Tag: children

Categories
Family

First Ears Pierced

The girls have been asking to get their ears pierced for ages now. I have been quite worried how they would handle it. Would they be fine? Would they freak out? Would there be screams and crying? Would they hate it and want them out soon after? I did not know.

I have my ears pierced and had mine done when I was about the kids age. My mum took my sister and I to get them done after we had been asking for a while. My dad of course was furious when he found out that we had our ears pierced and wanted us to be older to get it done or maybe he rather wished we had not done it in the first place.

Yesterday I picked the kids up the early due to them being in a choir school performance. After I got the kids I had to go to the chemist to pick some things up. While we were there, one kid told me she really wanted to get her ears done. I checked if she was sure and if she was I was happy to have them done. I asked her sister and she seemed a bit reluctant but would like to do it as well. I did explain that it does hurt a little but it does not last. I was trying to not cover the truth and to let them know that it does get better.

We inquired at the chemist about getting the kids ears done and had to come back as the lady who did the piercing was at lunch. We busied ourselves and then came back to have them done. The child that was most insistent wanted to be first. She was very happy and got the dots on her ears to mark where the earrings will go.

She was fine until the first ear got pierced and then she was very upset. I felt terrible. I hugged and kissed her. I told her she was very brave and there is just one more ear to do and all done. She was not happy and told me that it hurt and it was not like getting a bindi (the lady that was doing the piercing said it would be just like getting a bindi). I told her it does not last and will get better very soon. She calmed down a bit, I held her hand and she got the other ear done. More crying, cuddles and kisses and she was fine. Her ears got a spray of the antiseptic mixture and soon was well. She looked upset, but after about 5-10mins she was all good.

This girl is very happy she got her ears pierced yesterday. She loves them, and cannot stop checking them out in the mirror.
This girl is very happy she got her ears pierced yesterday. She loves them, and cannot stop checking them out in the mirror.

Now it was her sister’s turn. It was bad that she was all ready to go and had to see her sister cry and get upset. Although she dealt with it okay it scared my other little girl. She really wanted to get earrings yesterday but she was very upset and scared so I left it. She can do it later if she wishes. She wants to wear all the pretty earrings but is not sure about the ears being pierced. Poor little thing kept on saying, “I want my ears done” and then I said are you ready and told her to be still, she then said amoungst tears, “I don’t know!” I did not want her to be traumatised by it, and she needs to be okay with it when she is ready.

So now one kid has pierced ears and the other does not. I don’t think it will be long for the one that doesn’t have them done to want to go again. I am leaving it for her to decide and not pressuring her. I made sure she knew all was okay and it did not matter.

The child that has her ears done feels very grown up with her sparkly earrings and cannot stop looking at herself in the mirror. She is very proud of herself and they are not hurting much at all now. I have taken the edge off with some Nurofen, I think that has made things easier. She is making sure she sprays her ears morning and evening so it is good to see her be very responsible in looking after her newly pierced ears.

Did your kids get their ears pierced when they were babies or older? What age did you allow your children to have their ears pierced?

 

Categories
Family

Healthy Habits with Dettol

Do you start to worry when winter approaches? Do the kids get colds and the flu easily? Does it happen more now that they go to school or day care? I have had my fair share of sickness with the twins and being exposed to more germs at school can make things harder for the whole family.

So how do you all remain healthy in cold and flu season?

Make sure you teach your little ones about proper hand hygiene techniques. I’m sure you are already telling your kids to make sure they wash their hands after eating, the toilet and so on. I know I do.

This hand wash is fab as it smells divine and of course gets rid of the nasty germs.
This hand wash is fab as it smells divine and of course gets rid of the nasty germs.

Parents are teaching their children about proper hygiene but it can fall down when they are at school or elsewhere. Do you know if there is a policy to wash hands after eating or playing? I don’t, but will definitely ask now.

The lovely people at Dettol sent me this care pack so we can not get sick this winter. It has helped and with us getting a cold while on our holidays I have used this to ensure we don't get anymore nasties.
The lovely people at Dettol sent me this care pack so we can not get sick this winter. It has helped and with us getting a cold while on our holidays I have used this to ensure we don’t get anymore nasties.

The simplest and cheapest way to make sure you don’t spread germs on your hands is to wash them well with soap.

To help get the message across to little people Dettol have teamed up with Tina Harris, who stars  as Lah-Lah from Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band and she has created the below song to help encourage kids to wash hands and to stay healthy this winter.

The Dettol Happy Handwashing Song

Wish to download the audio, then click here

 

Did you know?

Dettol has also created a free initiative available to all primary schools in Australia. It has been developed alongside the “NSW Department of Education and Training to provide teachers with a range of curriculum aligned resources to help students stay happy and healthy.” If you wish to recommend that your school take part download the letter and give to your school or email Dettol to be part of the program now.

In my pack from Dettol I have a laminated card. This will be put up in the bathroom once the renovations are complete. It lists all 5 tips to ensure you have really well washed hands.
In my pack from Dettol I have a laminated card. This will be put up in the bathroom once the renovations are complete. It lists all 5 tips to ensure you have really well washed hands.
These handy wipes are so great. They help make sure the counter tops and any surface is clean and rid of germs. Dettol Surface Cleanser Wipes are great to keep with you for any emergency.
These handy wipes are so great. They help make sure the counter tops and any surface is clean and rid of germs. Dettol Surface Cleanser Wipes are great to keep with you for any emergency.

Have you succumbed to the flu or a cold during winter? Or have you managed to dodge any germs so far? If you have what do you do to remain healthy during winter?

Thanks so much to Dettol for sending me a care package. It has come in very handy.

 

Categories
News

Having kids is not just a woman’s issue!

In the news the other day there was an article announcing the perfect age a woman should have children. The article said that you need to start trying to get pregnant before the age of 30. Yes you heard that right.

A father with his new born baby.
A father with his new born baby.

The article puts all the emphasis onto women. It does take two to make a baby and men are part of this issue as well. Why are men not being mentioned or told to consider having kids earlier as well? They have issues with age as well and both men and women can have fertility issues when older. It is not just down to the woman to organise all this on her own.

I must say that men before 30 generally are not thinking of babies and the same for women. Some do and that is great, but others are out building a career, studying and the big thing that no one has mentioned is that the women that are being told to race off and have babies probably has not met the right partner to do this with yet. What do you do if you have not met the one yet?

I met my husband in my early twenties but we did not have kids till I was in my mid 30’s. We had a good life, I studied, worked at great jobs and was building my career. We did not want to have babies without firstly being married, having a house and enough money to allow one person to be out of work while looking after kids.

I find it rather interesting that the whole focus is on the woman and not looking at men as well. I did float the idea of having kids earlier but due to hubby wanting to make sure we were married first it got delayed. We waited a while to get married. I think we liked the idea of a long engagement and making sure it all went well.

Girls and women have so many more choices now than to instantly get married and be a mother. You can be a career woman and then a mother, and also both at the same time. I know that doctors are making sure that we are aware that our window of fertility will not last forever and of course if you wish to have children it is a good idea to think about when that might happen. However if you have not met your mate yet, how are you to get busy making the next generation?

Boys need to be taught that they need to look at this issue seriously as well. Women don’t need to take the whole responsibility for fertility for a couple, kids and family. It is something that a couple should do together, not a woman on her own.

When is there going to be high profile articles about men talking about not to delay fatherhood?

I do think that it is easy to think you have plenty of time and I thought that too. As said I was telling hubby that I wanted to have kids and that I did not want to wait. I even suggested having a kid before marriage! Yes this was terrible to mention to him. Oh well… we were lucky that we got married, and the kids did come.

One thing I did make sure to do with hubby when he was still the boyfriend: I made sure he wanted to have kids eventually. I did not want to be with someone that did not want children. It was important to me and if he did not agree then I told him that I could not date him. It sounds terrible to say, but you don’t want to be in a long term relationship and think that they share your views and thoughts, but only to wake up one day and realise that they never wanted children, But you do!

It is tough to figure out how you fit it all in. Kids, life, work and so on. It just works out whatever age you have children. Things just work out. You cope, you make do and you manage. I do think it wise not to leave it too late to have kids but the tough part was the timing with the partner and making sure they were on board with the next steps. If it was all down to women and we could have kids by ourselves then we can fixate on just them.

However I feel that part of the issue is that men are not on the same page as their partners or as said before you have not met the person who will father your children yet, and who knows when that will be.

What do you think? Do you think that men need to be part of this issue?

Do you think that it needs to be part of boys/girls education to understand about fertility and not leaving it too late if you wish to have kids? I do!

Women should not be the only sex that deals with this issue.

Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.

 

Categories
6 years and beyond

Timothy is a girl!

One kid in our house has named a toy lemur Timothy. When it first happened I referred to Timothy as a him and a boy. This was corrected quickly and with attitude, “Timothy is a GIRL mummy!” “Okay”, I said. However I did point out that Timothy is a boys name and that is why I thought the toy was a boy.

Timothy's close up. She is a natural with the camera.
Timothy’s close up. She is a natural with the camera.

I do love this creativity and difference naming her toy and did not want to crush this. She then asked if it is okay to name her toy Timothy, and I said you can name your toys whatever you wish, it is up to you. After this she had a big smile on her face.

Have you had a child name a toy a boy/girls name to then find out that the toy in question is the opposite sex for the name?

Last night the kids had a big meltdown and it was over Timothy. One kid said Timothy is a boys name and the other who named the toy said Timothy is a girls name. She was an hysterical mess that I had to calm her down. It did not help that her sister kept on saying it’s a boy, and she was yelling and screaming she is a GIRL! Gosh talk about drama!

We then explained again that Timothy is a boys name but told her she can call her toys anything she wishes. She still thinks Timothy is a girls name and that it is not a boys name. If this is her thinking at six years old, I wonder what she might name her kids if she has any when older.  I do think it is down to age and that she has just picked a name for her toy and decided it was a girl. Simple as that.

Timothy showing her side view model pose. She is in the backyard, but she calls it the jungle. Timothy is available for modelling jobs. Just email me.
Timothy showing her side view model pose. She is in the backyard, but she calls it the jungle. Timothy is available for modelling jobs. Just email me.

However if you come and visit and this kid has her toy lemur with her, it is a girl and it is called Timothy!

It is not a boy and anyone that says this will be not favoured by this child.

You can learn the hard way or just deal with the six year old strangeness.

What have the toys in your house been called?

Anything like Timothy for a girl lemur? Let us know.

#TimothyTheGirlLemur

 

Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Categories
6 years and beyond

Witty Comebacks

Has your child said something funny? Was this funny thing clever as well? We had a full weekend of witty and smart comebacks. One could not help but laugh. At one point I was in hysterical laughter.

Saturday we went out for lunch. One child was eating her chips instead of the fish. Hubby said that a fish died to feed her and she should eat it up.

This child then said, “The fish is dead! It can’t feed me!”

Fish and Chips. However a dead fish cannot feed a person well physically that is.
Fish and Chips. However a dead fish cannot feed a person well physically that is.

Yes this is very true a dead fish cannot physically feed a person and of course a smart arse kid. She then went on to tell us what other things cannot feed her.

The same child on Sunday said something else clever and funny. I heard banging and a noise in the backseat of the car. I asked what it was. It sounded like she was doing something funny with the seat-belt. Of course she denied it, so then hubby piped in and said we can hear it and know what the sound was. Hubby told her that we are not silly and know what is happening due to being able to hear it and knowing what the sound might be.

Then this child replied…

“Daddy you don’t know the sound of a butterfly flying! You don’t know all the sounds in the world!”

She then went on to tell me that we only know the sounds we know and are aware of. We don’t sounds that we don’t know… you can’t know everything in the world.

Do you know what sound a butterfly makes when it flies?
Do you know what sound a butterfly makes when it flies?

Well this little person is a smarty pants isn’t she. Are you dealing with a child that has witty responses? What have they said to you that made you giggle?

Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Categories
School

The Slow Dressers!

Why does it take kids forever to get dressed?

It took the girls well over 40 minutes to get dressed and organised for school this morning!

Yes that is a long time, especially when it should only take about 10-15mins at the most!

Do you find that your little one takes ages doing tasks that should not take forever? I do!

Due to the super long time taken to simply put on a uniform, socks, shoes and brush hair I of course was getting very annoyed. I’m sure if I said, c’mon we are going to the movies, swimming or somewhere fun, they would have magically gotten ready in record time. I have seen it happen so I know they can do it!

After nearly 15 minutes of the kids still being in their birthday suits, I gave the kids an ultimatum. If they were still like this when we had to leave, this is how they would go to school!

This picture shows how this morning went. Giggles, games, and silliness and no getting ready for school!
This picture shows how this morning went. Giggles, games, and silliness and no getting ready for school!

Yes I would have had to put two naked kids in a car and drive to school, but I was prepared to do this.

I would have clothes in the car for them if this did eventuate, but they were lucky that they got with it and managed to get dressed although super slow.

As I was getting upset and angry about this, I took deep breaths and kept on reminding myself. If they don’t get dressed I will leave as promised, and they can deal with it in the car or at school.

I think they saw how annoyed and angry I was at the progress, and realised mummy would follow through with her threat. Scary if they had not dressed well or at all!

I was thinking maybe it is our morning routine that gets them out of sorts. But thinking about it our morning routine is a good one. We get up, eat breakfast, kids pick out their uniform, have a shower, get dressed, get bags sorted and leave for school.

The girls were full of beans and had the giggles which did not help. Maybe I need to have them in separate rooms in the morning to speed up dressing? Have you had to do this? Did it work for you?

Have you ever ended up taking a non-dressed child to school or somewhere else due them not being ready? Let us know what happened.

What is it like at your house? Do the kids muck around and take ages getting ready for school? Or are they good and get ready quickly?

Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Categories
Family

The Hysterical Weet-Bix Meltdown!

I was busy, well I was trying to be.

Every 2 seconds I was being interrupted with:

 

“Mummy can you come here?”

 

OR

 

“Mummy can you come and watch this show with us?”

 

AND,

 

“Mummy can I show you something?”

 

NO YOU CAN’T!

 

I AM TRYING TO WORK ON SOMETHING THAT IS RATHER IMPORTANT AND NEED TO CONCENTRATE! CAN DADDY HELP YOU?

I told hubby before being bothered that he had to sort dinner and everything else. He was happy to do it as I was busy. Great I thought, until the Weet-Bix meltdown began.

The hysterical reaction to the Weet-Bix daddy made. Note: A lot of hand waving was happening! Photo by © Mike Degteariov - Fotolia.com
The hysterical reaction to the Weet-Bix daddy made. Note: A lot of hand waving was happening! Photo by © Mike Degteariov – Fotolia.com

For the last couple of days the kids have not been feeling well, and one is coughing and had a slight temperature. The other had a bit of a temperature also, but it was nothing to worry about. So we did the normal fluids, painkillers, kisses and cuddles and that was it.

The kids of course requested to have Weet-Bix for dinner. We thought fine, they are not well and at least they are eating something.

When the twins are feeling unwell they like to have Weet-Bix for dinner. Yes this could be a parenting fail. But I think if they are sick, it is better that they eat something than nothing.

 

Just to explain: I’m the mum who gets the interest of the worried doctor due to kids looking thin and underweight. My kids have always been at the bottom 3rd percentile on the graph in the blue book you get when you have a baby.

I know my kids are fuss pots with eating, however they were on track for their milestones and have been ahead for some of them. This was good as one doctor we saw in the early days was convinced the twins might be delayed, so wonderful this was not to be.

So as you now understand if my fussy eaters, when sick desire Weet-Bix, we let them.

Hubby prepared the Weet-Bix but was not prepared for the outcome.

This is how it all unfolded:

Hubby brings Weet-bix to children.

One kid takes a look at the Weet-Bix and starts screaming and crying.

She says, “That is not how you make Weet-Bix!!!!” “Mummy does not make it like this!”

This child was so upset and annoyed by the way the Weet-Bix was, she had to physically remove herself away from the food and could not touch it as she was in such hysterics.

Not the way Weet-Bix should be! Daddy why did you do this she said!
Not the way Weet-Bix should be! Daddy why did you do this she said!

Hubby also got told:

  • “How could you?”
  • “That’s not how you do it!
  • This is not correct!”

All of this was accompanied by waving of arms, crying and putting hands on face in major disappointment.

Due to hubby’s loss at what the issue was, and of course dealing with a traumatised child, I piped in and said,

“If you don’t like it, you can fix it. Go to the kitchen and do it the way you like it”

She took the matter into her own hands, left the room and went to the kitchen.

She returned with a bowl of Weet-Bix created in the way she likes and wanted in the first place.

Weet-bix made by the child in question and just the way she likes it!
Weet-bix made by the child in question and just the way she likes it!

Daddy said that she reacted like he had given her a pooh sandwich.

Have you ever done something for the kids to have a hysterical reaction to what you did?

What was the thing that made the child/children so upset? Was it as simple as not organising the Weet-Bix like the child wanted?

Note: Daddy put the flakes of Weet-Bix in the bowl as well as the last biscuits. He was being thrifty and good to use every last part of the box. However if you use too much of the end flaky bits it makes it clump and just be a big mess. I think that this is what the issue was.

Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Categories
6 years and beyond

Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day?

Happy Valentine’s Day. Yes it is that time again where romance blossoms, you get wined and dined by your lover.

Getting romantic on Valentine's Day?
Getting romantic on Valentine’s Day?

I mentioned to hubby that this Saturday was Valentine’s Day and he looked shocked, upset and worried.

I have interpreted his reaction to mean; He had no idea, he was not planning anything, and he forgot.

In reality I am not that fussed and would appreciate the following:

“Honey, you sit in the living room. Here is a glass of red wine to sip while you watch your favourite show. I’ll organise dinner and don’t worry about the mess, I’ll tidy up as well!”

It is hard to get whisked out to a dinner or to a surprise event when you have kids. I suppose the kids could come as well and I am not opposed to this. However if kids did come it could cramp our style or not allow the magic romance to bloom if you get what I mean!

Valentine’s Day is a special day for me. It was the day I found out I was pregnant.  I was under the impression that I was having one child at the time not two. I did not find out I was having twins until we had our seven week ultrasound. Now that was a pleasant shock!

I am not sure if hubby has anything up his sleeve… and it does not matter. Maybe a dinner or simple show of affection is okay with me.

What are you doing this Valentine’s Day? Got anything planned?

Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Categories
Wednesday Wisdom

Making Things Easier

In 2015 I have decided to make things easier on me. Yes you heard that right, I am looking at solutions to give me more time and to stop some of the stress that goes with these tasks. Task number one is food shopping with kids. I can hear the sighs and ahhaa’s while I am writing this. I did do a couple of home deliveries last year but swore to keep it up and it did not happen.

Now we are in a new year I have just had my first home delivery of food products, and also a nice bottle of gin for my occasional refreshing mummy beverage. I was not worried about kids while shopping as I did it all from the convenience of my home.

Shopping trolleys will be a thing of the past with online shopping
Shopping trolleys will be a thing of the past with online shopping

I did not have to get changed or have a shower to go shopping. The best part of it was that the kids were not distracting me, from what I went to the shops for in the first place. I could focus on the task and get what I needed rather than every 2mins or less tell a child to stop creatively dancing in the aisle, or to get out of someone’s way, or that whatever they ask for it is going to be a NO!

Plus the other one that I keep on repeating, “Stop touching that, touching is not looking. You look with your eyes not your hands!” I am sure I am not the only one that has found the relaxing way to shop is online and it has definitely made me want more of this serenity while doing the food shop.

 

I would in all seriousness go clothes shopping than get the weekly shop for the house. Ladies I am sure I am not alone on this!

To go to the shops I would have to put two kids in the car, get them out, be a stressed out mummy while at the shops, get kids and shopping in car, get home, get kids and shopping out of car, and finally put shopping away but not before giving the kids something to do to allow me to get it all done. The kids do help with items that they can carry and help put away but once it gets a bit hard, I am on my own.

One thing that I noticed once I did the online shop, I thought that since I had ordered it they were in my kitchen. Yes very silly. However I had mentally gone to the shops but not yet received the product. Have you done this before? Or is it just me? Maybe I need more sleep?

Do you shop online for your groceries? Do you find it makes life easier and less stressful? I do, and I will be making sure the rest of the year I do more online orders. Spending hours at the shops for food when you could be doing other things is no brainer. I do understand that you might need to go to get the odd item and that is fine, but for big shops it is the way to go!

Next Post: My 2nd installment about our Maritime Museum Adventure

 

Categories
5 years and beyond

Falling from the floor

Kids are sitting playing on the floor and then in the next minute there is screaming, crying and they are hurt. I race in and try and understand what had happened.

Beware the dangerous floor. Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Beware the dangerous floor. Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

After they calm down a bit I finally find out they have fallen over. YES, fallen while they were sitting on the floor. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? Cut legs, hurt feet and bruises. I really don’t get how they can get so hurt from sitting down? Does this happen to you?  This has been happening for years now and it is still making me scratch my head to understand how it happens.

I don’t know if my kids are a talented lot, or if this is something that all kids do? Do your kids manage to fall over when on the floor? What a talented feet have they mastered that they still manage to hurt themselves. I know it is not a skill that is a good thing to have.

I am still at a loss to explain how it happens. Do you have any insight into this? Can you explain why they can fall so close to the floor already? It really is a mystery. Send in your comments.

 

Categories
News

Sydney Baby & Toddler Show – Free Tickets from Mamee

Meet Dora the Explorer at the Sydney Baby & Toddler Show
Meet Dora the Explorer at the Sydney Baby & Toddler Show

More Free Tickets to WIN

Hi all, Did you miss out on tickets to the Sydney Baby & Toddler Show? I have just noticed that Mamee Australia are giving away more free tickets. All you have to do is to like their Facebook page or the Twitter page, and then you can get a free ticket. Easy, well I thought so.

I wanted to make sure to share with my readers just in case you would love to go. So why not stop by the Mamee Facebook page and get yourself a ticket. You can also connect with Mamee on their Twitter page.

Where is the show and when is it on?

Friday 11 – Sunday 13 October 2013
Sydney Exhibition Centre
Darling Harbour, Halls 1 & 2

What can you do at the show?

There are so many things for parents and kids. The family will have a fab day. Why not check out what is available to do – http://www.babyandtoddlershow.com.au/sydney/show-highlights/

Tickets at the door are $20 so you can save this much if you win a free ticket. Not sure how many are left but you may as well give it a go.  Good luck and if you go, have a wonderful time.

Categories
News Uncategorised

Sydney Baby & Toddler Show – Free Tickets from Mamee

Meet Dora the Explorer at the Sydney Baby & Toddler Show
Meet Dora the Explorer at the Sydney Baby & Toddler Show

More Free Tickets to WIN

Hi all, Did you miss out on tickets to the Sydney Baby & Toddler Show? I have just noticed that Mamee Australia are giving away more free tickets. All you have to do is to like their Facebook page or the Twitter page, and then you can get a free ticket. Easy, well I thought so.

I wanted to make sure to share with my readers just in case you would love to go. So why not stop by the Mamee Facebook page and get yourself a ticket. You can also connect with Mamee on their Twitter page.

Where is the show and when is it on?

Friday 11 – Sunday 13 October 2013
Sydney Exhibition Centre
Darling Harbour, Halls 1 & 2

What can you do at the show?

There are so many things for parents and kids. The family will have a fab day. Why not check out what is available to do – http://www.babyandtoddlershow.com.au/sydney/show-highlights/

Tickets at the door are $20 so you can save this much if you win a free ticket. Not sure how many are left but you may as well give it a go.  Good luck and if you go, have a wonderful time.