Categories
Family

MasterClass – The Gift That Keeps on Giving

I love learning new things, and being able to learn from the best in the world is a great opportunity.

How about being able to pay a subscription and do any course from the best and most famous experts in their field and all from the comfort of your own home… in fact, you can learn with MasterClass anywhere, on a train, in a plane, on a bus or in your bedroom.

It is up to you where you login to start your MasterClass journey. The one thing that I love is that it is up to you and you can be in comfort while you are learning from the world’s best.

MasterClass is a subscription-based streaming service that offers online classes taught by renowned experts in various fields, including cooking, writing, music, business, and more. Each class is created and taught by a master in their respective field, such as Gordon Ramsay, Serena Williams, Neil Gaiman, and Martin Scorsese.

3 Reasons Why MasterClass Makes A Great Gift Idea

  • First, it provides access to high-quality instruction from the world’s most successful and influential people.
  • Second, it allows people to learn new skills and expand their knowledge from the comfort of their own home.
  • Third, it’s a gift that keeps on giving, as subscribers can access all classes for a full year and learn at their own pace.

The classes are unique and offer a mix of practical instruction and inspirational guidance. They not only teach the technical aspects of a craft but also provide insights into the creative process and the mindset of successful individuals. I for one love to learn how

Classes are well-organised, with lesson plans and course materials that are easy to follow. Additionally, the platform offers the ability to interact with other students and to ask questions of the instructors.

I believe that it’s an investment in personal and professional growth that allows you to learn and to invest in yourself.

Learning is fun with MasterClass. First, the classes are designed to be engaging and entertaining, featuring high-quality video production and a mix of practical instruction and inspirational guidance. This helps keep learners interested and motivated throughout the course.

Second, the instructors themselves are often famous and accomplished individuals in their field, making their classes both educational and entertaining. For example, a cooking class taught by Gordon Ramsay will not only teach you how to make delicious meals but also provide insights into the world of professional cooking.

Third, MasterClass provides learners with the ability to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. This flexibility allows learners to enjoy the learning experience without the pressure of deadlines or the need to attend classes at specific times.

My favourite classes so far have been

  • Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing – I loved hearing about Margaret’s background, how she started writing and learning about the Handmaid’s Tail. The course was a highlight as Margret’s dark sense of humour kept me watching and wanting to learn more.
  • Steve Martin Teaches Comedy – I love Steve Martin and am a HUGE fan of all his work. I think he is super clever with his writing and comedy and wanted to learn from the best. Steve was very giving and caring when he gave advice to new comic writers and it was interesting to learn from his insight on what works and how to make things better.
  • Richard Branson Teaches Disruptive Entrepreneurship – Richard discusses how he founded Virgin and how he never gave up even if he didn’t have the skills, he kept on going to fulfil his dream.
  • Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers – I am a huge fan of Dan Brown and his book The Da Vinci Code. I am keen to learn more about writing a book and Dan’s course is informative and fun. You will learn lots about writing while having a good time too.
  • James Patterson Teaches Writing – James Patterson was fun, down to earth, and a great teacher about writing books. How to get inspired, what to do to create a book outline and so much more.
  • Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing For Television – I love Grey’s Anatomy and all that Shonda has done in television. Shonda not only has been a showrunner for Grey’s she has also created many more shows that are very successful. I would love to write for TV and there is no one better to learn from than Shonda Rhimes.

Learning from experts in the comfort of your own home is also a great advantage of MasterClass. It allows learners to avoid inconvenience. This can be especially helpful for people who have busy schedules or who live in remote areas without access to traditional classroom learning.

Moreover, learning from experts in the comfort of your own home provides a more personalized and individualized learning experience. You can watch the classes as many times as you need to fully grasp the concepts being taught, and you can also ask questions of the instructors and interact with other learners in the online community.

Overall, MasterClass is a great way to make learning fun and enjoyable and to gain new skills and insights from experts in the comfort of your own home.

You can access the classes from anywhere and at any time, making it easy to fit learning into your schedule. Additionally, you have the ability to learn at your own pace and revisit classes as needed.

MasterClass is a great gift for friends and family, if you’re interested in learning from experts in various fields and enjoy the convenience and flexibility of online learning, MasterClass may be a great investment for you.

Grab a MasterClass Pass for a loved one today, perfect for Easter, Birthdays, just because gifts, Christmas, and more!

Note: I am an affiliate for MasterClass as I love the platform so much.
I hope you do too. All links are affiliate links.

Categories
Family

Tips for buying gifts for twins and triplets

Buying gifts for twins or triplets or more is more loaded than you would think. Yep, whatever you do seems wrong, so you need to make the best choice possible.

Do you purchase something for the kids to share?

Do you get the same thing for each child and be done with it?

Or do you grab something similar for each kid?

Or get the same item but in a different colour?

These decisions are fraught and ones that I take super seriously. I spend what feels like hours at shops contemplating what would be best, and what would the outcome be? Yes, I fret over it and then sometimes have gotten it so wrong, so I wanted to share what I have done and hope it helps you with your purchases. 

As a mother to twins, this has been my dilemma since they were born. My twins are nearly fifteen now, but this present buying issue hasn’t gone away, although due to their age, they understand why we purchased one of something compared to having a tantrum demanding they have the same game or toy too!

I recently attended an eight-year-old twins birthday party and when purchasing their present I was faced with the same question, how will this impact the kids and also the parents? When the twins were little many people just gave the girls a present to share for their birthday…and this created so much chaos and drama. 


“I don’t want to share with her!”

“It’s mine, not hers!”

 “Why won’t she let me have a go? 
“Why does my sister get a present and I don’t!”

“Why do we have to share this
and why can’t I have my own!”

“I have a birthday too and deserve
a gift not just my sister!”

“I want what the same thing as she has!

Why didn’t I get the same present?”


Many of the above comments are yelled at me so hence the exclamation mark at the end of all the comments. Many times, one kid would take a gift that the other really loved and claim it as their own. Yep, and then enters more disaster with the cherished gift everyone wants.

We made sure to give our girls individual gifts for their birthday, however, if there was a big item like a huge toy that can indeed be shared or if it is a game we only purchased one of these. I did however have many things that we had two off, yes, we had two of many toys, items, books, trinkets and more. It was just easier and made the house much more peaceful. 

So, with the knowledge of what a pain in the arse it is to be on the receiving end of getting shared gifts or just one present for two kids I made sure that each girl at the birthday party had a gift for just them. I did give them the same things and wanted to get each kid something different, but I do know that this can backfire big time, crazy but true.

I’ve previously given my girls something different each, however, there would be one kid who would favour one of the gifts and then there would be a fight for that particular item and the realisation that I should have just purchased two of these products as it would have fixed the horrible annoyance that ended up happening…. Fighting over the one favoured and chosen object. I of course thought I was doing the right thing. Choosing something that would mean it is different from their sisters, shows more of their personality and interests and helps them be more of an individual….NO it didn’t get translated as any of this, all that got noticed is that mummy didn’t get me one of the toys that my sister has, and the other kid wishes she had. 

So with that in mind, I did get the eight-year-old twins the same things…. I did feel bad, but knowing what I knew, I thought it was for the best. I did feel bad as I did want to get something completely different but as a parent that has dealt with the fallout of presents for twins, I knew this was a loaded issue. One that I hope I have helped the parents of the twins avoid the negative impacts of gifts to kids who are multiples. 

I explained to the mum of the eight-year-old twins that I got them the same things to avoid arguments. She was thankful and I said I was sorry that it might not be that exciting, but I told her that I know what it is like as I have first-hand experience with my twins and appreciate the complexity of the present buying dilemma.

Here’s my gift-buying guide for twins or triplets:

  1. If you know they like to do the same things make sure to give each kid the same things; for example, If they like art, include paper, pens, paints, brushes and oil pastels to ensure there are no arguments. My twins always argued about who had what colours and paintbrushes. 

  2. If they have a favourite colour make sure to use the colours for each kid for their gifts. My kids loved purple and blue, (sometimes red) I used these colours to make sure that I had special items just for them, a new pair of pants or a top, hat or even a blanket. It doesn’t matter what it is, the difference in colour makes it more special.

  3. Make sure you give each kid a gift of their own. It doesn’t need to be expensive, just something for each kid to open on their special day. Just because they are born on the same day doesn’t mean they should always get one gift.

  4. You can give bigger ticket items as shared gifts, for example, a giant LEGO set, a game, or say a toy, a trampoline or a cubby house. Many things you don’t need two of.

  5. When they are younger it is so important to have many duplicate items but as they get older you will find that each kid will want things the other siblings don’t like, work with your kid’s interests. 

Are you a parent to multiples? How have you dealt with the present issue? Have you faced the same issues? 

Sign up for my newsletter

Stay current with all the things that are happening on Mummy to Twins Plus One. Don’t miss a thing by signing up for my newsletter. This newsletter will list all giveaways and fabulous things that are happening.

This post has affiliate links

Categories
Review

Creative Play With Rainbow Patch PlayBook

Note: Susanna from Rainbow Patch sent Alexander a PlayBook to try out. He loves it and so does mummy.

Alexander with his Rainbow Patch PlayBook
Alexander with his Rainbow Patch PlayBook

I love toys that kids can be creative with, well, in this case, its an activity book that will keep toddlers entertained for hours.

Susanna Polycarpou is a mum of two and creator of the Rainbow Patch Playbook

The idea came to Susanna after she saw how much time her eldest daughter Alexandra (5) was spent in front of a screen.

Now her two kids, Alexandra and Rocco don’t want to play with the iPad and favour the Rainbow Patch PlayBook.

The Rainbow Patch PlayBook comes with its own tote bag to allow you to take it anywhere and perfect for the holidays.

The Rainbow Patch PlayBook fits easily into the tote bag and allows you to take it with you everywhere.
The Rainbow Patch PlayBook fits easily into the tote bag and allows you to take it with you everywhere.

The Rainbow Patch PlayBook is compact and doesn't take up much room at all. Great for small spaces.
The Rainbow Patch PlayBook is compact and doesn’t take up much room at all. Great for small spaces.

 

Did You Know?

“The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently found that young kids are spending over 20 hours per week doing screen-based activities”

 

This caterpillar is a multi-purpose page, learn to open and close many items and tie knots or bows.
This caterpillar is a multi-purpose page, learn to open and close many items and tie knots or bows.

The Rainbow Patch PlayBook is interactive, creative and has such stimulating activities for kids. Each page helps develop fine motor skills,  like opening zippers with the rainbow zipper page, hanging clothes on the line with the clip pegs, tying knots/bows, opening and closing buttons, opening and closing clips, and opening and closing velcro.

 

Counting with the new Rainbow Patch PlayBook - This page has beads that count up to 10
Counting with the new Rainbow Patch PlayBook – This page has beads that count up to 10

“As a working mum of two little girls, I’m always on the lookout for screen-free activities that are fun, engaging and most importantly encourage independent play.” Susanna Polycarpou

 

Having fun with the rainbow zippers - Kids can open and close them, this helps with their fine motor skills.
Having fun with the rainbow zippers – Kids can open and close them, this helps with their fine motor skills.

 

What I love about the Rainbow Patch PlayBook:

  • It is very creative
  • Allows kids to be hands-on and to try things
  • It helps kids to get better with fine motor skills, opening buttons, tying laces/bows and lots more.
  • Is extremely well made and will hold up with the heavy-duty play from toddlers
  • Bright colours
  • Compact and able to take away on holidays or in the car – Ideal to keep kids entertained in the car…no iPad!

 

The monkey ate Alexander's car... be careful what can happen with the Rainbow Patch PlayBook.
The monkey ate Alexander’s car… be careful what can happen with the Rainbow Patch PlayBook.

Pick some fruit and add it to your basket.
Pick some fruit and add it to your basket.

Did you know that monkeys eat cars??? Well they do!
Did you know that monkeys eat cars??? Well, they do!

 

This quality playbook for kids is a fabulous present for Christmas, Birthdays, or just because.  I’m sure your little one will love it as much as Alexander does.

Rainbow Patch playbooks are suitable for children aged 3+ and are available for purchase online for only $69.95. New fill-in pages are coming soon to the website.

To buy your PlayBook visit https://www.rainbowpatch.com.au/

Connect with Rainbow Patch on Facebook and Instagram

 

Sign up for my newsletter

Stay current with all the things that are happening on Mummy to Twins Plus One. Don’t miss a thing by signing up for my newsletter. This newsletter will list all giveaways and fabulous things that are happening.

 

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

 

 

Categories
4 years and beyond

Keeping Mum

Rex and Buzz, gifts from Havaianas
Rex and Buzz, gifts from Havaianas

I have sorted the twins birthday presents and have been quite happy about the purchases. The girls have randomly demanded to get the same toys that I have organised for their birthdays and both have no idea. I keep on telling them,”We cannot afford it”, “Maybe for Christmas” and “I have already organised your presents and those are not it” Little do they know that they are getting some of the things they want and are asking for.

A while ago, one of the girls after watching a film, took me and shook me and said, “Mummy, I gotta have the doll, You gotta get me the doll, the doll in the shop!” I was not understanding what doll. She then yelled at me, “The doll with the pretty dress, you know in the SHOP!” I explained that this is not the way to ask for something and again repeated that she is not getting it as her presents are already organised. (We have got the doll but she does not know this)

Today, after watching Toy Story 3 both girls demanded to be taken to Kmart to purchase Toy Story dolls and toys so they can play like the kid in the film. Both children told me that they did not want or need anything else and will not ask for other toys, and just wanted Toy Story characters. Again, little do they know that mummy has already organised plush dolls that are all the characters for the film.

I must say it is hard to keep a straight face knowing that I have the toys they want and how desperate they are to get them. I am inventing all stories under the sun why we cannot get them for the girls. The delightful thing that is making me happy is knowing how excited and happy they will be once they unwrap the presents that they don’t think they are getting. I’m getting excited.

Have you found it hard to not spill the beans? Have you managed to keep your kids in the dark about presents that they have been dying to get? What things have been told to keep the secret or make it believable that the toys cannot be purchased. After I had organised the Toy Story dolls the kids would not stop hugging and carrying around the Toy Story characters in Target. I had to physically remove them from the box and make them put it back. It was so hard to not say, don’t worry you will get it for your birthday. I kept my cover and was a bad mummy, saying that we could not buy them as they were too expensive.

Has your child been excited when they open their presents? Were you more excited to see their faces? I know I cannot wait. Send in your comments.