Thank You Mum
I am incredibly grateful to my mum, who took my brothers and me to church every time the doors were open. I thought it was normal. And perhaps it was, but no longer — and that is a pity.
Fabulous Farm Adventures
We spent three happy hours exploring the animal farm, and even had time to visit a strawberry farm nearby afterward!
Equally Loved
When we discovered that Baby 2 was on her way, we were delighted, but also a tad concerned about how Baby 1 would react. Now, by and large, our progeny co-exist joyfully, taking delight in each other’s existence. We are careful to treat them as equally or equitably as possible.
Theme Park Fun: Tiny Tots at Aussie World
Family-friendly attractions often have good deals for toddlers before they turn three, or five. Aussie World at the Sunshine Coast admits children for free up to two years old, so we whisked our infants off to the theme park for Tiny Tots Thursday.
The Joy of Kite-Flying
When I was little, my father introduced me to the joy of kite-flying. He told me stories of his boyhood, when he grew up in a dilapidated, bombed-out mansion with a high tower, from which he flew his homemade kite.
Little Ones and Screens
How do you navigate the use of digital devices among your offspring? Is it possible to moderate screen use, or does prohibition work better?
The Facts on Fatherlessness
Fatherlessness is a growing problem all over the Western world. We urgently need to address the twin problems of fatherlessness and family breakdown. Until we tackle these problems, our children and our societies will continue to suffer.
Working from Home with Infants
In my role, I am blessed to be able to work from home, making it possible to be present for my toddlers all day, every day. However, this arrangement comes with its own challenges. Here are some strategies that enable me to multitask well.
Brisbane Open House: Culture, History and Emergency Services
Once a year, usually in July, buildings of historical or cultural significance around Brisbane open their doors to the public for free, with guided tours and exhibits. This event is known as Brisbane Open House. We took the opportunity to learn more about firefighters and the police.
Stepping Back in Time: The Medieval Festival
Every July, the Abbey Museum in Caboolture, Queensland hosts the Abbey Medieval Festival, an extremely popular event that attracts thousands of visitors. As their website states, they aim for guests “to experience life in the Middle Ages in Europe and the Middle East, from AD 600 to 1600.”
Fire Engines, Garbage Trucks, and Other Things that Go
My toddler son loves playing with his toy vehicles, particularly fire engines, garbage trucks, police cars, ambulances and trains. So when not one, but two fire trucks rolled up to our friend’s nursing home as we were celebrating Christmas, my husband realised it was a fabulous opportunity.
Toddlers and Teeth: Dental Health Matters
Does your baby enjoy having his or her teeth cleaned? What strategies have you implemented for fuss-free dental maintenance?
Dig IT: Smashing Fun
My toddler son loves diggers, or excavators. He can spend hours watching a digger at work, piling earth into a dump truck. So when I saw there was a discount for Dig IT at Mount Tamborine, a mini excavator park for children in the Gold Coast Hinterlands, I pounced on it.
Taking Your Baby on Public Transport
I remember the feeling of accomplishment when I successfully managed my first bus trip with my newborn all by myself. With an infant, the mundane act of taking public transport transforms into a glorious adventure and holds a multitude of teachable opportunities.
Playground Capers
Now that I have two toddlers, we spend many happy hours in playgrounds. Here in Brisbane, we are spoilt for choice. There are various new features which surpass the playgrounds of yore.
Dining Out with Little Tykes
Dining out can be stressful rather than relaxing when you have rambunctious toddlers. Here are some tips to make it a more pleasant experience for everyone, fellow patrons and waitstaff included:
Artistic Escapades
I have always enjoyed immersing myself in beautiful art, and now I have the opportunity to share it with my husband and children.
Arboreal and Animal Adventures Galore
As we live in an urban area, it takes some planning and effort to facilitate encounters with animals and experiences of plant life. What nature-themed adventures have you found in your area?
Dangerous Plants
Introducing your child to the great outdoors is part of the joy of parenting. Fostering a love of nature and curiosity about creation is par for the course. However, in Australia, the flora and fauna pose hazards aplenty. Be careful around unidentified plants!
Birth Pangs: Be Prepared
Life gets busy, and despite the instinct to nest and collect all necessities before birth, your due date can creep up on you before you know it. Preparing during your second trimester might be ideal, as you tend to have more energy then.
Childproofing Your Home
With the birth of your tiny human comes an awareness of things that could possibly go wrong. Suddenly, your home becomes a zone of veritable death traps. It is ideal to begin childproofing before your newborn starts crawling and natural curiosity imperils your offspring.
The Magic of Facebook Marketplace and Op Shops
One thing I wish I had known as a new parent was to look harder on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or in local Buy Nothing groups before buying a whole bunch of new things.
When Baby is Born: Make Him Feel Useful
I am grateful to have such a hands-on father as my spouse. Include your husband in your development as a mother, so that he too may grow as a father and together, you can be the best parents possible for your baby.
Mother’s Day Poem
An elegant tribute to motherhood.
Seeing the World Anew
One does not have to go much out of one’s way to entertain the kids – the world is new to them, and they just want to learn from you how to exist and operate in this strange and marvellous place.
Mother’s Day is Next Sunday – Let’s Celebrate Like Never Before
Mother’s Day is next Sunday. Many women say, “Don’t make a fuss about me!” but men, can I say, please don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. The sacrifice involved in being a mother is absolutely staggering.
