Archive for June, 2009

 Every few months I clean out my kid’s cupboards and toy boxes.  There are two reasons for this. The first being that we have limited space since we co-habit with my parents and because they out grow a lot of the toys, so before they get totally trashed I try to salvage them and pass them along to friends or family.

This past weekend I decided it was time to do a clean out. Cameron’s room was looking rather tatty and there was lots of stuff that needed to be throw out. Boxes were emptied. Broken toys thrown away. Rusks found in the cupboard eaten (by my daughter). Old toys were re-discovered. Missing items were found.It was most productive. One black bag full of clothes and shoes was set aside for Johanna. A bag of papers was sent for recycling and a second black bag of broken bits and pieces thrown away.The room looked lovely when I was done.

Next on the list was Kiaras room. She thought it would be helpful to tip out every single box she has in her room. She has lots of boxes and lots of little things. I needed to have a glass of wine before I started. It was that daunting. But two hours later, every hair clip, My Little Pony, Barbie, dolls bottle and coloured pen had a home. Blankets were folded. Clothes packed away. Beds were made (yes there is more than one – she has doll beds). Miraculously we found the floor. I had broken out into a sweat – in mid winter. It was no mean feat cleaning my five year olds room.

I discovered a few things during this little cleansing.

We eat out at Spur too much. I threw out 10 Spur money boxes and they each still have 2 in their room with money in and I have one at work.

We have been to the Dr a lot more than I thought. Kiara had 12 plastic medicine measure spoons in amongst her stuff.

My daughter has enough dolls to start her own small country. Complete with furniture, cutlery, utensils and clothes. There shall be no hungry, unclothed kids living there.

We own a lot of blankets. Blankets from when my dad was a baby. Blankets from when I was a baby. When they were babies and now for her babies. There are a lot of blankets.

They each have a pair of sunglasses to match any outfit in any style. Seriously I found about 8 pairs of sunglasses in various colours.

 Posted by :Laura-kim from Harrassed Mom

by Laura-kim from Harrassed Mom

When my kids were in pre-school – life was pretty simple! They did their extra activities during school hours.There were no weekend activities except for the occasional party.

Then we hit Grade one and all that changed!

Most of my son’s activities are done during after care. But the weekend sports have now started. And he is adamant he wants to do Bulletjies rugby now too which is on a Monday at 16h30 – which falls outside of aftercare and is at a different venue.

We have spent four hours at chess and have a 4 hour stint at soccer coming up.

Now the challenge lies in the fact that I am one parent and have two children.

I had no idea what to expect at the chess so took Kiara along but it was unfair to expect her to sit there for that long. But what do you do? I can’t leave Cameron there – he is still too small and it was the first one so we didn’t really know how it all worked! Same thing with the soccer. I can’t just leave him there but have no one to watch Kiara. So she has to come with.

Fortunately, this year she is still in pre-school so I am not juggling 2 kids schedules but next year is going to be fun when they are both doing different activities. I have support in my friends and family but I can’t be palming kids off every weekend – it’s not fair on anyone!

So what do I do? Hope that they manage to clone people in the next 6 months? It’s a constant juggling act. Trying to get it all done and keep everyone happy and get everyone where they are supposed to be on time. And some days it is not easy doing it all on my own.

Then there are the school activities that never coincide. This Friday is dress up for Cameron, next Thursday is baking day for Kiara. Cameron needs money on Wednesday for cake and candy. Kiara needs tuck money on Friday. Parents evening for Cameron at 16h15 on Tues and 17h00 for Kiara on Wednesday.

It never ends. Someone asked me the other day how organised am I. I smiled and thought “dude you have no idea just how organised I am”.

My son is turning 7 next week.  We had his party today. It was planned in a week.  Not because I am disorganised but because newsletters came home in the last week that meant the next few saturdays were to be spent on sports grounds. Add to that that I had, I cant plan anything concrete on the weekends they may go to their dad! So suddenly it left me one day – the 16th.Invites were made,  printed and sent out,  cake design was decided on and ordered, venue booked, all within a day.  My organisational skills were in overdrive. It really was impressive since I had just written my last exam the morning all this happened. For the first time in the history of my kids being at their school I received a 40% rsvp rate. This is usually unheard of.  If I am lucky I get 3 parents replying and those 3 are moms who I have daily contact with.  So, I had numbers by Friday. It was great! Monday evening I finished icing the cake – it really came out really really well. I was very proud of myself and did feel my mommy wings grow a little bigger.

Then Tuesday rolled around and it was lift off. We arrived at the venue,  which was our local Spur,  a little early . You know, just to make sure everything was in order. My plan was to order by 13h30. Well by 13h45 when only half of the kids who had replied had actually rocked up I had to order and get the show on the road. Now it all went down well. Cameron had a blast and was happy. All in all it was a success. But! What annoys me about birthday parties is peoples lack of common decency in replying with a simple yes/no by the date stipulated. How hard is that? And if you say yes then show up. If you know you cant make it for some reason then let me know.  Don’t just leave it and make me explain to my kid why his friends aren’t there.  Not on!

Parties are very big in my life. As a single parent I have to budget carefully for them. My kids birthdays are 2 months apart so it takes careful budgeting. I generally steer clear of venues that make me pay per child and charge me regardless of the child showing up. I just cant afford to pay for 20 kids when only 10 actually arrived. Money aside my kids gets excited about having his buddies there and if they dont then he is disappointed.Next time you get an invite, check your calendar and then rsvp. All it costs you is an sms.

Posted by :Laura-kim from Harrassed Mom

A group of adopted children were talking in the car. My son, who is also adopted, said ” Mom, you know kids at my school are often asking me if I am adopted . When I say, yes, they say, OH SHAME !. This really irritates me and I respond  by saying. :We are also people like you, you know. How do you think I should respond?””

Anyone driving past Greenland’s would have noticed a few changes happening.After an amazing 4 years in Parkview, we have decided to separate the shop and the deli, creating two amazing new spaces. The dedicated health shop will now be located in Parkhurst with the deli/coffee shop remaining in its current position.

PARKHURST HEALTH SHOP

NEW STORE

Opening 2nd June

We will continue to offer a comprehensive range of vitamins, minerals and supplements, homeopathic remedies, organic skin care and household cleaning products and a range of organic foodstuffs. Lynden/Kim and their team will be available to offer expert advice in all areas of nutrition and health. Dedicated parking is available in 7th St, just behind the store. POP in for some amazing opening specials!

9 4th Ave

Parkhurst

Mon – Frid 8.30 – 17.30

Sat 9.00 – 14.00

W:  www.greenlandswholefoods.co.za

T: 011 880 9044

F: 011 880 0362    

E: greenlands.lynden@axxess.co.za

PARKVIEW DELI/EATERY

Greenland’s as you know it is in for something of a facelift! We will be closing for renovations from

the 1st to the 18th of June 2009.

We’ll be opening the interior onto the deck and  installing a fireplace to create a space we think

you’ll really feel comfortable in.  Expect the food to receive a fresh touch too! In addition to the buffet, we’ll be offering a selection of daily specials, and a wonderful array of baked goods and pre made meals to make life a little easier when time is tight!  The deli will stock a variety of produce, from fruit and veg, a great selection of cheeses, pastas, pestos, to teas and coffees, with as much of it as organic we can lay our hands on. Feel free to call Catherine with any queries or ideas you might want to share. Catherine 082 8043970/011 486 3361

61 Dundalk Ave/cnr Roscommon

Parkview

t: 011 486 3361

f: 011 646 4413

e: cspeedie@iafrica.com  

“Playful parenting is a way to enter a child’s world, on the child’s terms, in order to foster closeness, confidence, and connection. By Nikki Bush – The Bright Idea Outfit

Today, Saturday, 28 May 2009, is World Play Day – a reminder of a child’s right to play (the Right to Play and Recreation is part of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 31). Celebrate the power and possibilities of play everyday – after all play is the language of childhood and play is absolutely FREE. 

As we move through our daily lives with vision and purpose, with our action lists and tight schedules, don’t forget to be light and playful with your children.  When you are playful you unlock your child, and you relax a the same time.  When you come in from a busy time, at work or otherwise, you could try playing Dead Ants, a “silly little game” which has the power to change the mood and shift the energy for everyone.  When you shout “Dead Ants!”, everyone must lie down immediately on their backs on the floor, kicking their legs and shaking their arms in the air (continue for 30 seconds or so).  It’s a real laugh and it will put a smile on everyone’s face immediately, making it easier to bridge the gap beyond your busyness and the daily rush. 

 Sometimes silly little games are the perfect antidote to adult seriousness.  They are a playful, non-verbal way of saying:  “I’m here, I’m home and I want to be with you!”

MY NEW BOOK – EASY ANSWERS TO AWKWARD QUESTIONS

You can look forward to the arrival of  my new book sometime in June.  Easy Answers to Awkward Questions: what 8 – 13 year olds need to know about their changing bodies, sex, babies, their rights and more……… I will drop you a line as soon as I have a firm date and a list of bookstores and other retail outlets who will be stocking it. It will be published in both English and Afrikaan.