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 ...
READ MORE
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 ...
READ MORE
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 ...
READ MORE
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 ...
READ MORE
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 ...
READ MORE
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 ...
READ MORE
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 ...
READ MORE
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 ...
READ MORE
VALENTINE'S DAY CRAFTS
Rose & Lavender Bath Soak -- great for mama time!
Bring colour into your grey winter days, wake up your senses, and treat yourself to this very simple homemade bath soak. Then turn on the water and... relax! This pretty, and very simple soak consists of a few ingredients, and can be made in a few quick minutes, with or without children. We made ...
READ MORE
EDUCATION
Schooling in Switzerland -- early independence and lots of the outdoors!
A few years ago, road tripping from Amsterdam to Tuscany, we visited the beautiful town of Zurich along the way. We spent one amazing day on the lake, enjoying the beautiful open-air beaches / swimming pools called 'Badi'. Afterwards, we stayed the night in the pretty apartment of the Prinsloo family, who were so kind ...
READ MORE
TEAM FAVOURITES
Team Favourites: Family Films
Just in time for the holidays -- for things to slow down and for lots of snuggle time on the sofa, we've rounded up our team's favourite family-friendly films. These are films the parents will enjoy just as much as the kids, and ones which will surely make the next rainy afternoon more enjoyable! Here ...
READ MORE
HEALTH & CARE
Zesty Pink Grapefruit Body Sugar Scrub -- perfect for mama pampering time and gifts too!
I am slightly obsessed with indulgent skincare products; it is one of my favourite quick ways to feel pampered. But often the cost is shocking! So I decided to research ways to make natural, healthy, and cost-effective skincare products. And if it was good enough for me, it could be a great gift for other ...
READ MORE
THURSDAY THOUGHTS
How many Christmas gifts do you give your kids?
Having recently moved house and packed all our belongings up into boxes, I have come to the realisation (once again!) that our kids really don't need anything for Christmas. As I packed up the children's bedrooms a few months ago, I found lots of broken knick-knacks and toys that I had stuck in their Christmas ...
READ MORE
THURSDAY THOUGHTS
Rest — is it a focus in your family?
I’ve grappled with slowing down and resting my whole life. Growing up, our family values were unwritten and just understood, but if you had to sum them up it would be ‘work hard, play hard.’ It laid the foundation for strong work ethics as a family, we all take on a bit more than we should, ...
READ MORE
PARENTING
Tuesday Tips: Singing in the loo -- create a sense of safety and security
I think a lot of parents are faced with this conundrum: a public loo, two (or more) children, and no room in the loo for the children, the buggy, and all your belongings! (Or something similar.) Sometimes there is the added details of suitcases/travelling alone/sleeping baby, but whatever the situation, it is one of those ...
READ MORE
THURSDAY THOUGHTS
How do you manage it all? Thoughts and tips about juggling and trying to stay on top of things.
Running a business as well as a household of seven is not a simple task. I'm constantly trying to stay on top of things and at the same time failing miserably. I'm behind on my email, my house is a mess, my baby needs a bath (and so do I), I have to write a ...
READ MORE
BEAUTY & CARE
Spots & Stripes -- skincare for tweens
Helena is coming up on 11. How that has come around so quickly I do not know! But it was only the other day when it hit. I passed her our beautifully floral packaged, organic baby wash and she was appalled I was asking her to bathe in it. I also realised her skin was ...
READ MORE
THURSDAY THOUGHTS
Making your marriage a priority
I was asked to sit on a panel at the recent Business Chicks event in Brisbane last weekend along with four other inspiring business women and mothers. We chatted and shared tips about the juggle -- juggling motherhood and careers, taking time for yourself, carving out time for your husband, learning to say 'no', learning ...
READ MORE
THURSDAY THOUGHTS
Do you argue in front of your children?
Yesterday afternoon Michael and I got in a heated argument whilst the kids were nearby in the adjacent room. As much as I tried to control my temper and stay calm, I ended up shouting and storming out of the room. Within minutes, Quin was in tears, followed by Ivy, and they both walked into ...
READ MORE
TUESDAY TIPS
Five simple tips for learning to tie shoelaces
It's funny how children are all so different. Even though Casper has been kicking a ball since he made his first steps and can confidentially climb any object you can imagine (help!), the development of his fine motor skills are less progressed. He only just now learned to tie his own shoelaces -- on the brink ...
READ MORE
THURSDAY THOUGHTS
Interesting Article: The Confidence Gap for Girls
Today is the International Day of Girls, a perfect opportunity to share this article Courtney recently sent to me from the New York Times. The article, which addresses a confidence gap for young girls, has made me think about how one of the bigger shocks of my girls getting older is witnessing the self consciousness creeping in. I'm ...
READ MORE
INTERESTING ARTICLES
Let's talk morning routines (and an interesting approach)
We are well and truly back to school over here in Paris. The long nights and slow mornings of the summer holidays are over. It's back to the real life routine. I just read this article and it really struck home with me. As I have mentioned before, mornings are not our forte. We are ...
READ MORE
PARENTING TIPS
A tip for homesick children (or for children who leave home for a few days)
Pim started his last year in primary school this week! It's going to be a fun and exciting year for him, with the school musical, the fashion show, choosing a secondary school... And then at the end of the year, saying goodbye to his classmates who will all scatter to different schools. But first, the ...
READ MORE
