Really I’m not that bad a parent…. honest

You know those moments when you think ‘if I were in a reality TV show- not only would the audience absolutely hate me, they would think I was an awful parent.’

Haha okay so I may be on my own here but I’m sure you can relate to ‘feeling’ like a bad parent.

I was at my friends sons two year old birthday party and I got talking to another Mama. She had just had her second little girl and was gushing about how ‘fabulous’ life was with her two children under the age of two….

Now I’m not one to lie…. I mean a little white lie never hurt anybody but when I started rattling off about how there are days I just want to hide from my kids or send them away- her face went white.

Like ‘nobody ever told me Santa was fake’ white.

But I didn’t stop there- coz it wouldn’t be a real conversation if I didn’t over share.

So I decided to tell her about how I can’t pee without an audience, how showers are my only real ‘me time,’ how I sometime secretly wish I had a mute button for my kids and how I wish my husband had breasts so he too could breastfeed.

She went from white to almost green- it didn’t take long for her to slowly shift her and her kids away from me. She avoided eye contact with me for the rest of the party and pretended I wasn’t there!

Either she has the most angelic kids in the world or she is in serious denial.

Or maybe I just need to curb my oversharing in public scenarios. Maybe it’s a combination of all three. Either way I know that I have moments where I just know I could have handled myself better. But I don’t beat myself up over it nor would I judge another parent.

Here are just some of the moments an outsider may have seen me in my home life and wondered whether or not I was fit to be a parent.

That time I hid in my pantry and ate the last three Snickers bars (all fun size) and told my husband the kids ate them…..

That time I stuck my finger up at my toddler (behind her back) because she was giving me serious cheek…..

That time I changed my baby’s nappy on the park bench WITHOUT using a change mat (the death looks I got were deadly- I haven’t been back to that park since)

That time my kids had cake for dinner because I couldn’t stand them screaming CCAAAAAAAKKKEEEE

That time I didn’t have any wipes in my baby bag so I washed my baby’s bum in the ocean after she did a number two in full sight of half the beach goers in South East Australia…….

That time I stuck my finger up behind my husband’s back because he bailed on date night because his ‘team was playing……’

That time I forced my kids to eat brussel sprouts but I pretended to already of finished mine…..

That time my three year old sang the first verse AND chorus of Katy Perry’s ‘I kissed a girl’ really, really loud in the middle of church (this actually happened)

That time I drove my kids to the local police station and threatened to send them to jail if they didn’t start making good choices (I’m choosing to raise law abiding citizens)

That time my three year old wanted to wear her sisters underwear on her head to the shops and I didn’t stop her (it looked like a cool headband)

That time I told my kids to pee in the bushes because I didn’t like the look of the toilets in the public park…..

I can’t say that this is the full list of all the things I’ve said and done that I’m not proud of- but the free version on WordPress won’t allow for all that many characters (just kidding) but I’m sure you get the idea. They aren’t the worst things you can do in the history of parenting but I definitely had moments of weaknesses. But I think if we are honest and we don’t judge one another- then us Mama’s can be an amazing support network.

What times have you fallen short of perfect in the parenting world?

How to decide who should take parental leave

Some good advice!

Why I’m Leaving My Dream Job

Amazing! Job well done, I hope you’re enjoying this new chapter in your life x

SweetAddieB

When I was in middle school, I stood outside of the Today show studio and decided I’m going to work there someday.

And with a mixture of hard-work, luck and perseverance, I made that dream come true.

Aftergraduating college, I started in the NBC Page Program. After a few months there, I was hired at Today. Now, almost 9 years later, I find myself at a crossroads:

For 9 years, I have given a large part of myself to my work. I’ve worked countless Holidays and weekends and early mornings and late nights. I’ve sacrificed dinners and plans and sleep (lots of sleep). And it was worth it.

Because my work here has given me so many incredible experiences-– traveling to Neverland Ranch in a helicopter after Michael Jackson died, getting to work at the Vancouver Olympics, spending a weekend at Kathie Lee’s house in the Florida…

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Creative Blogger Award

So honoured and humbled to have been nominated by fellow Mama Carly author of

Freckles and Cheeks.

Thank you so, so much for your nomination- I really loved reading your blog especially your post on Happiness. You’ve inspired me to write about what makes me happiest- thanks so much for sharing!

I love the online community that blogging has created for me- yes there is so much negativity on the internet these days but there is still so much good. My only regret about blogging is not starting sooner. So for anyone thinking about starting.. be like Nike and Just Do It! Oh and by the way this is not a post sponsored by Nike 😉

Here are the rules for the award:

1.) Thank and post the link of the blog that nominated you

2.) Share five facts about yourself to your readers

3.) Nominate 10 other blogs and post their links

4.) Notify all nominees via their social media/blog

5.) Pass on the rules to them

So here goes, five random facts about me!

1) I live for food but I hate to cook! (Okay so hate is a very strong word so let me just rephrase that by saying that I really, really, really dislike doing it!)

2) I have been in love with the same man since I was 16 years old (and I got to marry him too!)

3) I love to read…. for as long as I can remember I have read just about anything that I can get my hands on. Cereal boxes, street signs, old hand written letters (remember when those things were around?), instructions (but I usually don’t follow through on them), blogs, news articles, reviews just about anything!

4) At the moment I am reading BOLD by Peter Diamondis and Steven Kotler. A must if you are an aspiring entrepreneur.

5) Deciding to be a stay at home is the most rewarding and most challenging job I have had to date!

Below are the incredible blogs I have nominated. Congratulations on an amazing effort. There is no obligation to participate of course, but I really wanted to take the time to acknowledge your time, effort, bravery and courage for sharing. It’s not easy to put your world on show for everyone to see- just know that your work is being appreciated. Thank you so much xx

The Essence of Life

Baby Drool

David Davien

The Modern Mumma

Picture Perfect Mom

Operation Happier

Carly aka Mummy

Both & Both

Dad without a map

Mummy Lawrence

S*** My Three Year Old Says

This age is so exhausting, yet so entertaining.

My three year old is a little fire cracker and I wouldn’t have it any other way…. yes she drives me cray cray  but for all the s*** she says and does- I love her all the more.

I’ve been able to keep a diary of some of the random stuff she comes up with…..

3yo: Mama I have to watch the Frozen movie so that Elsa will be happy.

(how can I refuse that?)

3yo: When I was a little baby I used to drink your boobies, now I’m a ‘tobbler’ I can drink Daddy’s boobies!

(eeerrrrmmm please don’t!)

3yo points to a bag of jelly beans: Mama can I have that?

Me: No darling you can’t, that’s medicine.

3yo starts coughing dramatically: Can I have it now?

(just so you know, I didn’t fall for it)

3yo: Mama I can’t go to school today because I need to stay at home and look after you.

(that’s more true than she knows)

3yo: I can’t have any more dinner because my tummy told me so.

Me: Is that right?

3yo: Yes, and my tummy also said she wants ice cream now thanks.

(body parts have feelings too you know!)

3yo shouts whilst pointing at her crying one year old sister: Can you give her away?

Me: No honey, we are NOT giving your sister away.

3yo: Then can you put her in the car and close the door.

(she is developing the totalitarian style of discipline)

3yo finds my mascara and uses it to draw all over her baby dolls face: I can’t play with her now because she’s all yucky. I need a new doll please.

Me: You can just clean that off her, she’ll be good as new.

3yo: Then I’m just going to draw on her again and again.

(at least she’s honest)

3yo points to my stretchmarks with a concerned look: What happened to you?

Me: You and your sisters did that to me when you were in my belly.

3yo: Poor Mama, okay I’ll live  back in your belly and fix it up for you.

(bless her!)

3yo: Pink is for girls and blue is for boys.

Me: That’s not always true- Mama’s favourite colour is blue and Daddy has a pink shirt.

3yo: Why? What’s wrong with you?

(oh dear!)

What random s*** do your kids say?

What I want for Mothers Day That Even My Kids Can’t To Give Me

Time.

I want more time to spend with my little ones- yes I am a stay at home Mama but time is stealing away precious moments that I won’t be able to get back.

I look at my youngest who is now a year old, I think back on how she was crawling just a few months ago.

I look at my three year old who is learning her ABCs and has just started colouring in the lines! (Wasn’t I just changing her nappy and nursing her to sleep?)

I look at my 11 year old who’s legs are as long as mine and think of the day I gave birth to her…. I still remember the day like it was yesterday.

Time has taken these moments and made it into memories.

Photos and video footage allows us a glimpse of these events but never again will we get to have these same experiences. There will be some that are similar but not the same.

I have new ones to look forward to of course but time will eventually take those as well.

So the thing that I really want that my kids can’t buy me is more time to be a Mama to my precious little ones.

This poem really resonates with me.

I first read it when I was 16  years old and it came in the form of a chain letter in my inbox- the next time I read it was in the Time Ferris book the Four Hour Work Week. 

It’s funny how it takes on such a different meaning now that time is travelling so fast for me.

Have you ever watched kids
on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain
slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last

Do you run through each day
on the fly
When you ask “How are you?”
do you hear the reply?

When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
running through your head?

You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last

Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow
And in your haste,
not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
‘Cause you never had time
to call and say “Hi”?

You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift….
Thrown away…

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over. 

Author Unknown

Six rules for raising happy girls

Author of ‘Raising Girls’ Steve Biddulph says the same thing! Such a simple yet powerful piece of advice. Thanks for sharing xx

Organised Chaos

Rule 5:

FIND YOUR GIRL’S SPARK

A spark is something a child is naturally good at and does without being prompted.  It can be musical, athletic, intellectual, academic or relational – anything from helping animals to growing and making things. But it is always linked to an innate talent, because kids like to do things that come easily to them. To discover it, all you have to do is ask your daughter what she loves to do.  Once she is allowed to pursue it freely, that feeling of competence will carry over into other areas where she is less confident – and give her a sense of fulfilment that will sustain her from childhood to adulthood.

Extract: Girls Uninterrupted, by Tanith Carey.

Image courtesy of Bayvoice.net

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Versatile Blogger Award

I am so honoured to have been nominated for my first award- The Versatile Blogger Award (eeeekkk!)

The very fabulous Sabrina at queenofmyworld.com has so kindly nominated me. Check out the post she wrote that made me fall in love with her ‘I am’

Three words to describe her? Strong, fearless and inspirational.

Thanks for the love Sabrina- so touched to know someone is enjoying my site as much as I enjoy writing it.

The Rules

• Thank the person who gave you this award.
• Include a link to their blog.
• Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly.
• Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.
• Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

My 15 Nominations

I understand that some of the nominees will have received this award before so there is no obligation to accept.

The blogs that I have nominated are the ones I enjoy reading the most.

The ones featured here are daring, funny, witty, clever, insightful, entertaining and light hearted. You’ll appreciate that they are all Mama blogs- but they are oh so different.

Just want to let you know I appreciate your honesty in your writing and I love reading your posts!

1) Mothering with a side of whine -my fave post ‘These are the good ol days’

2) A Morning Grouch – this post touched my heart ‘I see you’

3) Robyn Jackson – I loved this post ’10 things I want my daughter to know before she turns 10′

4) Live and Work at Home – my fellow Work at Home Mama posted this ‘Motivation Tips’

5) Stacey Chia – such an honest look at motherhood on this post ‘Being a Mother’

6)  The Little Laneway – a funny and clever post ‘Mama Time Management’

7) Seriously – I can really relate to this post ‘Growing Pains’

8)  Diapers and Tutus – I could have almost written this post myself ‘Letter to my stubborn child’

9) Motherhood The Real Deal – I couldn’t agree more with this blogger ‘Skewed idea of parenthood’

10) All Together in a Scattered Sort of Way – Intelligent, informative, bold and so relevant ‘It is time’

11) Sexy Mama – I just love this post ‘I’m sorry to all the Mothers I used to work with’

12) Doodlemum – Because her pictures tell a thousand words. Check out her book

13) Eden and Atticus – A very real and honestly refreshing break up post  ‘Heartbreak’

14) A Moderate Mama– This post is so accurate! ’10 weird things that happen when you become a mom’

15) When the Kids Go To Bed –  This Mama has a very impressive bookshelf

Now 7 things about me

1) My first pet was a black cat who died after being hit by a car 😦

2) Cooking for me is a chore (pizza for dinner kids!)

3) I have a serious sweet tooth (any excuse for chocolate!)

4) Despite being a Mama I am terrible at multi tasking (anyone else have this problem?)

5) I am an introvert but I love to talk (I’m just a walking contradiction)

6) My 11 year old is now almost as tall as I am (this is not hard- her friends have been taller than me even when they were in grade three)

7) My family are my life (just in case you hadn’t already picked up on that)

The floor is yours 🙂

 

The 5 different Mamas you’re likely to know

When you head to the playground, or to a playgroup session or even when you gather amongst your tight knit group of friends- you are likely to encounter varying types of Mamas.

The good news is there is no good or bad type of Mama- we are all individuals, all unique and oh so special in our own little ways. The Mama’s I have encountered over the years have turned into my very best friends and even though we sometimes have to agree to disagree I love each and every one of them.

1) The health and beauty Mama

This Mama can rock skinny jeans weeks after she’s just had a baby. As soon as she’s able she is hitting the gym and talking designer lipsticks whilst you can scarcely whisper ‘sleep deprived.’ Greasy pony tail and track pants? No way. Health and beauty Mama won’t be seen in anything less than high heels and a full face of make up. I admire her efforts because after all we have to take care of ourselves too right? I’ll admit I feel great after showering and brushing my hair, but these days my high heels are lucky to see the light of day. I love being around health and beauty Mama especially when I need an insta make over. She can turn me from frumpy mummy to yummy mummy with a lick of her mascara. She’s great to have over just before date night with hubby!

2) DIY Mama

This Mama makes all of her kids clothes, makes all her own puree foods and won’t be seen buying from the frozen dinner section. Ever. She’s the one you can rely on for an awesome midweek recipe and you’re likely to get a hand knitted with love cardigan for your newborn when you have your baby shower (she’ll probably be the one organising it). She also bakes the most amazing cakes and can rock an apron like a boss. You secretly envy her but hate her even more when you find how generous she is at sharing her skills. She is great at birthday parties and afternoon tea get togethers. DIY Mama is kind and helpful and always ready to lend a hand.

3) ‘I can do anything’ Mama

I was tempted to call this Mama the ‘Perfect Mama’ But the truth is there is no such thing. The ‘I can do anything Mama’ is a combination of the DIY Mama, the health and beauty Mama, the ‘my kid is the best in the world’ Mama and a whole lot of in between. She is usually the first to arrive and the last to leave because she is always so damn busy. You admire her for all that she can do and wonder how on Earth she does it. Not only was her kids first holiday in Paris (jealous much?) she just recently started an accounting business with her hubby. But just because her exterior is picture perfect does not mean all is well- talk to your ‘I can do anything’ Mama friend on a deeper level and find a connection. You’ll soon see that the picture she puts out isn’t what it seems. Offer to help out by taking her kids for an arvo or invite her for coffee sans kids. You’ll find you have more in common with her than you think.

4) ‘My kid poops gold’ Mama

“What do you mean terrible twos? We by passed all that”

“My kid was walking at three months- how old were yours?”

“My two year old speaks Greek, Latin and Thai. He never learned gibberish.”

Sound familiar? The ‘my kid poops gold’ Mama thinks the world of her kids, and so she should. Any Mama should be proud of her kids accomplishments. But when it is constant and she is always comparing her kids to yours- it can be downright tiresome. Next time this Mama refers to your child as less than inferior- rant and rave about how your kids can do back flips, front flips and aerials all whilst holding a latte. That’ll send the message loud and clear, she’ll realise what she’s doing and she’ll know she’s crossed a line.

5) ‘I haven’t slept in days’ Mama

This poor Mama just can’t catch a break. Not only are her kids driving her mental, she is recovering from the flu, her car was totalled due to no fault of her own and her rents gone up by another $20! Truth is misery loves company, even though she may be going through some tough times it’s fair to say that we ALL go through those days- but with this Mama it seems to be every day. Help this Mama out by changing the subject if she goes on a tangent about something negative, compliment her  if she tells you something positive that’s happened. It’s important to be a good friend and always listen, but don’t let that fear and negative emotion get you down too.

Which Mamas do you know?

10 things I can’t live without

1) A good book

My favourite thing to do is read. Dr Seuss said ‘the more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more places you go.’ When I read, I get transported to another world, I’m a different person and I can  have 100 different experiences all in the comfort of my home. At the moment I am loving the Game of Thrones book set- dragons, lions and dwarves! Oh my!

2) Face cleanser

Most nights I can get at least 6-7 hours of sleep. When the little ones are unwell or have some serious gas going on down there- I’ll be lucky to get two hours of sleep. Enter miracle cream. Even after an all nighter I will force myself to cleanse my face in this stuff. It helps to un zombie-fy my face. My skin just loves me for it- so will yours.

3) Slow cooker

How we ever survived without this I’ll never know. Makes week night cooking so much easier and that much more delicious (see my post on 7 ways to avoid the 9-5 meltdown). Like heck- I have better things to do than being in the kitchen! I could be cleaning the bathroom instead!

4) Kisses from my girls

This one cost nothing but love and hugs. It is my most favourite thing of all. Enough said.

5) Lip gloss

If you’re like me you don’t really go anywhere except to pick the kids up from school and to the supermarket. A little bit of glamour never hurt anybody. Don’t wait for an excuse to get pretty, do little things every day. When I brush my hair I actually get a compliment, with decent clothes my husband tends to check me out more. Can you imagine the audience I would get if I tried every now and then? Not saying that looking good is the most important thing in the world, but if it makes me smile it was worth my while. This one’s a steal at just $15!

 

6) A bath (alone and without an audience!)

These days a shower is a luxury, but a bath? Please stop. When you get the chance- grab it with both hands and soak in the bath until your fingers resemble prunes. Remember a relaxed Mama is a happy Mama. Do it, I dare you.

7) Burp cloths

These things saved my life (not to mention my wardrobe) when I was nursing. They are soft, lightweight and will save you from smelling like your babies puke. Later on as the girls got older- they were perfect as bibs. When they’re finally over the messy stage I’ll use them as kitchen cloths (recycling at it’s best people!)

8) Hubbys love

Now I’m the type of person who cringes when I see a corny love story played out in the pictures. But you wanna know what the truth is? I’m a romantic at heart. I gush when hubby tells me he loves me and I can’t help but love hubby more when I hear him reading bedtime stories to my girls. Yes that may sound corny but I’ll wear that badge proudly because I absolutely love my husband. Even more than my slow cooker.

9) Sexy nappy bag

Just because you’re carrying nappies, wipes, tissues, clothes, lip gloss and the entire contents of the kitchen- does not mean you have to look like Reese Witherspoon on her latest film Wild (by the way great movie). Get yourself a sexy nappy bag that carries everything you need and doesn’t resemble the cooler bag you packed your hubbys lunch in. This bag comes with a bottle tote and a change mat. WINNING!

10) Baby swing

Slightly controversial- but from my experience, I can tell you it helped out tremendously particularly when I had my third daughter. When my just two year old craved my attention and my newborn was still in her clingy newborn stage, I could rely on this swing to gently rock her to sleep. I used it mainly for the midday naps and to keep her entertained whilst I was busy with my toddler. In my eyes, anything that makes life easier for Mama is absolute gold.

So there  you have it.

Reply below with a link to your top 10 things you can’t live without!

If you click on any of the pictures above you can purchase the item for yourself through the Amazon store. Happy shopping 🙂