Travelling in the car today a radio announcer back announced the last track with "oh yes, Robert Palmer, the great man who is no longer with us". Mr Shambles and I looked at each other "Robert Palmer is dead?" "When did that happen?" I googled him and yes indeed, Robert Palmer left us in 2003. "Oh 2003" says Mr Shambles "that's why we didn't … [Read more...]
Life Before Children
Last week somewhere between finding lost socks and transporting children to endless activities I was struck by a thought (just one, my crowded mind can't cope with more than that at the moment). I realised I've got no memory of life before children. Is it some sort of parental dementia designed to help your fragile brain cope with the … [Read more...]
A Year of Last
Youngest children thrive in an environment of benign neglect. They have to, it's all they have available to them. Eldest children enjoy a parent's undivided attention, they are the prototype of our parenting and as such we relish every moment, recognising milestones, throwing ourselves into this brave new world. When my eldest started school, I … [Read more...]
A Letter to My Daughters About NAPLAN
Dear Girls, The Government decided that all students would be tested in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 to monitor their levels of literacy and numeracy. In theory it seems a good idea. Parents get a sense of where their child sits in relation to other kids, schools can identify problems and so on. In practice, teachers teach to the test. Endless hours of … [Read more...]
The Mothering Years
The mothering years engulf and consume you. They reshape your heart, mind and soul. They simultaneously weaken and strengthen you. The mothering years redefine your life. Happy mothers day everyone. … [Read more...]
The Stages of Parenting
I hear young couples discussing the "best" time to have a baby and I chuckle to myself. Seriously, you are already over-thinking it. You can't plan or prepare for the caper that is parenting. You just need to dive in head first and brave your way through each new crisis as it erupts. Look, I know you've seen those cute babies in the tv commercials … [Read more...]
Cost of living rises a furphy?
Most days I live in fear of my letterbox. The bills arrive with regular monotony. It seems I've only just got one paid and the next is clamouring for attention. A new study out suggests that perhaps the cost of living isn't really going up we are just living bigger lifestyles. The study by National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling at the … [Read more...]
No sick leave for Mums
I've opted out of my real world job today. Given in to whatever this bug is I've managed to acquire. Made a phone call. Sympathetic colleague told me to take care. Tomorrow I'll return, fill out a sick leave form, and our super efficient administrator will pay me as normal while calculating my leave hours. People will politely enquire if I'm … [Read more...]
Work or Stay at Home An Old and Ugly Debate
The age-old debate of whether to work or stay at home has reared its ugly head again thanks to American politics. Hilary Rosen, a Democratic strategist, commented that Anne Romney, wife of a GOP presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, was not in a position to give her husband economic advice on the plight of women because she had "never worked a day … [Read more...]
Bucket Lists BEFORE and AFTER Children
The Bucket List BEFORE I had children. Cruise the canals of Venice in a gondolier with the man I love. Eat at a Michelin Three Star restaurant. Buy an outfit from the Paris Fashion Shows. Watch a Broadway show starring someone really famous. Float in the Dead Sea. Travel the Silk Road. Party all night at the Carnaval in Rio de … [Read more...]
