Category: 3 years and beyond

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3 years and beyond University Study

Bed is calling me

Why is it when you have a million things to do you are not feeling your best. This just makes what you have to do, harder and more annoying. Maybe I should have done more university work before now. It is hard fitting it all in being a busy mummy; however I probably could have done more than I have done. I have an assignment due on the 2nd of April and just between you and me, I have done some research but not put much of it together. More reading and time spent on this needs to happen this weekend.

I have told the husband that I need to be left alone to do university work, and that was met with, he needs to sleep in, do the lawns and get his hair cut. Understand that these things need to be done and he has had a big week, so catching up on sleep is great. So hoping that when he is up it is my turn to be left alone to get on with what I want to do. He can look after the girls like I had to when he had a presentation to do for work.   I just fear that I will end up looking after the girls till about 1-2pm and then I will get nothing done.

Currently I feel terrible, tired, and achy, the beginning of a sore throat, and just generally out of sorts. I would really like to go back to bed; however this cannot happen with kids in the house.

Today the goal is to get some of my assignment done and my tutorial questions. Once these are done, or at least well on the way to being complete I will feel much better about university and the situation.

Now the other goal is to be left alone to complete this task. Maybe daddy might take the kids out to get his haircut and leave me alone?  You can only hope.

Have you had things you need to get done, but it is hard when you are not left alone to do them? I know I have some extra days due to pre-school, but I tend to get some housework done, shopping and try to fit in university study. The issue with university is that you can take hour’s just investigating one issue or looking up an article. Then there is a matter of reading it all to understand what it is you are doing. So the day that you had goes and you don’t feel like you have done anything.

Does your partner/husband help you have time to yourself for study/time out/hobbies/anything else? It is really hard to fit it all in. Next week I am using pre-school days for me, not the house. Send in what you do to fit it all in? What tips and tricks can you share with us all?

Update: Finally now on my own, it is 11:40am, and feel annoyed most of the day is gone but pleased to be getting a start on my work. Now getting a hot cuppa tea and to get stuck into it. In the end I have organised the format for the assignment, now need to read all the articles and put it all together. Wanted to do more, however after lunch I felt terrible and decided to rest.

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3 years and beyond

Little performers

Yesterday we spent the day with great aunty Jean and Grandma. We went shopping and had lunch out. I even was able to do some secret Easter shopping for the girls, although still need to get the eggs.

After shopping we all went back to Jean’s place to get ready for dinner and the exciting part was daddy was joining us as well. The girls were going all day since 7am so I was hoping that they might rest at this stage. This was not to be so. They ran around the house, and were creating games at every turn.  I was pleased that they were happy and would sleep well that night as we had a big day.

Dinner was lovely and one of daddy’s favourites; however it was not a hit with the girls. They pushed it away and said that it was yucky, and they did not want it. We explained that there was no other choice for dinner and this was it. If they were hungry they would eat it. Still no go.

It was only with the idea of missing out on dessert (ice cream and jelly), that they thought that it might be an idea to eat a little of the dinner. We said that if they make an effort and have some more then they can get desert. It was not a great effort but both girls had more than they would have. So they ended up with desert, although the downed the ice cream very quickly and left the jelly.

After dinner, the girls got up on a raised area that they call the stage and gave us all a performance. It was a very interesting show indeed, we had performances from Chuggington, Angelina Ballerina, and the girls did some dancing. I asked the girls if they can share some of their songs with us and they stood on the stage and sung us all the songs they knew, even one that a boy at school taught them which has a funny ending. They are such little performers; they even sold tickets and were setting up the props for the show.  This was not the first time we had a show on this stage, last time the girls were there they did a playschool show, it was mostly singing into pretend microphones.

I must say they are very creative; it makes us all think they are going to be in the theatre or something similar.  Who knows, it is probably just the age they are. Does your child perform for guests or you? Everything is so detailed with the girls, they have stories for everything, what about your child?

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3 years and beyond

Not this dinner mummy!!!

Last night’s dinner was not a success as I had hoped, although deep down I expected this. I cooked the girls chicken and vegetables with noodles. I did not have much in their bowls and thought that they might pick at the chicken and eat some noodles at the least.

The reaction was tears, screaming and yelling. “No, Yuck!”  And, “No mummy we are playing outside, we will eat later” This ended with the girls realising that there was no other choice for dinner and if they did not eat this they would go hungry.

Lillian after while caved in and had some chicken and noodles, not much but it was a good try. She got rewarded with a chocolate koala and then had milk.

Julia was not interested and very stubborn. She decided to have a temper tantrum and stayed in the kitchen yelling, screaming and crying. I thought since whatever I said was making things worse that I should just leave her to calm down. I could see her crawling on the floor and her head was poking around the corner, until I saw her face and then more tears and she did not want to look at me. I am the bad parent for making her eat the dinner and not offering her other things.

Daddy got home early and Julia went to tell him that I was not feeding her and that I was being mean to her. I did tell Julia if she just ate a bit of the dinner then she can have a treat and milk like Lillian. She refused so I refused.

After a bit of cuddle time with daddy and telling on me to daddy, she seemed willing to try again if she had the pink bowl for her food and of course not with me. So organised the pink bowl and she ate quite a lot of the chicken and I think some noodles, not sure. At least this is a good start. She then got a chocolate koala and some milk. Finally a smile out of Julia, I hugged and kissed her and told her what a good job she was doing.

It is hard being the bad parent and having the kids hate you, but if it means that they eat more food and get more variety, I suppose it is worth it.  How have you gone with temper tantrums at dinner and what has the outcome been?  Is there ways to make the tantrums end sooner than carry on? Do you know how, if so share your special secret ways with us.

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3 years and beyond

Breast v’s Bottle

There is a lot of pressure on a new mum to breastfeed and many feel terrible if they cannot. There could be a number of reasons mothers cannot breastfeed, and I don’t think they should be judged because of it.

I for one found it difficult and twins made it even harder. After I had the girls I was pressured to have milk. I just had them and had no idea how to breastfeed. It was hard. I managed to express my milk but as I just had them I only got half a test tube and that would not feed a hungry baby. For me this was important to try as Lillian was on nil by mouth and not taking to the formula, however Julia found formula fine. I did manage to make more each day and every time I got some more I rushed it down to the NICU. However I do understand how upsetting this is to a new mum and how miserable you feel about not being able to give your baby what they need instantly.

I wanted to give the kid’s breast milk and was able to do this for about 5 months solidly. However, when I came home from hospital, the first weekend was terrible.   I was so pleased to be home and not to be pregnant that I stopped drinking fluids. My milk was depleted as every 3 hours I was feeding and then expressing to feed again. I did try the dual hold to feed the girls without expressing my milk, although this ended up badly, Lillian always ended up not on properly and falling down the side of the lounge between pillows and cushions. Then I would lose Julia as well. I could not do it by myself and I had no help. So bottles with expressed milk it was.  As my milk was not there on Sunday night I decided to make formula for the evening feeds to have my milk replenish.  My husband asked if I had been drinking any water, and more fluids and I said no, I did not want to constantly go to the bathroom all the time. He said that this was my problem. So after that, every time I feed the girls, I drank a pint of water, and then expressed my milk again, and so it went. I was lucky to have a good supply until about 5 months and then it was only a little bit until the week before the girls were 8 months it dried up all together.

I must say that I wish I could have had 100% breast milk; however I worked with the situation. I had two hungry babies that wanted food all the time. I was not making enough and my body needed to rest to make more milk. I think what we did was the best for our situation.

So it was with great interest that I read Paul Chai’s article in the Sydney Morning Herald,  about New Zealand footballer Piri Weepu, who fed his new born son with a bottle. (Piri was attacked for bottle feeding his child rather than using breast milk)  I for one think it is just lovely to see a father want to be part of their child’s life. I really think the issue is up to the parents on whether they bottle feed or breast feed. Who knows what is in the bottle is breast milk, as it was mostly with us.  I think the pictures of Piri with his baby are just lovely.

Why do organisations make people feel bad for what they are doing? Everyone knows breast is best, however what you do if you cannot provide this for whatever reasons. As long as the baby is healthy, developing on target, happy and hitting their milestones. There is not a problem.

Men who want to be part of this wonderful experience of feeding their child should be. The bonding that happens between father and child is great as well and should not just be for mother and baby. Having a partner, husband, father that is willing to help and to feed a baby gives the mother a much deserved break. Why is this so bad?

I say it does not matter what you decide as long the baby is healthy.  What are your thoughts?

 

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3 years and beyond Uncategorised

Breast v's Bottle

There is a lot of pressure on a new mum to breastfeed and many feel terrible if they cannot. There could be a number of reasons mothers cannot breastfeed, and I don’t think they should be judged because of it.

I for one found it difficult and twins made it even harder. After I had the girls I was pressured to have milk. I just had them and had no idea how to breastfeed. It was hard. I managed to express my milk but as I just had them I only got half a test tube and that would not feed a hungry baby. For me this was important to try as Lillian was on nil by mouth and not taking to the formula, however Julia found formula fine. I did manage to make more each day and every time I got some more I rushed it down to the NICU. However I do understand how upsetting this is to a new mum and how miserable you feel about not being able to give your baby what they need instantly.

I wanted to give the kid’s breast milk and was able to do this for about 5 months solidly. However, when I came home from hospital, the first weekend was terrible.   I was so pleased to be home and not to be pregnant that I stopped drinking fluids. My milk was depleted as every 3 hours I was feeding and then expressing to feed again. I did try the dual hold to feed the girls without expressing my milk, although this ended up badly, Lillian always ended up not on properly and falling down the side of the lounge between pillows and cushions. Then I would lose Julia as well. I could not do it by myself and I had no help. So bottles with expressed milk it was.  As my milk was not there on Sunday night I decided to make formula for the evening feeds to have my milk replenish.  My husband asked if I had been drinking any water, and more fluids and I said no, I did not want to constantly go to the bathroom all the time. He said that this was my problem. So after that, every time I feed the girls, I drank a pint of water, and then expressed my milk again, and so it went. I was lucky to have a good supply until about 5 months and then it was only a little bit until the week before the girls were 8 months it dried up all together.

I must say that I wish I could have had 100% breast milk; however I worked with the situation. I had two hungry babies that wanted food all the time. I was not making enough and my body needed to rest to make more milk. I think what we did was the best for our situation.

So it was with great interest that I read Paul Chai’s article in the Sydney Morning Herald,  about New Zealand footballer Piri Weepu, who fed his new born son with a bottle. (Piri was attacked for bottle feeding his child rather than using breast milk)  I for one think it is just lovely to see a father want to be part of their child’s life. I really think the issue is up to the parents on whether they bottle feed or breast feed. Who knows what is in the bottle is breast milk, as it was mostly with us.  I think the pictures of Piri with his baby are just lovely.

Why do organisations make people feel bad for what they are doing? Everyone knows breast is best, however what you do if you cannot provide this for whatever reasons. As long as the baby is healthy, developing on target, happy and hitting their milestones. There is not a problem.

Men who want to be part of this wonderful experience of feeding their child should be. The bonding that happens between father and child is great as well and should not just be for mother and baby. Having a partner, husband, father that is willing to help and to feed a baby gives the mother a much deserved break. Why is this so bad?

I say it does not matter what you decide as long the baby is healthy.  What are your thoughts?

 

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3 years and beyond

Fussy eaters

I have 2 fussy eaters. Julia seems sometimes better than Lillian and Lillian does not eat as much as Julia; however they are just about the same when it comes to new foods and eating a family meal. I have tried so many different things, but each child does the same thing. They decide they hate it even before they have tired it. They will not try something to see if they like it. They seem to be stuck in the same foods they have eaten for ages.  I know that I need to make a bigger effort and there are times that it has just been easier to just stick with what is easy and works. However I would like to change this and make the girls have more of a range in their food and experiences.

I read with interest “The four dreaded dinner words” the essential kids article written by Dr Joanna McMillan, which is about fussy eaters. I totally agree with this article.  A while back the girls were recommended to go to a dietician at Katoomba Hospital and that was good as they helped with ideas of what the kids could eat and I could introduce. However some things I have tried quite often and it has never taken avocado, salad, peanut butter, and much more.

The girls are putting on weight well, although they are still small. I think due to them being born 6 weeks early, being twins and maybe genetically they might not be big people. I am pleased with the growth, their development, however was hoping that with this they might want to try more and explore more food options. If only they would just try a new food. I do know that you need to expose the child to the new food several times. I have tried this with dried apricots and dried banana chips in their lunch boxes, however for weeks now they just come back not touched. As they don’t eat a lot, I have figured that I will put in what they will eat and add some new things to try. This has not worked out well although I will continue.

Vegemite and honey sandwiches, Weet-bix, Nutri-Grain, milk, juice, yogurt, cheese, crackers, water, carrots, spaghetti with Bolognese sauce, chicken, ham, bread rolls, cheese, scrambled eggs, and bacon bread rolls, and things like this seem to be their staples. I feel that if one child likes one food and wants to finish it and then the other child thinks it is bad, then it influences the other. If this happens, no one will eat.

I feel that we need to go back to the dietician, for more advice. I am not sure that there is one at the hospital as the one we were seeing left, will ring to find out and see if they can recommend someone if we cannot get in there.  Do you have a fussy eater? Do you have twins who are fussy? Do they decide before they see or taste something that they will not like it? What do you do? I have taken to putting the vitamins back in the girl’s milk to make sure that they get what they need. I also think it helps ward of illness with them at school.

Send in your tips and tricks to help kids eat.

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3 years and beyond

I am bigger than you

Yesterday while at lunch with the family, the girls found a playroom for kids. This playroom was not much at all. It was small, and only had 2 things to play with; a toy house, and big Lego blocks.

In this playroom was a bigger kid who was about half an arm taller than the girls. This boy decided to tell the girls that he was bigger than them. Julia and Lillian told him that they were bigger than him. This kid did not like this and was not looking very happy.

James and I have told the girls that they don’t need to be scared of the boys at playgrounds, indoor centres and the like. We have told them that they just need to stick up for themselves and all will be o.k. If things get too bad, we have told them to come and get us.

Julia came and told me what was happening. I went in to make sure that everything was fine and no child was getting hurt. The boy walked up to me and said, “They say they are bigger than me”, I said “You are a big boy, and the girls are big girls”. This did not help his cause too much.

One thing that made me giggle was when the boy jumped on an ottoman, while saying, “I am even bigger now I am standing on this”, and then Julia jumped on it and said “I am bigger than you.”  I could sense the boy’s frustration. The girls think that when you say that someone is bigger than them, that they are not big girls (by big girls I mean, more grown up and not babies); they took it as an insult.

Have you had a situation that your child/children have told someone they are taller, bigger or something that they are not? How did you deal with this?

 

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3 years and beyond Family Potty Training

Busy and tired weekend

This weekend was a busy one. Saturday was a day off without kids and Sunday was spent with family.

The girls on Saturday spent the day with Aunty Kay, my sister. She had never had them by herself before so thought it would be interesting. I knew she could do it, but thought it best to bring toys and supplies for kids to play with.  I packed puzzles, videos, crayons, pens, pencils and paper, their toy dogs, fairy wings and wands, and other things.  According to my sister they played with each item for about 5mins at the most. The girls had their toes and nails painted. Toes are now silver, and fingers are now dark pink. Very striking.  They had a good day, all three of them walked to a playground and had a good time. There was a moment that Julia was not sure on going behind a tree to do a wee (hard on the go without the potties), this was all fine once dry clothes were found in the bag I provided. According to Aunty Kay, Julia’s face was very shocked at the idea that there was no toilet.

While we were both away from kids we went for Yum Cha in Chinatown. However the first restaurant of choice, Golden Century did not have Yum Cha available that day. All very weird. We used to live around the corner and this place was always open on Saturday’s for Yum Cha. I wonder what the issue was. So we ended up at Emperor’s Garden and it was great aside from the salt and pepper squid, too well done and not enough spice.

After lunch we ended up at the Dendy at Circular Quay, we were there to see the 2:15pm session of Coriolanus, which I did not want to see. I thought it sounded terrible and had no interest in seeing it. I should in hindsight have seen My Week with Marilyn at the same time, he would go to Coriolanus and I would see My Week with Marilyn, however that did not happen. I went to the stupid film that he said was amazing and great, and I did not want to see. Two minutes or less into it I knew it was terrible, shit and just a horrible choice. It went for over 2 hours. I ended up falling asleep for part of the film and did not want to stay. It was slow, boring and I had no interest to see any of the characters live or get upset if they died. I was actually hoping that they all died so the film would end. Next time I will say if you really want to see that film, fine you go, I will see something I want to see. Now he owes me. Very annoyed for wasting our day off with a terrible film.

After the film ended, it took us over 30mins to exit the Opera House car park. Not sure why, however we think it had something to do with the fact that the lane that you exit onto is not devoted to exiting the car park and you have to merge with other traffic. Finally out of the car park, we were headed to Aunty Kay’s to pick up the girls. They looked so tired and as soon as they were in the car I thought they would be asleep. Not so, Lillian was upset that we leaving Aunty Kay and we would not see her soon. Lilly cried for a while and the only way to soothe her while driving was for me in the passenger seat to hold onto her foot until we ended up somewhere for dinner. It was too late to have dinner at home and we rather have them fed and sleepy so we just had to put them in bed.

Today, Sunday, was a good day. Cool here and the girls were looking forward to seeing their great aunts and grandma. We all met and had a nice long lunch together and the girls were very happy. Upon coming home there was so much traffic coming down the mountain we were relived that we were going up it and not getting that level of traffic. While we were out today the girls told us when they needed to go to the bathroom and were very good. No accidents. So impressed and pleased that this is happening.

On the whole the girls had great adventures, spent time with their Aunty and saw other family. It is strange that this whole weekend we have hardly been home. I think that I really need to spend some time sorting things out again for the week ahead. At least tomorrow the girls are in school and I will have some time. However, I have been slack with my university work and need to concentrate on that also.

What did you get up to this weekend? Were you busy? How did your child/kids go being with family while you go out without them? Is there any adventures that you can share?  The girls loved their time with their Aunty and it is a pity that we live so far away.   Send in your stores.

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3 years and beyond

Tired and naughty seem to go together

Do you find that on the days that kids are elsewhere, in school, being looked after by family or at friends, that you want to achieve so much. I find that I have many things that would like to do, but realise that my day is short. This is due to dropping kids off and picking them up and the realisation that I don’t have a full day, only the time between 9.15am and 2.45pm. This is a small window but a great moment to have the time to be by yourself and get some things done.

These things that I would like to get done is the following: Sewing, cleaning, tiding, university study, watching scary shows that I like but the kids would not, shopping for food as it is easier without kids, appointments if needed, exercising, catching up on missed sleep, and probably more should be on the list that I have not listed.

So yesterday as mentioned I managed to do some housework, go off for something for me (Yippeee) and also iron some shirts. Then just in time to get back in the car to pick up my lovely girls, although this lovely moment is short lived due to the lovely girls changing into naughty creatures, when I am reunited with the girls it is like they are just jumping off the walls, not listening and this makes me get very annoyed. They seem to have hit the naughty button and are firing on all cylinders.

I thought I was just over reacting about this change in events. I mentioned my thoughts to some friends on facebook, friends at playgroup and family. The consensus is that the child/children are relaxing by being at home and showing you their true self, this is also is not helped by being tired from a day full of school and action.

It is so hard to deal with the girls after school, I am saying NO! so much, making sure that they listen when I say NO, as they think it is all fun and games. I have had to take away chairs, carry little people out of rooms and take things away from them. Threaten an early bed time, tell them that we will finish the milk in the room while I read stories rather than watching the end of their favourite good night television show. Oh, how this is draining and stressful.

If you say don’t get another busicut they take matters in their own hands. Both girls work together, getting a chair, and making sure that it goes to the right spot, then one gets on the chair and hands the goods to the other. You get the idea. Very clever, but naughty.

Currently we live in a smallish house so no room to separate the girls, so the fact that they have each other keeps the action happening. I have also tried to separate them recently again when they were being very naughty and it did not work. I put Lillian in the lounge room and she managed to get out of the door, While Julia was working herself into a terrible mess for hours. I ended up letting Lillian back into the bedroom and Julia was hugging and kissing her. There is such a connection, Julia was pinning for Lillian and it goes the other way as well. On the whole they are good kids, I just feel that they get too revved up and it is hard to calm them down.

I do see that the girls are exhausted, so try and do things quietly, however that backfires when they run at such a pace all around the house and the yard. Today we were not in school, but had playgroup instead. They were all over the shop and I am very happy and like the fact that they are now sleeping. They did have a fun day, playing with toys and in the sandpit, just so active.

Do you find it difficult after you pick kids up from school? Are you counting the hours or minutes until you can put them to bed? What are your secrets for having a great time before kids go to bed? Do you have some great ideas – send them our way so we can all learn.  I am now off to sleep as I have had a very long day.

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3 years and beyond

Toothbrush in the toaster

Today while kids were at school, I thought I would have some toast. This was short lived, as I then smelt something terrible coming from the toaster. Upon investigation I discovered that there was a toothbrush in the toaster. This is not good. Now to get it out.

I unplugged it, turned it upside down to see if that might work, I banged it and banged it. No luck.  After looking and looking at it, the toothbrush looks like it has melted. Daddy must have had toast for breakfast. Yes, he did. He called and I asked about the toaster, he wondered what the smell was. Glad I noticed, strange that no one else has.

I keep the toothbrushes in the kitchen on top of the microwave, one must have fallen into the toaster.  The toaster is still with toothbrush so will give the job to daddy to see if he can fix it, lets hope that we can sort it out. Don’t have the money to get a new toaster currently.

The girls had a great day at school, although I am exhausted as ever since I picked them up, they have been naughty. Not listening, doing anything they are told, running away and all sorts of terrible naughty kid things to do. Currently I have a bath ready for the kids to get clean after getting dirty at the airfield.

I have a nice glass of red wine waiting for me and will have to think about dinner options as I have not been organised today. Although, I attended a community group about sewing skills, did some ironing, some washing and also tidied the kitchen, so things have been done but not everything. Now wish us luck for our toaster.

Has weird things happened to your appliances? Has anything from the kids broken it or made it hard to use? Did you fix it? Send your comments in.

Update: Daddy managed to free the toothbrush from the toaster, and now the toaster lives to toast another day, yeah! Very happy with this outcome, at least we did not have to buy another one.

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3 years and beyond Pre-School

Jokers

Yesterday the girls were telling us jokes. We noticed very early on that they both have a good sense of humour, however now they are telling “Why did a banana cross the road jokes”. And yes the answer is to get to the other side.  I checked with Daddy and he did not tell them this joke. The only place would be pre-school. I then asked the girls did they hear it at school, and at bed time Lillian told me that a boy was telling the jokes, she would show me what boy. I don’t mind who told the joke, or where or when it happened. I was curious about it as it is yet another skill they are learning, joke telling.

This skill of joke telling seems to be only funny currently to the girls, although that said the way they giggle and carry on it makes you giggle too.  The crossing the road joke, was then told by Julia who told me about a house, with a roof and windows, and then she was in a fit of giggles. Lillian started off the versions of the pooh and wee wee’s crossing the road. It got to a level last night that it was all about pooh dingle something… not quite sure really.

The only thing matters is that they are having fun. After finally saying goodnight to grandma on the phone, she got them telling knock knock jokes. This as you might have guessed got into the same, there was a pooh or a wee wee at the door. Hilarious.  Well it was for the girls, hours of fun giggling and not going to bed. Just was pleased it was giggles not screams and tears.

What jokes has your child/children told you? Was it funny to you or just the child? It is a great thing to watch the amusement that comes from telling jokes. It is interesting from a behavioural aspect that they are now understanding a lot more how to tell a joke, making up their own jokes and understanding about punch lines. The girls have done this before, however with the introduction of school, I am sure that we will get more of them. My little jokers will have enough to keep us all in stitches.

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3 years and beyond Pre-School

What happens at pre-school, stays at pre-school

Ever since the girls started pre-school, it has been very difficult to find out what they do all day. When I pick them up I ask the standard question: “What did you do today?”, “Did you have a good day” and so on.

These are the answers I have been getting:

  • I don’t know
  • I will tell you tonight
  • I will tell you tomorrow
  • I don’t remember
  • I will tell you later
  • Vague stares
  • Silence
  • I don’t want to tell you mummy!!!

The reasons I think they don’t want to tell me are the following:

  • They are tired and have actually forgotten
  • Too much to do and overwhelmed
  • New things to play with/rules to learn/things to learn

I am still not sure what happens at pre-school, other than the following:

  • Playing
  • Painting and drawing
  • Reading and story-time
  • Learning new tasks

I am just thinking that pre-school is a bit like Vegas, what happens there stays in Vegas, and now it is a mystery of what happens at pre-school. Maybe with time I will know more. Next term I can come and observe, and I plan on doing that. This way I can really understand what happens at the school and get more involved.

I know that they get so tired after a day at school, so the girls are obviously doing a lot during the day. At playgroup the other day, the girls said that school was too easy and Julia said that she got bored. I addressed this with the teacher last week as I thought it was best to mention it in case she needed more stimulation. I was not sure if she is just saying the word “I’m bored” or if she was actually bored, it is really hard to know. The teacher said what I thought, the girls are doing so many different things and are on the go all day. They are very active.

Does your child/children keep you in the dark about their day at school?  I thought it might be just the girls, however after asking some mothers at playgroup and other friends it seems perfectly normal. It is hard to know as the girls are my first children, so at least this is normal; however it is just odd that you as a parent never find out what went on that day.  Is what happens at school a mystery to you?

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3 years and beyond Katoomba Hospital

In the wars

Lately the girls have been in the wars. Yesterday, Lillian ran at high speed into a trolley at Woolies and hurt her arm.  The time before that Lillian dropped a can on her toe in the same shop, now her toe nail is black and I am waiting on the nail to fall off. Also yesterday Julia fell over on the travelator and managed to get that organised with help of a lady behind me. I was shopping with just me and the girls. The trolley went sideways; Julia fell over and could not get up without help. She was so upset, and then Lillian was upset due to Julia being upset. The lovely lady behind me grabbed Lillian and I managed to get to Julia and saved her and the trolley just scraped on the side of the travelator until we exited.

Today while I was putting washing on the line, daddy was in the kitchen there was an incident.  I heard screams that I needed to come in as there was a problem. I raced in with high speed, worried about what had happened. I come in to see Julia on the kitchen bench with blood all over her face and her screaming and crying. I was not sure what had happened. At first look the gash over her eye looked really bad. We cleaned it up and it was not too bad or good either. Daddy did not want to go to the doctors at the hospital, however as a very worried mummy I insisted.

Before going I eventually found out what had happened. Julia was on daddy’s work chair in the study and tried to get off. She must have slipped and she went head first into the wood floor. Upon arriving at the hospital we were quick to get into to see the triage nurse. While there we met the emergency doctor and she assured us that it was fine, although had to wait until it was our turn to see her again, so off we went to the waiting room.

I only took Julia with me and she really did not want to go to the doctors, and thought it best to deal with one child and have Lillian spend time with daddy. While seeing the triage nurse she asked Julia some questions that would indicate if she was fine brain wise. She was, she answered who she was with successfully and some other questions. So that was a good thing. I was there at the hospital to make sure she was fine for one thing, and to make sure that the gash would heal o.k., it was deep but not really deep enough for stitches.

Finally we got to see the doctor again and she was great. She was telling Julia stories and asked why the dinosaur hurt her head, the doctor said that she sees these injuries a lot and the dinosaurs are naughty. Julia told the doctor that it was not the dinosaur that she fell off daddy’s chair, no dinosaur. Oh well, the doctor was trying and that was great, it made the whole situation much better for Julia. She was and still is very sensitive to what happened, she cries and gets very upset if it is mentioned or that she thinks about it.

Julia was brave and let the nurse and doctor put the special bandages on that draws the skin together to heal, she told Julia that they were dinosaur bandages. Now the challenge is that the bandage cannot get wet or dirty for 3-4 days. So sponge baths until then, this will be interesting. This time is important for the skin to heal or at least start joining up again.  We were not sure and tried to give her some gas to calm down, however she did not want to put the mask on or have anything to do with it so we went without it. I was very happy that she was a brave little girl, it must have hurt and glad that she is going to be o.k.

I am so exhausted and depleted after today. It has been very emotional. I just thought the worse when I saw the blood and saw her screaming and the tears. It was a terrible moment. I am sure that other parents have felt the same. I have also to think that this will not be the end of these scrapes. As active kids I am sure that there will be more. I just hope that they don’t hurt themselves too badly. It is hard enough when they just have a little bump.

Lillian according to daddy was a mess without Julia. She was worried and was screaming and crying while we were at the hospital. She was very concerned and worried about her sister. She did eventually calm down which was good. Daddy got her to play with some of my things which I was not happy about but understood that it calmed her down. While at the hospital, daddy and Lillian changed the batteries in the fire alarm and baked some scones.

This also makes me think that the girls need to be taken individually for things/tasks and outings more. Mummy or daddy takes one or the other and does something, spending time with that child only, for one on one time. The girls don’t take to being separated at all, although today was very upsetting, it was a good thing that Lilly spent time with daddy and I took Julia. It gives each child some quality time with each parent, will need to work on this more in the future.

If you have twins or multiples how do you handle doing something with one child, while the other parent takes the other? Do they freak out? How do you as a parent handle it when you kid/kids are in the wars?

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School Work

Happy International Women’s Day

Today is international women’s day, “International Women’s Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women’s Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political and social achievements.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Womens_Day, Accessed: 8th of March, 2012)

There were events here in the Blue Mountains today and tomorrow, however it is freezing here so have not ventured out, other than taking the kids to playgroup. It seems to have gotten colder from earlier today, or do I just need another hot tea? So please celebrate the day of women today and all female achievement. Be kind to your mother, sister, and other female relatives.

Today is also my Aunties birthday so that is a great day to have a birthday, wished her a great day and will see her for a family get together on the weekend, really looking forward to that.

Now onto the topic of empowering women; Women have made great strides forward, working, education, having bank accounts, voting, credit cards, not having to get married, able to purchase their own property, and much more.

However there are still some things that I feel have not changed.

1. The fact that a woman still does all or the majority of the housework. This happened before I had kids and I still do it. Although I was never good in this department

2.  If you are female and in child baring years then some people don’t hire you due to the risk associated if you get pregnant and go on maternity leave. Some women will never have kids, some will and work as well, some will have kids and not go back to work for a variety of reasons.

Only on the 5th of March it has been reported in news.com.au, that Virgin Blue has discriminated against female employees. This was due to the fact that they had children and wanted to return to their roles after their maternity leave. The ladies in this case were told that their positions were no longer available and made redundant. Basically, they were sacked and the company hired a new person to replace these women.

3. Told at university that as you are female you will get underpaid, this happened this year. There was an article about a Veterinary Student at Sydney University and she was told that as a graduate she would not earn what her male peers earn. What a terrible thing to be told. Why belittle a woman or anyone’s experience or skill due to sex alone. Why is this accepted in a teaching institution and in the world still? We are living in 2012 not 1950, or the 1900’s.

Below is a quote from Ms Daymond:

”When I graduated, starting salaries seemed to be definitely in favour of males and historically it had always been that way,” she said. ”We were told that we’d be earning $10,000 a year less than men, which was a bit disheartening. No one really told us why, so it was something we had to fight to equalise it a bit.” After all, more than 80 per cent of those now studying veterinary science are women.” (http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/salary-gap-female-graduates-get-ahead-20120205-1qzsj.html, Accessed: 8th March, 2012)

4. No flexible roles to allow educated and women who want to work, who have a family. These women are mainly the primary care takers and have the responsibility for taking kids to school, picking them up and so on. With all the technology, why is it that the only role is in the office full time? Why cannot you have a job that is say 2 days a week in the office and other days you can do the work when you can fit it in to your day. I know this issue is not only for women, more flexible roles are not available for all really.  I would have thought that it would be more cost effective to have employees work remotely. However, the thought from the employer is how do I make sure they do the work? Are these employees trustworthy? Are they going to abuse the privilege? I think with this day and age of different work types and places you can work thanks to the computer, mobile, and tablets, why not?  If these people don’t perform you can fire them if they don’t meet targets.

How do the above help the young girls soon to be women in our society?

I have 2 wonderful, smart, creative, beautiful girls. I want them to be able to do anything they put their minds to.  It does not matter what they end up doing, as long as they enjoy it and do it well.

Why is it acceptable in 2012 to tell a woman/girl that they will get underpaid due to their sex? You may as well say don’t try. Don’t go to school and be good at anything. It makes me so angry that this still happens. If this was said to a man/boy, I am sure it would be a completely different story. Men would tell you to go shove it. Why is it not o.k. for women to do the same?  If it was left to these men to hire women, then they would not ever work. The world has a population with over half of it women. We would be in a very bad place if we just rewarded men and did not hire or promote women.  The whole idea of saying in university that women will get less pay is buying into this inequality of the sexes. Roles should be paid according to skills, education, and fit in the workplace (how you fit in with the culture, leader or manger and so on, how you are valued at your place of work), sex to determine pay or a future outcome that might never happen, like children is just ridiculous.

A male friend who I was commenting on the above issue thinks that there is no issue in under paying women who might have children, or not. I asked why he felt this way and he said that employers were mitigating risk, Risk of women having children and leaving their organisation. Mind you some women don’t want kids or never have kids for whatever reason.

I would have loved to have still been working, however we have no family near us, child care places are very expensive, and as we have 2 kids have to times it all by 2. I would have to commute to the city, so it would be a long day. No day care centre is up when I would need them, so I would have to hire a nanny. Now that the kids are in pre-school, I would have to have someone to drop them off and pick them up, stay with them until I get home, or at least till their daddy is home.

The wage that I could earn would be good, however all would be eaten away by the nanny, and care takers for the kids. I would be racing everywhere for work, racing home, and racing to schools, and by the time I got home, I would be exhausted.  So if there was a role that worked a couple of days at the office, even part time, then the rest of the week at home and during the evening, that is something that I can do now. Other options currently I cannot do as I don’t have the cash or the help.

I want to empower my girls to get the best education so that they can soar to the highest height of their career, I want them to be financially independent, to own their property by the time they are 18 so they have an asset, and make them understand that the world is their oyster. I do understand that some of these things might not happen, and that is fine (like the property one and it depends on the strengths and interests of the child where they will end up) however I think that it is a damn shame, that we are in 2012 and we are still dealing with getting underpaid, and discrimination just due to our sex.

What are your thoughts on empowering girls if you have them? Why do you think that this mindset is still around that women should be underpaid? I for one think that if we have less time in the workforce due to looking after kids we should be paid more.  Please send in your comments and thoughts.

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School Uncategorised Work

Happy International Women's Day

Today is international women’s day, “International Women’s Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women’s Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political and social achievements.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Womens_Day, Accessed: 8th of March, 2012)

There were events here in the Blue Mountains today and tomorrow, however it is freezing here so have not ventured out, other than taking the kids to playgroup. It seems to have gotten colder from earlier today, or do I just need another hot tea? So please celebrate the day of women today and all female achievement. Be kind to your mother, sister, and other female relatives.

Today is also my Aunties birthday so that is a great day to have a birthday, wished her a great day and will see her for a family get together on the weekend, really looking forward to that.

Now onto the topic of empowering women; Women have made great strides forward, working, education, having bank accounts, voting, credit cards, not having to get married, able to purchase their own property, and much more.

However there are still some things that I feel have not changed.

1. The fact that a woman still does all or the majority of the housework. This happened before I had kids and I still do it. Although I was never good in this department

2.  If you are female and in child baring years then some people don’t hire you due to the risk associated if you get pregnant and go on maternity leave. Some women will never have kids, some will and work as well, some will have kids and not go back to work for a variety of reasons.

Only on the 5th of March it has been reported in news.com.au, that Virgin Blue has discriminated against female employees. This was due to the fact that they had children and wanted to return to their roles after their maternity leave. The ladies in this case were told that their positions were no longer available and made redundant. Basically, they were sacked and the company hired a new person to replace these women.

3. Told at university that as you are female you will get underpaid, this happened this year. There was an article about a Veterinary Student at Sydney University and she was told that as a graduate she would not earn what her male peers earn. What a terrible thing to be told. Why belittle a woman or anyone’s experience or skill due to sex alone. Why is this accepted in a teaching institution and in the world still? We are living in 2012 not 1950, or the 1900’s.

Below is a quote from Ms Daymond:

”When I graduated, starting salaries seemed to be definitely in favour of males and historically it had always been that way,” she said. ”We were told that we’d be earning $10,000 a year less than men, which was a bit disheartening. No one really told us why, so it was something we had to fight to equalise it a bit.” After all, more than 80 per cent of those now studying veterinary science are women.” (http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/salary-gap-female-graduates-get-ahead-20120205-1qzsj.html, Accessed: 8th March, 2012)

4. No flexible roles to allow educated and women who want to work, who have a family. These women are mainly the primary care takers and have the responsibility for taking kids to school, picking them up and so on. With all the technology, why is it that the only role is in the office full time? Why cannot you have a job that is say 2 days a week in the office and other days you can do the work when you can fit it in to your day. I know this issue is not only for women, more flexible roles are not available for all really.  I would have thought that it would be more cost effective to have employees work remotely. However, the thought from the employer is how do I make sure they do the work? Are these employees trustworthy? Are they going to abuse the privilege? I think with this day and age of different work types and places you can work thanks to the computer, mobile, and tablets, why not?  If these people don’t perform you can fire them if they don’t meet targets.

How do the above help the young girls soon to be women in our society?

I have 2 wonderful, smart, creative, beautiful girls. I want them to be able to do anything they put their minds to.  It does not matter what they end up doing, as long as they enjoy it and do it well.

Why is it acceptable in 2012 to tell a woman/girl that they will get underpaid due to their sex? You may as well say don’t try. Don’t go to school and be good at anything. It makes me so angry that this still happens. If this was said to a man/boy, I am sure it would be a completely different story. Men would tell you to go shove it. Why is it not o.k. for women to do the same?  If it was left to these men to hire women, then they would not ever work. The world has a population with over half of it women. We would be in a very bad place if we just rewarded men and did not hire or promote women.  The whole idea of saying in university that women will get less pay is buying into this inequality of the sexes. Roles should be paid according to skills, education, and fit in the workplace (how you fit in with the culture, leader or manger and so on, how you are valued at your place of work), sex to determine pay or a future outcome that might never happen, like children is just ridiculous.

A male friend who I was commenting on the above issue thinks that there is no issue in under paying women who might have children, or not. I asked why he felt this way and he said that employers were mitigating risk, Risk of women having children and leaving their organisation. Mind you some women don’t want kids or never have kids for whatever reason.

I would have loved to have still been working, however we have no family near us, child care places are very expensive, and as we have 2 kids have to times it all by 2. I would have to commute to the city, so it would be a long day. No day care centre is up when I would need them, so I would have to hire a nanny. Now that the kids are in pre-school, I would have to have someone to drop them off and pick them up, stay with them until I get home, or at least till their daddy is home.

The wage that I could earn would be good, however all would be eaten away by the nanny, and care takers for the kids. I would be racing everywhere for work, racing home, and racing to schools, and by the time I got home, I would be exhausted.  So if there was a role that worked a couple of days at the office, even part time, then the rest of the week at home and during the evening, that is something that I can do now. Other options currently I cannot do as I don’t have the cash or the help.

I want to empower my girls to get the best education so that they can soar to the highest height of their career, I want them to be financially independent, to own their property by the time they are 18 so they have an asset, and make them understand that the world is their oyster. I do understand that some of these things might not happen, and that is fine (like the property one and it depends on the strengths and interests of the child where they will end up) however I think that it is a damn shame, that we are in 2012 and we are still dealing with getting underpaid, and discrimination just due to our sex.

What are your thoughts on empowering girls if you have them? Why do you think that this mindset is still around that women should be underpaid? I for one think that if we have less time in the workforce due to looking after kids we should be paid more.  Please send in your comments and thoughts.

Categories
3 years and beyond Sewing University Study

Questions answered for week 1 at least

Today dropped the kids off at school, but before that, there were many meltdowns. I don’t want to wear those shoes mummy and not that shirt or dress. Oh, why can’t we just put clothes on and get out the door. Then the running around to avoid mummy as she wanted to brush hair. So after all this carry on, we were late getting to school. The only up side to getting to school today was getting  a park and dropping the girls off without a fuss, like the other day. YES!

Finally back home, I make a cuppa tea, put the heater on and a jumper. Very cold today, and not happy about that, but pleased that the house is warm. I am at the computer to tackle my first week of tutorial questions from university. I am just amazed at all the theories about the same area that are surfacing. I am sure that they were there before, just was not exposed to the idea before now. Today I managed to learn about complex adaptive and transactional models in project management. I have also addressed the difference between a manager and a leader, and why in some examples certain projects were failures or a success.  I finished it all, uploaded it online to the university’s site and all is good, very pleased and happy with me today. I know small things make me happy.

I am not sure that I was o.k with all my answers but pleased it is completed. Now on to read more and to get started on my individual assignment, organise a day per week to meet with my group for our assignment and generally research the whole subject. This will be done a piece at a time, not that clever it can all happen in one day or week. After reading this it made it sound like I am super study woman.

Today I had hoped to see if I could finish the pants that I am making for the girls. It was rather cool today, so thinking winter will be very cold indeed. Oh well at least the uni thing this week is not needing to be done and now I can do the pants without thinking about uni. The problem is that if I know I need to do something and want to do something else, I think about the other as it needs to be done before the other. I know, it is hard. However, having limited time to ones self is hard to try and fit it all in.Is this just me that does this. I used to be so organised with a day job, children have thrown me around a bit.  I need to get my to do list organised.

So the weekend I think will be making and finishing pants time. I promise pictures to come soon.

If you have had some time to yourself this week, what did you get up to? Are you studying? If you are studying, have you managed to get things done? Wishing you all luck if you are in the same boat as me, and that you will get all your work done.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond Potty Training Pre-School Uncategorised University Study

Don't leave mummy

The moon night light
Mooney Mooney - The moon night light

Yesterday the girls were great, we got to pre-school and they just waved goodbye and off they went to play with some other kids. I was so pleased that they were happy and content to just leave. The other week they were a bit clingy, so was very happy that this stage has passed, or so I thought.

Today the girls were so all over the place. I thought this might end as soon as they see friends and new things to do. I was wrong.  The girls did not want to get in the front door of the school, go in without me, or even want to let me go. Julia was in tears, and so was Lillian. Lillian started first, she was a mess. A lovely staff member helped me out so that I could leave. I told the girls that they can make me a picture. This seemed to calm them down for a bit. I made my way to the door, and then I heard Julia cry and get upset. I kept on walking. It was hard, I wanted to stay, but this is their school day and my day off to get things done. If I stayed it will just make leaving them at school so much harder.

I was amazed at the difference in them from yesterday and today. Other parents today were having the same issue, so at least it is not just my kids. It might be down to the weather. While driving to school today the girls noticed that it is darker and looks like we are going to have a thunderstorm, Julia was getting worried as she did not like thunder or storms. I told her that it will not be a worry; she will be inside all safe and sound. She was still worried. Lillian then said, “Don’t worry Julia, I will look after you”. How sweet is that, what a nice little girl Lillian is to offer that for her sister.

The weather yesterday was sunny, hot and just lovely. I managed to do 3 loads of washing and have them all dried on the line. The girls came home from school and wanted to go to the park. I was a bit worried that we might need to stop home for a toilet stop before the park, however the girls were insistent that it was o.k. I thought I would take them at their word, but was still worried. I did have change of clothes in their school bags so that will just have to do. The girls asked what the building was away from the playground. I explained that this was the toilets, and if you need to go, just tell me and we will all go. I mentioned that if one needs to go, we all need to go. I did not want to leave one playing in the park without me supervising. I am worried that someone might just take a child while I am away looking after the other. If that happened, I would not know where to start looking or what to do.  We were good, Lillian told me that she need to go to the toilet and started to run towards the toilets and I grabbed Julia and we ran off to catch up with Lilly.  They waited for me to help them and both went to the toilet on the big toilet. I was so proud and happy that they are doing this. Well done girls.  Also that evening Lillian insisted on using the big toilet rather than the potty. Currently they have steps to get to the big toilet, however they are still a bit small and need help to get up.

Yesterday picked up “Moon in my room”, that I ordered for the girls. It is a moon that you hang on the wall of your room and it is powered by batteries. This moon goes through all the phases of the moon, waxing and waning.  It looked great; however I need to get the batteries for the remote control. The girls were so excited to have mooney mooney, (that is what they call the moon), in the room.  I must see if we can get it to work tonight so that they can have mooney mooney again as a night light.

So today is a day of tidying, and sorting and hopefully some exercise. We will see if I get that done, but the tidying is of utmost importance as the place is a bit messy and would like it to look nicer. Tonight will need to do some study and reading for university as there is a lot to do, also have confirmed that there is an exam, however it is open book so that is a good thing.

I hope that the girls will have a good day at school and that they have found things to do and friends to play with. It is so hard when they are upset when you drop them off. How do you handle it if your child/children don’t want you to leave? Do you find things for them to do at the school; do you stay for a bit and then leave? What is the best thing to do? Send your comments.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond Potty Training Pre-School University Study

Don’t leave mummy

The moon night light
Mooney Mooney - The moon night light

Yesterday the girls were great, we got to pre-school and they just waved goodbye and off they went to play with some other kids. I was so pleased that they were happy and content to just leave. The other week they were a bit clingy, so was very happy that this stage has passed, or so I thought.

Today the girls were so all over the place. I thought this might end as soon as they see friends and new things to do. I was wrong.  The girls did not want to get in the front door of the school, go in without me, or even want to let me go. Julia was in tears, and so was Lillian. Lillian started first, she was a mess. A lovely staff member helped me out so that I could leave. I told the girls that they can make me a picture. This seemed to calm them down for a bit. I made my way to the door, and then I heard Julia cry and get upset. I kept on walking. It was hard, I wanted to stay, but this is their school day and my day off to get things done. If I stayed it will just make leaving them at school so much harder.

I was amazed at the difference in them from yesterday and today. Other parents today were having the same issue, so at least it is not just my kids. It might be down to the weather. While driving to school today the girls noticed that it is darker and looks like we are going to have a thunderstorm, Julia was getting worried as she did not like thunder or storms. I told her that it will not be a worry; she will be inside all safe and sound. She was still worried. Lillian then said, “Don’t worry Julia, I will look after you”. How sweet is that, what a nice little girl Lillian is to offer that for her sister.

The weather yesterday was sunny, hot and just lovely. I managed to do 3 loads of washing and have them all dried on the line. The girls came home from school and wanted to go to the park. I was a bit worried that we might need to stop home for a toilet stop before the park, however the girls were insistent that it was o.k. I thought I would take them at their word, but was still worried. I did have change of clothes in their school bags so that will just have to do. The girls asked what the building was away from the playground. I explained that this was the toilets, and if you need to go, just tell me and we will all go. I mentioned that if one needs to go, we all need to go. I did not want to leave one playing in the park without me supervising. I am worried that someone might just take a child while I am away looking after the other. If that happened, I would not know where to start looking or what to do.  We were good, Lillian told me that she need to go to the toilet and started to run towards the toilets and I grabbed Julia and we ran off to catch up with Lilly.  They waited for me to help them and both went to the toilet on the big toilet. I was so proud and happy that they are doing this. Well done girls.  Also that evening Lillian insisted on using the big toilet rather than the potty. Currently they have steps to get to the big toilet, however they are still a bit small and need help to get up.

Yesterday picked up “Moon in my room”, that I ordered for the girls. It is a moon that you hang on the wall of your room and it is powered by batteries. This moon goes through all the phases of the moon, waxing and waning.  It looked great; however I need to get the batteries for the remote control. The girls were so excited to have mooney mooney, (that is what they call the moon), in the room.  I must see if we can get it to work tonight so that they can have mooney mooney again as a night light.

So today is a day of tidying, and sorting and hopefully some exercise. We will see if I get that done, but the tidying is of utmost importance as the place is a bit messy and would like it to look nicer. Tonight will need to do some study and reading for university as there is a lot to do, also have confirmed that there is an exam, however it is open book so that is a good thing.

I hope that the girls will have a good day at school and that they have found things to do and friends to play with. It is so hard when they are upset when you drop them off. How do you handle it if your child/children don’t want you to leave? Do you find things for them to do at the school; do you stay for a bit and then leave? What is the best thing to do? Send your comments.