MEscovery

It's what all parents are thinking about and talking about. Some have even been dreaming about it since the start of the summer. The kids are starting school again this week.  With it comes the exhilaration at your new found freedom or the sad feeling that the summer together has gone all too soon. And that we will miss not only the sun but the time spent together.  Kids will be lining up to join their old friends again or standing around looking for a familiar friendly face in an overwhelming sea of people. As a parent you always hope that your child will be equipped with the strength and self confidence to deal with any feelings of loneliness or fear. There is no greater gut wrenching moment than when you fear your child is the one feeling like the odd one out or "Billy no mates".  My child is lucky to have had many friends in her class in the last few years.  This year she will be starting a new class, with barely a close friend in it. Not as bad as starting afres...

Date Night. I remember when I used to get butterflies at the thought of going out on a date. Now, it's more likely that about twenty minutes before the babysitter is due I decide that maybe it's time to brush my hair, fix my make up and try to find something to wear.  Gone are the days of having a glass of wine whilst getting "glammed up". These days a cup of coffee to give me the energy to get out the door after 8pm is more appropriate.  I do still enjoy going out. Who wouldn't like to go out to eat food prepared for you by someone else, with no tidying up to do, no laundry baskets glaring at you from the corner of the room and actually being civilised enough to sit down at a table and have a conversation whilst eating said food? Unfortunately the talk usually centres around children, house plans and occasionally a trip down memory lane to when we were child free and care free. Which then takes us back to children talk. We're not at the ...

It's the week before the school holidays start. What better way to get in the festive spirit than to run yourself ragged organising 5 million childrens' Christmas party outfits, whistling up disposable party lunches (of course with dietary restrictions), festively decorating scooters/bikes and packing for your holidays with elf-like efficiency. After doing a Chinese laundry's worth of washing/ironing and of course all the while keeping up the jolly ho ho ho spirit. I have finished work for this year! Oh yeah! Of the office type variety. Now the real work starts. There is nothing like the stress of packing for three children and the prospect of dragging them through an airport along with a suitcase each. Oh joy. Watch out for the crazy gang of kids bumping Trunkies into people's ankles and the woman about to have a nervous breakdown shouting at them to hurry up! There will be bribes and t(h)reats and chanting of "think of the wine". Ah but once we arriv...