Shambolic Living

Weekend Notes

Janine — Sun, 12 May 2013 08:57:10 +0000

Thank You I got a break from blogging this week when I handed over the reins to my friends Emma, Fiona, Therese and Katya. Each woman shared their journey to motherhood story, and they were all wonderful. A big thank you to each of them. None of these women are bloggers so it was very...

Journey to Joy

Janine — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:59:24 +0000

Katya Quigley is a radio broadcaster currently on maternity leave. Politicians around the world engage in endless debate on issues such as gay marriage while gay and lesbian couples just get on with their lives. Falling in love, creating their families, laughing, crying, enduring the same challenges of raising children as the rest of us....

We’re All Real

Janine — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:10:37 +0000

Therese Goshorn is a former teacher. I bonded with Therese on the sidelines of freezing cold Friday night soccer games. As our daughters lurched around the soccer field we laughed and joked and sometimes missed vital point scores ’cause we were talking. Therese and her husband have a beautiful relationship with their girls. There is...

Mothering Other People’s Children

Janine — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:56:20 +0000

Fiona Wyllie is a radio broadcaster. I can’t imagine anything more difficult than being a step-mum. Being thrown into a parenting role with children already formed and functioning takes an enormous level of love and commitment. I have long admired Fiona’s relationship with her step-children, especially her willingness to put them first in her life....

Rollercoaster Ride to Motherhood

Janine — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:30:36 +0000

Emma Siossian is a radio journalist. I was working with Emma when she began this rollercoaster ride to motherhood and I remember watching in awe as she dealt with setback after setback with grace and dignity. We were travelling in the ruggedly beautiful Kimberley region in Western Australia when we made the decision. After years...

The Journey To Motherhood

Janine — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:43:28 +0000

This Sunday here in Australia mothers around the country will sip tepid tea and chow down on dry toast lovingly prepared by the children in their lives. Breakfast in bed is a bit of a tradition on mother’s day. Often followed by lunch out with the Grandmas, thankfully cooked by a professional chef as opposed...

The Mothering Years

Janine — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:40:23 +0000

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.