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Just let it go: observations of others and my holiday advice

January 29, 2013 By 12 Comments

Sitting on a beach is a great place to observe people. It is a fabulous canvas of human interaction and behaviour. Sunglasses on and magazine open, a busy beach day affords you the sights and sounds of how others behave, relax, vent, how they handle sand……and yes, how they parent. Now I may in the past have told you that it is important to parent in a way that suits you and is based around your own core values and beliefs and that we should avoid making judgements about others decisions. However, I have to say sometimes it is really hard not to judge people or get annoyed by their actions (yes you people that on a day that is not so busy you put your whopping big tent right in front of me despite the fact that I am clearly trying to keep my eyes on children playing in sand and sea). Sometimes you just want to put your hand on their shoulder and say….”hey….I have some advice for you……”

Now of course I wouldn’t, as that would come across as arrogant. I am also aware that we are not privy to all that is going on with people, what kind of day they have had, what stresses they may encounter with their life, their children or their work. However……if I was to give some advice to a few of the parents I observed over my beach holiday it would be this…..Let it go and move on! [Read more...]

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I resolve not to make any New Years resolutions

January 1, 2013 By 37 Comments

I love the clean slate of a new year. The prospect of new beginnings, new challenges, new hopes.

We talk a lot of New Years resolutions, of ways to be better, do better, look better, accomplish more, stress less.

I started to think about any New Years resolutions I might make this year, and decided I really didn’t need any. Yes I could try to do all the above things ‘more’ or ‘less’. I could eat better, exercise more and probably drink less. But at the end of it all, in fact at the end of 2012, I am pretty happy with where I am at.

Certainly I will make more plans and goals for my business. But these will be specific and hopefully when broken down in to bite size chunks…achievable.

But in terms of my overall happiness and contentment, I think I have it pretty well sussed. At least for all those things I have control over.

I will continue to devote the majority of my time and energy to my husband and my boys, to my extended family and to my many wonderful friends. I will continue to enjoy a role in the wider community through the connections I have made with my blog and business, through my boys schools and sporting clubs and with my role as Victorian Representative of the charity, Heartfelt.

I will continue to focus on my own physical and emotional health by taking time out for myself and by taking on challenges that keep me stimulated.

So maybe its a bit of a cop out……but hey….I have no New Years resolutions to break or feel guilty about…or carry over to next year!

So to all my readers and your families, Happy New Year! I hope 2013 is a happy and healthy one for you all xx

Do you make New Years Resolutions? If so, are you good at following them through?

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Happy Days in May: a sentence a day in the month of May

May 1, 2012 By 14 Comments

Last year I took up the challenge from Naomi from Seven Cherubs to write a sentence a day that records something that makes you happy and grateful for all you have. This year Naomi is putting out the challenge again and has called it Happy Days in May.

There are days when we don’t have to look far for a happy moment or find something that made us laugh or smile. The sun was shining, the kids didn’t fight, you partied with friends or  your team won the game. But other days the moments are a little less obvious. It is these days that make this challenge so rewarding. It forces us to look a little harder for the moments that we need to be grateful for. It may be a coffee you drank before it got cold, an arrival in the post that wasn’t a bill, or it may simply be that you didn’t burn the dinner .  No matter how big or seemingly small, we need to recognise all the moments that go into our lives to bring us joy.

This year I am again putting my kids to the challenge as well. I am going to ask them to give me a sentence each night of something that happened to them during the day that made them smile, laugh, feel good about themselves or someone else. Or maybe they could just recall something that they are grateful for or an item they are happy to own.  I may ask for a little more creativity from the boys this year,  as whilst I understand that playing footy and riding on their scooters are great fun activities, we may need to stretch their imaginations just a little. It is a great way for kids, and ourselves to go to bed with positive thoughts, a silver lining or a glimmer of hope. Rather than trying to keep a journal or diary which I have never been able to succeed at for any extended period, I have also found that this is a great way to record lifes little moments whilst taking only a minute or two each night.

I would love for others to have a go and try it with your kids as well. For an example of last years challenge you can check out my Happiness Project from 2011.

Remember , its just one sentence, every night.

So best wishes to all for many Happy Days in May.

 

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A Christmas message from The Modern Parent

December 24, 2011 By 4 Comments

Well it ain’t no message from the Queen but the picture above pretty much sums up all that I wish for myself, my friends my family and all of my readers for the ensuing festive season.

Take it Easy and Relax: Hopefully you have managed to scrounge some days off work to spend with the family. If so, take a load off and enjoy. Enjoy just chilling out, relaxing, having fun and conforming to no rules, times, criteria or schedules.

Eat, Drink  & Do not Diet: Well this is fairly self explanatory. Whilst I am all for looking after yourselves and maintaining a healthy lifestyle (I said I was all for it but never actually stipulated i did it), it is important to just eat up and enjoy this Christmas. If you need to burn off a few extra kilojoules, go outside and play some cricket, dive in a pool or go for a big walk with the family to view some Christmas lights.

Be Merry and Smile: The most important thing to remember this festive season. Now that all the shopping is done, it is now  the time to be merry. Time to smile and laugh and have fun with those important to you. To rejoice in all you have and look forward to lots of good times ahead.

Thankyou to all those that have read and commented and given me feedback this year. One year into my blog and I have learnt so much and have so much more to plan for the coming year. I look forward to a happy and productive 2012 with so many exciting endeavours in store.

I wish you all a safe, happy and healthy festive season full of love, laughter and good times surrounded by those you love.

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Why we should let the village raise the child

November 15, 2011 By 34 Comments

It takes a village to raise a child? Or so the African proverb tells us.  Whilst this may still be the case in many parts of the world, it is something that seems to be embraced less and less in Western society. Maybe this is something that could be argued as detriment to the well being of our children and ourselves. This past week, I witnessed first hand the many positive aspects of communal family living.

Last Sunday, my husband, myself and our 5 children, along with 6 other couples and their families, set off on a week long holiday down the coast to celebrate the 40thbirthday milestones of my husband and his mates  (years ago they conjured up a dream trip to Las Vegas minus the family, however renovations, babies, work commitments and visions of  ‘The Hangover 3′  saw the trip somewhat change in nature to a family beach holiday less than an hour down the road). Fourteen adults and seventeen kids descended on accommodation reminiscent of school camp. A huge long hallway with bedrooms either side that housed bunk bed upon bunk bed, communal male and female toilets, large kitchen, dining and lounge area and a room out the back for the kids to run wild, became our abode for 7 nights. [Read more...]

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