When I first became a parent over a decade ago (and yes, that statement does make me feel old), I was a completely different mother to the mother I am now. Back then, when I held my newborn in my awkward arms, I was an anxious, shaky kind of mother. I felt overwhelmed and insignificant and…
How to make a smash book (and why you’d want to!)
Years ago when our firstborns were babes in arms my sister Al and I decided that we would become scrapbookers. We had visions of ourselves spending long afternoons lovingly cutting out photos and embellishing them with… well, scrapbooky stuff. To be honest, our scrapbooking dreams were rather hazy. We bought some cardboard, we even visited…
5 things I think parents should be strict about
I’m not a strict parent, but often I want to be. So far, I’ve had to fight my own easygoing nature a lot during this parenting gig, because instinctively I know it’s better for the kids. I don’t want to be a ‘permissive’ parent who doesn’t establish boundaries, routines or rules. I’ve seen how quickly that…
Podcasts, life and the rhythm of blogging (a chat with Pip)
Recently my dear mate Pip Lincolne called and asked if I wanted to have a chat for a Kidspot Voices of Voices segment about building an online community and other fine stuff. Naturally I said yes. When the lady who penned the gorgeously positive Craft for the Soul calls, you should always respond in the affirmative. Because that’s…
Making pizza with the kids
I’m not a natural ‘cooking with kids’ kind of mum. I see images around the web of gorgeous mums and their gorgeous children doing lovely, patient things with cupcakes and it makes me sigh a little. There are three main reasons for that sigh. 1. Cooking with kids is hideously messy. 2. Cooking with kids is…
How to DIY a no-sew LEGO bag
LEGO is one of our favourite screen free activities but, let’s face it, while it might be fun to play with, it’s a b*tch to pack up. Could there really be a way to make LEGO fun for mum too? This LEGO mat solves two ongoing LEGO issues in one hit: somewhere dedicated to play and…
DIY doctor play kit {with printables}
Instead of screens today, why not play doctors? Children are often fascinated by what we grown ups get up to and role-playing ‘careers’ is high on many kids’ lists of fun things to do. Last time we played at being detectives, and being a doctor is just as much fun. You can enhance your children’s…
How to make yummy porridge
Breakfast and I have never been friendly. During school, I was the kid who sprinkled a little bit of weetbix into a cereal bowl, swished around a splash of milk and left the lot in the sink for mum to find. Breakfast done, baby. As I’ve gotten older and (apparently) more mature, I can’t escape…
10 ways to build resilience in kids
Parenting used to be all about “building self-esteem” but lately we seem to have shifted the focus to “building resilience”. So, what is this resilience buzz word, and why does it matter to our child? Resilience is basically a person’s ability to handle change and adversity. How well they manage setbacks, new circumstances, problems or…
10 {tried and tested} {by meeeee!} ways to use coconut oil
The paleo thing hasn’t taken off in Maxabellaland the way I thought it would so I had a massive jar of coconut oil in the pantry just waiting to do something. There are apparently lots and lots of somethings my coconut oil could be doing. About a year ago I did a post for Kidspot that…
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