Family of the Week: Stiles

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

We have recently been potty training our two-year-old daughter (Florence) and have found that ‘penny’s for poo’s poo’s’ seems to do the trick!

What family task takes you the longest?

Cleaning the house takes a long time when Florence insists on helping & manages to create more mess in doing so.

What’s the weirdest thing your children have done/brought home/done to your house?

Florence used to love putting things in the bin, we always found jigsaws with missing pieces and occasionally had to dig out the TV remote.

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

Yes, Florence took her first steps whilst on holiday in Ibiza when only nine months old before she’d even learnt to crawl.

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

We always find ourselves singing pop songs but replacing words with Florence’s name. She has now started singing them back to us, no doubt she’ll be disappointed when she hears the original tracks.

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

Just the other day Florence came downstairs with Kate’s bra on saying ‘Me a big girl like mummy’

Mini moan - what really gets your goat?

Nursery Fee’s, although we will be looking forward to some free hours shortly our nursery bill is by far our biggest outgoing..

What’s your favourite family day out?

We love Scarborough but closer to home we find ourselves going to Temple Newsham and Roundhay park a lot.

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

We have recently become national trust members so spend many weekends visiting some great family locations, we love being outdoors. Kate goes to the gym and I am into photography. Florence has recently joined gym tots.

What’s the hardest thing about being a parent?

Our second child will be born in 12 weeks so we’d have to say sleepless nights again.

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

If I’m not editing photos me and Kate will probably be watching a TV series from Netflix. A Saturday will be steak and red wine night.

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

Frazenda’s is great for family’s. Florence loved the novelty plates and puzzle book. The food is nice and it’s good value.

What’s the best thing about weekends and why?

Definitely making the most of family time and getting out of the house.

What is your most treasured memory?

We got married in Cyprus last year with loads of family and friends there. That memory will be with us forever.

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

With Kate being a shopaholic she’d love the parking prices to be cheaper.

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

Luckily for us Florence is a fan of vegetables and fruit, especially water melon.

What’s your top penny-pinching tip?

Not letting Kate go shopping on her own.

One family member’s proudest achievement?

Kate always likes to remind me of her modelling days - 30 years ago. She appeared in some children’s books when she was five years old.

What one item can you not live without?

Wet wipes are the best invention ever, I don’t know how my parents managed back in the day.

What can your children not live without?

Her rabbit blanket has to be with her every night.

What is your child’s favourite book and author.

Julia Donaldson, she is really loving stick man at the minute and we own most of her other books.