At Home Mums' Blog

Obsessed with chocolate

2011-05-11T13:14:00.008+10:00

Before I had the children, I liked chocolate, but I could easily go without, but since babies, and actually since the Easter before Holly was born when we had a thousand Easter eggs left over from the neighbourhood Easter egg hunt, my chocolate obsession has grown.My children now think mummy's favourite thing in the world is chocolate. They also know mummy to be a chocolate thief. No chocolate is

Flying with kids - coping with jetlag

2011-05-07T12:38:00.006+10:00

We recently had a three week trip back to the UK to visit the grandparents. Having now had a week at home trying to cope with the normal day to day routine whilst suffering serious jet lag, we feel we need a holiday.A friend questioned why anyone would actually choose to fly for 24 hours with children when there are beautiful holiday spots so close to home. I agree, but when it is our choice to

Kids' Haircuts

2009-11-28T20:49:00.004+11:00

The other half came home from work the other day via the hairdressers. He had a number 1 1/2 round the sides and a number 3 on top, which for those who don't know their numbers, is pretty short. Michael was quite impressed but became concerned when he looked at his own hair, which was last cut about 4 months ago and is a little long right now. 'Do you want a haircut like Dad's?' the other half

Kisses for our kids

2009-11-08T20:41:00.007+11:00

Kisses and cuddles. Hugs and love. My 3 year old has a ready supply and I'm a willing recipitant. 'Give us a kiss' I say and he puckers up. I aim for his cheek and he takes my face in his hands and plants one on my lips.Now, I come from an English family where hugs and kisses don't come naturally and I still hesitate in social situations when it comes to the hellos and goodbyes. To kiss or not to

Sleep or sex - Can we have both??

2009-08-25T11:52:00.008+10:00

I was just reading an article that said that 56 % of Aussies interviewed would rather have a good night's sleep than sex. And I have to say, right now, I'm with them. It didn't say how many men or women were surveyed, how old they were, whether they had kids, were in a relationship or gagging for it (sorry!), so my suspicions are that the figures might be over stated. But, I have to say, that if

Friendships

2009-08-17T13:48:00.001+10:00

I have been reading a book called 'How to be a Happy Mum', and found the section on friendships quite interesting. It made me reflect on being a mum and the friendships you find and lose over time.A lot of mums feel very isolated when they first have their babies. They have moved from the working world where they had day to day interaction with their colleagues, and often socialised of an evening

Ants

2009-08-10T10:31:00.005+10:00

Today the ants found the pantry. Until now I've been able to keep them to the other side of the kitchen where they regularly march in to see what tiny scraps we have accidentally left on the kitchen surface, or whether, to their great joy, I have left the honey out, again. We have sprayed outside and in, but they are determined little creatures and losing a couple of hundred of their comrades

The 5th Birthday Party - part 2

2009-07-27T10:40:00.010+10:00

I have an annoying habit of re-living social situations seemingly in case I did something disasterous and our guests didn't actually enjoy themselves. This even applied to the 5 year old birthday party. I say even, but in reality, we have done very few social events since number 2 arrived, so having 20 kids, plus mums to our house was a major social event for me. I have, of course, vowed never to

The 5th Birthday Party

2009-07-11T12:09:00.011+10:00

It is Holly's 5th birthday on Thursday, so today we wrapped her presents. And when I say we, I mean Holly and me. I did suggest I ought to wrap them without her, so they'd be a surprise, but no, that's not the way this birthday is going. It is Holly's birthday, and Holly is in charge. So if Holly says she'll wrap the presents, then who am I to complain? After all it saves it being a last minute

Choosing a School

2009-06-28T13:29:00.003+10:00

I have spent hours agonising over the right choice of school for our daughter. I have done the school visits, I have questioned everyone I know on which school they chose or are choosing, and what they think, and this year I've sent the other half to all the open days, largely because he will definitely have an opinion and I want it to be an informed opinion.Last year the question was should we

Talking about boobs

2009-06-22T10:58:00.019+10:00

I went to a lingerie party on Saturday evening.I wasn't sure whether to go, because I'd had a 40th dinner earlier in the week, and a social committee meeting for the pre-school, so I'd already called on the other half to do the bedtime stories and tucking in twice this week. But, when I mentioned lingerie, he was practically pushing me out of the door. I wasn't going to buy anything (of course)

The 'F' Word

2009-06-16T11:56:00.009+10:00

A friend of mine turns 40 today so I've been scouring the shops for the perfect birthday card. (Actually, I had 5 minutes to spare before drop off time this morning and luckily found one that appealed before the children had a chance to run a muck in the card shop). I don't like buying birthday cards. They never have quite the right sentiment, and I worry that the ones that appeal to my sense of

Imaginary Stories

2009-05-25T14:00:00.008+10:00

We've recently moved from reading bedtime stories, to telling imaginary stories. As I've said before, I'm a bit lacking in imagination, so this is trickier than it sounds, and at 7:30 at night the thing I'm imagining is sitting with a glass of wine in front of the television, in relative peace, which is not what Holly wants to hear. But I'm happy to give it a go, especially as we avoid the half

Who likes playing children's games??

2009-05-24T19:31:00.002+10:00

'Hands up who wants to play mums and dads??''Not me, please not me', I think, trying to fade into the background. 'No thanks', I say.'But we need a mum. Mikey's the cat and I'm the dog, and we need a mum''I think you should be two orphan animals who have lost their mummy and daddy and go on a big adventure''No, we need a mum''Sorry, I'm busy', (making dinner, folding the washing, having a cup of

Do you want the good news, or the bad news...?

2009-05-18T13:14:00.009+10:00

'Mummy', Holly shouts up the stairs excitedly (we were having a private stair gate moment at the time). 'Mikey's done a wee on the potty!'.'Well done Mikey, excellent, good boy'. We shout back our encouragement.'And he's done a poo on the floor', Holly continues.There goes our stair gate moment.We're toilet training at the moment, and Holly has been a constant source of encouragement for her

Kindness to animals

2009-05-12T11:03:00.004+10:00

We have cats. Two cats actually. Bobcat and Pumpkin. Bobcat is the sensible one. He leaves the house early, finds a spot elsewhere for the day, and returns when the children have gone to bed, for some food and a little bit of attention. Sometimes he times it wrong, but he's quick and he has an attitude that says 'Don't mess with me', so the children generally leave him alone.Pumpkin however,

Keeping the mind active

2009-05-04T18:46:00.017+10:00

Do you ever feel you might be losing your edge slightly? Have you experienced baby brain since having children? I have, and my concern now is whether it's recoverable, or a permanent situation. If I had to go back to the work force tomorrow and get that brain going again, would it happen?Concentration spans have reduced. Since children, I have not been able to focus on one thing for more than a

Children's music

2009-04-27T10:32:00.008+10:00

I've just dropped the kids at pre-school and occasional care, and realised as I was pulling in the driveway that I had just listened to Hi-5 for the 10 minute journey home, alone. Does this show: a) It's not that bad and I actually quite like Hi-5,b) I have been conditioned so well by the children that I automatically choose their music over mine, or c) I have trained myself to ignore it and just

Talking about sex with children (When the stair gate fails...)

2009-04-14T11:45:00.006+10:00

We were caught in the act at the weekend. 'Oh God' the other half said, but there was no moment of pleasure involved. Our determined 4 and 1/2 year old had scaled the gate at the top of the stairs, designed to prevent such an occurrence, should the lure of the TV not be enough to keep her downstairs for 10 minutes.Luckily for us, she wasn't particularly interested. I explained that mummy and

Going back to work after children

2009-04-07T12:43:00.001+10:00

The other half had a boys' night out a couple of weeks ago, and one of his mates stayed over at our place. In the morning, while the other half was still nursing a hangover in bed, his mate was up and about with me and the kids, trying to be sociable long enough to look polite before he escaped to his single life and presumably a more comfy bed.I asked him about mutual friends, he asked me

The joy of children's music - can we have it again please??

2009-04-02T08:22:00.012+11:00

After a full on day at the office, I often used to have work thoughts going round in my mind as I tried to go to sleep. Now, after a full on day with the kids, I have Wiggles songs, or Hi-5. Surprisingly enough, they are just as effective at keeping me awake, and possibly more annoying.We managed, somehow, for 4 years, not to have any children's CDs in the car. This was partly because our old car

At the library

2009-03-25T16:32:00.012+11:00

"Are those your children", the librarian asked, as I queued to get our books signed out. I turned briefly, in the hope there was someone else behind me with worse behaved children than mine. No one. I contemplated complete denial, but short of abandoning them, and the books, this wasn't going to fly. "Yes, they're mine""Well you know there's no running in the library"Actually, no, there's no

Gym Junkie Mums

2009-03-22T08:24:00.025+11:00

Gym junkie mums. You know them because they're the ones who are dressed in lycra shorts and running shoes at pre-school drop off and who drop and run (literally) to the gym for the 9:30 class. They're the ones who discuss the merits of the different personal trainers and enthuse about how great the 5:30am spin class with Warren is. They are also the ones with the perfect bodies who look happy and

Pool Safety

2009-03-17T11:15:00.002+11:00

We have a swimming pool in our backyard, and I worry about it a lot. My kids love the water and officially they know that they must never go into the pool area without an adult, but kids are kids and they have no concept of safety. They haven't been badly hurt and they haven't seen badly hurt, so they only have mum telling them about it. How do you explain to a 4 year old what drowning is,

Too much television

2009-03-16T14:28:00.000+11:00

'I looked in the mirror and they're still round', Holly said earlier. It took me a while to figure out what she was talking about. She wanted to know if she could watch more television. I felt a bit guilty about the 'square eyed' comment I made a few weeks ago, which obviously stuck, and concerns her slightly. But, given the option, my 4 1/2 year old would be a couch potato in the making, so

Child safety and a mother's paranoia

2009-03-11T17:17:00.009+11:00

I dreamt last night that my 4 1/2 year old, plus my mum and dad were eaten by a crocodile. We'd been for a picnic by the river and chose an area covered in long grass. While I was distracted by something up river, the crocodile struck, and all that was left was Holly's white leggings with the frilly bits round the bottom. In the meantime, a friend of mine was bugging me about which handbag she

Stair gates - don't get rid of them too soon!

2009-03-09T14:31:00.009+11:00

We have found a whole new use for our stair gate. Put the television on downstairs, lock the gate at the top of the stairs, and take some time out for yourselves without risk of a little person coming in at the vital moment. Ok, so they can still stand at the top of the stairs and yell at you, but it gives you time to regain some composure or shout back a delaying tactic.A friend was horrified

Possum Magic

2009-03-03T10:20:00.025+11:00

'Be brave mummy', my 4 year old says. 'I will Holly', I declare, sounding confident, as I peer into the pool filter basket. I have just stuck my hand in the water to clean out the basket and been attacked by a large rat. Slight exaggeration, but there's something in there and I really don't want to have to deal with it. I think about the options. Why don't I ask the kids if they'd mind not going

Boobs

2009-03-01T11:44:00.016+11:00

'Daddy's boobies are bigger than yours mummy', my daughter announced this morning, as we lay in bed watching daddy get dressed after his shower. Yes, right, thank you very much. Ok, so she's kind of right. The other half works out up top, and would claim it's all pure muscle. I work out (sometimes) in the hope that a bit of muscle might add some extra definition to my non existent boobies.'And

Four year old friendships

2009-02-26T13:20:00.010+11:00

My 4 1/2 year old has gone back to pre-school this year to a new class, with new children. Her 3 special friends from last year have gone to school, and she's feeling slightly lost. And I feel for her. I think one of my concerns is that she is not going to be naturally outgoing and make friends easily, due to the genes. Neither Dad or I can claim to be party animals. In fact, since having

Managing children's behaviour - where to find help

2009-02-23T10:47:00.015+11:00

If your toddler or pre-schooler is displaying difficult behaviour, don't dispair, there is help out there. One thing you should understand is that they all do it. It is not just your child who has tantrums, whinges, beats up her brother, ignores your requests, forgets how to share and displays the same disruptive behaviour day afer day

Or the patience of a mum

2009-02-19T19:01:00.014+11:00

I realise today, I don't even have the patience I need for my own children. Specifically, I don't have the patience to deal with 'bad' behaviour. And it happens every day at the moment, say 20 times a day.The two specific things are rough behaviour and basically just not doing what I ask.My 4 1/2 year old is very rough with her brother. They play well together and have lots of fun, but it always

The Patience of a Saint

2009-02-18T14:34:00.016+11:00

Patience and tolerance. Two virtues I used to have. But now, I'm losing them. Having children has eroded my good nature towards other people. Patience is easy to explain. I have not had enough sleep for five years, so natural reserves of patience are low. I have two children who stress the remaining reserves to their limits, so I'm sorry, but there's not much left for outsiders. Actually, come to

Mum's been got...again

2009-02-16T10:15:00.001+11:00

Do your kids behave beautifully for other people, and become a nightmare with you? Do they get glowing reports from pre-school and school, only to turn into horrors when they come home, making you wonder if the school have got the right child?This, apparently, is normal. From an early age, your baby will learn to push your buttons, and they will continue to push them for as long as they can.You

Baby Thoughts...

2009-02-15T16:48:00.001+11:00

My body is betraying me, and since it has a fairly close relationship with my mind, my mind is joining in to. I think it's something to do with not having enough to think about. Not that there aren't a hundred things to do in a day, but most of it, the washing, the cleaning, the playing, the cooking, even the negotiation and the desperate searching for patience, are all fairly routine stuff. The

Sleep Deprivation

2009-02-12T11:23:00.000+11:00

I'm tired. Everyday I wake up tired. No, let's get it right, I get woken up, tired. All those wise parents tell you about sleep deprivation when you're pregnant, but you never quite get it, until it happens. And it's not just the babies. Last night my 4 1/2 year old woke up and ended up in our bed. The other half was in Melbourne with work, so I took the easy option and gave her his spot. I'm

Earn money while you're home with the kids

2009-02-10T12:49:00.000+11:00

In an ideal world I want to earn lots of money while still being home for my children. I have put an enormous amount of thought into this (after all there's a lot of time for thinking and not much time for doing when you've got a baby to look after) and I have to say, I don't have the perfect solution.The main problem, which is blindingly obvious really, is that as a new mum you will have no

Being in control

2009-02-09T10:14:00.000+11:00

'Time to brush your teeth Holly', 'Time to get in the car Holly', 'Let's go Holly'.'Just a minute Mummy', 'I'm busy Mummy', 'When I've finished this Mummy'.Now who does that sound like?? I sometimes think it must be hard getting their heads round why it's ok for mummy to be busy when they want something, but when we want them to do something, it's generally now. Establishing who's in charge in

Do I need more adult company??

2009-02-07T12:26:00.001+11:00

My other half thinks so. He bases this observation on the fact that I had a 20 minute conversation with two Jehovahs witnesses who came to the door on Thursday, and I actually seemed to enjoy it. They came at a good time. We'd just got in from a walk, the baby was asleep and Holly was playing happily, so when someone asked me what I felt about the way mankind was treating the world, and what we

Making money and looking after the kids

2009-02-03T13:20:00.000+11:00

I want it all! I want to be able to be home for my children, but I want to make some money. The transition from being a well paid IT Manager to being a stay at home mum has been a difficult one. The other half is the one who makes the money, I'm the one who spends it. It was quite a change suddenly not having my own source of income, and I guess ultimately I felt a bit guilty. Admittedly after 4

Manners please

2009-02-03T12:12:00.000+11:00

How many times today have I said, 'and what do you say...?' or 'where are your manners?'? I lose count. Please and Thank you. We teach them early, and they are such beautiful words to hear, they change the whole sentiment behind a sentence and yet they just don't seem to stick in a four year old and a two year old's mind.'Get me a drink mummy'. 'I need something to eat mummy'. I beg your pardon??

The demise of a Mothers' Group

2009-02-02T13:50:00.000+11:00

My Mothers' Group is breaking up. We are no longer one, but many. It has splintered and split, and some are taking it badly.This breakdown started over a year ago and our babies, who brought us together in the first place, are now 4 1/2. The latest example is an invitation for New Year's Eve, that went to some, but not all mothers, with a footnote saying how the invitees were those people most

When should my child start school?

2009-02-02T11:34:00.001+11:00

This is a question that most parents face in the years before school, and there are numerous opinions and articles out there to help and confuse you.So what are the facts? Children start school once a year at the beginning of the new school year. In NSW the cut off date for starting school is July 31st, so if your child is going to be five before July 31st, then they are eligible for school in

Welcome to the At Home Mums Blog

2008-12-15T11:55:00.000+11:00

Welcome to the At Home Mums Blog! My website, at Home Mums is aimed at mums who are home with the kids, and may be looking for part time work or how to earn a little money, while still being there for the children. It also looks at some of the difficulties mums face when they move from full time work to full time motherhood and includes information on child care options, government benefits,

PMT or Post Natal Depression

2008-12-06T17:14:00.000+11:00

When we got home on Thursday, Holly sat down to take her shoes and socks off. I asked her to keep her socks on, as on cold days, our wooden floor boards are freezing and their feet become little ice packs pretty quickly. Holly ignored me and removed her socks and then removed her brother's as well. Normally, I would be fairly calm about this, I would tell her I asked her to keep her socks on and