Family of the Week - Bray

What are your top tips for getting children to do what you ask?

Laura’s a bit of a tough task master and she’s had it drilled in from an early age that they do as they’re asked. They’re both very good in that department although Logan still has his moments!

What family task takes you the longest?

Getting Logan out of bed on a morning. He loves a lie in.

What’s the weirdest thing your children have done?

When Logan was about three he went through a phase where he would try and lick Erin’s face. Very weird and luckily short lived.

Have your children ever really, really surprised you? How and why?

Not really, although Logan could be a bit of a terror when he was in nursery and we had a couple of chats with teachers about his behaviour in class. We were dreading his first parents evening when he moved to reception but to our surprise he got great feedback and has been very good ever since. Long may it continue!

What’s the most bizarre thing you have found yourself saying since having kids?

I’m pretty tricky with singing cartoon theme tunes and Hannah Montana at the minute. The thing we say most is after a ‘fist pump’ we say Fa La La La La La. If you’ve seen Big Hero 6 you’ll understand!

What’s the funniest thing your children have ever said/done?

Logan’s pet name is Logi Bear. One day I called him Logi and he turned round with a face like thunder and said “Daddy, its not Logi Bear, its Handsome Logan!” I nearly fell off my chair. Laura is originally from Wigan and we are both Rugby League supporters. Laura obviously goes for Wigan and myself for Leeds. When Erin was a baby, Laura’s brother got her a Wigan top. They were trying to put it on quietly upstairs but as they were putting it on Erin Poo’d all over it. She never wore it again! I thought that was pretty funny! Laura not so much!

Look online for more.

Mini moan - what really gets your goat?

Rude/Ignorant people. There is absolutely no excuse for it. Manners cost nothing.

What’s your favourite family day out?

We have a static caravan in a little village called Whitburn on the North East Coast near South Shields. We get up as much as we can.

What hobbies/pastimes do you enjoy as a family and separately?

We like a trip to the park or to watch the Milford Marlins Rugby Team on a weekend. Erin does karate at Akashi Shotokan Karate and gymnastics at Leeds Esprit. Logan has just started junior rugby league at Milford.

What’s the hardest thing about being a parent?

It was definitely harder when they were babies. You can’t leave the house without prams, nappies, milk, water, wipes etc. Luckily mine are both past that stage and its a walk in the park compared to then.

What’s a typical evening for the grown-ups once the children are in bed?

We don’t really have any set routine as Laura is often on nights but when we are both at home its usually a film.

What is Leeds’ most family-friendly restaurant and why?

We like Gallery 41 on Kirkstall Road. Very friendly staff and lovely food.

What’s the best thing about weekends and why?

We get out in the fresh air and watch some rugby throughout the summer and an opportunity to catch up with friends.

What is your most treasured memory?

Both kids being born! That and all the Rhinos trophy wins!

What’s the number one thing you would change about Leeds?

Nothing really, it’s a great city to live in. If I had the power though I’d bring back Ritzy’s nightclub and make the football team half decent again.

What’s the children’s favourite food/meal?

Logan’s into tuna pasta and Erin loves chicken wraps. Although they’ve never turned a chicken nugget Happy Meal down.

What’s your top penny-pinching tip?

We live by the philosophy that life is for living so can’t really offer much in that department although Laura doesn’t mind a trip to Freeport for some bargains.

What one item can you not live without?

It’s a tie between my phone and Sky Sports.

What can your children not live without?

iPad for both! We monitor the time they spend on them but there’s always a little battle when we tell them that their time is up.

Your child’s favourite book and author.

Logan’s a bit young but Erin reads quite a lot. At the minute she is working her way through the Dork Diaries collection by Rachel Renee Russell.