its a fab new party idea for girlie parties. Something a bit different from the norm. We bring with us Christmas accessories, christmas music, OUR FAB NEW CANDY BUFFET, plenty of christmas cheer, fun and more….

Or how about our fab new Santa Bear Making Party Children from 4 to 11 will love stuffing their own bear and dressing him up in their very own Santa Outfit. To add to that we now offer a fab new service. Our FANTASTIC glitter tattoos are perfect for the Christmas Party season. Don’t miss this special treat ….

Last but not least, we are offering a Makeover Party with a Christmas festive twist. This party is full of little surprises especially for the children who still believe in santa, and of course theres still a lovely GLITTERY MAKEOVER and our FAB GLITTER TATTOOS to keep all the children happy.

Don’t miss out, book one of our special Children’s Christmas Parties today.

Shellie x
http://www.littlemissprincessparties.co.uk/parties/Christmas-Photo-Shoot-Party

We are ideally looking for an experienced mum or someone with childcare experience (min age 20). You must have your own transport and preferable be CRB checked. However we can sort this out for you should you not have this certificate.

The job will involve hosting children’s parties with Kelly (our new agent) in Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford. You must have a wonderful way with children and be happy to travel. The fantastic thing about this job is we won’t ask you to work every weekend! AND its good fun. How good is that?

INTERESTED? Please contact us now via: littlemissprincess.parties@ntlworld.com sending a copy of your CV and as much information as you can give us.

I read this morning that an exhibition by the controversial conceptual artist brothers, Jake and Dinos Chapman, is going to be in Leeds for the next few weeks. ‘My Giant Colouring Book’ is at Leeds College of Art from 14 September to 9 October.

The Chapman brothers were part of the Young British Artists movement in the early 1990s, and since then they’ve created some controversial works which include representations of torture and disfigurement.

I’m not much of an art buff, but if I were a bit closer to Leeds, that’s an exhibition I’d definitely like to see. One whiff of the word ‘controversial’ and my ears prick up!

I always thought my daughter would be a professional artist. From the day she drew her first wobbly little goat (as a toddler, most of her drawings were of either goats or cats - no idea why) I could see that Emily had inherited her father’s artistic abilities.

Below is an abstract piece that Emily created when she was 9 years old. I love it - it’s been hanging, framed, on my wall ever since she brought it home from school ten years ago.

Until a few months ago, Emily going to university to study for her BA in illustration (she really wanted to illustrate children’s books) seemed a dead cert. She’d already spent two years at college, studying for her BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design, and she had a place waiting for her at uni.  Then she took a year out, to enjoy a bit of “me time” (which basically means “watching Jeremy Kyle and playing Sims 3″) and after a year of that, she’s now decided she’s not ready for uni yet.

There’s been a lot of discussion about it in our house, most of it quite heated. Emily says she’s realised that if she gets an art degree, it’s not going to help her get a decent job afterwards. She says she’d rather take A Levels in academic subjects - perhaps history and psychology - and then take a degree course later, in a subject that’s more likely to help her to get started in a good career. I think that’s rather a wise decision.

My husband and my dad, who’s staying with us at the moment, have both nagged her to just go to uni now, take the course she’s been offered, and be grateful that she’s got the opportunity to go at all; a degree is a degree no matter what the subject, if you don’t go to uni you’re a waster, blah blah blah.

But while I’d love to see my daughter go to uni and get a degree (I didn’t do it myself, and I wish I had), I can totally see her side of the argument; why get into thousands of pounds of debt to study a subject that isn’t likely to lead to a career?

The subject has been done to death recently, and poor Emily is thoroughly fed up with all the lectures. I can’t say I blame her. It’s difficult enough when you’re not sure what you want for your future career, without having people nagging on at you to make a decision - and a decision that you’ll probably end up regretting, at that.

I’ve not been immune from being nagged, either. Apparently it’s a terrible thing that I’m not pushing her into uni, and not forcing her to do a course that she’s changed her mind about. What an evil, useless mother I must be!

But as far as I’m concerned, what mothers do best - or SHOULD do best, anyway - is support their children. Whatever decisions our kids make, good or bad, sensible or daft, we’re on hand to wipe away their tears, share their joy, and be there for them when they need us.

My own parents are habitual naggers. They’ve never been very good at praising anything I’ve achieved - but they’ve been fantastic at criticising my mistakes.

So I’ve made a decision: whatever Emily ends up doing with her career - world-famous artist or best shelf stacker in Tesco - I’m not going to be like my parents. I’m not going to nag. I’m not going to lecture. I’m just going to support Emily’s decisions, wherever they take her, and make sure she knows that I’m proud of her no matter what.

When you’re a parent, the line between supporting and nagging is a very fine one. Sometimes it takes a huge amount of effort to avoid crossing that line. Hopefully, Emily will soon make a decision that she’s happy with… and until then, I’m staying on my tiptoes!

As well as contributing the occasional article to Shelly’s blog, I also like to visit and keep up with her latest news. Reading about Shelly’s children all being at school now, and her feelings about this, made me smile.

Why? Because what always gives me a very good, warm feeling about Little Miss Princess Parties is how reassuring it is that the business is run by an experienced mum.

There are other companies that offer similar services to those provided by Little Miss Princess Parties. But so few of them are owned or staffed by bona fide mothers.

Doesn’t that strike you as a bit odd?

I mean, I would find it strange to have my car fixed by someone who’d never driven before. And for years I’ve suspected that the majority of women’s so-called “sexy” lingerie is designed by men; if it’s not, then why is it often so uncomfortable, not to mention impractical?

So it does strike me as a bit odd that a business that provides entertainment services to children would be staffed primarily by childless teenagers. Many of them are not much more than children themselves, when you think about it.

Sure, they’ve probably all had a bit of training. Perhaps they even have a GCSE in child development. But look at it this way: I studied maths at school, but that doesn’t make me a mathematician…

Looking after children is not an academic subject. Every child is different, with different needs, personalities, likes, dislikes, habits and temperaments. And the best way to get to know children is to have one of your own. When it comes to children, education is no match for experience.

When my daughter was small, there was no such thing as a pamper party for little girls. They simply didn’t exist back then.

But if they had, I know for a fact that I would’ve chosen a children’s party company run by an experienced mother over one staffed by childless teenagers - every single time, without fail.

Because like my mother always used to say - and, naïve fool that I was, I never believed her until I became a mum myself - “mother knows best”.

Anyway, went off track there abit. So Let me tell you about my week.

On Monday of this week I sent my “BIGGEST BABY” to HIGH SCHOOL. Yes that school that you think your babies will never get to. Well, let me tell you they DO. Scared? Me? YEP I was. Finally the day all us mums had been talking about for months and months had arrived. How could that be? Where did all those years go? I AM NOT OLD enough to have a child at high school am I?

Off he went, looking oh so grown up, with his white shirt and tie. His ‘McKenzie” size 7 shoes (same size as me) and his back pack. I felt so proud of my little boy. He looked so smart and grown up. I certainly had a lump in my throat.

All day I wondered and I wondered. What was he doing? Could he find his way around that big school? Would he be in the same class as his friends? Would this first day every end? Finally he came home. He LOVED IT! “Yippee” I thought, one down, one to go.

With high school all done and dusted , what would my daughter (who was only 4 in August) make of her first day in Reception class? I had been asking her for most of the school holidays if she would like to stay at home with me and still be my baby. I told her I would be lonely at home on my own without a baby to look after. Why did I do this? I don’t know, because now she was telling me “Yes, she would like to stay at home with me and be my baby” OH NO! HELP! What have I done?

Soooo, time for a bit of back tracking here. Quick action needed. For the last week I have been telling her lovely stories, about how she would be painting, playing with play dough, drawing and reading books and have so much fun with her new friends.

PHEW! It did the trick. She went into school today without a backward glance. Thank goodness. So why didn’t I know whether to laugh or cry?

Oh the joys of being a mum. Does anyone identify with my diary this week?

Shelly
www.littlemissprincessparties.co.uk

We now have a Party Agent available to host children’s parties in Calderdale and Kirklees areas.

Kelly will happily host your little girl’s birthday party in Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford. She is available to deliver some fabulous parties for girls including the every popular Bear Making Parties, Children’s Mini Makeover Pamper Party and the themed birthday parties such as High School Musical and Mama Mia which seem to be a big hit at the moment.

If you live in any of the following areas: * Shelf, * Brighouse, * Sowerby Bridge, * Elland, * Ripponden, * Heben Bridge, * Clayton West, * Kirkburton, * Holmfirth, * Cleckheaton, * Dewsbury, * Batley, * Liversedge, * Queensbury, * Bradford, * Balidon, * Shipley, * Bingley. *Bailiff Bridge * Bank Top, * Barkisland we can now offer a whole range of kids parties ideas including: Teddy bear making parties, Rag doll making parties, pamper parties for girls, princess parties and so much more…..

Take a peep at the website: www.littlemissprincessparties.co.uk for more details. More girl’s party ideas on the way soon.

Here in the UK, this is the week when many children are going back to school after the summer holidays. And for many four and five year olds, it’s their first day in school and they’ll be filled with a mixture of excitement, dread, joy and separation anxiety.

Did I say the children? Make that the parents!

Shelly told me yesterday that her youngest starts school this week, and it reminded me of my first-day-at-school experience with my own little princess, Emily, who’s now nearly 20.

Throughout Emily’s life I’ve encouraged her to be independent in thought and deed. It never occurred to me that doing so would come back to bite me on the bum on her first day at school…

I was a full time working mum, so Emily had always been cared for while I was at work by my auntie Jackie, a registered childminder.

On Emily’s first day at school Jackie and I sat in a corner of the classroom, trying to be invisible, as requested by the teacher. We watched Emily play for about an hour, sharing her excitement as she discovered the sand tray, the water play area, the Lego, the play house, the other children…

Like mums do, Jackie and I exchanged regular little glances that were loaded with “awwws” and “blesses”. Blinking back tears of pride that our baby was growing up - I may have been Emily’s mum, but Jackie was doing a good proportion of the upbringing - we waited for Emily to get into a panic at being left alone.

And waited. And waited. And waited…

Eventually, Emily looked around and spotted us sitting in the corner. “Ah,” we thought, somewhat smugly, “here it comes. She’s panicking.” We smiled at Emily reassuringly, gave her a little wave, a little thumbs-up.

Emily wandered over and eyed us suspiciously.

“Everything OK, sweetheart?” I asked, anxiously.

“Yeah, fine thanks mum,” she replied. “But I was wondering… why are you two still here? Haven’t you got anything better to do?”

Little Miss Independence, eh? If only she felt that enthusiastic about leaving home…

By the time the speeches start they can be getting a bit restless. How about keeping them entertained with some of our Bear Making or Rag Doll Making Kits. It will keep them occupied without disturbing the speeches, it is very easy to do and if you are having your wedding reception in Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate, York or Halifax we can come out and host the Bear Making Party to keep them happy. You have a memorable time during the speeches, the kids are entertained and they go home with a great gift - Everybody is happy!

We also provide lots of other Entertainment Packages for Children at Weddings including mini makeovers, tattoos, nail painting, and traditional games like the good old favourite ‘pass the parcel’!

Take a look here for more information

Our packages can are bespoke just for you and we will try accommodate your wishes taking into account the number of children and their ages.

Why have unhappy bored children at your wedding! Providing wedding entertainment for children in Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate, York and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Shelly
www.littlemissprincessparties.co.uk

Do you want to be your own boss? Want to work your own hours? Are you a mum looking for an opportunity that fits around you and your family? Want the support of a business already established?

Well look no further. I myself am one of those mums who needed the flexibility of a part-time job with an excellent income.

I established Little Miss Princess Parties a Leeds based children’s party company nearly 3 years ago now initially providing Princess Pamper Parties for the children of West Yorkshire. However, the business has grown beyond my wildest dreams and I am regularly turning bookings away as I simply can’t be in two places at once.

So I am offering like minded people a chance to run their very own part of Little Miss Princess Parties in their chosen area. For a small initial investment a start up kit, marketing report, training, plus lots of help and advice on establishing ‘Little Miss Princess Parties’ will be provided

Working on a self employed basis you can work as much or as little as you like, it really is up to you! Parties are mainly held on a Saturday or Sunday, but weekdays are not unheard of especially around school holiday times.

Interested? If you have a wonderful way with children, have access to a car and have the drive and passion to work for yourself please visit:
http://www.littlemissprincessparties.co.uk/parties/Jobs

Please enquire in the first instance via email to:
littlemissprincess.parties@ntlworld.com