It’s true to say that I am probably a bit of a worrier. Ok, a downright panic merchant. So when Busy-And-Important-Husband called me during his lunch break yesterday to announce he had enrolled our nearly seven year old Boy-Who-Asks-Questions into a sailing school on Sydney Harbour, this self-confessed helicopter parent nearly flung a blade. Black Hawk down! Black Hawk down! The idea entered … [Read more...]
Monkeys in the zoo
Next week Little Fairy starts school. My last cab off the rank. I feel like I’ve been too busy to dwell on this milestone. Besides, in the middle of last year we increased her days at preschool to five when I took on a hefty work contract. It was actually her idea to go five days. She’d overheard Busy-And-Important-Husband and I ruminating about how we would cope with the extra workload. She … [Read more...]
Small rant, big thankyou
One of the hardest things I have done as a parent so far, was handing my baby over to a virtual stranger so I could return to work. The explosion of emotions I felt as I walked away from that childcare centre more than five years ago was almost unbearable. Sadness at the thought of being away from my child for longer days than either of us were used to. Fear that the person now caring for my … [Read more...]
Sick of the bullying
Credit: Craig Dingle via iStock My friend has a problem. A heart-breaking problem. After rebuilding her life following a tough marriage breakup, her daughter is now being bullied at school. Her beautiful, smart, gentle, wise and talented daughter. Bullied so badly my friend feels she has no choice but to move her to another school. Now this friend of mine is a tough cookie. She has … [Read more...]
Things I used to say…
Before I had kids:I’m going to give birth naturally. You know, drug free.I’d LOVE to have twins.My kids are going to be really healthy eaters. I’ll just be organised and only ever have fresh food in the fridge.I will never, ever resort to bribing my kids. Never. I will never let my kids run around a shop like that. My kids will be well behaved. I’m totally ready to have kids. I think it should … [Read more...]
A Little Fairy in pink boots
The male gene is strong in my husband’s family. He is one of three boys. His brother has also celebrated the birth of four boys. So when our firstborn arrived a boy, it came as no real surprise; we thought we were following what seemed an unbreakable family trend.When we fell pregnant the second time our jaws dropped when the sonographer uttered the words, “looks like you’ve broken the trend with … [Read more...]
I am not supermum
Someone asked me the other day if being a working mum makes me a better mum.“Oh, yes!” I replied. “It’s important for me to work. It’s part of who I am and working makes me happy. So that makes me a better mum.”I was lying. Dishing out the sugar candied response I’m ‘supposed’ to.The truth is being a working mum does not make me a better mum. In fact, I constantly worry if I’m doing the right … [Read more...]
The hangover, the indoor play-centre and a smug mummy
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a mother in possession of a hangover must be in want of an indoor play-centre.I don’t get hangovers very often, on account of the two little people who pulled the handbrake firmly on my social life some time ago. I also don’t go to indoor play-centres very often, on account of some very good common sense.But it appears there is a cruel algorithmic rule … [Read more...]
Watching rainbows in the nude
Life has been hectic the past few weeks. Yeah – I know, when is life ever not busy? Like many of us, every morning I frantically poke and prod my kids through our usual manic routine. Go back to bed - you’re up too early.Get up! Get up! We’re going to be late.Put the iPad down.Eat your breakfast. Put the iPad down.Just eat your breakfast. Go downstairs and clean your teeth.Have you cleaned your … [Read more...]
Noisy screechy bird
“BLACK HAWK DOWN! BLACK HAWK DOWN!” That’s what Busy-And-Important-Husband likes to yell after me when I run to one of the kids after they’ve taken a tumble.You see. I am a helicopter parent; a self-confessed Chinook of the parenting world. Hovering over my children waiting to swoop down should anything untoward happen to them.I know. I know. There really is no need to give me the ‘wrapping them … [Read more...]