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.
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?
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.
I started my blog nearly seven years ago. I did it due to being at home with my new born twins and feeling disconnected from my previous life as a producer of websites and content.
I wanted to have something of my own. I was suddenly a mum to two new lives that I had to be there for. I loved this and still do. However I do love to work and to have something for me, and this work has become my blog.
Hubby does support me, but I feel he would be more supportive if I was earning a wage from the blog. Do you find that others don’t see value in something that does not give you financial gain? As a mother who stays at home to look after kids, I do feel that I am undervalued due to not earning a wage. Do you feel like this?
Getting ready to blog
Why is it that just because your hobby or passion does not earn money it is irrelevant!
I suppose coming home to a messy house is not ideal. I don’t love it either and I try, however I like to update my site and somethings are topical and of course I need to keep my site current. No one wants to frequent a website if it is not changing.
However I have left hubby with some things to tidy and he managed to tinker on his computer all day and find other more important things to worry about. So why is it that I am questioned over valuing my work or my passion over something less interesting like housework? I do get it that I am supposed to do some of it, but I would really rather be blogging all day and night if I had my wish. Sad but true. I just love it.
This is not a rant over men being terrible to women, or not supporting their passions. It is more of a question on the whole of society. Why is more value put on roles that pay a lot of money? I suppose this is the eternal question.
Women who do something and it is seen as tinkering or not really employed. If you have a job that is part time it can be belittled to not being a huge role and not that important. (I know a part time job is just as hectic as a full time one can be, plus you still have the house and kids to sort out!)
My main aim was to build a site that has value. Has a community and if that makes money that would be the icing on the cake. I would really love it to earn truckloads of cash but that has not happened. Maybe in the next year or so it might. Maybe my swish redesign will work its magic once live?
Don’t worry it is not all bad, I have been paid for sponsored posts, advertising and an affiliate deal. So there are some things that are working very well, however I would love more of them to tell the truth. I’m sure I am not alone on this. A lotto win would not go astray while I am wishing.
I know others have made it big with their blogs and have turned a passion and their much loved hobby into a thriving business. One day I say! One Day!
Some bloggers that have made heaps and heaps of money are:
Here is a list of top 50 earning blogs. You will see what they earn and how they fare against the others. I think what they have done is brilliant. Built a business that works online and from home. How cool is that! I bet they had their doubters when they were starting out, or getting to the tipping point. How silly would they feel if they had given up?
Without my lovely blog and attending blogging events I would not have gotten some work from home jobs. They were short term contracts that I helped corporates with their social media management. I loved it and it also allowed me to blog and to earn at the same time. However without the blog these jobs would have never have happened. I used my experience building communities, blogging on my website and others to help these organisations. See the blog has paid off in a way.
I was also lucky in 2013 to win a blogging contest that allowed the whole family to have a trip to the Gold Coast mostly paid for. Thank you blog I say! Wouldn’t you say that this is payment from the blog? I would!
I know I am not earning a full time wage but the blog is definitely picking up steam. Emails have come in the last few weeks to test out products, attend functions and to write on others sites, and be a guest editor. The blog is gaining in readership and authority. This can only mean one thing. World domination is imminent. I’m sure you agree, right?
My blog is my outlet. It is my own empire that I can do with what I wish! Yes you heard that right. My little piece of the pie. I know currently it is small and I’m no Rupert Murdoch, or Arianna Huffington, but you have to start somewhere.
It is my baby and no boss can tell me not to publish or to do one thing or another. It is all up to me. I control the direction of my site. I like working hard at something and investing in a site that could one day change my life completely.
What hobbies or passions do you love doing? Is it your outlet? Does your partner poo poo your time you pour into your sewing, craft, blog or other hobby? Have they had to eat cake when your passion has had a big win?
Have you been terribly lucky with all your hard work and now the website or passion is now earning a good income? Let us know. Who is laughing now?
Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
As you might already know the kids and I were lucky enough to have a preview of the Sydney Royal Easter Show. It was a HUGE day. We all got up very early as we had to be there by 9.30 for 10am. Yes this does not sound bad but when you are coming from the Blue Mountains and leaving in peak hour it can all go wrong so easily.
I thought it best to have more time up my sleeve so planned to be there for 9am. I did not want to be late. That would just be terrible!
We did hit a lot of traffic but all was good due to allowing extra time. Thank goodness for Google Maps and getting up early, oh and kids not whinging due to getting up early.
The show officially opened on Thursday (yesterday to be precise) and of course they are expecting about 900,000 or more people to visit. Now that is a lot of people coming over to your place for a visit! Glad I don’t have to tidy or organise for this event.!
So what did we think of the preview of the Easter Show?
The kids did not know at first where we were off to. Once we arrived I told them we are seeing the Easter Show before the public sees it. They did not know what public was. I then said, “We are seeing the show before anyone else does. It is not open yet and opens tomorrow”. This was understood and they felt very special about being at the showground.
First of all we were taken to every part via a train. It was not a massive train, more like a little train that takes kids and tourists around a show.
The girls waiting for us to leave on the train. It was very nice to be taken to every event at the show!
Our first stop was the Woolworth’s food pavilion.
They were still setting up the exhibits and doing final touches on the great artwork that uses vegetables and fruit. It looked amazing and is so clever. So much time and hard work has gone into this visual display.
Due to ANZAC Day being the 100th anniversary the show is commemorating this in the displays. You will note that they have signs with “Lest We Forget” and great tributes to our brave soliders that fought for us all.
Stop 2. Then we were off to see the animals
The big highlight was the animals. The girls really loved this part of the day!
Last stop was to see the motorbikes in the stadium
The kids were amazed at the skillful guys that jumped in the air with their motorbikes. They were daredevils and it was very impressive!
Julie Power who is a reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald was also at the preview of the Easter Show. Julie’s article mentioned the blog! Check out the fab story here!
If you are going to the show have a fun time. Make sure to plan your day with the Sydney Royal Easter Show website.
Healthdirect Australia who manages the national Pregnancy, Birth and Baby service conducted a survey to find out the concerns parents have being new parents, about pregnancy and the birth of their child or children.
Did you know that many parents have thoughts that they are unable to share with others. Sad really. Every parent has probably had the same thoughts and sharing will make you not feel so alone.
Pregnant and wondering what it will be like being a mummy.
“The online survey of 1,011 expecting or new parents found that 53 per cent reported experiencing some issues that were so personal they couldn’t tell anyone.”
I do understand not wanting to share very personal information but at times having a person who you trust can help a great deal.
What were your biggest fears when you were pregnant?
Mine was just around the health of the baby and that the birth went well. Initially I was thinking that we were having one child, but that thought soon ended and the worry over a multiple pregnancy entered my head. I was fine but my doctor was rather concerned.
From the survey they were:
Something being “wrong” with their baby (49%)
Miscarriage (42%)
Coping financially (34%)
Baby crying… please go back to sleep!
Emotional support is a big thing that is needed in the first stages of parenthood.
71% needed significant emotional support in the first six months of parenthood
Men and women looked to their partner, friends and family as well for their support network.
GP’s was next on the list
Online forums was noted to be a good source of support as well.
I for one was super tired and a zombie like person after the birth of the twins. Constantly getting up every three or so hours to feed babies, change them and to make sure all is well with little people made me very, very, very tired!
It is no surprise that one of the biggest challenge once you have a new baby is the lack of sleep that parents face, especially the primary care giver. The next major issue was if your little bundle does not sleep at all. I was very lucky my kids slept well, I don’t know how I would have managed with babies up non-stop and I with no sleep either.
Factor in recovering from birth and if you have other children to care for as well. This would push your limits.
Sleepy baby
One third of respondents reported experiencing miscarriage. 32% sought counseling. It is difficult to talk about loss, feelings and pain.
“Pregnancy, Birth and Baby was set up specifically to help people struggling with issues around pregnancy and birth, and that includes pregnancy, stillbirth, neonatal and infant loss. We’d encourage anyone dealing with a tough time to call us on our 24 hour help line on 1800 882 436, or visit our website at www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au.
I have my down times when everything feels horrible and like I am a complete failure. Yes I suppose everyone goes through this. Terrible mother moments, and self-doubt creep in.
I then look at all the good things that I have done.
My kids are:
Happy
Healthy
Smart
Love hubby and me
Giggly
Funny
Active
Considerate
Helpful
Caring
They are also sometimes naughty, silly and don’t listen but that is kids for you.
On the whole. I am doing a good job. I think you are too. Don’t beat yourself up over some little things. So what if the house is a mess. So what if you did not have a shower to drop kids at school. If you brushed your teeth and hair and managed to get kids dressed and sorted for school that is an accomplishment in itself. You can always have a nice relaxing shower or bath while kids are at school or care. This way you can relax!
Focus on the positives. Take small wins and if someone offers to help you accept it. When the kids were babies I had family come over all the time to help me out. It was a nice time and much needed.
A father with his new little baby. Finally sleeping. Now not to move!
Oh and one other thing. If you are pregnant and about to give birth. Freeze about three months of meals in a freezer. If you have to add rice or salad that is easy, but having all the hard cooking done makes things ten times easier, especially when you are tired and don’t have the time or energy to cook.
Don’t worry about reaching out for support or help. This is what these organisations and groups are there for.
Anything that helps and makes you feel better is a positive and is good for the family.
See below for all the info about HealthDirect Australia and Pregnancy, Birth and Baby.
ABOUT HEALTHDIRECT AUSTRALIA: Healthdirect Australia is a publicly funded company, established to provide all Australians with access to trusted health information and advice, when and where they need it. We deliver a number of health services, including Pregnancy, Birth and Baby- free 24hr advice and through pregnancy, childbirth and the first year of parenthood. For more information visit: www.healthdirect.gov.au.
ABOUT PREGNANCY, BIRTH AND BABY:Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is an initiative of the Federal Government and offers free, confidential information and support to women and their partners through pregnancy, childbirth and the first year of parenthood. The service is also available to friends and relatives.
Becoming a parent can sometimes be challenging or overwhelming, and it’s reassuring to know there is expert help and support available whenever you need it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
By phone: call 1800 882 436 at any time of the day or night. Our staff can answer any questions you may have, give you advice on what to do next, and redirect you to other useful services.
Video call: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is one of the world’s first health services to offer a secure, high quality video call option, 7am – midnight, 7 days: http://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/video-call
Online: The Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website provides information for expecting and new parents on a range of topics. The information is easy to understand, up to date and has been subject to Healthdirect Australia’s strict quality assurance processes: www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au
Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Many people assume if you have twins you must have had IVF. Worse still, total strangers think it is perfectly fine to ask you to confirm just how your children’s conception came about.
Friends who are “older” – including those without twins – complain about attracting the same curiosity from people they barely know.
And same sex couples (“who is the father/mother?”).
The answer oh curious stranger is, “none of your business!”
Cute little baby. Who cares how you were conceived you are wonderful and beautiful.
Perhaps when I receive such questions, I should respond in kind by asking the stranger if he/she had sex to have their child/ren?Maybe I could throw in some other up close and personal curly questions such as their medical history and maybe what they earn?
For the record, I never answer questions about how our girls were conceived.
The reasons are simple.
I don’t want to set up a “natural versus assisted conception” thing
It is not just my story to tell – it’s a story shared by my family
And It just doesn’t matter
Do you get asked if you used IVF? Would you feel okay asking a complete stranger if they had to have medical intervention to have their kids?
Why would I share such intimate details with a complete stranger? I don’t see any benefit in having this discussion.
Of course I would have to be living on another planet not to know couples that have used IVF due to one or both parents having an issue with fertility, or one parent having a congenital issue they don’t want to pass on or because they are a same sex couple in need of an egg or sperm. Or for whatever reason. There is certainly no shame in taking advantage of the wonders of medical science but it is damn personal stuff.
I sympathised with Nicole Kidman when she was forced to justify to millions of strangers all over the world her use of the term “gestational carrier”. Sure it sounded a little unusual but I think she was just saying, “hey this baby is my precious child and the technology involved is not the focus”.
It does not matter how you conceived your children as long as they are here, happy and nurtured. Whether the journey started with fours years of trying, one night of passion, or IVF, AI, GIFT or whatever is irrelevant.
It is no one’s business but yours. If you choose to tell family or friends that’s up to you. In my book, being asked by a stranger how you conceived your kids is just weird.
Have other parents of multiple birth children encountered such a question? Are we particular magnets for such inquiries or have single bub parents heard them too? Maybe the assumption is that all twins and triplets are IVF babies? Hey, prior to the first IVF bubs being born in 1978 people did have twins and triplets you know.
Has the frequent use of reproduction technology created a new social acceptance about quizzing people about how their much loved children came about?
Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Does making school lunches make you cringe? It makes me wonder what I could add to the lunch boxes this year to keep little people interested and maybe try a new food or two. Yes I have two very fussy eaters. I never thought this would happen, as hubby and I are not fussy and try and experience different foods all the time. However my little ones don’t.
I have struggled to change this and I try and add a new food here and there to keep interest up and to add to their diet. One kid would like to be Junior Masterchef and I use this to get her to try more foods than she would normally. She does a test taste a few things due to me saying as a Masterchef she needs to know what they taste like.
So as you can imagine making two very fussy kids lunch boxes for school is a chore and I never know what to pack. I do try to make it healthy and a good mix of things. I normally have a sandwich of Vegemite/cheese/chicken/turkey, some piece of fruit either, watermelon, apples, pears, strawberries or a banana. I also sometimes throw in yoghurt, carrot and some other snacks. I do give a treat every know and then and that could be some biscuits, a cake we cooked at home or a square of extra extra dark chocolate.
Sometimes the kids do have a canteen lunch and I lived in hope that they would see things on the menu and want to give it a go. The school they go to has a very healthy canteen so if they order something it should not be too bad and crossing fingers might expose them to different foods and tastes.
“With nutrition at the heart of IGA’s lunchbox inspirations,the local grocer has worked closely with a local nutritionist to ensure the
recipeshave plenty of healthy options for parents to choose from, presented in a creative way for kids to enjoy.”
Are you like me and require some inspiration for kids lunches? IGA has some great lunch box ideas and I’m sure that you will be a lunchbox legend as well. Since school is going back next Wednesday in NSW, this might give a hand to make the first week back easier.
Tips from IGA to help you make some awesome school lunches:
Cut out sandwiches with a cookie cutter. Make it a fun shape that your child/children will love. I have done this and been very surprised it worked so well. I used hearts, cars, flowers and other fun shapes. The kids came home and said I loved my stars and hearts.
Create the “WOW” factor with colour. Kids love colour and this will keep them interested in their lunch box
Bake some healthy cakes/muffins/cupcakes. Store the left over-overs in the freezer so that they are ready for the school lunch box. They’ll stay fresh and be ready to eat by morning tea.
Pack the lunch box the night before. This help if you are rushed and feeling pressured to get it all done in the morning. I pack the twins lunches the night before and it saves a lot of hassle and stress. All I need to do is to get the lunch boxes in the bag and kids out the door and all is good.
If you child or kids love to help in the kitchen, get them to help and give a hand to sorting out their lunch box. This way they are more inclined to eat what they pack.
I will be checking out the suggestions from IGA as they look like great inspiration and ideas. As you already know dealing with fussy kids is never easy so any ideas that help is a good thing.
Did you know?
“Two thirds of parents are feeling the pressure from other parents, teachers or friends, and a quarter (28 per cent) that say there is even competition among other parents when it comes to preparing school lunches” IGA (Independent Grocers of Australia)
I am not sure if this has happened to me as no one has said anything and I really don’t care about what other parents do with their kids lunch boxes. I am more worried about my kids.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post for IGA. I have decided to support their healthy stance on school lunches and due to my kids being fuss pots I am interested in anything that will make them eat good healthy food. I hope this helps you out and gives you some more ideas on how to get kids interested and for school lunch box ideas.
