Tag: mums

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Family

The Struggle to Put On a Nappy

I had an early morning swimming lesson for Alexander and had to get him dressed in his swimmers and swimming nappy.

It all sounds so simple, doesn’t it?

Well, it wasn’t!

Hiding so he doesn't have to get a new nappy or fresh clean clothes.
Hiding so he doesn’t have to get a new nappy or fresh clean clothes.

My first task was to take off his clothes that he was wearing. He didn’t like this at all and fought me.

I finally got his clothes off and then attempted to put on his swimming nappy. I was not liking my chances as the clothes previously was an ordeal.

It was even worse with the swimming nappy. He tossed and turned, threw himself backwards and every time I tried to get a foot in the nappy he moved it out.

Blocked at every turn! I then thought to try and hold one leg in the nappy and try to do the other side, but he wriggled so badly that he then turned over and tried to go back to sleep on the change table.

Geez, I had to get him dressed and take the kids to school. I didn’t need the drama of not wanting to get his swimmers and nappy on.

Alexander did tell me he wanted to go swimming and then said no, but I had already told the swim teacher we were coming and had previously missed two weeks to him being sick.

We had to go today and I couldn’t do anything if I wasn’t able to get him dressed.

After a lot of angst, annoyance and huffing and puffing, I finally got him dressed in his swimmers, nappy and shoes and socks. He refused the jumper and by this stage, I was over it.

I know it was freezing today but I had to leave the house and to struggle for the next 30mins to put a jumper on a toddler that he will take off instantly in a few minutes wasn’t worth it.

We were quickly all in the car, I put the heat on and we were off.

The car told me it was 2.5 degrees with the icy symbol. Great, it’s even colder than I thought it was.  I hope Alex would be warm enough and also keep his shoes on until we go to the pool.

It was a saga getting him dressed and organised for swimming but it was similar to get him changed too. We warmed up in the hot shower but it was hard for him to get warm and he was clearly shaking due to being very cold.

I got him dressed as fast as I could but he still did his best to push back! I managed to keep the clothes and nappy bag dry and was lucky to balance it on a chair.

Finally, we were both dressed and ready to drop him at care.

I got home feeling like I had been in battle and it was longer than a few hours. My battle had worn me out and I just wanted to have a rest and recharge before it all starts again.

Kicking, stopping me with his hands and feet and then head-butting. Is a few tools that my active little person is using to get his message across.

I’ve been calming him down by stroking his head, letting him rest and talking, having cuddles and then trying again.

It’s so difficult when your toddler fights you when all you wish to do is to make sure they are warm and don’t freeze or simply change a nappy.

Have you experienced this? What worked for you?

Sometimes it is like my little person is possessed by a demon and is just acting crazy. I know this is not right but it gives you an apt description of who it feels and looks when it is happening.

It’s obviously a tantrum and brought about by frustration. Maybe he decided he didn’t want to go swimming and would like to stay at home. I am not exactly sure, but he was excited to go.

Let us know if you have had these tantrums with your kids?

 

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Family

What The Twins Are Pre-Teens?

In a month my little girls will be turning double digits. Yep, 10!

I suppose they are not little anymore.

I’ve noticed changes in both girls but brushed them off.

My girls are 9, no they cannot be in pre-puberty. NO!  Pre-Teens??? NO WAY!!!!!!

Makeup, hair and more time in the bathroom is happening at my place. Is this the start of being a pre-teen?
Makeup, hair and more time in the bathroom is happening at my place. Is this the start of being a pre-teen?

 

What changes have been happening?

  • Moods – no speaking, yelling and just crying about everything and nothing
  • Interest in doing hair all the time (no one seemed interested before)
  • Body changes
  • Getting taller
  • More independence
  • Also wanting to spend more time with mummy and daddy doing things, and having adventures (without their baby brother)

I looked up all these strange things via Google and other sites confirmed my suspicions. Yes, the twins are indeed in the waiting period before puberty happens.

Well possibly best to call it pre-puberty.

I’ve started having chats with the girls and told them that it is all normal and that it means they are growing up.

I gave each kid a big cuddle and one on one with more of an explanation on what is happening to their bodies.  Not sure if they understood it all but gave the info in a way I hope they could cope with.

Even though the kids are slowly going through these changes they are still kids. Needing advice, help and guidance.  I sometimes look at the twins and think how grown up they are and other times feel like they are still little. I think it is an in-between time for everything.

I must say that boundaries are being tested and mummy has had her fair share of headaches with stubborn girls who wish they were teenagers.

When did you notice that your kids were in pre-puberty? Were your child/children happy about the changes? What did you do to help them?

I’ve seen the book by Kaz Cooke, “Girl Stuff for Girls Aged 8 – 12” and think this might be a good addition. If you got it for your girls did it help?

Do you my dear readers have any recommendations for other books that might help? Let me know.

Better Health Victoria have great guides for parents, and how to help boys and girls during puberty.

 

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Lifestyle

Women Don’t Take Heart Attacks Seriously

The other day I overheard two older men talking.

They were sitting at the table behind me and were discussing health matters between them and their families.

One thing that one man said really made me think.

He said, “Women don’t take heart attacks seriously”

I was very close to turning around and joining the conversation, but I didn’t. If you know me, this was hard to do as I had a lot to say but I didn’t. Yes, I was very good.

Symptoms of a heart attack in women are different than men.   As a busy woman, mother and person to everyone it is so difficult to keep a check on your health too.

Unexplained fatigue can be a symptom of a heart attack. Might be hard to figure out if you are constantly fatigued as a sleep deprived mum.
Unexplained fatigue can be a symptom of a heart attack. Might be hard to figure out if you are constantly fatigued as a sleep deprived mum.

I really wanted to tell these men that women generally overlook symptoms as something else. Women are busy and try to power on, and therefore end up having a heart attack when they had no idea.

It’s not that women don’t take heart attacks seriously its the fact that they believe they are too young, it will not happen, they have other symptoms and therefore think that there is no way it could be a heart attack.

Suddenly feeling sick and dizzy you might assume that you are getting the flu, need more sugar, should have drunk more water or not skipped lunch. Experiencing a heart attack if you were suddenly nauseous and dizzy would not be something I would entertain, but these are real symptoms.

In fact, more women die of heart attacks than men.

Some symptoms from WebMD that women having a heart attack can experience:

  • Dizziness or nausea
  • Unexplained fatigue or weakness
  • Stomach or abdominal pain
  • Shortness of breath

The Heart Foundation has a list of symptoms for men and women, Check them out to make sure you are aware.

Yes looking after your health to care for others is super important, actually hugely important.  However, mums are usually the last on the list.

Lately, I’ve noticed a few things that I was getting worried about. I made sure to see the doctor, get bloods done, and other things checked.

If you notice anything different please get it checked.

Skin, boobs, lack of vitamins (Being low on vitamin D can make you upset and depressed), diet, oh and get your poo checked to ensure all is good if you notice any difference in your bowel movements.

My tests have come back okay, well the bloods did.

Keep well and look after you.

 

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Family

School Holidays Have Exhausted Me!

I'm beyond tired and really would love to sleep for a month or two.
I'm beyond tired and really would love to sleep for a month or two.

Tomorrow the twins go back to school. Insert happy dance. Maybe a HUGE boogie-woogie.

Yep, the start of term three is nearly here. I’m so tired due to the last few weeks.

There was always something on and therefore to drive to. If we weren’t driving to places it was days out and fun with other kids and parents too.

I want to sleep like this cat. Wish I could just curl up when I wanted and have a sleep.
I want to sleep like this cat. Wish I could just curl up when I wanted and have a sleep.

Last week had five days out of the house, the week before we had three days out of the house.

Some of the things we did were:

  • Did Science workshops at Mt Tomah Gardens
  • Had playdates with some of the kid’s friends
  • Drove to visit family (they live far away so it took 2.5 hours each way, so 5 hours of driving)
  • Visited the Way Out West Festival (WOW) and then visited a good friend the same day
  • Attended the Robogals STEM workshops at New South Wales University
  • Went swimming and played at an indoor play centre

My plan for the school holidays was to relax and to stay at home more.

I had a vision of just staying in my pj’s and not having to be anywhere or do anything in particular.

One insane thought was to get the house tidier, organised and remove clutter during the holidays. I hear you all laughing at me very loudly and with bad snorting to boot! I, of course, didn’t any tidying done or making the house look more organised.

Nope, it did not happen. I did try and the twins room got a big tidy up, bags of clothes and toys were given away, many other bags ended up in the bin and more room was created. However, this cleaning of one room took two days, required constant supervision and reminding the kids of what they were doing. Oh, the energy really was zapped from my being.

You might think after losing hours of my life in a feral cave of mess that finally managed to be tidy after over 48 hours it would be brilliant now.

Well, I kid you not it is like we never touched it. It is a huge mess yet again.

I'm beyond tired and really would love to sleep for a month or two.
I’m beyond tired and really would love to sleep for a month or two.

I am so tired, my cells are aching, and my body is throbbing.

I could close my eyes and sleep for a month. I know that school going back is great but more running around will happen.

School drop offs, pick ups, after school activities, getting kids to do homework and more.

Kids get holidays, but mummy rarely does. Actually, I don’t get any holidays! I need one now to recharge from our hectic few weeks.

Did you have relaxing school holidays? I close my eyes and dream a relaxing holiday…possibly Fiji, Europe, Bali, Thailand? Who knows.

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Family

Chef Direct by Marathon is My Saviour

This week has been manic, well actually manic or constant chaos seems to be my new form of normal.

I did have a few weeks basically free to rest and to just be, I only had a few days full of things to do with the kids and then suddenly they have all been eaten up with plans, with so much busyness that means that rest, work and actual items that need to be done are not getting done at all.

With the racing here and racing there to keep kids entertained, cooking dinner seems to be an afterthought and very much forgotten.

Yep, insert terrible mother comments here.

I have been simply so tired and annoyed that I get to the end of the day and the darkness has filled the sky and I still have no idea what to do for dinner.

Lamb Shank Red Wine & Rosemary and Lamb Shank Traditional Mint Gravy from Chef Direct.
Lamb Shank Red Wine & Rosemary and Lamb Shank Traditional Mint Gravy from Chef Direct.

 

Bad planning I hear you say, probably….. but I have a fabulous solution or if you were Baldrick on Blackadder, a Cunning Plan.

 

My secret weapon is Chef Direct from Marathon Foods.

The amazing team at Marathon Foods sent me the following meals:

  • Lamb Shank Red Wine Rosemary
  • Lamb Shank Traditional Mint Gravy
  • Beef Meatballs Tomato & Basil Sauce 1.2kg
  • Mild Chilli Beef & Bean 1.2kg

Do you find that you run out of time to think of a yummy, healthy and a quick dinner for the family?

If you work or just wish to have a break from thinking of what to cook Chef Direct’s prepackaged meals are an awesome choice.

 

DID YOU KNOW…

“Marathon Chef Direct creations are made fresh and kept that way by use of clever technology and packaging without the need for refrigeration or freezing. Our delicious creations are free from artificial flavours, colours or preservatives and there is no added MSG.”

Storing the packs in the pantry due to no refrigeration is perfect as it frees up much-needed space in the fridge.

  • Marathon Chef Direct creations are shelf stable meals for the busy kitchen
  • Free from artificial flavours, colours or preservatives

Lamb Shank & Red Wine Rosemary

This was the first meal that we tried and I must say we were so impressed.

The super yummy Lamb Shank & Red Wine Rosemary from Chef Direct by Marathon
The super yummy Lamb Shank & Red Wine Rosemary from Chef Direct by Marathon

The meat just melted in your mouth and fell off the bone and the red wine and rosemary sauce was super tasty and a fab accompaniment to the meal.

I added mash: Potato, red onion, brown onion, corn from fresh corn that I boiled and then removed the kernels, & carrots.

For some extra greens I cooked up some beans in olive oil and a little soy sauce.

The lamb Shank was warmed up in the microwave for 6 mins. This is my type of cooking, 6 mintues for a fab meal to be ready…. oh and a little bit extra for the mash, but not by much.

I would say I probably only cooked for about 30mins and used the microwave or 12 mintues (6 minutes for each Lamb Shank)

This meal was stress-free, easy to make and delicious!

 

Beef Meatballs Tomato & Basil Sauce 1.2kg

Beef Meatballs Tomato & Basil Sauce 1.2kg from Chef Direct by Marathon.
Beef Meatballs Tomato & Basil Sauce 1.2kg from Chef Direct by Marathon.

This pack is a huge size and I decided that it was wise to half it and put the rest into a container to store in the fridge. I ended up using the remainder for the kid’s dinners the next night.

Beef Meatballs with Tomato and Basil Sauce from Chef Direct ..and yes I added broccoli.
Beef Meatballs with Tomato and Basil Sauce from Chef Direct ..and yes I added broccoli.

 

To heat up the meatballs and sauce, just boil some water in a pot and heat in the bag for 35 minutes (Making sure that the pot is off the heat when the bag is in it). You can also heat in an ovenproof dish, reheat in the oven for 30 minutes at 180°C (Heating in the oven make sure to remove contents from bag and place in the dish to reheat).

Cooking vegetables, reheating the meatballs and sauce and cooking the spaghetti. Talk about multitasking.
Cooking vegetables, reheating the meatballs and sauce and cooking the spaghetti. Talk about multitasking.

 

You cannot have meatballs without spaghetti, and I also added some vegetables. It got topped off with some grated mature cheese and then it got eaten!

The verdict was that it was another yummy, filling and easy to make the meal.

 

Mild Chilli Beef & Bean 1.2kg

Chilli Beef & Beans by Chef Direct is so tasty and super convenient for busy mums.
Chilli Beef & Beans by Chef Direct is so tasty and super convenient for busy mums.

Hubby and I love a chilli meal and this really was tasty. It is not that spicy and has a good taste for those that don’t like it too hot. If you do want to increase the heat, you can always add some more chilli flakes to your meal. This way you can make it just the way you like it.

I boiled water in a saucepan and then took the pot off the heat. I added the Beef and Beans so that it could heat up and be ready for us to eat.

Reheating only took 30mins and gave me some time to get the vegetables organised.

 

Rice was added and I used the easy prepackaged and super quick Sunrise Rice and Quinoa Brown Rice, which only takes 90 seconds to be ready. I did say it was super quick!

I do love my greens, so added broccoli, bok choy and some capsicum for colour.

The vegetables for the Chilli Beef & Beans from Chef Direct by Marathon.
The vegetables for the Chilli Beef & Beans from Chef Direct by Marathon.

 

Now for the finished yummy looking meal of Chilli Beef & Beans with Rice and Vegetables.

The finished meal of Chilli Beef & Beans from Chef Direct by Marathon. Looks so good, doesn't it?
The finished meal of Chilli Beef & Beans from Chef Direct by Marathon. Looks so good, doesn’t it?

If you wish to make your life a bit simpler you can get the Chef Direct range at IGA and have a break or at least make dinner time so much easier.

The Chef Direct range is also perfect for camping and travelling. No need to refrigerate and can be easily packed. Use for your next camping holiday with the family.

As a busy mum to 3 kids and a hubby, it would be nice to have someone make me a meal for a change.

The yummy Lamb Shank Red Wine and Rosemary Sauce meals from Chef Direct by Marathon.
The yummy Lamb Shank Red Wine and Rosemary Sauce meals from Chef Direct by Marathon.

The meals from Chef Direct are so easy to prepare I just might be able to put my feet up and take a break.

All you need to do is to add the mash, spaghetti or rice and a few things to the meal. Other than heat up the packet from Chef Direct and then enjoy!

A HUGE thank you to Marathon Foods for sending us such tasty, amazing and easy to prepare meals.

I’ve been telling other mums about what a great time saver these meals have been for me.

I would strongly recommend that you give the Chef Direct range a go, you will be so happy you did.

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Family

The fight for the Blankets!

The fight is real! Yes, making sure that you can have sheets and blankets on you in bed is a real issue. Especially when the hubby sleeps on top of them.
The fight is real! Yes, making sure that you can have sheets and blankets on you in bed is a real issue. Especially when the hubby sleeps on top of them.

It is the age-old fight.

Picture this, you are cold and reach over to grab the blanket and sheets, but can’t.

The reason you cannot put the warmth of the blankets and sheets over you is due to hubby sleeping on top of the sheets and blanket.

And as you might have guessed, due to the hubby be sound asleep I cannot get any blankets!!!!!

The fight is real! Yes, making sure that you can have sheets and blankets on you in bed is a real issue. Especially when the hubby sleeps on top of them.
The fight is real! Yes, making sure that you can have sheets and blankets on you in bed is a real issue. Especially when the hubby sleeps on top of them.

I have tried and tried but it is hard when the blankets are trapped under someone’s body.

This happens a lot and even more when I have to get up for Alexander during the night.

Do you find that your partner is a blanket hogger?

Hubby does tell me that I do the same but I am deciding that this is not true.

What do you have to resort to so that you can be warm in your own bed?

I have ended up getting other blankets just for me.   This way they cannot be slept on!

Let me know how you cope with a partner that sleeps on top of the sheets and blankets.

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Minion Appreciation Day is Everyday!

Alexander is obsessed.

Actually obsessed is putting it mildly.

What is another word that would mean highly obsessed?

I am not sure there is one… but if there was, it would be perfect for my little boy’s insane love for the Minions.

The Minions are Alexander's favourite film and characters at the moment.
The Minions are Alexander’s favourite film and characters at the moment.

He is extremely obsessed with the Minions! More like to an insane level.

One day Alexander wanted to see the Minions movie. I got the movie and put it on for my boy. He couldn’t stop grinning and he was so happy.

Now it is the film we all must watch. A film that is on constant repeat.

He grabs the remote otherwise known as the Mot and says, “Minions Mumma, sit down Mumma!” I have now lost count of how many times I have seen this film.

A screenshot of the Minions being silly.
A screenshot of the Minions being silly.

Due to seeing the Minions film for what feels like a million and one times, I have decided to introduce the other Despicable Me films.

Alexander was not a fan at first. The minions took too long to show up in the Despicable Me film. Mummy had to fast forward to the bits where the minions were as my little boy was screaming “Minions Mumma!”

On a recent trip to the shops, I saw all these Minions Party decorations. Thank goodness Alexander was at childcare at the time. I do think we need to organise a Minions party for him next year, well that is if he is still so obsessed!
On a recent trip to the shops, I saw all these Minions Party decorations. Thank goodness Alexander was at childcare at the time. I do think we need to organise a Minions party for him next year, well that is if he is still so obsessed!

The twins are so over the minion fascination and really don’t want to watch the film at all. This, of course, means one little boy gets so upset and has tantrums to ensure he can watch his favourite film.

Alexander is loving his little Minions figurine.
Alexander is loving his little Minions figurine.

Do your kids have a film or show that they watch 100% of the time? If they don’t watch it will it cause a meltdown?

Have you tried to get your super obsessed child to watch something else? Did it end well?

Or did you end up watching your child’s favourite show due to the complaining?

The girls were super obsessed with Yo Gabba Gabba. They were fans of Muno and Foofa. So as you can imagine this show was also on constant repeat too!

To make things a little easier for me I tried to introduce some other shows to the kids.

I had Fawlty Towers available and put an episode or two. The twins loved it and kept on asking me to put on the angry man that jumps up and down. OH good, finally something else other than a kid show and cartoons.

When the twins, hubby and I went away to the Gold Coast in 2013 we were at a winery. There was a play area with an old phone. One kid was pretending to be Sybil Fawlty and the other was Basil Fawlty.

One was on the phone just saying, Oh I know. Oh, I know….. then she said… Basil! Basil!

An older lady came up to me and asked if the kids were fans of Fawlty Towers. I explained that I got sick of watching kid shows and put it on to break up the viewing and annoyance I was facing due to seeing the same shows all the time.

Fawlty Towers doesn’t have bad words, no one swears, there is just a lot of slapstick and fun. There is some innuendo but if you don’t get it,  and are too young it is not that bad.

Maybe Alexander would love Fawlty Towers too? I did start the twins at an older age, so I think it might have to wait.

What show or shows are you watching on repeat currently?

 

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Family

Frustration and Tantrums

Simple things lately have been a problem.

Taking dirty clothes off a toddler to hopefully replace with new and fresh ones.

Getting said toddler dressed in new clothes to leave the house.

Putting a jumper/jacket on the toddler is also a nightmare that ends in him screaming and carrying on.

Not to mention trying to give him a bath or shower.  This is a real issue too!

My little boy does the same actions. He looks tired, cries and makes sure that you are looking at how sad he is.
My little boy does the same actions. He looks tired, cries and makes sure that you are looking at how sad he is.

I must say that all the things I have been trying to do are good. Keeping Alexander clean and tidy, making sure he is in clean clothes, and making sure that he gets a wash every now and then.

You might think from his crazy reaction to me being a caring mum that I am torturing him.  Screaming at the top of his lungs I am sure might make the neighbours think something horrible is indeed happening, but it could just be me trying to put pants and shoes on a child to enable me to leave the house.

Now that the weather is cooler it is essential that everyone has jumpers and jackets on.

You might think that it would be obvious to a child that it is cold and therefore a warm jumper would be a good idea. Well, you are wrong!

Alexander has fought and fought so much that it is next to impossible to put a jumper or jacket on him.

I managed to put what I could on him and then decided I couldn’t lose another hour of my life trying to get the jumper on him.

Some days I’ve just given up. A little bit of dirt on clothes is not the end of the world.

A toddler will only get dirtier so what is the big deal. I just need to pick my battles.

If it is important for him to look good then, of course, fresh clothes is essential, however, if we are just playing in the garden or the park and it is a fight to get him changed I am not bothering so much.

Now I suppose all the other mums out there will think I am doing him a disservice and I should make sure he is washed and in clean everything at all times. Well, I cannot do this and have tried, but according to the world of a two-year-old boy, this is torture and therefore only happens when he lets me.

Do you face this guilt about clothes, baths and more? How crusty has your child gotten before you have succumbed and made them take a bath? I think my little boy did a week without a bath but I did manage to get him washed with a face washer on his face, feet and hands.

Alexander hates the wind and lately, it has been super icy.

If it is extremely windy he shouts at the wind, “NO WIND STOP!”

I have told him that no matter what you say to the wind you cannot control it. I really wish you could just tell the wind to stop and it would.

When Alexander is loud and being naughty I tell him to be quiet and try and use a whisper voice to show him. He then raises his voice to a new booming level and screams, NOOO! MUMMA!” , then has the hide to scream at the top of his lungs, “SHSSHHHHH MUMMA!!!!!!”

I’ve also realised that when he gets a bit naughty and loud he is hungry. It must be his blood sugar level dropping and his personality just changes. Once he has a bit of food he is happier and just so much better behaved.

I had to be somewhere the other day and thank goodness I packed a few mandarins in the bag. Without this quick snack, he would have screamed the place down, and this was a nice quiet government department.

If Alexander is tired, hungry or bored he can throw the biggest tantrum. He is also scratching and hitting his sisters and hubby and me when he acts up.

I do know that part of it is frustration that he cannot do certain things and sometimes get left out when the twins have their friends over.

One technique that I do with the kids is getting down at their level and try and remain calm.

It is a hard task when the kid in question is having a full on fit but I do my best. Sometimes my little boy is so exhausted I just get him ready for a nap even when he really is fighting it. He goes to bed quite quickly if he is this tired.

Sometimes the horrible tantrums and fits of annoyance are down to the fact that I will not let him take a much-loved truck or car to childcare. (He lost some the other day and was so upset about it I have decided no more toys from home leave with him when he is at care).

I’ve tried giving him only two choices for clothes but that has not worked out very well. It seems to work best when his favourite red shirt and pants that have characters on the knees are clean and ready to be worn. Aside from this, he suffers me putting inferior items on him.

The twins did not have such temper tantrums and only got interested in the colours of the clothes and were perfectly happy to be dressed as long as it was either purple or pink.  They each had their favourite colours.

I suppose Alexander is doing the same with preferring red shirts and pants, however, I don’t have a lot of red items. Maybe this needs to be fixed? I need to purchase more red clothes.

Alexander is wanting to do more things on his own and being more independent, it is a pity that some things are a little tricky to do and therefore I still need to help him with. For example, he wants to walk across a busy street on his own (I, of course, carry him as he likes to run everywhere), feed himself even though he makes a huge mess and much more.

One thing that is very different from the girls is the fact that he yells, screams and makes so much noise. At times I think he is hurt or not happy but most of the time he is happy and playing.   Different personality is one thing I need to remind myself of,  and being a boy might be part of it too.

Do you struggle to get your toddler dressed, bathed and in a car?

Do they fight you? Is your child having more meltdowns lately?

I must say that it feels like a fight to get anything done.

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Family

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is drawing near and if you are yet to purchase a gift for mum, my list might give you a helping hand.

 

  • Lush is one of my favourite shops. The soap and products are fun, smell amazing and are a great treat.
    There are limited edition bath bombs, soap, massage bars and gift boxes. Pop in and pick up a fun and awesome smelling gift for mum.

The Chamomile lawn soap looks so soothing.

“Harmonious lathers of lavender and chamomile blue oils soothe skin as lavender absolute calms minds, leaving you standing tall.”

Limited edition Chamomile lawn soap from LUSH
Limited edition Chamomile lawn soap from LUSH

You can also get gift boxes for mum too!

Grab a LUSH Gift Box for mum
Grab a LUSH Gift Box for mum

 

Note: I’m an affiliate for Masterclass. If you purchase a class I will get a commission.  I became an affiliate after I bought a course myself and loved it. It is a great way to do a course in your own time.

You can also purchase an all-access pass that will allow mum to do any course.

 

  • Paudhã Healing – Natural oils and creams

    I’ve been testing out Paudhã Healing’s Rosehip oil and sandalwood creams. They are divine and smell amazing!

    The creams are so good for my skin and the rosehip oil makes my face feel soft and smooth.

    Give mum a natural product from the Blue Mountains today.

    “So why Paudhã? What does it mean? Well, Paudhã (pronounced pow-da), simply means ‘plant’ in Hindi and plant healing is what we are all about. Our products contain a variety of plants, with medicinal benefits that have been recognized and used by our ancestors for generations.

    We are proud to say that each of our products is lovingly handmade in the Blue Mountains, using locally sourced and Australia Certified Organic (ACO) ingredients where available, harnessing the natural energy that surrounds us. We have also been accredited as a cruelty-free skincare company by Choose Cruelty-Free Australia.”

  • Fed Up Mumma – Stylish Clothes for Mumma’s
    I have fallen in love with this online shop. They sell stylish pajamas that really could be everyday wear.

    15% Off for new customers! Stylish PJ’s, Jackets & Shoes for Mummas.

    Discount Code: FACEBOOK15

    The code can be applied at checkout.

  • Event Cinemas E-Tickets
    Buy mum an e-ticket and email her today or print it out to take her to the movies. You can purchase a gold pass experience and more. Check out the different packages that are on offer.
Having fun at the movies. Get an e-voucher to get your gift today.
Having fun at the movies. Get an e-voucher to get your gift today.

 

  • Rashays Casual Dining
    Rashays is a great family restaurant and they have tasty food. Book today to take mum for lunch, breakfast, brunch or dinner on Mother’s Day. You might even get a Mother’s Day coffee cup just for mum if you book in time.Rashays have locations in the ACT and NSW. Check their website to find your closest location.

    See the Mother’s Day menu now

 

I hope this list helps with your gift buying.

 

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Categories
School

First School Camp

The twins have their first school camp this week.

In fact, camp starts tomorrow.

We have to be at the school at 7.45am to ensure that they don’t miss the bus.  This means a super early morning for all three kids and mummy.

Last night I helped the kids pack their camp bags. The only thing that we don’t have done is their lunch for day 1 and a sun hat that they will take with them on the bus.

Camp bags are packed. All done and ready for the girl's first school camp.
Camp bags are packed. All done and ready for the girl’s first school camp.

I’m pleased that I finally got two bags packed, and we are not doing it the night before!

It was a trying experience.

First, the girl’s room needed to be tidied up. The floor was a huge mess and we couldn’t sort anything out. Picture kids standing on things, clothes and toys and then piling a bag and more on top. How would we know what is coming and what isn’t!

Hours later and much discussion about not mucking around and cleaning up, we were finally done with the cleaning the girl’s room. It wasn’t perfect but just enough to allow us to get organised.

Mummy needed a stiff drink by this stage and some painkillers but had to hang in there until the job was complete.

Now the packing started.

Geez, you would have thought this part would have been easy. No, it wasn’t. I was getting yelled at by the kids about what they have to pack and what they cannot.

One thing that the twins did not want to take was their wet weather jacket. This jacket has a hood and will also keep them warm if they are sitting around a campfire at night time.

Don’t tell them but I have secretly added the jacket in their bags.

They will be thankful as it is going to get cold this week and the kids are camping. What would they do if they needed a jacket, and were stuck without it?

Roasting marshmallows on a campfire. Maybe the kids will do this while camping.
Roasting marshmallows on a campfire. Maybe the kids will do this while camping.

As you might have guessed the twins are so excited to be going away with their mates from school. Three days away having fun, and not doing school work!

The girls heard about how fun it was from their mates last year, and have desperately wanted to go. This camp is only for grade four so therefore as soon as the kids started grade four this year their first thought and comment was, “We can go to camp this year mummy!”

Have your kids gone camping with school?  Did they have fun? Was it hell packing before they left? It was a nightmare here but thankful it is all done now… Phew is what I am saying and glad that I have survived this stressful experience.

It will also be a break for mummy having the twins at camp.

No kids to take to school and pick up, and also no after-school activities for the week. What a fab break for me!

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Categories
Family

Wising it was still holidays…well part of me does

School is back and part of me is still wishing we were on holidays.  I am finding that I’m so tired I have to remind myself what day it is so that I don’t sleep in and think it is still the weekend. I personally just want to sleep in and say bugger it and have a day or two off.

Don’t get me wrong…I do love the fact that the kids are at school and I get a break.

However, school term means that after-school activities have started again.

Coordinating everything and getting all kids to where they need to be is a full-time job.  Another negative of racing around means that mummy is always exhausted.

This what I would rather be doing. Relaxing and doing nothing in particular. Time out for mummy!
This what I would rather be doing. Relaxing and doing nothing in particular. Time out for mummy!

School means that I need to make lunches, drop kids at school and also pick up.

Holidays were good as I didn’t have to be anywhere in a hurry.

I didn’t have to be up at a certain time for school to start or to pick up when school was over.

Holidays also means that there are no extra circular things to take kids too. I can just be home and not go anywhere unless I want to or I suppose need to.

It’s a pity that you cannot combine the good things about the holidays and school term in one.

I know this is a hard ask and really quite impossible but it is a nice idea. Don’t you think so?

I’ve had a very busy school holiday break. Kids were always doing something, friends came over, we visited other friends, the family visited, kids visited family, and we went out as a family.

Now school has gone back I’m still racing around like a mad person for everyone else.

I did hope that with my first day off that I would get a chance to do some long waited for things for me. I even signed up for a webinar for my first kid-free day.

This kid-free day was not to be, I had to take the twins into the city for the first afternoon back at school. No day off for me just yet.

I know I have had 1 true day off and that was great, but I still had to be up at the crack of dawn to organise kids to being at care, so I could be at my function. Still exhausted and drooling over just sitting and do nothing for a while.
I know I have had 1 true day off and that was great, but I still had to be up at the crack of dawn to organise kids to being at care, so I could be at my function. Still exhausted and drooling over just sitting and do nothing for a while.

However I was lucky to manage to get some nice kid free time while at the Bloggers Brunch last Friday. Although kids did try and make sure they were with me via hurting themselves the night before. They were all good to go to school and care, and I was happy to be able to network and be on my own finally.

Yes, I’m a whinger for saying I haven’t had a break and in fact I have had 1 day off so far, but although that was a day off for me it was not really 100% relaxing. I still had to be up super early to get kids to care to allow me to attend my function, and I still had to pick them up and make and organise dinner for everyone although I was late home.

Do you wish you could have the good things from the holidays while kids still went to school? Am I the only one that is thinking this? Let me know via a comment on this post.

 

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Categories
Review

Waterwipes for Babies

Does your little one have sensitive skin?

Prone to nappy rash?

Or always getting Eczema?

My little boy gets Eczema and therefore has to have products that don’t upset his skin.

WaterWipes sent me a trial pack to test out and to see what I think.

I love the fact that the wipes are super strong, very moist and not too wet as to soak you, but just right.

They don’t have anything harmful added and are great for little people with allergy prone skin.

Alexander loved them too and had to check out the pack to ensure they were approved for use. If you have a little one you know they need to inspect everything.

 

“According to a Spark research study in 2014, 97% of midwives interviewed believe that WaterWipes are suitable to be used on the skin of newborn babies.”

WaterWipes are so tough and strong, plus good for babies with sensitive skin.
WaterWipes are so tough and strong, plus good for babies with sensitive skin.

 

What are WaterWipes?

Edward McCloskey found that his newborn baby girl was always getting nappy rash and therefore realised that there were harmful and harsh chemicals in baby wipes.  He then undertook years of research and scientific testing to have a safe alternative to regular baby wipes.

Originating in Ireland, WaterWipes has expanded to Australian, New Zealand and US markets and are continuing to grow worldwide. In Australia, WaterWipes are sold at Coles, Woolworths, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Terry White Pharmacies, various independent pharmacies and online retailers.

“WaterWipes are the only wipes that contain 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract and don’t irritate the skin. They are ideal for babies with sensitive skin and may help avoid nappy rash and other skin conditions such as eczema,” said Andrea Hawes of WaterWipes.

Our thoughts on WaterWipes

The wipes were fantastic.

Alexander who has very sensitive skin gets eczema often. It is nice to have a product that doesn’t irritate his skin and is also doesn’t have any harmful chemicals in them.  During using WaterWipes no eczema breakout occurred.

A big thank you to the team at WaterWipes for sending me this amazing wipes to test out.

WaterWipes The World's Purest Baby Wipes
WaterWipes The World’s Purest Baby Wipes

Do you use these amazing wipes on your baby? If you don’t you should give them a go.

 

Disclaimer: I was sent these amazing wipes from WaterWipes to test out. I loved them and had to share, as my little boy is partial to eczema and nappy rash it is great to find a product that helps keep his skin.

 

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Categories
Education

Learning With Masterclass

Would you love to learn from the best in the business?

Cannot afford the classes? Or the airfare to get you to where these amazing people live?

If you sign up to Masterclass you can get classes with the best of the best in writing, filmmaking, television, comedy and more.

I found out about Masterclass via an advertisement on Facebook.

I love making films, videos and writing scripts. I have so many ideas and stories in my head it is hard to figure out which idea to start next.

The advertisement for Masterclass showcasing Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television. As a massive fan of Shonda and her work, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and also Scandal.

I had to take the class.

I had to find out how to make my ideas into a television series. Yep…soon there will be a wonderful series that was created by me.

Being in Australia and having online delivery made signing up a no-brainer. I paid and had my seat in the online class even before it opened… I was that keen.


Due to the standard of teaching and the array of things that you can learn, I signed up as an affiliate of Masterclass. I've loved every minute of learning with Masterclass and wanted to share this great resource with my lovely readers.

Being a mum means that I have restrictions on my time. My time is spent looking after everyone if you are too busy mum or dad you wish to have time for yourself.

Time to learn and to do something you are super interested in. Meet new friends from around the world and spend time working on something that isn't related to kids.

Having the ability to be in these classes from my own home or anywhere I am as long as I have my laptop or iPhone is brilliant.

Another amazing offer is if you get the MasterClass All-Access Pass  you can do any of the classes. You pay $280 AUD to access all classes for a year. That means you can do any class from any teacher!

You don't have to learn from Shonda, you can learn from the following:

This is not a complete list but you get the idea, there are many different experts to learn from.

You can even be in your pj's and be learning from Martin Scorsese or James Patterson.

The courses are so informative, Shonda Rhimes' course is set up with so much info:

  • Video Lessons
  • Resources - You can download PDF Class workbook and any scripts that help with the video lessons.
  • Hub to talk to fellow students
  • Students can upload a video question and Shonda Rhimes replies in a video response on the class page.
  • If you need any help you can always email and the team at Masterclass will get back to you.
Grab a coffee or hot cup of tea and get learning today!
Grab a coffee or hot cup of tea and get learning today!

Being a parent does mean you are always on the go. It is nice to be able to do something for you for a change.

I hope learning more about Masterclass gives you some great ideas of what to learn about next.

Maybe your next dinner party can be from all the fab skills you picked up at Gordon Ramsay's online class?

Disclaimer:  I was so impressed by how great Masterclass was I had to share, and have also signed up as an affiliate for any Masterclass course. If you do click one of the links and sign up for a class I will get some money for sharing.

The reason for letting you all know was not to make heaps of money (Yes being richer would be nice too) but to showcase what an amazing resource this is for people who wish to expand their brains, and find that online courses are the way to go.

To actually get classes with these awesome people would be near to impossible, and if you do sign up for a class you have them in your house, via video and teaching you your favourite subject.

Also as a mum, I am all about keeping costs low and this fits perfectly in with my idea of expanding my brain and not spending a fortune. The courses are well-priced and of great value.

I hope you love it as much as I have and still do. I cannot wait to do more classes.

If you have someone's birthday coming up soon, you can Give the Gift of MasterClass and they will have so much fun learning.

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Categories
Family

Feeling BLAH!

Lately I’ve been feeling down.

I’ve been super busy, racing around and doing everything. However, I’m still feeling blah!

BLAH!!!! IS AN ANNOYING FEELING.

Maybe an out of order sticker could work. What do you think? Picture found on Pinterest.
Maybe an out of order sticker could work. What do you think? Picture found on Pinterest.

It is something I cannot put my finger on, but I know I don’t feel 100%.  I’m not depressed or miserable, just feel BLAH!

Maybe it is down to never having time to finish the housework, or have some real time out?

Sad really when one of the main things that is annoying is the house not being at its best.

I suppose a tidy and organised space does help with your mood. I should do more of the cleaning.

However when you are in a BLAH mood trying to keep your motivation and energy levels up is a full time job. My body really just wants to go away on holiday.

Haven't been motivated lately. Picture found on Pinterest.
Haven’t been motivated lately. Picture found on Pinterest.

 

I want to put a permanent do not disturb sign around me.   Pity this cannot happen.

It could be a lack of fresh air and exercise? Or getting a few things done for my business finally.

Lately I’ve been looking at others and thinking that they have it all sorted. Yep, other mum’s and friends on Facebook are all organised. Fancy holidays, perfect kids and houses.

I know that everyone is not perfect and that other people are going through their own issues and might look perfect from outside but they are not perfect. No one is perfect.

As mentioned before, I am super busy but finding it difficult to get it all done. I feel like my mojo has been lost or misplaced. If you do find it, please send it back as it is very much missed.

I write this post to let you know that self doubt, wishing you were like someone else is all natural. I just have to stop dwelling on all the items on my to do list and just get busy and start doing.

BLAH feelings happen to all.

It could be due to being mostly on my own that I feel more BLAH? Being a stay at home mum and also a sole entrepreneur is a tough gig.   I don’t have staff or anyone to talk to you during the day. I do have nice chats to myself but generally they are not as interesting as it would be if I had another person to bounce ideas off and to engage with.

Do you feel like this sometimes?

Not sure what I need. Maybe all of these, maybe just a holiday? Picture found on Pinterest.
Not sure what I need. Maybe all of these, maybe just a holiday? Picture found on Pinterest.

My ways to try and beat feeling BLAH!

  • Remember to take my vitamins (It could be missing an essential item like vitamin D. Vitamin D does help with your mood)
  • Get some sunshine (Get natural vitamin D), I find that just hanging out the clothes gets me some wonderful feel good sunshine.

    My aim to make my day better and also have a sparkly day! Picture found on Pinterest.
    My aim to make my day better and also have a sparkly day! Picture found on Pinterest.

     

  • Do a task I like and then get moving on others I hate or don’t like as much.
  • Take myself off for a treat. Maybe a coffee out or breakfast. This is a nice change and allows me to be around people and somewhere different.
  • Take a walk in a park or at the very least around the block – a little exercise is a good way to feel better.
  • Sleep more. Don’t stay up too late at nights getting stuff done. I do this a lot and have been making sure to go to bed at a certain time each night to maximize the sleep I get.
  • Eating more vegetables and fibre, plus no alcohol before bedtime. I have been finding that if I drink a few drinks too late I am wide awake and cannot sleep.
  • Get a few tasks done each day that is on my to do list. Once ticked off then I feel like I am moving in the right direction.

 

 

How do you handle feelings of BLAH?

What are your techniques to feel better?

 

Sometimes feeling BLAH could be depression and it is a good idea to talk to someone and get help.

Beyond Blue is a great organisation that can help you if you need assistance, they can be contacted day or night.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR BEYOND BLUE:

  • Call 1300 22 4636

    24 hours / 7 days a week

  • Chat online

    3pm – 12am / 7 days a week

  • Email us

    Get a response in 24 hours

  • Online forums

    24 hours / 7 days a week

 

 

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JAMES PATTERSON MASTERCLASS. LEARN MORE.
Check out more about MasterClass

Categories
Family

Can You Catch Up On Sleep?

Can you ever catch up with sleep?

Will there ever be a time that I feel fully refreshed?

DID YOU KNOW?
“Adults should have between 7-9 hours of sleep each night, however 40% of Australian adults still get inadequate sleep.” Sleep Health Foundation.

I thought that I had a goods night last night.

I slept. I actually passed out.

Finally, the pillows felt comfortable and the sheets were soft and just right. Perfect really.

However, I do have an issue. When the baby wakes, I finally wake up and although super comfy I am awake, but yet still very tired.

Maybe my body was not in sync with my need to rest? My body decided that it was this time to make a visit to the bathroom. This could be the reason why I was more awake but still sleepy. I didn’t want to move but decided it was best to go to then allow me to go back to sleep.

I think from memory it was about 2 am.

I do try not to pay attention to the time as then my brain focuses on the time rather than getting back to sleep.

If I don’t know the time, I don’t worry about how much longer I have left to sleep.

Most of the time my sleep is interrupted by my little boy Alexander. He is either hungry, upset, or sick.  Last week he wasn’t well and as you might have guessed I was up helping him feel better.

It is so nice when you can finally be in your room without having to get up every hour or more. To be able to rest and have a good nights sleep.

Why is it when you can finally sleep through  your body wakes up and you struggle to get back to sleep?

Not fair at all!!!!!!

Is it due to your body being used to being up at odd hours for days on end? Maybe it is? I wish my body would get the message that this is not normal.

All this missed sleep and feeling like a zombie made me think…

“Can you ever catch up on lost sleep?”

According to a Scientific American article, “Can You Catch Up on Lost Sleep?” you can if you do the following:

“The good news is that, like all debt, with some work, sleep debt can be repaid—though it won’t happen in one extended snooze marathon. Tacking on an extra hour or two of sleep a night is the way to catch up. For the chronically sleep deprived, take it easy for a few months to get back into a natural sleep pattern, says Lawrence J. Epstein, medical director of the Harvard-affiliated Sleep HealthCenters.”

 

The 16th of March is World Sleep Day

Preserve your rhythms to enjoy life is the slogan for World Sleep Day. 

Your rhythms are:

  • Daily patterns of alertness
  • Sleep-wake cycle
  • Mood
  • Hormones
  • Digestion
  • Heart rate
  • Body temperature
  • Performance
  • And also lung function

Changes to light and also to sleep-wake cycles have consequences to your sleep.

“Maintaining stable circadian rhythms is key to good health: If we continually disrupt our rhythms, for example through shift work or burning the midnight oil, then we increase the risk of sleep disorders, mental health disorders and chronic health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and even some cancers, which can leave us struggling to enjoy life.”

There are 3 elements of good quality sleep:

    • Duration: The length of sleep should be sufficient for the sleeper to be rested and alert the following day.
    • Continuity: Sleep periods should be seamless without fragmentation.
    • Depth: Sleep should be deep enough to be restorative.

Getting up during the night for kids is not helpful for sleep.

I don’t function very well if I don’t get enough sleep and therefore need to catch up on my rest.

In fact, I’m a shit parent if I don’t enough sleep. Being sleep deprived, having to look after kids, do school drop off, after-school activities and play with everyone takes it out of you when you have had less than an hour or two of sleep.

No sleep also makes me make mistakes, and have accidents (By accidents, I mean bumping into furniture, dropping things, not thinking and being forgetful).

Me very tired and not wanting to get out of bed. It is so comfortable and I really don't want to leave. Pity I had to take kids to school and other things.
Me very tired and not wanting to get out of bed. It is so comfortable and I really don’t want to leave. Pity I had to take kids to school and other things.

 

I am not sure if I am able to do the 3 elements of good sleep on a regular basis but I’m getting there.

What about you? Do you get deep sleep that is not interrupted?

Lately, I have found that I just lie awake at some point and struggle to get back to sleep. Sometimes I find the bed super comfortable and drift off to the best sleep ever… I just wish I could do of this on a regular basis.

It could be just down to having kids and now I am on call at all times. Any noise means that I’m wide awake.  I used to be such a deep sleeper.

If this is a biological thing that affects women I think it is just another annoyance that us women have to live with and try and manage.

“A study published in NeuroReport looked at the brains of 18 men and women who heard a baby crying while inside a brain scanner. The women’s brain activity suggested an immediate alertness, while the men’s brain activity didn’t change.” (https://www.mother.ly/news/this-is-what-happens-to-a-mothers-brain-when-her-baby-cries)

No wonder I end up wide awake at different times during the night or early morning. Any cry from a baby makes my brain become immediately alert.

Alexnder seems to cry out a few times in the night and still be asleep. This has made me wake up and struggle to get back to sleep.

Not only are we faced with periods, childbirth, sleepless nights with young children, then not sleeping and then to top it off menopause. Cmon and let us have some rest, please!

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Categories
Family

Do You Holiday Alone?

The other weekend hubby and I went away for the weekend.

It was a lovely escape to the city for just the two of us.

No kids were coming!

Yes, you read that right, we finally got alone time.

Before I went away for this magical alone time (well not completely alone, I would be with hubby) I was telling another mum at the school about getting some time away for just us. She was very happy that we were finally getting away. She was as excited as I was.

This other mum then told me that in May that she is off all by herself to a retreat in Bali. Yes, she is going to a different country for a full week all by herself. This mum also has three kids and is desperate for a break also.

My dream holiday alone.
My dream holiday alone.

I was happy about our trip away for the weekend, but found myself rather envious of this mum’s trip. I wanted to do the same!   Maybe one day???? (I was excited for my friend too, and thrilled she was getting some rest and relaxation)

In the news was an article about another mum that books herself into a hotel twice a year. She does this alone! Yes another person going away all by herself!  I read this article before I heard about my mate’s trip to Bali.

The article from Essential Kids said that having a break by yourself makes this mum a better parent.  I am sure time alone would help any busy parent.

I have caught myself drooling over holidays, trips away, having fantasies about sitting on the beach sipping my cocktail while the kids are entertained in a kids club.

I would just be content in having a holiday at home as long as the following happened; I could sleep in, I would be able to do my own projects and the house was quiet. I think to get my wish list travelling somewhere else might be necessary.

The weekend away with hubby was nice and relaxing. We had a lovely dinner out on Friday night, and finally eating at a new trendy restaurant. It was a nice change to not have to factor in if the food will be okay for kids before we book for dinner.

Not being on call for others was nice, no yelling, nobody saying mumma all the time, or yelling mummy at the top of their lungs. No fights to break up and no issues to deal with. Rather peaceful actually.

Once we got home the tension in my neck and jaw started to set in. The kids started arguing, I found out they hadn’t been very good on the day we came home and then they started harassing me again about everything and nothing.

It did feel like I hadn’t been away at all.

Maybe I need to go away for more than two nights?

I think I need to look into a Bali retreat like my other friend has done. Would a week somewhere relaxing make me feel better?

Would coming home to energetic kids bring all the tension back instantly?  I seriously need to look at a week long retreat somewhere…..send in ideas people!

I know the kids were excited to see me and hubby, and this is a nice thing. Cuddles, kisses and more were greatly appreciated. The only thing that I can live without is the chaos.

Do you have time out on your own?  If so has it helped you to have more energy and feel better?

Being a full time mum and carer to three kids is exhausting. Any other job you get a holiday, however being a parent there is no sick leave, holidays or breaks.

Down time is needed, but for some a night out or weekend away might the only break they get.

I have managed to be away for a few nights for a blogging conference, basically just a weekend away and then back to mummy duties.

Are you able to manage time away just for you?

How long have you been away for? How did the kids cope without you, were they happy when you were home?

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Categories
Family

Tantrums

Tantrums, crying, yelling and then throwing things!

Falling on the floor/ground and banging his head in annoyance.  This is a worry sometimes as I worry that my little boy will hurt himself.

Upset boy having a tantrum. My little one does the same. Covers his face and tries not to look at you.
Upset boy having a tantrum. My little one does the same. Covers his face and tries not to look at you.

 

Yelling! And screaming at the top of his lungs,”NOOOOOOO!!”

Fighting me when I try to put on his nappy as well as his shoes and clothes. After moments like this, I am all hot and sweaty and need to have a rest.

Sometimes I get one leg into shorts or pants and Alexander wriggles so much the leg is out and I have to start all over again!

This hate for getting dressed has carried over to putting swimming nappies and swimsuits on too. I come to the pool from playgroup, and go straight to the change room to get him and myself ready for his swimming lessons.

The other week it took 15 mins to just get his swimming nappy on him and another lady gave me assistance to at least get his legs into his swimmers. Alexander was fixated on having a shower rather than going into the pool. I told him that we can have a shower after the pool but he was not pleased with this idea, and kept on yelling, “shower”, and of course not letting me get him ready for his lesson.

Finally in the pool and learning to swim... well that is in between jumping into the pool.
Finally in the pool and learning to swim… well that is in between jumping into the pool.

Once we were all ready to get in the pool, Alexander decided throwing himself on the side of the pool and lying there was better than coming into the water. He was safe and I was close by, I decided to get in the water and show him how much fun it was.

He turned his head to make the point of not looking at me, and was still yelling. I then tried to get closer and comfort him.  The closer I got, meant that he turned away from me. Talk about drama!

Finally he calms down a bit and allows me to get him in the pool to join his lesson. He has some moments where he is trying to climb me to exit the pool and the rest of the time is Alexander wanting to go back to the edge of the pool and jump in.

Now my little boy cannot swim.

He has not taken to the pool very well at all, and does take a long time to get used to it.

Once on the edge of the pool he does a happy dance, smiles and then jumps in (I’m not sure why he likes to jump in the pool but he loves it.  As a kid who takes ages to get used to the water it is amazing that this is preferred activity).

A few times he went under but I was there to catch him. I did think he would lose it after getting his head soaked in the water. I think the only thing that annoyed him was that he had to do what the teacher was asking and he didn’t want to.

Not only does he want to do his own thing during swim class, he does not like to show the teacher anything. If he has managed to blow bubbles in the water he stops if the teacher is looking. His head is turned so that he cannot see her and he is pressed as close to me as he can be.

I attempted to join in with the other mums and dads, as a reward for doing part of the lesson I let Alexander jump off the side of the pool. Then back to the lesson.  I did this until he was happier about the lesson and being in the pool.

We managed a small win. Alexander was finally kicking his legs and actually happy for a bit of the lesson (Normally he clings to me for dear life and screams and cries for the full half hour).  After the swimming lesson was over I played with him in the pool and allowed him to jump off the edge a few more times. Then he didn’t want to leave!

I used the magic words that he wanted to hear before….”Lets go and have a shower now.”

As soon as he knew we were going to have a shower he was very happy to leave the pool.

I think at this point he had about 5 meltdowns and the day was only half way through.  As you can imagine, I was ready to go home. I was ready for bed and to just sit and do nothing. However I still had a few more things to do and one major item was to pick the girls up from school, do homework and organise dinners.

I finally was able to get Alexander a haircut, he loved sitting in a red car during his haircut but refused the apron to not have hair all over him. The only downside of the car was getting him out of it. Yes more tantrums followed.  Oh the joys…. it was a day that kept on giving in meltdowns.

Then off to the shops, chemist and post office.

Now it was time to go to the twins school for pick up. I know my little boy was so tired but if I went home I would have to wake him to then go and get the girls (It would be perfect to have him home while he slept, but I don’t have anyone to mind him, so he needs to come with me.) While in the car we drove to the school and spent some time checking out the traffic on the highway, birds and more things on our walk while we waited for the bell to go.

Insert about 5 or more tantrums while at the school.  I was very ready to put head in hands and fall on the ground myself. I wonder if I did that if it would stop the tantrums from the toddler? Or would it create more of a drama?

My little boy just loves Thomas the Tank Engine. It was a huge job to get these trains out of his hands at the school library. This image is a little bigger than the ones that Alexander had and wished to come home with.
My little boy just loves Thomas the Tank Engine. It was a huge job to get these trains out of his hands at the school library. This image is a little bigger than the ones that Alexander had and wished to come home with.

He climbed the stairs to the library and wanted to leave with the libraries Thomas the Tank Engine toys. It took a few goes to get them out of his hands, and put them on a tall bookcase to allow me time to get him out the door and down the stairs.

Once I got both of us down the stairs and in the courtyard at school, this is when my little boy threw himself on the concrete ground and was yelling, screaming and crying.

He was  yelling “choo choo” about the missing Thomas the Tank Engine toys. He did attempt to go up the stairs again but I stopped his efforts and yes you guessed it more crying and falling on the floor.

I find that if I ignore the tantrum it ends quicker than if I try and calm him down. Ensuring that there the area is safe for him is one thing I do to know that if I walk away for a few seconds he will be okay.

Another technique that I have tried with success is to not have eye contact with the kid who is throwing the tantrum. I find that if I show interest then the crying, yelling and upset lasts longer and it is harder to have the child calm down afterwards.

It is interesting that the twins didn’t throw many tantrums.  I think I was lucky to be spared twin tantrums while at the shops.

Below are a few links that might help if you are dealing with tantrums as well:

 

Did your kids have a lot of tantrums? If they did what was the best way you found to deal with them?  Did only one kid have tantrums? Or did they all?

 

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Categories
Education

Valentine’s Day Word Scramble Worksheet

Do your kids love to do word scrambles?

Since Valentine’s Day is around the corner a Valentine’s Day inspired worksheet is ideal.

Do you love giving your children more worksheets so they can practice and get better at their school work? I know I do!

Did you know that word scramble worksheets help kids with spelling?

Kids have fun solving the scrambled word and have no idea that they are learning at the same time. What a win as a parent!

Education.com is a wonderful resource for educational worksheets to help your children learn.

You can also become an Education.com member and get access to more amazing content to help your kids.

I love that Education.com ties-in times of the year to help kids have fun while they are actually doing work.  The free worksheets are based on Valentine’s Day.

 

The Valentine’s Day Eduction.com downloads are below:

Learn some new words for Valentine’s Day with this word scramble from Education.com!

To get more spelling practice, check out these resources.

 

You can even build your own worksheet from the Education.com worksheet generator.  Make your own for the kids today!

Would you like to have more Valentine’s Day worksheets? If you do there are more. Download and have fun celebrating.

Disclaimer: I was approached by Education.com to share this free worksheet with my readers. I love helping kids learn, and like to share great resources for parents.

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