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...]
Working Life
As usual my disorganised approach to life has come back to bite me in the bum. HUGE day yesterday with a 7.45am meeting with the Principal of the High School where Princess Child will be going next year. The child is a little anxious about the idea of going to high school so I reassure her with the usual platitudes of how great it will be to meet … [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...]
Growing Up Country
I grew up in a country town surrounded by blue-grey hills where houses sat on wide streets and had big backyards. In a time before the internet, digital TV, Skype and mobile phones when living in the country meant existing in an insulated time warp. We had: Two TV channels. The ABC and the local one which played programs years behind the Sydney … [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...]
What we need around here are some spreadsheets
It's been 157 days since I launched into my "achieve every goal you have every imagined" year. There's 209 days left until I will once again be facing a cake adorned with candles and lamenting the passing of my life. It's becoming increasingly evident that organisation is the key skill I am lacking when it comes to achieving my desires. I get … [Read more...]
The Story of Shambles Manor (an exercise in owner-building)
Be careful what you wish for it might just happen! For as long as I can remember I haven't been able to drive past a display village without popping in, wandering through the delightfully styled rooms, marvelling at the space, loving the design. When we moved to Port Macquarie I searched high and low but couldn't find a house I liked, so I … [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...]
Rainy Day Blues
The morning began by bailing water out of the car. It appears my car leaks. Rather substantially leaks. To the point I was heading towards cover-your-feet level flooding in the driver's side. I'm on holidays. Therefore we are now experiencing torrential rain. The two go together like strawberries and cream - Janine takes holidays, the heavens … [Read more...]
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