Holistic lifestyle. Imperfect parenting. Health from nature.
Life With Kids takes an honest (and sometimes humorous) look at life as a parent.
“Muuumm! He’s got my book! I had it first!” “No, you didn’t! I was reading it!” With a sigh, I turned around to intervene before the squabble got out of hand. Road trips with kids, I thought. Survival of the deafest. Peace descended, but it wasn’t for long. A squeal erupted somewhere near my … Read more
BANG! A thunderous scale rushed up the piano keyboard and back down again. It was the usual early morning wake-up call. For the next two hours, the family would be subjected to the tempestuous sounds of an advanced piano student preparing for an exam. After breakfast, a second advanced student would practice for another hour … Read more
I laughed when I saw it. A meme on social media that said “I was only responsible for the first nine months. After that, you were exposed to your father!” And although it was funny, there was a wry grain of truth in it: when our kids do well, we love to claim the … Read more
It was one of those days. The crazy – busy kind that begins before the birds are up and ends when you fall asleep at your desk long after everyone else is in bed because you just can’t do one more thing. The kind where you think “one day we will laugh about this – … Read more
It was cute when they were little. Two little boys, blonde hair messed by the wind, flying down the hill in a race to the bottom. They looked like best friends. Adult sibling rivalry? No way! These little guys would grow up as mates. Those same little boys proved that their rivalry was alive and … Read more
Homeschooling. It’s a polarizing kind of word. If you’re like most people, you either like the idea or you don’t. You are either “mainstream” (and go the route of conventional schooling) or you are “alternative” and do homeschooling. The community in general is good at labels and categories. And nearly everyone has an opinion on … Read more
“Yuk!” young David stated. “It’s got tomato in it! I hate tomatoes!” “I hate tomatoes too,” said his sister Adelle. “But it’s good for you,” their Dad, Tony, told them. ” I eat tomatoes every day.” “But Mum doesn’t eat tomatoes. She doesn’t like them either,” argued David. Mum’s memories of being forced to eat … Read more
Cooking is dangerous. Without a doubt. Just this very morning, I cut my finger while I was trying to get beans out of a can. I’ve been burnt too (not seriously, thankfully). Last week, Michael almost set the house on fire with his potato chips – the kids would have been so disappointed. Home made … Read more
“Mum! Mum!” I heard the commotion approaching. TD appeared at the laundry door where I was loading washing into the machine. “Mum! Something has happened,” he said ominously. Rosie caught up with him. “Rosie’s tooth is missing!” he informed me. “And we don’t know where it is,” she added. “Open your mouth,” I told her. … Read more
It was one of those days. There have been a few of them lately, actually. It usually begins with a hot night. The kind where you lie awake and dream of sleep. The kind when the light is out at 10.30 pm and everyone is in bed, but the kids are still giggling and chattering … Read more