When You're Under 30!I must admit, there was a sense of relief to the finality of the birth of Little Mango 3 (I've decided to use these somewhat cute, a little bit disrespectful, yet ultimately safe ways of describing everybody - there's also Little Mangos 1 & 2, not to mention myself and Mrs Mango).Although a somewhat shaky start - a tense moment and an overly blue baby, brought back to colour by an amazingly fast and calm obstetrician - a blur of seconds as several things happened that I had no control over. For a father, I've always found, it's a very hard thing to make a very specific connection before birth as it will always be an external relationship for us - and at the moment when all else stops and your heart is captured again by another amazing creature, to have that stripped back and replaced with heartbreaking fear is something..... It certainly makes you realise just how much this new being means to you, even though you've only just laid eyes on them - another surreal feeling - loving someone beyond words without having seen, heard, spoken to or had any real idea about before that moment. They are a blank canvas, and you appreciate them for everything they are and ever will be - I know it sounds familiar (everyone says this about their kids) - but when it happens to you, the commonality and yet complete particularity of that event to you gives you this instant sense of the universe. Amazing!So Mango 3 ties the bow nicely. We are now a family of five. At 28. Half the people we know haven't even started trying for babies yet and we're (most very likely) finished altogether. And despite the inevitable times that everyone has where they doubt their abilities, I feel altogether confident we can handle this third installment quite well. I think as long as you think about humans as a species, how our bodies are designed and how they function, that we have evolved to be ready for parenthood young. Our species is finding it more and more difficult to conceive as we age, and we struggle to stay together as family units - yet we all have the capacity to breed and raise children early, and I believe it is just another way to push yourself, and learn amazing things about our species and life first hand. The world may have changed since my parents generation, where people had babies just out of school - we've had liberation of peoples, realisation of new ideals and new understandings of the shortness of life, the inevitability of death, and the importance to not waste a second. Many of my generation believe that means seeing everything you need to see before settling down and waiting to die. I believe that experience can be found in every step of life, every drudging day of existence, every struggle you have and moment of delight, joy, wonder and amazement. Everything teaches you something and if you cannot find the value in this moment here, then no moment will be good enough. Every moment I spend teaching my child something, teaches me something in return. It's all about perspective.... but then everything is, isn't it?
Follow the day by day countdown of my spectacularly hopeless drinking career, where I go from a full-blown stumbling alcoholic to a responsible, sober husband, father, business owner and community member.
Welcome to the world of a mum of 4,a wife to one and a friend to many. Join me on this rollercoaster I call life.
SquiggleMum: a mother's heart - a teacher's mind - a writer's handI am a teacher-turned-mother currently being raised by two amazing little kids. I squiggle about a range of topics regarding parenting and education. I particularly love sharing ideas about literacy, play, outdoor education and family values. Through blogging I have the opportunity to share my heart for mothering and my thoughts about learning. (Plus I get to review and give away amazing products for Aussie families!)
In this Very Respectable Parent's opinion all this new modern parenting advice is impractical and contributing to a rapid social decline. To reverse this decline parents must throw out the sticker charts and take a firm hand to the fruit from their very own loins, and more to the point, to themselves. Only by taking a good hard look at themselves can parents claw back the last shreds of respectability.
The musings of a 20-something mother, who thinks too much, and is not very good at cooking or sewing or making beautiful things. Despite my best efforts.Oh, and amongst all my ramblings, you can join me on my soapbox, as I begin my crusade to find out about the cause (should that be curse?) of childhood allergies. What on earth is going on? And why don't doctors have a clue?
Inspiring Mums��� AUSTRALIA'S NO.1 INSPIRING PLACE TO BE! Where Mums support Mums in life, health, family, career and business for self care and awareness through creativity���
melsgarden is about a mum, who is learning lots of new lessons, in regards to parenting, Montessori raised kids. Also lots of sales from my shop www.melsgarden.com.au
"Childhood is a journey, not a race."I am a proud Mum, an annoying wife, a domestic disaster and a passionate early childhood teacher and writer. I write to inform, educate and inspire parents to be the best they can be, creating happy, memorable childhood for their children.
Musings on our life, this sometimes bumpy journey of mothering three sweet, lively girls and striving for a balanced, wholesome life. A stay at home mother living in Melbourne, Australia. And mostly, loving it. But sometimes, spending way too much time on Facebook.
30-something, mum, wife, dog owner. Based in Brisneyland, I spend my days chauffering my girls in 'mum's taxi', running errands, organising a home and trying to fit in some work. This is a personal blog which, at times, should make you laugh. I write about daily experiences to keep my extended family informed of our exploits :) Enjoy!
Musings on our life, this sometimes bumpy journey of mothering three sweet, lively girls and striving for a balanced, wholesome life. A stay at home mother living in Melbourne, Australia. And mostly, loving it. But sometimes, spending way too much time on Facebook
Blogging about my life as a woman, wife, mother, blogger, photographer and more.
Affordable, professional photography with that vibrant, fresh and personal touch you all deserve. You will be so blessed with the life time memories of such superb quality images which will be the envy of all your friends and will be passed down for generations to come. Re-live the emotions, laughter and fun of your wedding photos or family pics which reflect the love and connections between you and your family or friends. Yohti Images is the best choice when you are looking for professional and amazing imagery....
The purpose of this blog you ask?? When I first started organising our family holdiays I found it difficult to find information on 4WDing for families. Most sites I stumble across cater to 4WDing for couples and /or groups, and holiday sites for families tend to centre around holiday parks and resorts. Resorts and the associated luxuries do not interest us - nor do kids clubs or the cost. As a result, I decided to create a blog filled the type of information that would help me organise a family camping / 4WDing trip.
Kathryn Apel's online office where she chats about poetry, picture books, photography and life.
Kathryn Apel's online office where she chats about poetry, picture books, photography and life.
{KID} independent is a new children���s style blog devoted entirely to independently owned and operated children���s labels and stores. We���re basically a bunch of arty types with a love of all things handmade, vintage, sustainable, limited edition and independent. We crave products that are born from the hands of an artist, the heart of a loving mother, the mind of a talented designer, or the soul of an interesting character.
The shared parenting debate examines issues affecting Australians within the family law system.
About Us.We are an 18th century Living History group. Our main area of interest is in the New World and our period is 1680-1760. But we also research this period in Europe and the British Isles.We chose to emulate the New World colonial lifestyle because (a) there were more nationalities in the New World at this time, (b) it enables us to choose an earlier period, (c) we have more choices of personas/characters to choose from and a larger choice of trades and skills, (d) this covers King George���s War and the French and Indian War so it also offers us a wider choice of historical scenarios, and (e) we have a much larger choice of skills, tools, and equipment because of all the above.We have regular meetings at about 10am on the first Sunday of each month which are held either at Linstock House or at Elm Cottage which is our club house, but meetings and activities can be arranged at any time to suit individual members. Regular meetings usually include: a show and tell of new equipment or clothing and the sharing of any research information, learning and practicing period living skills, skills workshops such as tomahawk and axe helve making, bow making, weaving, clothing construction, etc.Most of our primitive camping and Historical Trekking is done in winter. Here in Australia this is a more comfortable time to be camping out when there are no mossies, ants, or snakes to worry about. Also it is a time when we can safely light camp fires and it presents more of a challenge for practicing primitive wilderness survival skills. Historical Trekking is usually held over the weekend from early Saturday morning to no later than 4pm on the Sunday. But participants are welcome to camp for as long as they wish, and they are welcome to arrive on the Friday night and either camp near the old fort or stay in Elm Cottage overnight.All members are required to dress in period clothing to suit their persona. We set no time limit on members getting fully equipped, so long as we can see they are making some effort. Temporary clothing can be made from modern clothing such as: oversized pullover work shirts with the buttons and pockets removed, trousers, black or brown shoes.Period clothing can be made from second hand materials purchased from op-shops, such as linen or cotton table cloths, blankets, leather coats. If members are unable to make their own clothing it can be purchased or custom made. We do encourage our members to make as much as they can as these are some of the skills we learn and practice.Likewise some items of period equipment can also be made and other items can be found in second hand shops once you know what to look for.WHAT SHOULD MEMBERS DO FIRST?First of all you should meet with us, preferably before you even join our group. Then we can explain things clearly and give you some advice on historical research and choosing your period and persona.After meeting with us, should you decide to join our group, you will be required to pay $15.00 (fifteen dollars) to the Australasian Living History Federation for one years insurance cover. Membership to our group is FREE. Skills workshops are also free though occasionally you may be required to pay for any materials used such as a bow stave for instance, but all material costs will be at cost.2) You will need to research your persona. Your persona is the type of character you wish to be. We do not emulate real people from history. As an example you may choose to be a woodsrunner. A woodsrunner is a woodsman, or woods woman, or a French Coureur De Bois. You need to know what clothing they wore, what equipment they used, and what skills they needed to know in order to carry out their occupation and survive in the wilderness. We do have a good deal of this research information on hand, so check with us first before going to the library or searching on the internet. There will always be some research to do because we are always searching and learning.3) Once you have done your research and know what it is you need then you can start collecting the things/items you want. As mentioned before, this does not have to be an expensive exercise; items can be made from second hand or inexpensive new materials and we are always here to help.You can join our group online at: http://historicaltrekkers.ning.com/You can follow my blog for more information at: http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com