As you stand surrounded by the debris of domesticity, up to your armpits in washing, cradling a sick child and wondering what's for dinner can I ask what are your thoughts on feminism? I know probably not your most pressing issue at the moment but bear with me. … [Read more...]
The Laundry
Right, it's decided, this family are becoming nudists. No I've made up my mind I can't be talked out of it. This post is brought to you from under a pile of washing so high it makes Everest look like a hill. We've currently experiencing yet another season of wet weather, most of the area on the Mid North Coast is on flood alert, and I'm too … [Read more...]
Before I Had Children
Before I had children ... I knew good behaviour was just a matter of proper discipline. I knew sexism and inequality were the result of gender stereotypes inflicted on children by parents - no child of mine was going to play with a Barbie Doll. I knew consistency was the only sure way to deliver a well rounded individual to the world. I knew my … [Read more...]
Lord Howe Island – A Family Holiday
Despite my inclination for home and hearth occasionally I must hoist myself out of the lounge and into the big wide world to give my children experiences beyond their small hometown and away from the digital activities that seem to control their free-time. Lord Howe is a spectacularly beautiful island, off the mainland of Australia. It’s one of … [Read more...]
The Vegie Patch
Peak oil. Rising sea levels. Climate change. Soaring energy prices. Ever wondered how self-sufficient you could be? Really if it came down to it could we survive unaided? How do you reckon we would go at generating our own food, electricity, water on a typical surburban block?. We had a little test run here at Shambles Manor when my husband … [Read more...]
Top Pick of Parenting Books
When I knew I was pregnant I went seeking advice in a plethora of parenting/pregnancy books. I read everything that was published at the time. Many of them set up impossible standards that even then I knew I was going to struggle with, others spoke down to me, while yet more espoused beliefs that I didn't feel comfortable with (and often in a very … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday Princess Child
It's hard to imagine that 12 years ago today I was wheeled into surgery for an emergency caesarian. Arriving 7 weeks early, weighing only as much as a bag of sugar, it was a relief to final have you here after an anxious 4 weeks of worry. You had a propensity for drama even in the womb! Your sense of humour was evident from an early age and you … [Read more...]
Ten Golden Rules of Parenting
This is not the advice in the parenting books - this is advice you take when you have ditched aspirations of perfection and are simply in survival mode. Never wake a sleeping child. If they are not bothering you don't bother them (admittedly this is how my kitchen came to be painted pink - but it was old and needed a facelift). Children don't … [Read more...]
The trials and tribulations of a techno connected life
We aren't exactly the most technical of families The desktop computer is four years old. My laptop belongs to a time period pre-everything, any attempt at internet connection allows you to go off and cook a three course meal while you wait for it to load and it won't let you type the letter "g". This proves somewhat difficult given my email … [Read more...]
What’s for Dinner?
It's the plaintive cry that echoes across homes world-wide. Three little words that are enough to drive mothers everywhere to drink. What's for dinner? Before having children I wasn't even the cook in the family, Mr Shambles always got home before me so he did dinner, and he can actually COOK which is nice. However, it seems upon giving birth I … [Read more...]
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