Tantrums: How I Deal with Them Third Time Around

I have three children. Looking back at the early days of parenthood, eight long and sleep deprived years ago, I often reflect that really we were just practising on our  firstborn (sorry son, we didn’t know what we were doing). We were uber-cautious about some things, and over-sensitive too, and…

Continue reading

Broken Sleep, Broken Promise

There wasn’t much sleep had in our house last night. My three-and-a-half year old seems to have reverted to the sleeping habits of a newborn and was let’s say “wakeful” for many hours during the night. What started out as reassuring hugs degenerated into abrupt shouts to “get back into…

Continue reading

When Christmas Doesn't Quite Go According to Plan.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” Fingers crossed. “‘Tis the season to be jolly” What if I’m not? Or the teething toddler isn’t? The whole perfectly happy Christmas thing is what we’re all striving for. Everyone together. Perfect food. All delighted.  Photos of smiling families in matching outfits…

Continue reading

Carols and Coincidence

As I walked through the carpark on the way to collect my small girl from playschool on Tuesday festive tunes hung on the air. I continued on my way and the music got louder. Voices, singing, piano accompaniment, coming from the church. I checked the time on my phone, I…

Continue reading

Tips for Making Swimming Lessons Less Stressful

Ask a parent what’s their least favourite activity to do with their kids and you’ll usually get a resounding chorus of “swimming lessons”. It’s all the getting dressed you see. And the wetness. And the heat in the dressing room as you try to dress one child and argue with…

Continue reading

An Incomplete List of Morning Struggles My Children Experience

The morning is a struggle for the children of this house. Some more than others. Despite being up (of their own accord) before 6am they face a series of challenges, some nearly insurmountable, many of which their inconsiderate parents just don’t seem to appreciate or give sufficient weight to. The children…

Continue reading

Whinging, Whining and Wishful Thinking?

I’m in the supermarket, my toddler is complaining that this is the wrong shop, kicking, shouting, making herself heard. I’m on the  school run, one child runs ahead purposefully, not wanting to be seen with the littler ones, another wants to balance on every kerb along the way. I’m at home in the…

Continue reading