THURSDAY THOUGHTS
Do you carve out one-on-one time for each of your kids?
One of the things I get asked the most in relation to having a big family is whether I'm able to spend enough quality time with each of my kids. And my response to this question usually surprises people... The thing is that no, I don't really spend quality one-on-one time with each of my ...
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THURSDAY THOUGHTS
Ear piercings for children -- yay, or nay?
Yesterday, Sara and I headed over to a tiny jeweller here in the centre of Amsterdam to get another ear piercing. She already had three -- when she was 12, she had one hole in one ear and two holes in the other one pierced. In the meantime, the single hole closed up after she ...
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TUESDAY TIPS
Tuesday Tips: Enjoy some extra sleep with a homemade 'Surprise Station'
Our children are really good at entertaining themselves at home, but it seems the minute we go away on a mini weekend break, or even for longer, they wake up earlier, with more energy and excitement! I get it, it's the excitement of being somewhere new, but man is it exhausting! Now that our kids ...
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PREGNANCY
Maternity products -- a few little luxuries and some practical tips too!
When you are pregnant with your third child, you just have less 'me' time. So instead of getting new and lovely items for your pregnancy, you inherit hand-me-down maternity clothes from friends, you pull out some of your old clothes from storage, and you make do -- which is a great way to recycle and ...
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PREGNANCY
Baby on Board -- helpful badge of honour for pregnant mamas?
I have taken this little simple badge for granted until recently when one of my American friends was visiting. She was so impressed that mums-to-be in London get to have these pins to wear while commuting so they can easily get a seat, and have a rest. It is the Baby on Board badge. Have ...
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PREGNANCY
Why a home birth is not my first choice...
I am now 38 weeks pregnant, and I just visited the midwife at our Birth Centre last week to discuss my Birth Plan. I am in full-on preparing and nesting mode! And the top item on the list, is, of course, having the baby! The midwife said I was a good candidate for a home birth ...
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TEENAGERS
At what age do you give your children a mobile phone? Here's how we deal with technology in our household.
We live in an interesting age. Technology is developing with the speed of light and a life without mobile devices has simply become unthinkable. I find this such a strange phenomenon, especially given the fact that it's not even that long ago since we didn't even have wireless communication! (I think my dad, because his ...
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FOR MUMS
My new project: an e-course and Instagram community for parents
Guys, I'm really excited to share a new personal project I've been working on! After two years of mushy baby brain (no joke -- I honestly thought my brain might never work properly again!), I'm excited to be back in entrepreneurial shoes -- with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Back in February, just before Wilkie's 2nd ...
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PARENTING
The funny little things our mums have taught us
I was talking to a friend of mine last night about the funny little things our moms have taught us, which have stuck with us. What I like is that these little pearls of wisdom are entirely different from person to person. And yet we each consider them rules we cannot break, even though ...
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THURSDAY THOUGHTS
Talking about death with your children. Some thoughts.
Yesterday I took Pim to the funeral of the mother of a dear friend. She has two sons Pim's age (11 and 13) and I decided to bring him along so that he could offer support to his friends. Even though he had once been to a funeral before, I don't think he quite knew what ...
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FASHION
Indoi -- slow fashion for women -- maternity and breastfeeding friendly too!
Buying better and buying less for my wardrobe is something I have not yet perfected but am attempting to make a real effort at. But often fast fashion seems easier, especially with a growing bump, unless you can find well-made pieces that evolve and grow with you -- silhouettes that have flexibility and are long-lasting, ...
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PARENTING
What are your favourite podcasts?
A few months ago I started listening to podcasts while I fold the laundry, and it is actually life changing! I don't know what took me so long, but better late than never! Instead of folding laundry on a daily basis, I've started piling up our clean, dry laundry and keeping it in a big ...
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RECIPES
Homemade chicken soup -- deliciously healthy and healing
A few weeks ago I posted about Ava being sick, and about our 'sick day' family traditions. I loved reading about all of your families' sick-day traditions too, and I thought it was especially amazing to hear that most of us still remember being sick as a child ourselves. We seem to have such warm ...
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THURSDAY THOUGHTS
How waste-free are you? Tips and thoughts about food waste.
I attended a dinner on Monday to launch the 'waste free' campaign here in The Netherlands. It was really lovely as it was prepared by a Dutch cook who is known for cooking completely waste-free with only local ingredients. For example, the peels of vegetables were used to make a tasty vegetable stock, leftover cake ...
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THURSDAY THOUGHTS
The power of women — an interesting article about female endurance
A few weeks ago, Tamar was telling me about an article he was reading in the newspaper. About a certain kind of super-marathons, where athletes run for days and days with hardly any sleep or rest. I had never heard of these kind of races, but when he mentioned that the article discussed the fact ...
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THURSDAY THOUGHTS
At what age do you leave your kids home alone at night?
I had a revelation the other day when my youngest daughter told me that she had spent the evening entertaining the guest. The guest in this case was the 19-year-old babysitter whom I was paying good money to! This is when I realized that my kids were probably fine at staying home alone and very ...
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PARENTING
When teens get upset -- how best to respond
My mom sent this New York Times article to me last week, and I found it both comforting and incredibly helpful. Reading it, I had one of these 'aha!' moments of parenting clarity. I realised that whenever Easton has come to me upset lately, I have this urge to immediately try to say something or get ...
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EDUCATION
Greek myths for children -- fascinating and magical!
We're going to Athens this weekend! It's going to be a short trip but we're all super exited. I've been to Athens a few times before, and I just love that city -- the mix of the old and the new is so magical. To get everyone in the spirit of the (Old) Greeks and ...
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PREGNANCY
New Baby, New Year -- Pregnancy after a Miscarriage
At 26 weeks, it's time to share the news that we are having a baby! Yes, I am pregnant, and baby number three is on the way. We are very excited that a beautiful little being will join us soon... a new year, a new baby! We have always wanted this moment. New life is always worth ...
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PARENTING
Maintaining your friendships -- how do you prioritise your friends?
A longtime reader (seven years she said!) recently sent an email asking for advice on maintaining friendships and making new ones. She shared that she already feels pulled in so many directions (kids, husband, work, life in general!) and that she admittedly hasn't been able to focus on her own friendships. She wondered if we ...
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HEALTH & CARE
Sick day traditions -- do you do anything special when your child is ill?
I'm writing this post as I have Ava laying on the sofa with a mild sinus / ear infection. I just checked on her to make sure she's comfortable, with her own pillow and the 'sick sleeping bag' -- the sleeping bag that belonged to me when I was a little child. It has the ...
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THURSDAY THOUGHTS
Thursday Thoughts: The benefits of boredom
I know we've touched on the topic of boredom in the past (in this post about after-school activities), but this new opinion piece on boredom in the New York Times really resonated with me and I thought it makes for an interesting discussion. The article touches on the fact that boredom spawns creativity and self-sufficiency, and ...
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TRAVEL
Tent Camping: what you'll need
In the last couple years, we've discovered the joy of camping! Not only it is an affordable way to holiday, but it's always so much fun and offers a sense of adventure and excitement. I still have such fond memories of my childhood camping adventures, and I know that our recent camping trips will remain ...
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