Shambolic Living

Parenting Advice From Twitter

Janine — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:03:09 +0000

It’s taken me two weeks to recover from a very tough weekend. I wasn’t going to write about it but I’ve decided it is a community service announcement for mothers who are currently worried about inconsequential things like sleep patterns, nappy rash and bottle versus breast. People you need to be PREPARED. One day you...

Self Development in the Middle of Chaos

Janine — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:55:40 +0000

Here at Shambles Manor the eldest is in the middle of exams, the youngest is having sex education talks at school. I’m alternating between the history of astronomy and why do ovaries look like strawberries? Please God don’t let me get this mixed up and give the wrong information to the wrong kid. How could...

The Catch Up

Janine — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:06:44 +0000

It’s not that I have a tendency to “fail” I just sometimes take on a few too many challenges and then have to play catch-up at various points along the way to actually complete the task! So here is my latest photo-a-day pictures. 1. Something I Do Every Day – I made a list, God...

Music to Travel By

Janine — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 05:04:15 +0000

We have survived our nine hour journey and are now reverting back to beanies, scarves and gloves in the still-winter weather at the bottom of the Snowy Mountains. The car ride was uneventful. The highlight being my serenading the family through a collection of my favorite hits. The you-beaut techno gadget which was supposed to...

Ten Things You Need To Know About Going On Holidays

Janine — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:38:20 +0000

It’s been a while since we actually went away during the holidays. Firstly, we live in a holiday destination, secondly do you know how much it costs to take a family of four ANYWHERE? It’s school holidays now and we are doing the trip to visit family on the other side of the State. That...

What will they say about me when I’m dead?

Janine — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:18:23 +0000

It’s the one event of your life over which you have no control. While you may be the main attraction you are no longer in a position to direct activities, control the audience or influence the speeches. Your funeral is left in the hands of those you leave behind. Don’t panic, I’m not leaving this...

Team Sports – Why Do We Do It?

Janine — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 01:52:18 +0000

I am exhausted this morning. Last night I played the longest, hardest game of soccer EVER. Oh all right, I was on the sideline but I swear I ran every inch of that field in my mind. It was finals night. Five minutes from the end we were leading 1 – 0. The Grand Final...

This is What Happens When I Try To Be A Responsible Parent

Janine — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:35:31 +0000

It is clear that for 90 per cent of the time I’m flying blind with this parenting gig. Look we’ve survived 15 years, everyone is still here, there are only a few physical scars (Princess Child had a habit of throwing herself into activities with a little more vigour than her coordination development allowed; hence...

TV In The Bedroom Yes or No?

Janine — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 23:45:41 +0000

I’m sure if we had gone to counselling before the wedding there would have much time spent on whether we were on agreement on the big issues. Do you want children? Will the children be raised in a religion? How will you handle finances? Will somebody stay at home with the kids or not? However,...

Things I’m Not Going To Do Again

Janine — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 21:45:46 +0000

There comes a point in your life where you have to accept there are things you are just not going to do again. There are a variety of reasons for why you won’t be repeating certain activities, no longer capable, no longer want to, it would just look ridiculous … the list is lengthy. Here’s...