tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503242643749787842024-02-07T23:04:21.140+10:30happy mumma's spothappymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-34843176981372490562014-03-20T10:08:00.001+10:302014-03-20T10:08:10.040+10:30Hate vs Love<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish to discuss a topic that I know has a tendency to get people very passionate on both sides of the camp. As such I am going to start by saying a few things - just to make sure we're all on the same page.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I believe that homosexuality is wrong.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I do not hate people who identify as homosexual.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. I do not even hate people who practice homosexuality.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. I believe that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and that this definition should not be changed, that marriage is ordained of God, and that family is the fundamental unit of society.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. I believe that ALL people deserve to be treated with decency, respect, fairness, and equality.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. I do not believe that 'equal' means, 'the same'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I got thinking about this when I saw a post on FB that showed two pictures: on the left, a lesbian couple and the words, "This is what love looks like". On the right, one of the women of the couple severely beaten and the words, "This is what hate looks like". They claimed that the woman had been attacked because she was gay and labelled it a 'hate crime'. With further research, I discovered that the attack, while terrible and inexcusable, was not because she was gay. You can find the link <a href="http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/owens.asp" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />There are always people who will find reasons to hate, but I really don't like how often people will try to further their own cause by making something look like what it isn't. Yes, this attack was a crime, whatever the perpetrator's reason was... but it wasn't an attack on an entire demographic of society. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think that these 'hate crimes' are over-represented. (The person who shared the post I saw being <b>not</b> among those who deliberately do this.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In any case, it saddens me that many people - although not all - are quick to interpret things like, "Homosexuality is wrong", or, "I don't support marriage 'equality'" as - "I hate gay people." Again, there will always be a some that look down on those who are different than themselves, but this is not the case in the majority of instances where people say these things.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, what's with the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> quotes around the word equality in that last paragraph? Because when people advocate for gay marriage, they are not advocating for equality - they are advocating to change the definition of marriage to include homosexual couples</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. <i>Like trying to fit in to a dress that is a few sizes too small... you're going to rip the fabric.</i> Everyone is free to love whomever they love. Any individual aged 18 or over who is not already married, may marry another person of an opposite sex. That is what puts everyone on equal ground. The law does not need to be changed to make us equal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If, these things considered, advocates for gay rights still feel things are unequal, a different commitment would be more appropriate.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Advocating for the definition of marriage and the laws surrounding it to stay the same is not about hate. Intentionally taking things said by those you don't agree with out of context, or creating a version of events that does not reflect the truth is not about love. Turning the words or actions of others into something they are not is NOT decent, respectful or fair. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You cannot ask for tolerance or acceptance while at the same time having no tolerance for those who do not share your views.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you to those I know on both sides who discuss their differences with civility and respect.</i></span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-83240170598542302562014-01-31T12:05:00.001+10:302014-01-31T12:05:18.867+10:30Letter to a kindy girl<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Natalie,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week you started kindy. Already I can see that you are enjoying it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are learning important skills, like how to be attentive and follow instructions, as well as literacy and numeracy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These skills are important, and I am glad that you can learn them - but I will miss things you say and do that I suppose you will grow out of soon... things like how everything that happened in the past happened, "last weeks" and how you say "demember" [remember] and "defore" [before].</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favourite thing about picking you up form kindy since Tuesday has been seeing you and Hayley run and give each other a great big hug. When we dropped you off that first day, Hayley was wanting you to come with us. You, on the other hand, were already having so much fun.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After picking you up on your first day of kindy, I really enjoyed playing 'chasey' and dancing with you, and Hayley.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will miss you each day, but I am so excited for you and know it will be a wonderful time, in which you will learn and grow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All my love,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mummy <3</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-44888523982185020702013-12-01T22:54:00.002+10:302013-12-01T23:05:25.442+10:30Thoughts from the Ride<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over a year and a half
ago, I had just gotten home from a really nice walk with my girls (Hayley only
a baby), when my sister Chantelle called to tell me that her husband had been
diagnosed with cancer. I remember being really shocked. I had visited them in
their Alice Springs home only the month before and at that time Daniel was at
peek fitness, riding his bike to and from work everyday, as well as other
exercise. I really didn’t know what to say in that moment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a much shorter
period in Alice Springs than they had expected and hoped, Chantelle, Daniel,
and their two beautiful daughters moved back to Adelaide so that they would
have the family support they would need while Daniel went through chemo and
surgeries to fight his cancer. Thankfully that battle was won and he is in
remission, but it has been a long and hard journey for their whole family… and
that’s only what I can observe as a third party – I can only imagine what it
would be like to go through the initial uncertainty of what lay in store, then
the reality of chemotherapy and other treatments, as well as other changes
necessary in order for the spouse who had cancer to recover.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to say that
Daniel has gotten through all this with grace and good humour and, although it
was not lacking previously, my respect and admiration for him has grown as I
have watched him over this time. This can be said for my beautiful sister also.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you probably know,
this weekend Adelaide hosted it’s first Ride to Conquer Cancer (benefiting the
Flinders Medical Centre), and despite obvious difficulty Daniel decided to jump
on board, and then formed a team as he was joined by my husband, Jonathan, and
my Aunty Glenyse and Uncle Brian. I was proud of all of them for raising the
money they did, and happy for my husband to do it, but I don’t think I realised
the power of an event like this – to the community, and for its participants
individually - until I was there watching it all take place. There are a few
things I would like to say about it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all, the
power of community; perhaps some of the riders had the foresight that I lacked
but I got to thinking while driving home after the conclusion of this race… and
wondered whether the individuals who signed up thought it was a nice idea, and
a challenge they’d like to take on, but that their fundraising contribution
wouldn’t actually be that significant. Well that’s the power of community; over
400 people decided that finding a cure for cancer was worthwhile enough,
important enough, or vital enough to ride 200km over two days; Many others
agreed that the cause was great, and volunteered to help in other ways; People
in organisations were willing to provide the food, water, overnight
accommodation, etc. to make it happen; yet others contributed money to the cause; and because of this collective effort A
MASSIVE $1.6 MILLION dollars was raised to aid cancer research. That is
enormous, and if I recall correctly, the biggest fundraising campaign in South
Australia EVER. As individuals we may not have a lot of power, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">but as a community we can make a LOT of difference.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got to wishing that
I could have volunteered in some capacity over the weekend, and then I thought
– well, it did impact on me for one of those riders to participate, but I
thought it was important enough to do what it took to let it happen anyway…
being in a community means different things for each member of it. – As an
aside, Jonathan tells me that the crew made the ride a great experience!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have also had cause
to reflect on what a wonderful family I have – immediate and extended. My Aunty
and Uncle came all the way from Mt Beauty to participate, and brought road
bikes as well as the expertise to ensure they were well maintained. I can’t say
enough about the difference this made – it was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> difference! My sister ran from checkpoint to checkpoint with
her girls to cheer Daniel and the team on all day for two days. (Not literally.
That would be crazy. She drove of course.) It has been one more way she has
been a great wife to her husband in his journey. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chany, today and throughout the time since Daniel was
diagnosed, your inherit qualities of love and compassion have shined through –
I have been told throughout my life that I am like you - and for that I can hold my head high! Daniel’s parents, my mum,
my sister Kathryn and her family, my brother Adam and Teresa, and other Aunties
and Uncles all joined the journey at some point or another over the course of
the weekend. I was sitting at the finishing point for day one for a considerable
amount of time yesterday, and there was definitely no individual or group that
got a larger cheer than Mixed Nuts! The Howes also had my girls overnight
Friday to make it easier for me to be at the start with Jonathan. I really love
that I have family around me who strengthen, encourage, support and cheer each
other on. That’s what families are for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last observation I
have brings me back to where this post began. The Ride to Conquer Cancer was
challenging for all of its participants, but none more so than the cancer
survivors. I probably can’t do justice to what I want to say, but Daniel, you
have inspired me in many ways. Thinking about what Daniel achieved today and
everything that it took for you to get there, I say to myself, ‘If I have
challenges, I can face them. If things are hard going, I can face it with
positivity. If it feels to difficult, I won’t give up.’ You really are one of
my heroes, and I’m proud to call you brother!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year’s Ride is over, but there’s still
time to <a href="http://ad13.conquercancer.org.au/site/TR/Events/Adelaide2013?team_id=11500&pg=team&fr_id=1150" target="_blank">donate</a>. Over the past few decades cancer research has come so far, and
those diagnosed have much better chance of survival – but there is still work
to be done. If you are in a position to donate, please do... but if not keep an
eye out for The Ride to Conquer Cancer 2014, and help anyway you can!</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-19184937631816763472013-10-10T15:11:00.001+10:302013-10-10T15:11:08.966+10:30Simply Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-61714850368790186362013-10-09T09:44:00.000+10:302013-10-09T09:44:38.507+10:30My mummy truths<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like Rachel (who wrote <a href="http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-mom-confession.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, which you should totally read) I am an imperfect, 'normal' mum. I have long since realised that comparing myself to others and trying to be the 'perfect' mother only brings feelings of inadequacy and failure. I have accepted that what is most important in motherhood is the love that I have for my children, that I do my best, and that I keep on trying again and again and again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here are my own mum confessions: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get frustrated at delay tactics, refusals to do simple tasks, refusals to eat or even try a perfectly good meal, and insistence on doing the exact opposite of what they ought. Sometimes I feel that I spend all day saying, "You need to do <i>x</i> or you're going to bed", and I am annoyed at myself for not knowing how to encourage cooperation more constructively.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days our TV is on for too long. Some days that's because instead of turning the TV off after a reasonable period, it gets left on while I fall asleep on the couch or have a shower or cook dinner or whatever it might be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I reprimand one of my children only to realise that they didn't do what I thought they had, or that they had good intentions even if it didn't work out, or that it didn't really matter anyway. Sometimes I take a few minutes to respond to their crying just to make sure I respond calmly...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But on the other hand - I took the time to make sure I would respond calmly. Big <a href="http://www.daringyoungmom.com/2012/12/19/drops-of-awesome/" target="_blank">drop of awesome</a> right there. (You should read that post too.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days I am really 'with' my kids, and we have a lot of fun. The TV stays off and we read or play outside or bake or go to playgroup. Some days I am really aware of what my kids are trying to tell me with behaviour that would usually bother me, and we fix things. Sometimes I know exactly what I can do or say that will help my kids understand why we need to do things like, getting dressed, going to the toilet <i>before</i> you have an accident, or <i>not</i> snatching that toy away from your sister. Some days we don't have those issues at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess my point is that we all need to do our best to be great parents for our kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Celebrate the things you do well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulate yourself when you are patient and are able to teach your children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be grateful when your kids have those cooperative days and you don't have to stress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do our best, but be kind to yourself when you feel you have fallen short.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Believe that every day is a new day, and this one doesn't have to be like the day before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same can be said about every moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Know that what matters most is to love your children immensely, and unconditionally.</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-64670394779771273402013-10-07T22:13:00.001+10:302013-10-07T22:13:45.567+10:30(On the Receiving End of) Parental Love<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you might expect, I think a lot about the kind of mother I am and want to be, and in particular about how I can make sure that my children know that I love them. Lately I have also been thinking about how that might apply when my children are grown and going through similar experiences (or different ones) to what I am experiencing now. This in turn led me to think about, possibly understand a little better, and definitely appreciate more the things my mother does and how she is showing her love in doing them. It's been a lesson about life and motherhood, and what that means for me as both daughter and mother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My lovely mummy begins two weeks of 'holidays' from work tomorrow. Why, I hear you asking? Primarily because Jonathan returns to work tomorrow and since I still can't do certain things (like drive!) she is going to help get me to appointments and generally just be around so I don't do things I shouldn't. :P</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I think <i>there is a slight chance</i> that I have a tendency to be <i>a little bit</i> stubbornly independent and I'll admit that when mum first suggested the idea to me I didn't think that it was necessary - I would be totally fine with everything three weeks after my c-section, right? - and may have been holding back the desire to remind her that I'm a big girl now. :P Having reached that point now I am very grateful that her help is available to me - that is amazing, but not my main point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In hindsight, and as I was talking to mumsy today, it has occurred to me that behind words like, "As long as you promise you won't do anything you shouldn't before I get there" is my mum - who still loves me as much as she did when I was 9 and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Who still cares as much as she did when I was 14 (and 15 and 16) and may have liked school if not for the bullies at school. My mother who worries about my wellbeing just as much as when I was 17 and pretty well concussed myself when I passed out making breakfast one morning. My mum who still wants to be there when she can, because how can you switch off being a mum when your child reaches a certain age or gets married and/or moves out of home. Perhaps I am only just beginning to understand that in some instances, letting go is just as hard as holding on and being there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, dear mother, thank you. Thank you for every day and every moment that you've loved me since I was born. Thank you for finding it within yourself to spread yourself even further as a single mother of four children and still being there for me and all of us. Thank you for your continued offers of help now, and for always being there to celebrate the small and the great things, as well as to commiserate when things go amiss. I will always owe you too much to repay, and I suppose I will pay it forward instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love always,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tracey</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-7361310764004660192013-09-30T07:48:00.000+09:302013-09-30T07:53:10.495+09:30Sleep<br />
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Incoherent while reading to your toddler or talking to a friend?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lack concentration?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emotions disproportionate to the situation at hand?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Intolerant of loud noises and other minor inconveniences?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having trouble remembering facts that are usually easily recalled?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YOU NEED SLEEP.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best taken in large (consecutive) quantities, sleep has the power to improve your mental function, decrease irritability and improve your outlook on any day. Sleep also has the benefit of taking you to cosy, warm places on a cold day and is most effective when people under 3 feet are also sleeping or else otherwise occupied by a responsible adult.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disclaimer: Sleep should not be taken when operating a motor vehicle / electrical equipment, or while holding infants. If symptoms persist, see your health care professional or consider consuming large quantities of chocolate. Please be</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> advised that if your sleep deprivation is caused by tiny people that it really is all worth it. :) Just don't be afraid of going to bed at 7pm and, apart from feeding the newborn, staying there til 7am the next morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Mumma's Spot also recommends other precious commodities like solitary trips to the loo, and time to eat a decent meal.</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-65575510544208127272013-09-24T16:11:00.003+09:302013-09-24T16:11:51.208+09:30Practical things I'd recommend for new mums.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I have been thinking about things I would recommend to other women who have just had, or are expecting a baby.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 days ago I gave birth to a sweet baby boy. Totally worth it, but unavoidably painful. Every day has been a bit better, and today I am managing with just panadol... t</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hat is, after my trip to the chiropractor. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the weekend I decided that half my aches and pains would be resolved if I saw the chiropractor, so I booked it in and have been there today. I was so right - I'm feeling pretty good without taking the additional pain killers I was given on discharge from hospital. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my first recommendation for someone who has just had a baby is that if you are experiencing back and/or neck pain, it is really worth the trip to the chiropractor... the downside to this is the cost if you don't have private health insurance, but something to think about nonetheless. I figure there's enough to deal with when you have a baby that eliminating a lot of pain is one less thing to worry about. And besides, you're important and deserve to look after yourself!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another recommendation for mums is Hydrogel Disc Pads (which you can get from Coles) if you can and want to breastfeed. I suppose I don't have to go in to a great deal of explanation about that, but they definitely make things more comfortable while you and baby adjust to feeding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's a whole world of things out there that different mums feel they couldn't live without but today I think these are my top two!</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-57026384375035889612013-09-23T15:26:00.000+09:302013-09-23T15:26:15.309+09:30One handsome and adored little man<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Benjamin John Hutchings is 5 days old today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Born Wednesday 18th of September 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weight 2975gm (6 pounds 9 ounces)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Length 49 cm</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Holding on to a wonderful daddy</span></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the c-section, they were finished and Jonathan walked with Benjamin to recovery before they took me out. After they'd gone ahead, one of the nurses there said to me how she walked in the room while Jonathan was holding Benjamin and that she loved the big smile on his face and how obviously proud he was of his little son. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes dear boy, you have a pretty amazing daddy who loves you a whole lot!</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your sisters are pretty taken with you too. Every time they came to visit us in the hospital we had a chair either side of your cot and they would stand on it rubbing and patting your tummy or head. Then once they'd gotten to cuddle you it was all on! If Hayley didn't get to hold or at least see you as soon as she walked in the room she was pretty distressed. "Cuggle [cuddle] 'gain" was her little catch cry. Luckily Natalie was a little more patient, but she definitely wanted her chance too.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My girls getting to know their little brother</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, got all his toes</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Natalie adoring her little brother - one of many cuddles to follow</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cuggle 'gain (cuddle again)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not too keen on the bath</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So many feeds in these first few days have been bleary eyed on both of our parts and at times it feels like it's killing me... but just watching your sweet little face and seeing your bright little eyes looking up at me from time to time is so worth it! If I wasn't afraid of falling asleep and dropping you I could hardly bear to put you down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love you baby,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From mummy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is good to be home again. The girls have both been very excited but have also been quite sensitive. Hayley especially will be quite beside herself about little things that she'd generally take in her stride. It's nice to be at home now and able to spend time with them and do things for them, and to reassure them that mummy isn't just all about the baby now! Given a bit of time, they'll hopefully start to feel secure about things again and despite the changes know that they're just as important now as ever. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are so many people to thank who have helped Jonathan and I so much in the past few weeks of preparing for and having our little baby... people who have helped us sort out our house... have looked after our girls over the first few days of being in hospital, etc. ... people who have visited, given gifts, sent well-wishes, brought us dinner... Thank you all so much - you know who you are. xo</span></div>
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happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-59394926958870904002013-09-16T14:23:00.003+09:302013-09-16T14:23:52.384+09:30The Birth (Natalie's)<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I have been thinking a lot about the births of Natalie and Hayley lately... (don't know what might be coming up in my life that made me think about that!) I shared Hayley's birth story around her first birthday, but I thought I'd share Natalie's. I know some people like birth stories, others don't, so feel free to read at your discretion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Natalie: EDD 1/03/10, knew we were having a girl</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got to the hospital at 7pm, Sunday March 7, for scheduled induction with my midwife</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before the induction they monitor you to make sure you're not already in labour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At some point during this process, the midwife is out of the room and Jonathan gets me laughing which looks like on a contraction on their monitor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They must begin again and Jonathan is under strict instruction to stop making me laugh... which he largely ignores, haha!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway when they get through that and after the induction the hospital staff tell Jonathan he should go home and get a good sleep, because nothing would start 'til the morning but it would be full on when it did!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barely sleep and by midnight am feeling contractions so I press the call button in my room</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Midwife (not my MGP one) comes and says this is probably just the effect of the gel, but nothing serious and will fade for many hours before the real fun starts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Midwife offers me panadol, which I feel is very condescending and wonder what she thinks panadol is going to do for this ridiculous pain</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When she leaves the room I promptly desolve in to tears because I feel so misunderstood, lol</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Contractions continue. As I thought, panadol did nothing!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometime in the next 30-60 minutes, called the midwife and told her pain was continuing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She looks at the monitor and says, "oh, you are having contractions" (really, I hadn't noticed) and possibly realises that I wasn't just whinging about a niggling pain</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now it is Monday, March 8!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 5am I text Jonathan telling him I wished he were here and not to be too long</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This does not communicate the fact that I am actually in labour and he is quite surprised when he arrives a little while later, not having been able to get back to sleep anyway</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labour is fairly standard, and I deal with it by not making a sound</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About half way through my labour I actually manage to get out of bed and walk around etc, which greatly improves on lying in bed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At some point I say very quietly to Jonathan that I don't want to do this anymore</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The midwife and Jonathan decide that since my objection was so meek, they won't worry about pain relief at this time</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My MGP midwife makes it back to the hospital just in time to deliver Natalie, about 2:30pm</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, the memories. I dealt with it at the time by not really being present - no idea what went on around me during all those hours - but it is interesting to look back and think of the things I do remember.</span></div>
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<br />happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-11606213040386138502013-09-14T21:24:00.002+09:302013-09-14T21:24:50.891+09:30Preparing for baby<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, yesterday and today have been a flurry of baby preparation activities. After feeling for so long like I had plenty of time to prepare, it dawned on me at some point earlier this week how much there actually was to organise in order to be ready... like we had all the essential things like clothes and car seat sorted, but we hadn't really gotten very far with moving the house around to accommodate our new addition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday once I had gotten the girls to childcare and been to the chiro I did a huge grocery shop... lest we be caught off guard with the arrival of a baby just when our cupboards are starting to look bare and/or don't really feel like doing a full grocery shop right after baby is born. (Had that with Hayley - not something I thought of at the time!) Then I came home and just got as much as I could done before leaving to pick up my girlies again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today - with the much appreciated assistance of various family members - we continued preparing. There was a trip to Ikea for a new set of drawers for baby, a lot of sorting, throwing out, finding homes for things, and rearranging our house in order to fit the new addition in to his room... and generally just not come home from the hospital to chaos! Oh, I also got my hospital bag packed - win! Thank you so so much to those who came over to help today - it was definitely appreciated and I'd say we wouldn't have achieved that much without you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now it's mostly a matter of nervously but excitedly waiting on the baby and seeing how things pan out, while also spending as much time enjoying our family as we can manage before</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> we open our hearts further to a new little joy.</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-55568847802972801352013-09-03T19:37:00.003+09:302013-09-03T19:37:46.352+09:30The low-down<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">So, a while ago I mentioned a report I was doing for school and that I would share it once it was done... this be that!</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are the factors that impact the
emotional wellbeing of a child under 5, and what can parents do to support it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emotional wellbeing includes
happiness and satisfaction, effective social functioning, and the dispositions
of optimism, openness, curiosity and resilience<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn1" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[1]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
Positive wellbeing results from the satisfaction of basic needs such as:
tenderness and affection; security and clarity; social recognition; feelings of
competence; and meaning in life. It influences the way children react to their
environment and can be affected by their experiences in early childhood. Sound
wellbeing may be evident in a child who: is resilient and has the ability to
persevere; can cope with day-to-day stress; shows trust and confidence in
others; can acknowledge and accept affirmation; can cooperate and work with
others; is able to spend some time alone happily; can accept new challenges and
find new ways of doing difficult tasks; will assert their independence; is
considerate of others; and is able to empathise with another person’s emotions.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn2" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[2]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many factors that impact
the emotional wellbeing of a child under 5. There are some, however, that will
have a more significant impact during childhood and throughout life than others.
Some of these key factors are: attachment in a secure relationship with a
caring adult<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn3" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[3]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>,
opportunities for exploration and learning<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn4" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[4]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>,
social interaction with peers, and routines. These factors, or lack thereof,
shape a child’s view of the world as well as their perception of their place
and value in it. Parents and/or primary carers have just as important a role to
play in their child’s emotional development as they do in ensuring their
child’s physical wellbeing. The first five years of life are the most critical
time for this to take place<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn5" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[5]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
With the proper understanding, parents can empower their children to be
confident, resilient, and powerful people – now and in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parents can support their child’s
emotional development by developing a secure attachment with their child/ren. In
a survey entitled ‘Emotional Development’<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn6" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[6]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>,
participants were asked which factor they considered most important to a
child’s emotional wellbeing. 100% of parents and professionals working with
children stated an opinion that the most important factor to a child’s
wellbeing was ‘security in relationships with one or more caring adults and the
security of their environment’. Children learn and develop most in a relationship
with a trusted adult. A parent’s role is to support their children in their
desire to explore, by encouraging them to go out and learn about their surroundings
while keeping them safe<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn7" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[7]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
Parents also need to be welcoming when their children want to be close because
they are hurt, frightened, or simply wanting time to be with and connect with
the parent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A child who senses that their parent
is uncomfortable with their exploration may feel that it is unsafe to explore
or that they need to stay close in order to please their parent<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn8" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[8]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
This limits their ability to learn and develop important skills that also
benefit their emotional wellbeing. Conversely, a parent who encourages their
child to explore while watching over them to ensure that they are safe, enables
their child to explore and learn new skills without fear for their safety or
the loss of relationship with their parent. This naturally leads to higher
levels of self-esteem and a sense of safety, both of which will impact
positively on a child’s emotional wellbeing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A child who senses that their parent
is uncomfortable with their need for comfort or relationship learns to hide
their need, and will continue trying to deal with unsettling feelings they
don’t understand in order to protect their relationship with the parent. This
creates great anxiety for the child. Parents who can welcome and be with their
child to help them understand their emotions teach them that feelings can be
shared, understood, and don’t have to be scary. These children will learn in
time to regulate and cope with their own emotions after they have done so with
the support of their parents<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn9" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[9]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Providing opportunities for a child
to explore and learn is a way that parents can support their child’s emotional
development. A child’s exploration and learning can also be an opportunity for
children to develop dispositions – or habits of mind – that assist learning and
development throughout life. According to a resource commissioned by the
Government of South Australia, ‘Dispositions for Learning. Workbook for
Learning Together Families’ the dispositions are: curiosity, cooperativeness,
confidence, resourcefulness, purposefulness and persistence, and
communicativeness. Parents can assist the development of these dispositions by:
allowing their child to explore their surroundings and answering verbal and
non-verbal questions about what the child sees, allowing children to
participate in household work and establish routines that allow their child to
initiate things that they know will occur<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn10" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[10]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>,
encouraging their children to keep trying and/or find new ways of completing a
difficult task, taking time to listen to their children, and allowing them to
use any communication skills they have developed to communicate with their
parent or carer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parents can support their child’s
emotional wellbeing by developing a routine for their child<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn11" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[11]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
This fosters a sense of security for the child as they learn to predict what is
going to happen, and it increases their sense of independence and value as they
are then able and allowed to participate in it. Routines also support children
to develop valuable skills, referred to previously as ‘dispositions’<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn12" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[12]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>,
that will assist them throughout life and have a positive impact on their
emotional wellbeing. When participating in routines, children will hear and
begin to use familiar language that enhance their communication skills, they
learn the value of cooperating and participating, and they gain confidence as
well as demonstrating the value of persistence when their ability to do the
task improves<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn13" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[13]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>. Parents
who have predictable routines for their children are supporting their child’s
emotional wellbeing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parents can also
support their child’s emotional wellbeing by facilitating opportunities for positive
social interaction with peers. In the emotional development survey previously
mentioned, one participant noted that while they considered security in
relationships with a trusted adult and the safety of their environment to be
the most important factor in a child’s emotional wellbeing, “it is also
important for children to interact with peers and to have opportunities for
exploration and learning within a safe and secure environment.” Parents do have
a role to play in their child’s social interactions that will support that
child’s emotional wellbeing. Young children are still developing social skills,
and parents need to be present to intervene when conflict arises. For example,
a parent can help a child understand that although they may wish to play with
the toy their young friend is holding, snatching is not appropriate and they
need to take turns. In doing so the parent acknowledges their child’s emotion,
while limiting unacceptable behaviour<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn14" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[14]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
In this instance, the child learns about turn taking – another aspect of
cooperation – and also learns that they need and are increasingly able to control
their impulsive desires. This is an important skill that supports their
emotional wellbeing and will be needed throughout life as they attend school
and enter the workforce.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many factors
that influence the emotional wellbeing of children, and parents have a critical
role in supporting that positive emotional development. In the ‘Emotional
Development’ survey, participants were asked, “Do you feel that there are
sufficient resources for parents and carers about the role of adults in the emotional
wellbeing of children.” While 51% of participants responded ‘yes’, some who
responded ‘no’ offered the following explanations of their choice: “Many
parents I have worked with have shown concern for their own knowledge about
caring for their child, and have asked for advice.” “We are unable to reach all
parents.” “Parents who struggle to recognise their role in developing secure
attachments should be offered more one on one practical support”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In decades past,
understanding and information about emotional development was limited and
parents did not have access to thorough and reliable information about their
child or children’s emotional development<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftn15" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[15]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
This is something that we can and need to change for the future, because parents
and primary carers do have a significant impact on the emotional wellbeing of
children in their care. Equipped with understanding and practical support
regarding the specific things they can do to influence the emotional
development of children, this impact can be a positive one that empowers those
in their care - now and in the future.<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[1]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Early Years
Learning Framework for Australia, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Belonging,
Being & Becoming<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[2]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Ibid</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[3]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Cooper,
Hoffman, Marvin and Powell, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Circle of
Security, </i>2000</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[4]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Dispositions
for Learning. Workbook for Learning Together families, 2010, Government of
South Australia, Department of Education and Children’s Services</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[5]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> From
‘Engaging Families in the Early Childhood Development Story’. A national
project on behalf of the Ministerial Council for Education; Early Childhood
Development and Youth Affairs, published 2010</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[6]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Hutchings, T
2013, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Emotional Development</i>, <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8KL9J7X></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[7]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Cooper,
Hoffman, Marvin and Powell, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Circle of
Security</i>, 2000</span></div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[8]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Ibid</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[9]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Ibid</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[10]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Government
of South Australia, Department of Health, 2010, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parent easy guide 51 - Growing and learning in the family</i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn11" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[11]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> ZERO TO
THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love, Learning, and Routines<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn12" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[12]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Dispositions for Learning. Workbook for Learning Together Families, 2010,
Government of South Australia, Department of Health</span></div>
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<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn13" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[13]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Ibid</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn14" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[14]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ginott,
H.G, Ginott, A, Goddard, H.W, 2003, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Between
Parent and Child</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Three Rivers
Press, New York<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=750324264374978784#_ftnref" name="_ftn15" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[15]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Ibid</span></div>
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happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-3732294392310132562013-09-02T13:11:00.001+09:302013-09-02T13:11:40.801+09:30Hayley broke my glasses<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Natalie: "Mummy, Hayley broke my glasses!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: "What?!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Natalie: "Hayley, you need to say sorry to my glasses"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hayley "Sorry glasses"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At least they're cute, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so what was planned for a quiet day at home turned in to a trip to the optometrist (luckily the glasses were covered under warranty) and then I thought we might as well get Natalie new shoes she needed and a few other things. Would you believe that the girls who will go many hours at home without using the toilet needed/wanted to, but in any case insisted that we must, go to the toilet 3 time during the two hours we were out. Patience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life with kids sure can be interesting and sometimes it's hard to keep up with them... but I wouldn't trade it for the world. My girls are so affectionate, to me and Jonathan and to each other and you can't help but feel the love. Even when they're being a bit mischievous... it's hard to be upset when there is that level of cuteness! Meanwhile poor Natalie will be looking a little cross-eyed for a few days until the glasses come in, but I reckon the new ones are super cute.</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-74365627028566360722013-08-30T11:19:00.001+09:302013-08-30T11:19:32.322+09:30Doing it 'by myself'<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately both of my girls are becoming increasingly capable of performing little tasks for themselves that I had been doing for them. Sometimes these are things that they instinctively start to take over themselves, and some are things that all of a sudden I realise they <i>could</i> do if I asked them too. I don't always remember to ask them to (and - oops - have sometimes opted not to) do these sorts of things, but I know that I should. Some of these things are: putting their dirty washing in the basket when they have a bath, tipping their food scraps in to the bin and their dishes in the sink, helping to put toys away, assisting to clean up their own spills, etc. To different extents, both girls like to do chores with me. There are several reasons why I think this is important. More on that in a moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Natalie often says to me, "I want to help you do dishes." Sometimes this is ok, but there are moments when I find it really hard because I know it's going to take longer and in some instances I really just want to get it done in time to cook dinner, or go out, or welcome a visitor who I know is coming soon... but I try to let her join in whenever possible, because I don't want her to get to the point where she doesn't want to do it anymore or doesn't bother asking because she assumes the answer will be no. The time we spend doing 'ordinary' things are going to be sweet memories that I'll treasure later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />One of Hayley's latest phrases is, 'do it!' Basically it means she either wants me to stop helping her and let her 'do it' herself or else she wants to have a turn at what I am doing - of course if big sister can do it, so should she! It's pretty cute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allowing children to do things for themselves independently when they can, and helping them to increase that capacity is so important. They grow so much in confidence and happiness as they do these little things. Cooperating/assisting in household tasks is likewise important for that reason and also it teaches them skills they will need later in life, the value of working with others, and that they have a role to play in contributing to home life. That will of course transfer into work skills</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love my girls and am always pleased to see the new little things they can accomplish by themselves. There is a part of me that shouts, "Stop growing up" but I know that I just have to spend as much time in each of these moments as I can before things shift. Then I'll have a new stage to enjoy and not have to regret so much that I wasn't living in the moment they just moved out of.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wheel keeps turning. Time won't stand still. So I remind myself to enjoy the now.</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-39341351456030911822013-08-29T21:15:00.001+09:302013-08-29T21:15:15.657+09:30All For You<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a little laugh to myself one night realising that I'd forgotten how difficult it can be to move during this stage of pregnancy. It's funny how you forget these things... or at least the extent of them. But also amazing that we women keep doing it, because it's really all worth it in the end. I think to myself, "it's all for you, baby!" The aches and pains and uncomfortableness are all worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That train of thought keeps me smiling through many things lately. Walking between the car and the hospital for Natalie's eye appointment in the pouring rain while Hayley was quite comfortable under the rain cover in the pram and I was getting the wettest because I gave up trying to keep myself dry and just held the umbrella over where Natalie was walking. (Natalie hasn't quite mastered how she could walk comfortably beside me with us both under the umbrella, lol). I just (try to) think to myself, "It's all for you, dear daughter"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our family have all taken turns lately of being sick and on the weekend just past Jonathan was completely out of it. :( Somehow though the unusual amount of work and the things I could do to take care of him just filled me with joy at having the opportunity to show love to my family. It was a joy to do because it was for the husband I love - although I would never wish for him to be sick like that: Jonathan also returned all of that care when I had my turn of being sick - then I really got to empathise with him ;P</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I find it easy to enjoy running a house... it really is satisfying! But on the days when it feels monotonous I try to remember who it's all for and it seems to make it a little easier to do the things I need to do. I have often thought that you don't realise what life is really about until you're living your life for someone else... and lately that seems to be ringing true again!</span><br />
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<br />happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-2331962339042428232013-08-27T16:13:00.000+09:302013-08-27T16:13:00.409+09:30Just What Your Kids Need<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately I keep seeing this add campaign on the back of buses, etc. for some educational website that uses the slogan, "Just what your kids need. More time on the computer." Maybe it's just me, but I actually find that a bit appalling! In this society where kids (and often parents alike) already spend too much time on digital technology and not enough time with their family or having other meaningful experiences... I think it does families a disservice to encourage more time on these types of things. - Note I don't think it is <i>wrong</i> to use these resources, just that you have to have balance and good judgement about what types of things are good for your family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In any case, it got me thinking about things that I would put in the category of 'just what my kids need.' I have finished a school project which talks about things like this (though in a different way) that I plan to post... but here are a few of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first and foremost is of course, <i>love</i>. Ultimately it is unconditional love from parents and everything that comes with it that will help them to grow in to secure and happy adolescents and then adults.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This of course involves <i>time</i>. Time spent with YOU. Time spent doing the things that interest them. Time spent letting them help you in the things that you need to do. Time spent just exploring and enjoying the moment. Time in which time doesn't matter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids need <i>consistency</i>. Children need to know that there are boundaries and that their parents will expect them to stay within those boundaries. They need to know that they won't be loved by their parents one day and practically ignored, or worst, the next. They thrive in routines where they can know what to expect... and when things are out of the ordinary because of circumstances beyond the control of their parents, they need support and understanding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway I'm sure none of that is terribly surprising to you, and there are plenty of other things that are more to do with their physical and mental development, but these are my thoughts for today!</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-48307669233399019762013-08-19T21:12:00.003+09:302013-08-19T21:15:53.445+09:30Tasmania<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are so many things on my mind to blog about, but I haven't had the chance in the business of life and with our internet not working...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My trip to Tasmania was a long three days... kind of bitter-sweet, but also worth the trip I suppose.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I missed my husband and kids so much, but it served as a wonderful reminder of how much I love them and how much the stressful parts of life at home pale in to insignificance next to all the sweet moments that I can have, especially if I look for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was wonderful to spend some time with my Aunty Vicki and my cousin Erin as well as Adam and his family, but of course it wasn't long enough. I hope though that there will be a time in the not <i>too</i> distant future when I can go with my Jonathan and the kids for a bit longer to see them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was wonderful to see my grandmother, but it was also an eye-opener to see how her dementia is effecting her. It made me realise that because of distance there may not be too many more times that I will be able to see her while she can figure out who I am. I have thought about it since then and it has occurred to me all the things about her life that I've never thought to ask her, but that I would love to know. It's funny that I didn't realise that I'd like to know those things and how they would help me understand her better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also saw my friend Emma of course. Again because of distance I don't often see her so this was wonderful. It was bitter-sweet though as we talked about the challenges she is facing at the moment (she has cancer) and again there was that sense of wanting to spend as much time with her as I can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall I have been reminded that it is, undeniably, the people in your life that are really important. The things you can acquire, the places you can see, and experiences you can gain may enrich your life, but cannot bring you lasting happiness on their own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Relationships are what matter. Nurture them and never let the distractions in your life take precedence over the people who matter most and are counting on you.</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-32074270712876213202013-08-06T19:48:00.000+09:302013-08-06T19:48:03.691+09:30Baby Preparation<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, recently I decided that this month I would make sure I was ready for baby so that come September there would be no rush to get things together... at first I was thinking just about all the practical things, but then I started to consider that I need to get my girls prepared for the things that they may find... undesirable. Like the fact that I'm going to need to do things for the baby (like feeding) that only mummy can do and that they will, in fact, need to let daddy do things for them! The main thing I don't know what to do about at the moment is the fact that - in all likelihood - I won't be able to lift either of them for quite a while after our baby is born.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I was enjoying a really nice day with my girls... like, really - just lots of cooperativeness and enjoying doing things together and it was awesome! Hayley was napping and when she woke up I went in there and when I picked her up out of bed she cuddled right in to me. What a highlight of any day, right? Then all of a sudden there was that moment of realising that I'm not going to be able to do that soon, and I couldn't stop crying over it! Mostly because of how special those moments are for both of us, but the feeling that I just want to soak up every second of it until then, when in reality I should be getting her used to what it's going to be like so that she doesn't feel like I've suddenly become less interested in her because of her baby brother. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm trying to remember when she's upset and wants a cuddle that I need to get down on the floor instead of picking her up, but it's easier said than done - especially when I'm also trying to get Natalie to be doing something too. Today I also encouraged Hayley to get in to the car by herself... she managed that, but not actually getting in to the seat. How I'll manage those type of things when I don't have other adult help is something I'm yet to figure out...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In general I am trying to help my girls (particularly Natalie as she can understand more) understand that having a new baby in our home will be a happy thing, but that there will also be things that they'll have to adjust to. I want Natalie to understand that she may have to wait at times when I am not able to do things for her as quickly, or she may have to let someone else help her... but somehow make sure that I compensate for both the girls so they don't feel 'replaced'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basically, I know this is a dilemma that parents have faced since forever - and I've done once before - but now I'm trying to find the best way to help our whole family adjust to a new family member. It is a little scary not knowing what to do - feel free to share your experiences!</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-79818816120981041372013-08-04T15:54:00.001+09:302013-08-04T15:54:40.590+09:30First Sunday Share - TOFW!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, this is difficult. Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend Time Out For Women in Sydney with some good friends. It was fantastic, but it has me thinking about so many things that I don't know where to start today, for truly there is too much for one post! Now to share one standout thing...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been thinking a lot about how I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us. He has a Great Plan of Salvation for each of us - all of His children - that will make it possible for us to return to Him if we choose to accept the Atonement and do the things necessary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond that though, I know that God knows each of us perfectly and that He has a plan for us as individuals. Sometimes it is a scary thing to trust that He knows what is best for you, but if we ask in faith the answers will always be for our good even if they are not what we had hoped, expected, or planned for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have come to realise that what Heavenly Father gives me is always what is best for me. Often in life we get more, less, or something different than what we thought - in our limited view - would be best. Sometimes we have to wait a long time, or are able/need to do things sooner than we planned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever it may be, I know that it is always for our good and that if I trust in the Lord to answer my prayers the way He sees fit, I will be happy. It's not always easy to remember that when you're waiting for something or when there are things you are struggling with - but I have seen it again and again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll leave you with a video. Hilary Weeks was at Time Out For Women and she sang many songs, but this is possibly my favourite.</span><br />
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<br />happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-36631821586234697242013-07-20T14:04:00.000+09:302013-07-20T14:04:14.422+09:30How far?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I have officially reached a point where people are no longer afraid to ask about my pregnancy. When they do ask, it's no longer a timid, "Are you pregnant?" but rather a confident. "How far along are you?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's pretty fun, and it has been nice of late to also be able to notice more of my little baby's movements. Sometimes I can see my tummy moving and Jonathan definitely gets more of a chance to notice too... it used to be that whenever I'd tell him the baby was moving that he would stop and Jonathan missed out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two and a bit months and it won't be about when the baby is due any more :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loving life! xo</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-46609994704096733882013-07-18T16:01:00.001+09:302013-07-18T16:01:48.944+09:30Teaching Accountability / Responsibility<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I have been reading a couple of different books that have talked, at least in part, about teaching appropriate behaviour through consequences rather than 'punishment'. The principle is that you can help children to change inappropriate behaviour in ways that maintain their self-respect as well as their respect for you and their emotional security. I have found what I've read to be really practical and easy to understand. It has also complimented what I have learned in my study related to emotional development in children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I had the opportunity to put what I've learned in to practice. It was quite amusing actually.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My three year old has recently had a bit of regression as far as toilet training is concerned... She basically just won't go to the toilet until she's a bit wet already - which has meant many changes throughout the day and quite a stretch of my motherly patience. I've felt at a bit of a loss as to why it's happening and how to get her back on track, but I felt empowered today to be <i>responsive</i> as opposed to <i>reactive</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today we had been having a lovely afternoon - My younger daughter was napping and we had been enjoying playing a few games she has and had started on some craft when she had one of these accidents. When she had been to the toilet we discovered that there were no knickers left in the drawer. I neglected to mention that there was some in a clean laundry basket and calmly told her that she could put some pyjama pants on, we would need to pack up the craft, and then put her knickers in the wash. When the craft was packed up and I said it was time to do the washing her response was, "You wash the knickers, I will watch TV."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ha! I had a chuckle to myself about that but calmly told her no, and that she needed to help me. When we were in the laundry and she was throwing things in the machine she noticed that "There's lots of knickers." We will see how things go in the next few days, but I am hopeful that if I can be less reactive to stressful parenting moments and respond to them in this way that we can negate the battles that have seemed unavoidable in the past.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this moment, I am just grateful that a situation which would ordinarily have soured some nice time together turned out quite differently with a new perspective.</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-13449070663921492272013-07-11T16:20:00.001+09:302013-07-11T16:32:05.701+09:30The 'Make' to Conquer Cancer<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here it is: my massive make for The Ride to Conquer Cancer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I have mentioned on previous blogs, my brother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer last year. Thankfully he is now in remission. I also lost a friend to cancer a few years ago and know several other people who have been affected by it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I mentioned on my FB page, my husband, brother-in-law, Aunt and Uncle are all riding in 'The Ride to Conquer Cancer' and have formed a team. Basically, this event aims to raise funds and awareness for cancer research and they all need sponsors! As we will have a young baby (the ride is November 30 - December 1) I don't feel able to be part of the crew but there is something I <i>can</i> do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the next few months I am aiming to raise money for the cause by selling hand-made crafts. The prices will vary depending on how long an item takes to make, and there may be 1 or 2 items that will require the buyer to supply their own material. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some examples of the types of things I can make:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTjsI-msRJsbGNEmiE3E52gqfk2tGo1UchWXe7en01zvIFEEK-UiY4fz1NmRfU4bkShiVGmw2bmdPKZsNd9SOdm-gwclt0c6csan5J7br3JhPHyk-LBsA1sYDVfamfl79Krn68qwlN_0/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTjsI-msRJsbGNEmiE3E52gqfk2tGo1UchWXe7en01zvIFEEK-UiY4fz1NmRfU4bkShiVGmw2bmdPKZsNd9SOdm-gwclt0c6csan5J7br3JhPHyk-LBsA1sYDVfamfl79Krn68qwlN_0/s320/IMG_1505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwceSPUD9oylK9ZoQwlwITt5lo-BcyO09ijzJlp62s61QEXMfOGt7mf0_cjo5Vl14YjTtIakaa8dCC_vVgM4wlsH-pIJab4ds5c_tfINz-oUiCXHf5DC7kKMPPBHCprGA5wNlOFCyEzXk/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwceSPUD9oylK9ZoQwlwITt5lo-BcyO09ijzJlp62s61QEXMfOGt7mf0_cjo5Vl14YjTtIakaa8dCC_vVgM4wlsH-pIJab4ds5c_tfINz-oUiCXHf5DC7kKMPPBHCprGA5wNlOFCyEzXk/s320/IMG_1506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scrapbooking pages: really the sky is the limit, it depends on your preferences and what the photo inspires me to!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6I9BeXTzWN9Rv0JzdBO6z_MLGHshZ5YJfqQSZibVQGMEuDCQCwo_IY4Yy1ZZ1-_koOXWkUeLGTApCMXuWFmPu7YouDMdkoy4HVsz-VB-NPbMc8PhntXCgv92XJylwEp-IeY5J5X0_rY/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6I9BeXTzWN9Rv0JzdBO6z_MLGHshZ5YJfqQSZibVQGMEuDCQCwo_IY4Yy1ZZ1-_koOXWkUeLGTApCMXuWFmPu7YouDMdkoy4HVsz-VB-NPbMc8PhntXCgv92XJylwEp-IeY5J5X0_rY/s320/IMG_1503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably the most involved project I've done and there will definitely be a limit on the number of these I can make!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqz0_DO9abcm7W833xmhB0RO79Y0v-szo6oDJ59Zcr7JqZsbPQ-f7gXbRGhOOHaojuQTAusoSmtKBkzwXEG6LUfEIP20_emDPtgQL4bdatwfw85eu55qzO2b_mZotZdVFaqiPfjE3ZwJ0/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqz0_DO9abcm7W833xmhB0RO79Y0v-szo6oDJ59Zcr7JqZsbPQ-f7gXbRGhOOHaojuQTAusoSmtKBkzwXEG6LUfEIP20_emDPtgQL4bdatwfw85eu55qzO2b_mZotZdVFaqiPfjE3ZwJ0/s320/IMG_1502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A pillowcase and cushions. Obviously the dimensions of the cushions can vary!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't have photos yet, but I can also do greeting cards and am working on a pattern for a stuffed animal toy. If you have any ideas, just ask and I'll let you know if it's possible!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, If you can help by letting people know about what I am doing here or about sponsoring one of my family members for the race, or if you have materials you feel you can donate to the 'making business' it would be much appreciated. :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there is enough interest, I may have to see if I can enlist some people in the making ;)</span></div>
happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-65361202101330121782013-07-07T15:02:00.000+09:302013-07-07T16:16:38.687+09:30A First Sunday Share<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - on the first Sunday of every month, the congregation is given the opportunity to come to the stand and share their testimony... or in other words, what we believe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I had the thought that on the first Sunday of each month I could choose something that is significant to me on that particular day to share with you all. Not one to delay, I have decided that now is a good time to start. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In one of our classes today we were talking about courage and overcoming obstacles. As I sat listening I thought of one of my favourite scriptures which is found in <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rom/8?lang=eng" target="_blank">Romans Chapter 8 and verses 35-39</a>. Part of that reads:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this scripture, and it has meant different things to me at different times... but today it reminded me that despite any of the difficult things I experience in life I can have courage. I don't have to fear when things happen that I don't understand or that challenge me because I know that no matter what happens, the love of God and my Saviour for me will never change and He will be there to help me conquer anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this week and in the future I know that I can go forward with courage and when things don't go according to plan or are harder than I expected, or when things come up that I just didn't plan for at all... I know that it can't change the one thing that makes all the difference in my life - the love of God and His grace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tracey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xo</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-29172691349341782902013-06-26T20:23:00.001+09:302013-06-26T20:23:31.620+09:30A bit of mummy pride (update!)<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I bought Natalie some new winter pyjamas. They're flannelette ones with a button up shirt. She loves them. If they're clean, she's getting them on at bed time. And lately she's been wanting to put her pyjamas on all by herself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She does pretty well: she gets the pants on, I might have to straighten the waist band but they're on, and she gets her arms in the top but was just getting stuck on those buttons! She would try for a while and then say, "I think it's too hard for me" (aww!) and she would get me to help. I would tell her that I know it's tricky but if she keeps trying she will be able to do it and then I'd show her really slowly how to get it through. Sometimes she would try another button before I did them all up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, tonight she succeeded in getting the buttons done up and boy was she proud! I was proud too, but not just for her learning a new skill. I was so happy to see how willing she was to try again and again to do up those tricky little buttons. The happiness on her face when she realised she'd done it and when I told her how great it was that she'd kept on trying even though it was hard</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> really made it worth the patience in letting her take her time when I sometimes felt like hurrying her along. I was so glad that I kept telling her that if she kept on trying she would be able to do it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love her!</span>happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-750324264374978784.post-54416465325836473912013-06-21T19:55:00.002+09:302013-06-21T20:12:37.520+09:30Never again, puh-leeeeease!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, yesterday I went for a short trip to the shops with my girls. An incident occurred involving a stranger happened that I found to have been most frustrating as a parent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My older daughter was lagging behind (only a little bit) so I had stopped and turned back to her to wait. She was hesitating as she was obviously interested in looking at something so I watched for a moment and had just asked her to catch up with me when an older lady approached her offering a fun size Mars bar and said, "I'll give you this if you do what mummy says." She looked at me and I (quite clearly) indicated not to give her the chocolate which she did anyway and then when Natalie ran over to me she came too. She made some comment about, "It's ok, I have a grandson and I look after him and..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh, that's ok then if you're a grandmother you must know whether I want my child to have chocolate in this moment and my daughter will definitely be able to distinguish between someone who is probably just trying to be friendly and more sinister people," said NO PARENT EVER.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the lady was gone, I explained to Natalie that we can't take food from strangers because it's not safe. I told her we needed to throw that treat away and that I was willing to get her something to replace it. Luckily, Natalie accepted that quite easily and was very excited when I picked her up from daycare today with a freddo as a treat (we didn't have anything at home to replace it with after all). The chocolate was packaged and I was confident there was nothing wrong with it, but I can't expect a 3 year old to be able to make that distinction!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can I just say, please don't ever do something like this! Even if you know the child, offering them a treat without checking with the parent - or blatantly disregarding the parents wishes - is quite rude.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So is it just me, or would other parents also find that highly frustrating?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've been in a similar circumstance, how did you handle it? I think in hindsight that it would have been even better to tell her that I appreciated her kindness, but that I didn't want my daughter to think that it was ok to take treats from people she doesn't know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Tracey</i></span><br />
<br />happymummahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10184992067580277399noreply@blogger.com1