Monday Mentions: Podcasts

Welcome to my very first Monday Mentions post.

There are many things I am enjoying and it would be rude not to share them with you. 

Podcasts have become a great resource given the pace of our lifestyles, and there so many great podcasts out there waiting to be heard.

What is a podcast?

A podcast is a free digital audio or video file that is available on the internet to be listened to or viewed.

Why do I love them?

Because I am busy but I love to hear what other people are doing or thinking. I love to learn new things constantly! The beauty of technology is that I can listen whilst doing my work in the office or washing up. I can even listen via Bluetooth in my car whilst driving!

There are so many podcasters out there right now covering every topic imaginable. Some podcasts are entertaining, others are educational and a  few are just wacky.

The podcasts I'm enjoying currently include an ex-navy seal talking about physical and mental health, and interviewing others to get their view on leading a great life. I also listen to a couple who have taken real steps to slow down their way of living and what that involves. Also, I love a podcast of two mums talking about the funny side of parenting.

Where can you find podcasts?

iTunes(Apple) is great for finding podcasts, subscribing to them and keeping them together in order. BeyondPod Podcasters is the Android equivalent found in Google Play. There are many other programs and sites to assist you to tune in to your favourite podcast which can be installed on your desktop or played directly through your web browser.

So if you are not currently enjoying podcasts, I would encourage you to do so. I can guarantee that you will find one, or many, that you enjoy too.



Luke and Elliott Find That Music Rocks With Battlebird

It is the classic parenting story. A father feels for his son's struggle with shyness and finding his feet in the schoolyard, so he decides to share his love of music to help his son build confidence. Two years on, and Elliott is now eight years old. Elliott and his Dad, Luke, also known as The Kid and Lucky Luke, and their trusty robot DJ Scooter have teamed up to create BATTLEBIRD, the galaxy’s finest time-travelling, space-hopping, pop-rocking kids band.

 

Luke says “Elliott was struggling a little bit at his new school and I found it pretty heartbreaking. I had a feeling music may bring him out of his shell as it did for me when I was younger so we started goofing around in the garage writing music, making video clips on an iPhone and an old MacBook and before I knew it we’d pressed a handful of EP’s and performed live at the local Moruya Arts Festival (2015) in front of 200 people with Elliott’s classmates joining us on stage.”

 

With their song ‘Ho Ho Ho Let’s Go’ featured on the ABC Kids Christmas album Volume 2, and their debut album ‘Life is Good’ due out on March 25, Battlebird are set to blast the airwaves past and present with their very unique sugar-rush style of Intergalactic boomboxpop! - they can’t, don’t, won’t stop until the battle is won…

 

The CD also comes with a five track DVD.

You can buy it here and follow them on Facebook here, and jump over here to their website.

 

BATTLEBIRD ‘Life is Good’ - Album with 5 track DVD

Available March 25

 

The coolest musical collaboration of 2016 is looking set to come from none other than an Aussie Dad and his eight year old son.

 

I had to include one of my favourites from the album, which is track 5. C'mon C'mon C'mon.

 

 

Lucky I love puzzles

I love a good puzzle. Which is quite lucky really - given that parenting involves a lot of puzzle work.

I love a good Word Search, Crosswords, Sudoku, Maze, Who Done It mysteries and even untangling things. My children like to give me a good puzzle occasionally too. They test my brain and skill just as much as any puzzle in any book. Can you relate?

My children often say to me 

"Mum, you know yesterday, when we went to that park, and we saw that bird? I climbed on that big climbing thing. Can we go there again Mum?"

So to decipher this, I have to know that yesterday is hardly ever yesterday, but can be quite some time ago. 

I then have to flip through the pictures in my head of every park we have ever visited, and single out a memory of a bird. 

I then need to cross check in my memory if the park has a big climbing thing. 

Once I have worked through this process, I can answer the question.

We are always searching for things too like keys, remote control, favourite jeans, etc.

Then you have the joy of living in a small house and the need to organise rooms to fit everything in. Just when you think you have a solution, the kids change their minds and want the bed on the other wall.

I also play detective. Following the clues, deciphering the evidence, and analysing the story to discover the truth.

Lastly, there is the quick thinking involved in explaining complex things in life; the manipulation of words, and the tricky structure of the conversation to suit their growing minds.

Luckily, I like a good puzzle ... as long as my energy levels can keep up.

When I Can Catch A Few Lines

Life is so busy, but you know that, right?
I would love to know where you have found the time to read this ... because I have been thinking a lot about finding the time lately.

I am actually catching up on some reading and writing this post whilst my daughter is at her weekly swimming session.
Oh, and I am watching her, really I am!
Watching her doing her laps and improving her stroke.

I find so often though, that I am trying to cram in several tasks at one time. Not because I am that time poor, though work commitments and housework are a bugger for eating up my time. I am cramming stuff into my days because there is so much to do.

I am a terrible time waster and easily distracted too.
Something I clearly need to work on.

So do you dedicate time to your passions, or just grab time whenever you can?
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Thanks For The Valuable Lessons

Last year, as our son started his new adventures in Prep at "The Big School", hubby and I voiced our opinion to the school which teacher was "our" choice. The teacher we had chosen was known to us, having taught our daughter at the same age. More important, to us, than knowing the teacher, was knowing her technique and structure in the classroom.


We feel that this decision served our son well, as he integrated into full time school life. Perhaps if we had any choice of teacher in Kindergarten, he would have struggled less?

This year, whilst being assigned the same teacher, it was to be for only the first two weeks of the 1st term, as she had made plans at the end of last year to move interstate.

While we are saddened to see our school lose a good teacher, we feel that our son has benefited greatly from learning from her in his first year.

The areas of growth and learning he experienced were less to do with reading and mathematics, but more along on the lines of behaviour and maturity whilst in the school setting and amongst his peers.

I think that, at such a young age, that this is an important starting platform.

His teacher placed great importance on listening, following instruction, showing respect to your peers, speaking with confidence, being rewarded for outstanding behaviour, encouraging family communication, representing the school ideals, and trying your best.

With these lessons fresh in his mind, he can build on his education and we look forward to a fresh face, and new learning opportunities with his new teacher.

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Commit To Being A Parent ... And Suck It Up!

Parenting is a tough gig ... and if you go in thinking otherwise, you are in for a shock. From that moment that you commit to becoming a parent, you are signing up, unconditionally, to support another human being, and give them the best version of you possible. 

source

Most people are aware, as parents, that regardless of the available funds, their own upbringing, and their individual circumstances, their job is to care and nurture for the children they have brought into the world. 

There are a select few that ignore or refuse to accept this role as a parent. I can only make these assumptions from what I have seen and heard, and from what I base my own parenting on.

My latest observations have shocked and saddened me. I have questioned all of the who, what, where and why in my mind.

Why do some children appear to be parentless??

Why are some children seen wandering the street from morning till after dark?

Why are they often not at school, but seem well enough to play all day unsupervised?

How do these children know so much about topics that should never be discussed with a child?

Why do the children use such foul language, and who taught it to them?

Do these children receive the nutrition and care they need at home?

Why, if people do not want to commit to everything that is required to keep your child safe, healthy, educated, fed, clean and nurtured, do they have children? And why, oh why, would they go back and have another, and another?

Sadly, I know that the promise of money is such a big incentive to people these days. The money offered by the Australian Government only goes a small way towards raising a child. That's if the money is even used for the purpose for which it was given.

I am not saying that the case is this open and shut for each "parentless" family. I am well aware that circumstances change, as do people. Some solo parents are so busy trying to get an income that there is little time spent at home. Illness can play a huge role in the family having to fend for itself. Mostly though, I have witnessed a lot of indulgence in addictive substances playing a major role in these people's lives.

Regardless of the who, what, where and why ... I do not want the children to have to pay for their lack of parenting. As much as I want to treat these children just like any other, and welcome them over to play with my children, the circumstances make this difficult. Despite the children mixing at school, I feel that also having the "parentless" children playing at my home would overexpose my children to language, behaviour and topics that we think is inappropriate.

I am not asking every parent to have the same beliefs as I do, or even think that I could advise them on parenting issues. I just ask that parents step up to the plate and commit to what they started.

Have you come across a similar dilemma? What are your thoughts?

Beware The Long, Bold Word In Capitals: PHENYLALANINE

We have been label reading for a while now. Mostly, we are checking labels for limited sugar, salt and fats. My daughter has been having an allergic reaction for a few weeks which has included a rash all over her face, dizziness, headaches, and feeling anxious. So we have gone back to the label reading, this time looking at the ingredients in the products she eats.

After quite a lengthy elimination process, some research and weeks of comforting the girl and administering anti-histamines and anti-itch cream I have solved the mystery.

Ironically, in an effort to limit sugar in the kids diets, we occasionally bought some Diet Lemonade as a treat. Unbeknownst to us, the artificial sweeteners are just as toxic as sugar, and in many cases highly allergenic, causing severe ongoing problems if ignored.

This artificial sweetener, in this case, is Aspartame and is also know as 951. It contains PHENYLALANINE, which often appears on the product label in big, bold, capitals.

Up to now, I have never noticed it on a label.... maybe it should be printed in red?? In fact, when I went to this site to research the different additives, 951 also known as Aspartame, IS in red!

PHENYLALANINE is an amino-acid and appears as one of the building blocks of protein foods like fish, meat, cheese, eggs and milk, but when it is added to other foods the body can become overloaded, and this brings on the reaction.

Ski Soleil Yoghurt

Once I started looking, I found it in too many of our foods. Firstly, was the diet Lemonade, and any other diet drinks, then we found the Sugarfree Chewing Gum, my instant hot chocolate, cereals, sauces, potato chips ..... no wonder she was getting such a build up in her system.

I apoligise for the quality of the photos, but  I wanted to show the products and where the ingredients were listed. The Ski Soleil Yoghurt lists 951 as one of the added sweeteners, while Pepsi Max displays "CONTAINS PHENYLALINE" in bold, enlarged print, as does the Jarrah Choc o'lait.

Pepsi Max 

Jarrah Choc o'lait

Now, that we have eliminated these products from her diet, the rash is receding, and Miss 9 is feeling better.

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This Mother's Favourite Smell

There are many parenting moments I love (and just a few I don't).

Funnily, many of my "love it" and "don't love it" fall into the smell or touch categories. 

There is one moment that remains to be a favourite of mine, even as my children grow bigger and older.
Nothing beats the post-bath wonderfulness, no matter what the age.
The moment is always the same, although, sometimes moves too quickly.

The smell of freshly washed hair, which is soft and damp.
The rosy cheeks that are soft but shiny.
The pale, wrinkly toes and fingers.
The cuddly child wrapped in pyjamas.

All of these are to be savoured .....
because the state of the bathroom, post-bath, is often unfavourable.

Lucky my kids are so cute and cuddly.

The Tooth Fairy Scam

Miss 9 is quite practiced at the procedure involved when one of her teeth fall out. She has been building her skills since she was five.

She has a silky blue pouch that the tooth usually goes into, and she pops it on top of her blackboard easel with a big arrow pointing to where the tooth has been placed.

This time she didn't use the pouch, but placed the tooth on a tissue.

This is where problems began.

Being the very diligent, but awfully busy Tooth Fairy, money was left as usual sometime through the night, or certainly just before Miss 9 woke.

Miss 9 was ecstatic to see the fairy had remembered to come, since in her hectic schedule, she has in the past needed extra time to complete her obligations. Miss 9 also noted that she had left the tooth behind. Whoops!

As she lifted the tooth, the tissue came with it, so I was quick to explain that obviously the tooth had stuck to the tissue, which was a problem when transporting for the Tooth Fairy.

This was a satisfactory explanation for Miss 9, but it left her wondering what to do now.

"If I was to leave the tooth out again tonight, would the Tooth Fairy come again and leave more money?" she wondered out loud.

This suggestion was enough to send her brother into a whirlwind of possible opportunity.

"Yep, put it back out tonight and see if you can get some money for me" he encouraged excitedly. Master 5 is yet to lose his first tooth, so the thought that he could get some money for himself without even going through losing a tooth was too much.

"I'm sure it doesn't work like that. The Tooth Fairy keeps very good records of her visits and which teeth she has paid out on" I explained.

Regardless, the tooth was left out on it's tissue for several more nights.

I can't blame them for trying.

The Ability To Laugh At Yourself

Laughter is a marvellous thing. It is infectious and can lift the mood dramatically. Adults can learn so much by watching children interacting with each other and playing. Sometimes, in the adult world we can forget to have fun and laugh. The ability to laugh at your own antics is something I have been reminded of lately. When Miss 9 is with her cousin, you can guarantee to hear lots of giggling and girly squeals.

With iPods in hand, they are busy making their own little videos. These are full of the latest backing music, over exaggerated gestures. and moves they have seen on a music clip.

The filming usually ends with an excitement of watching their work. They fall in a heap of tangled arms and legs, giggling at their video and at themselves.

They are happy to show off the videos to whoever will view them. They are not trying to be perfect in their look or movement. They know it is a fun and entertaining activity. The end product is a joyous display of girls able to laugh at themselves. They are happy for their personalities to show, and the simpleness and lack of expert technique in their videos is not something they care about.

Have you observed children lately, and been reminded of a simple, but important life lesson?

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Family Dinners - Why The Questions?

I read a lot through the week. Not as in book reading; more along the lines of articles, blogs, newsletters, and emails. I am also prone to the odd questionnaire and competition. I have noticed there is a common factor I have noticed popping up which is confusing the hell out of me. It is to do with how often your family sits together for dinner in your house through the week. My answer is ALWAYS.

Every family is different, and I appreciate that. 

Families are made up of different numbers, different interests and different schedules. Are there really so many families, though who regularly do not have dinners together?

When I was growing up, dinner was on the table at the same time each day, mostly. Unless you were committed to a sport, work, ill or not living at home anymore, you were expected to be home at this set time to join the family for dinner.

Now that I have my own family, the same standards are applied. 

There are times that hubby is called out with SES, or I may not eat until later due an early Netball commitment, but these are not a regular or even, weekly occurrences.

I also understand that our children are still young. Young enough not to have commitments late in the day, work, or heavy social tendencies.  Neither hubby nor I travel for work or work shifts either, so it is easy to say that most weeks are the same.

I wonder, then, about the things that our family benefits from that other families may be missing out on.

Our family talk about our day, the current events, upcoming events, our wants/needs, complaints .... we cover a lot of area here. 

I rely on this time of day, to have my family around me. I like to have that time to have a good look at my children across the table and soak up their stories, assess their happiness levels, gauge their energy levels, and listen. It is also a good time for me to see what they are eating or not eating, as I don't get this chance whilst they are at school or I am at work. 

Lastly, with the sharing of all of the above, it may be the one time in the day that hubby and I get the same information at the same time. There is no need to cross-reference or go through any he said/she said.

Tell me I am not alone in valuing this time together at the table? Tell me there are many of you still doing the same. If not, then help me see it from another point of view.

If The Music Is Good, You Dance

This weekend hubby and I are treating ourselves.  We are escaping the world of parenting and cutting loose.

As much as I love my children, and doing things as a family, there are times when hubby and I need to be people with interests, and be together without a child between us.

We have been looking forward to this weekend for months now.

We will drive, enjoy the glorious weather, indulge in splendid food and be whisked back to a time when we were youthful, with the joy of music of days gone by.

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Bright Side Up on Pinterest

 






   




     

The Things I Know about Breakfast

When I get up in the morning,  I have a routine. Many people do. Mine includes breakfast and always has. My morning does not feel complete without it. I question how people who choose to skip breakfast can function properly, or get through the day.

Oats, milk + blueberries. Green tea + 1/2 lemon

I am so glad that Schools in Australia are aware of the benefits of breakfast now. My children's Primary School offers free breakfast options before the start of school each day, which assures that even if the parent is not enforcing the importance of eating breakfast, the children can still have the option.

An article in The Herald Sun recently highlighted the findings of a study of over 800 students over 5 years, and concluded that children who eat before school get better academic results.

It has been talked about for quite some time that eating breakfast also triggers the metabolism into action. I have known of people on diets skipping breakfast, thinking this is a good way to reduce their calorie intake. It definitely reduces calorie intake initially, but the body may also think that food is scarce and slows down the metabolism to survive, or it may cause you to binge on other foods to get you through to lunch.

I don't need research to tell me that I am much more focused and energetic through the day when I have had breakfast. I encourage my children to have breakfast every morning too, though this is sometimes a struggle in the morning madness. I persevere though, trying to set my kids up with healthy habits that will benefit them now and into the future.

What are your morning habits regarding breakfast? Have you always eaten/not eaten breakfast?

Simple Words Melt My Heart

It is hard being a Mum, enforcing all of the rules. Rules, you see, are everywhere, and are important in life. So it is my job, as your Mum, to let you know what the rules are, and make sure they are being followed.

You know the rules, they have been the same since you were born. We have been trying to be consistent. We have tried to explain the reasons for having the rules to you in so many ways. It is not that you do not understand the rules, or their importance. You try to follow the rules, but you are driven to break them. Not because you are naughty, but because you are fearful.

Your fear of being alone has been growing. We carry you to your bed at night, as we have exhausted all of your tears  whilst trying to get you to sleep in your bed. You are sure to wake through the night, and realise you are alone, and make your way to the safe haven next to me.
And no Supernanny! Consistency and routine are not the key to this little boy's problem.

Still, we guide you to your room each night. You need to know we will continue to try. Your room will eventually become your own haven. Your own safe place to retreat to.

You came to me the other night as I was climbing into bed. I gave you the same spiel you have heard so many times before.
"I just need to tell you something Mummy" you say, as you fidget nervously with the book in your hand.
"I wanted to show you something in this book."
You shift closer, hitching up on the foot of the bed. As you turn the pages, I know you are desperately trying to find something for us to discuss. I am tired. I look at your face. You look tired too. Yet, here you are, trying to find a reason not to be alone, instead of resting your weary eyes in your bed.
You are sitting cross-legged on the bed in your shorty pyjamas.

I sigh. I am weakening.
"Are you going to jump in?" I say.
I can not bear to see your little legs and arms prickled with goose bumps.
Your head whips up and the look on your face changes to gratitude.
As you scrambles to slide in next to me, your next words melt my heart, and override any rules you are breaking.
"Thank you Mummy, for letting me snuggle next to you. I do love you so much."

I love you so much too.

Game over.

Bullying: Our Community Makes A Stand in 2012

Bullying in any form, is unacceptable. My community has made a stand against bullying, and I couldn't be more proud.

Bullying may be defined as the activity of repeated, aggressive behaviour intended to hurt another person, physically or mentally. Bullying is characterised by an individual behaving in a certain way to gain power over another person. Many people will be a victim of it at one time or another throughout their lives, and at varying levels.

My personal experiences with bullying at school were horrible at the time. I would like to think that it made me a stronger, more resilient person. Thankfully, neither the bullying nor the resulting effect were as extreme as many. As a parent, I would hope that my children do not have to deal with bullying. I know, that if they were the instigators of the bullying, I would be deeply horrified.

Rally for Respect was held for the first time in October 2012, and will hopefully be a regular event.

The Rally started as an idea of some local High School students, and turned into an impressive event of over 1000 people involving 10 local schools, the students, teachers, and members of the community. Premier Lara Giddings marched amongst the people, along with some other State and local leaders.

The huge assembly of people gathered at Arthurs' Square where they heard the heart-wrenching story from Chloe Cunningham, of her experience with bullying. More of Chloe's story can be seen on the website, Angel's Goal. 

Rally of Respect 2012 brought the subject of bullying out into the open. People were discussing it and telling their own personal tales. The students were hearing about bullying and the consequences everywhere. My children are only 5 and 8, but were proud to be a part of something so important to so many people, and were so excited to bring home their own Rally of Respect wrist band. The media has really taken an interest, so the photos in the paper and the coverage on TV show them that this is an important issue for everyone.

We look forward to the next Rally of Respect.

Please feel free to read more about the Rally:

ABC Hobart article
New Norfolk News blog
The Mercury article
The Examiner article
The Premier of Tamania's media release

How old will you be?

When I was young, I remember many things just seemed an eternity away. Things like going to High School, turning 18, moving out and having babies. I guess children's concepts of these things happening is really out of proportion.

I had a lovely chat with Master 4 today.

It went:

Master 4: "Will Miss 8 have babies?
Me: "She might do... What about you?
Master 4: "Only girls can have babies."

Me: "So will you marry a girl and have babies together?"
Master 4: "Well, I have 2 girlfriends..."

Me: "So which one do you think you might marry?"
Master 4: "Hmmmm ...... maybe __________?" (name has been withheld, let's say it starts with a letter between L and Z)

Me: "Right. "So how old do you think you'll be when you get married?"
Master 4:"Well .... maybe 6?"

Me:"And how old will you be when you and ______ have babies?"
Master 4:"About 11 I think"

I was digesting this news of my future grandmother hood and Master 4 was analysing the finer details.

Master 4:"Do you I have to live somewhere else when I get older though Mum?
Me: "You can stay here if you want to, but we might need to get a bigger house. Where will you all sleep?"
Master 4: "I could just put another bed beside mine in my room?"
Me: "Or maybe some bunks to save room?"
Master 4: "Yeah, let's get bunks. That would be cool."

Me: "Will you sleep on the top bunk or will _____ sleep on the top?"
Master 4: "No. I think me and ______ will sleep on the top one and the babies can sleep down the bottom."

Righto! All settled then!

Do you/have you had some great chats with children lately?

Controlling the beast is hard Mum

My theory is that boys and conventional toilets just don't mix. There, I said it. It's out there. Who is going to back me up on this one?

My problem lies with the one boy in the household. I have heard similar stories from other Mums of boys, but I must admit that at the time I thought "how hard can it be?" Point and shoot, right?

I really don't think it is a matter of aim though, as I have seen offenders aim at other things with perfect precision and most boys will try writing their name while urinating at least once in their lives.
There is clearly a reason why public toilets are equipped with urinals for males or the simple 'wee here wall'.

source

So what is the problem? Possibly boredom and easily distracted? If you have any thoughts or advice I am happy to listen.

After several discussions with Master 4 about where the wee is meant to go, and the consequences of the wee going outside of the intended perimeter, I threw up my hands in despair and total frustration. I am so over sitting on a toilet seat with a dribble of urine on it, and little puddles beside the toilet on the floor. The sweet smell of wee is not my favourite fragrance.

There are many things I would personally like to control. Hubby would say this is just me being a control freak, but what is wrong with wanting things to follow the correct course and end with the right outcome?

At the beginning of the year when I wrote 2012 - Year of control, I had no idea I would then resort to writing about toilet habits and etiquette. Yet, here I am.

I have resorted to following Master 4 to the toilet. I stand within glare and warning reach while he does his deed. I have stopped just short of actually taking control of the offending body part myself. Although, I haven't totally dismissed at as the last option.

So, in my capacity of The Wee Police, I was one duty only yesterday, listening carefully for the correct sound of urine on porcelain. The second the sound changed tone, I belted out the order "In the toilet!" It's a wonder Master 4 doesn't startle at this point and spray me with it.

Master 4 re-aimed and finished his business. As he walked past me he shrugged his shoulders and said "Sorry Mum, I just lost control for a moment." Just like that I was left standing outside the toilet on my own, contemplating the news I had just been given.

The frustration gave way to humour as I pondered the enormous responsibility of controlling such  wayward beast. I fought the urge to yell after him with "Both hands on the bat son".

God help us all when the hormones kick in.

Mothers Group made me the mother I am

I ummed and ahhed abut going to Mother's Group. Like many, I didn't know if it was for me. I was nervous about meeting new people and looking awkward as a new Mum. After talking about it with hubby, he suggested that I go just to suss it out. "You can always not go back if you don't like it."

I wonder now, how I would have coped if I had not gone that first day? Would I have developed the same respect for other parents without my group meetings? Would I have crumbled within the first 6 months, thinking I was the only one experiencing doubt of my abilities? Would I have gone stir-crazy in the house without a weekly outing to look forward to? Would I have found assurance from other sources that my baby was behaving age appropriately? When would I have discovered that my baby had a dislocated hip?

As we got settled at that first meeting, we all looked around, sizing each other up (I'm sure I wasn't the only one!) I wondered how I could live in this rural town all of my life, and have worked here, without knowing any of the other 7 mothers. Introductions were made, and we shared what we wanted  of our birth stories. I remember thinking "Thank God, somebody actually wants to hear the gory details and understands what I'm talking about".

The Mother's Group co-coordinator went through what we could expect from each week with the group. The agenda seemed interesting and there were a few topics I was looking forward to, and others I thought I had a little knowledge of.

The first 10 weeks of the organised program went quickly, and the opportunity to continue to meet as a group was an option. By this stage, we had bonded as a group, finding our similarities and differences, and laughed at our initial hesitations and awkwardness. A few of the Mums drifted away at the end of the scheduled meetings, but those of us that were left agreed that we really looked forward to meeting up.

Importantly, for me and my baby, we had developed strong ties with the group co-ordinator, who was also our Early Development Nurse. She had discovered and pushed the issue of the dislocated hip at the 6 month mark. Her perseverance and expertise was so appreciated.

The group continued to meet. The venue changed as well as the frequency over time. We took turns hosting the gatherings at our houses. The babies were not babies for long, and they loved this chance to socialise and check out other toys. Us Mums loved the chance to have a hot cup of coffee, and talk to other Mums experiencing the joys and battles of parenthood.

At this stage, 8 years on, there are a handful of us that keep in touch. We have watched our children and families grow in that time. We have shared some hardships and made wonderful memories together.

Mother's Group, for me really was something that shaped me as a parent. I still marvel at the idea that you can throw a group of women together who share one common factor, and you end up with a support network and an invaluable source of knowledge to help you through your journey.

Did you join a Mother's Group? What was you experience if you did? If you didn't, what were your reasons?

No reason to stay up

My daughter was asking about herself as a baby recently, and it brought back memories...

With my first born, she would wake religiously at 3am for a feed. I would hope that she might go at least half an hour either side. Why would it make a difference, you are thinking. Let's just say that the best thing on television at that time of morning was not my favourite viewing.

I would audibly groan as my daughter's whimpers and snuffles would wake me. It was not the thought of getting up to feed her, it was the sight of clock always showing that horrid time.

I'm sure it could have been worse. At least it was an Australian classic. The Sullivans never really excited me though, and did not do so at 3am in the morning either.

How I would loved having Austar, so I could flick through the many channels, and probably would have ended up watching a documentary on child-birth, or getting tips in advance on parenting. Surely Man vs Wild would have kept me awake or even a good story on the mating habits of animals, as I tended to get very drowsy sitting there on the lounge, listening to my baby gulp her milk.

Try as I might though, it was 2004, and the choice was much more limited than today. The Sullivans was the best thing my television had to offer.

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, as I never got so wrapped up in the episode that I had trouble turning the TV off when feeding had finished, and the appropriate burps had been produced.

What did you do to pass the time whilst breast-feeding?

Here's to having options

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When I was younger (much younger) and needed to avoid being in the "family way", the choices were simple. Nowadays, there is much more technology involved, many more options and many opinions on what is good and bad.

It was easy back in "my day" and there were only a few choices. The most popular were, you could go without, use condoms or take The Pill, but these options did not suit everyone. Contraception now is much more tailored to the individual, and if something isn't working or doesn't suit your style, you can try something else. Contraception is a big topic these days, so big that Family Planning clinics now do all the explaining and implementation to save your local GP the time this now takes.

Funnily enough, as I was reviewing my options, it occurred to me that my daughter is now 8 years old. Obviously, there will some pretty deep discussion in the next couple of years about changes and then the birds and the bees. Boy, that came around quick. It seems like only yesterday that I was encouraging her to poo in the potty.

Hopefully, by the time "her day" comes around, more advances will have been made, not only to protect against "the family way", but against the cancers and diseases that seem to be stalking every second person.

Wouldn't it be nice if all she had to worry about was the right gap between children?