Christmas, DIY Projects, Outdoors, Parenting

How to Have a Present Free Christmas and Spend Less on Christmas Day

AKA ‘The Spawning of a new Christmas Myth and the Death of Tradition’ Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year. I love everything about it. The lights, the decorations and, most importantly, the surprises. I love shopping for people and planning menus. There isn’t anything I don’t like about it. Okay, that is not… Continue reading How to Have a Present Free Christmas and Spend Less on Christmas Day

Parenting

Love Your Children In a Manner That They Can’t Help But Love You Back. Whatever That Is To You.

We have just recently moved in to a rental property that is... less than ideal.  After piling all the trash left at the property by the previous tenant out on the curb for council clean up one evening, I was walking arm in arm up the driveway with my 17 yo daughter. Me: “Thanks for… Continue reading Love Your Children In a Manner That They Can’t Help But Love You Back. Whatever That Is To You.

Using your child's passion to engage them in their mental health recovery
Mental Health, Parenting

Using Your Child’s Passion to Engage them in Their Mental Health Recovery

AKA 'Let what is inside you leak out. And I mean that metaphorically - please don't stab people.' “Hi, Mum.  I’m not doing so good.” “No?  What’s up, Hon?” “I’m feeling really anxious.” “Where on a scale of ‘Hobbit in his hole’ to ‘Smaug thinking all this treasure has been stolen’ is your anxiety?” “Dwarves… Continue reading Using Your Child’s Passion to Engage them in Their Mental Health Recovery

Parenting

Just because it isn’t real, doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

My daughter is writing a paper at the moment about Freedom and she was discussing with the family how she was going to compare the ‘Kony 2012’ movement with the women’s rights movement. And during this discussion on how ideas start and spread I pulled out one of my favourite Gloria Steinem quotes: And then… Continue reading Just because it isn’t real, doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

Parenting

There is a Shrine to Me – I might be a Deity of Some Kind. Also, it is Ryan Reynold’s Fault I Can’t be Trusted with Your Souls.

Oh my god, you guys!! My daughter came home from school with the BEST story to tell me today. “So my friends Dad is a teacher at our school and he was wandering around the staff rooms and he found something that was so awesome he had to tell me about it straight away. He… Continue reading There is a Shrine to Me – I might be a Deity of Some Kind. Also, it is Ryan Reynold’s Fault I Can’t be Trusted with Your Souls.