tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50717152548875069602024-02-07T19:07:24.207+00:00 An Unlikely HousewifeChristian Mama, wife, housekeeper, cook (and everything in between!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-22037715694389261542016-01-29T09:55:00.001+00:002016-01-29T09:56:38.372+00:00A baby lost and a new life found<div>Recently would have been my third baby's due date. I lost that baby at 11 weeks. As painful as it was, it taught me so much about my family, my husband and myself, and I wanted to share that with you. </div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes as a housewife, I can feel disillusioned by my husband. I can wonder if he does anything in the house, if he disciplines the kids at all and if I am respected or appreciated. These thoughts are not fair on my very hard-working Mr. K - they simply come from my being burnt out. But when this happened, he laid everything down. He took two weeks off work (a huge sacrifice for him), he looked after the kids entirely and cleaned the house, while sending me to bed - did I mention he even bought me a cat to keep me company?! He was exactly what I needed, and it taught me never to underestimate, nor disrespect him and his role. </div><div><br></div><div>Secondly, our families. It's hard to know how to react to a miscarriage, but I was overwhelmed by them. Our fathers - both stolid, unemotional men, called frequently and grieved like they had lost a grandchild - which of course they had. I can't express to you the courage that gave me. Courage to feel the loss of my child, not to sweep my pain under the rug. </div><div><br></div><div>And finally, myself. It made me face up to certain realities, namely my mental health and the affect it has on my family. Another post on this later. </div><div><br></div><div>This experience has made me change my views on several things, and strengthen my views on others. I did not want that baby; or, I didn't want it then. Now I am open to any babies God will bless me with. I realise I may feel differently after multiples, or number 4 or number 6, but that's where I am right now. Children are a blessing - you've heard it time and time again. And yes, it's hard to feel it when they're throwing a tantrum or telling you No, they DON'T love you, or you just feel so overwhelmed you're not sure you can go on. But now I understand, truly, that they are that blessing. Losing one baby has given me the opportunity to love the ones I have even more fiercely. </div><div><br></div><div>Lastly, and it's the controversial one (but I offer no apology). I was already opposed to abortion: I feel my God opposes it and therefore I did too. However now it's personal. Now I understand what it's like to be pregnant and then suddenly not be, and I find the idea of doing it on purpose abhorrent. My baby was loved: by myself, my husband, our families and our friends. I know that's not true for all babies. However my baby was a person who would have had thought and feelings. They could have been anything they wanted: they could have changed the world. They would have changed my world. I don't know why God took my baby so early. But I know it's not my place - nor anyone else's - to make that decision for another soul. </div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIt8gLT8ge8C8MMl6amehMbOCJB2CspC1oWIZbYlfExRCt4mEXqqops91tUhw8gWhBqE0Lnp0oRt4ZzNH_rurRAuBEFXqLDQzKtqmKgmuRDvrImtjzTKBE9FUvHJt2H3yotWptl83Lt8/s640/blogger-image--1122197399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIt8gLT8ge8C8MMl6amehMbOCJB2CspC1oWIZbYlfExRCt4mEXqqops91tUhw8gWhBqE0Lnp0oRt4ZzNH_rurRAuBEFXqLDQzKtqmKgmuRDvrImtjzTKBE9FUvHJt2H3yotWptl83Lt8/s640/blogger-image--1122197399.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-30187224495975460712014-11-13T21:12:00.000+00:002014-11-13T21:12:11.611+00:00Why I dislike breastfeeding (but do it anyway)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have something to confess: I don’t like breastfeeding. </div>
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I breastfed my son until he was 14 months, and plan on continuing to bf my daughter until at least that age. And I don’t enjoy it. I know there will be some of you out there saying that something must be wrong (the latch? A tongue-tie? positioning?). Maybe some of you will even be wondering if I have postnatal depression, and that’s why I dislike it. Do I hate it every time I sit down to feed my daughter? Not at all. Do I feel proud of my efforts? Absolutely. Do I gaze down at her and feel like we have a special bond because of breastfeeding? No, I do not – we would have had that regardless.<br />
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Here’s some of the reasons why I don’t like it.<br />
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I over-produce milk, which I keep being told is a blessing, but means changing my nursing pads every few hours and constantly leaking milk. It means having to express (yes, I know that produces more milk, sometimes I have no choice). And it means I am very susceptible to mastitis and especially thrush (the most painful thing ever, in my opinion).<br />
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I dislike breastfeeding because of the dependence my daughter has for me, for ravenous hunger, for milk squirting on the poor stranger who has the misfortune of sitting next to me. <br />
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I hate the constant discussion about it, about debates over feeding in public and ‘nurse-ins’. I hate people thinking I judge bottle-feeding because I breastfeed or, even worse, strangers who feel they have to defend why they didn’t (it was your decision and, frankly, I don’t care). <br />
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So why do I do it? Why do I put myself through it? For this reason: it’s not about me. I don’t have to like it. No one said every part of mothering was going to be fun (hello, labour anyone?). I’m a breastfeeder who dislikes breastfeeding. That is my infant-feeding journey; it has nothing to do with anyone else’s. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-69569288405348677412014-11-11T08:56:00.001+00:002014-11-13T21:27:50.302+00:00Haggis filo pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWcTwsG-aqsTDb0dghlB8o1fnInbiRIEvQEbJuE-AJCKyGgJfGJCb6xISr3SWfXHpYsgh_EHYwip4Di6FGuDTiuetGq_i7DZdLtaVg43St2UfDwLpraPUcfGX8d1qwYkrr_eehTOdUIs/s640/blogger-image--1311497098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWcTwsG-aqsTDb0dghlB8o1fnInbiRIEvQEbJuE-AJCKyGgJfGJCb6xISr3SWfXHpYsgh_EHYwip4Di6FGuDTiuetGq_i7DZdLtaVg43St2UfDwLpraPUcfGX8d1qwYkrr_eehTOdUIs/s640/blogger-image--1311497098.jpg" /></a></div>
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To slowly get back into blogging, I thought I'd start with a wee recipe. This one came directly from a "that recipe is too hard I'm going to make it easier" situation. Throw in a couple "I'll just substitute that" and this is what I came up with. A surprisingly big hit for everyone:<br />
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1. Cook spinach (I use frozen, straight into the pan) with some seasoning and add feta (2/3 block). I threw in some Mexican cheese as it was almost past its best.</div>
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2. Cook haggis (I used the microwave 'cause, you know, 2 little kiddies) and add to mixture.<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxLyJnrMR4Y-Ns4Yh_EtTuPX7h2h_ekH_HC3tRqeW2NsGeSm7OS5NzY0OgJwStBSq3YMqfO6i-byDv9tsTxCproGWRoZ7VcdYXE53ZBqZ3rINsUN0zwfKQy4gHR4EGxoV0q8bavxFOlc/s320/image4.jpeg" width="240" /><img src="webkit-fake-url://5FA3E58B-8A9A-4FF1-8D06-D7C5D8A0C367/imagejpeg" /></div>
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3. Lay 3 sheets of filo in springform cake tin, brushing each layer with butter before adding the next (strictly store-bought filo because, well, I'm not crazy).</div>
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4. Add haggis mix, repeat filo layers on top (btw, the numbers of layers are simply because the pack had 6 sheets in it. Add more as desired!).<br />
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5. Scrunch layers over the top and add butter. Cook at 200C until golden brown (about 30 minutes).</div>
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6. Slice and enjoy! </div>
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Mr K had this for lunch the next day and said it held up very well. Just remember to let it cool totally before covering and putting in the fridge or you'll have soggy pastry. </div>
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Oh, and if you have left-over filo, do not try to make an apple and chocolate pie. In the words of the frog "eww mama, gross".</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-37236084091803849682014-03-22T10:35:00.001+00:002014-11-13T21:28:26.250+00:00The no makeup selfie and true beautyAh... The selfie. I have to say, I'm not the biggest fan. But then I'm the type of person who floods facebook with way too many pictures of my kids, which I'm sure annoys plenty of people!<br />
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Going around at the moment is the no makeup selfie, where women take pictures of themselves with no makeup and post it to FB and twitter. It has now become a method to raise money for cancer research, with over £2 million being raised so far (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26683817">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26683817</a>). I think this is wonderful idea, and am impressed with whoever thought of combining the two. But it originated as a challenge to women's courage to post these photos, and that concerns me. </div>
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This is not a post about the evils of makeup. I know wearing makeup for a lot of women is about increasing confidence and looking good for themselves and their partner. But some of the selfies I've seen worry me - women who had to hide behind items to be able to take them, or for whom this was the first time their friends and family had seen them without makeup. It isn't about showcasing a woman's natural beauty, it's about the shock factor of seeing her without her mask on. That to me isn't about self confidence - it's about expectation. </div>
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And that's what worries me the most about this no makeup selfie trend - it implies that women's normal face is one covered in make up, and we should be ashamed of what is underneath. I don't know about you but that isn't a message I want my daughter to grow up with. </div>
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The no makeup selfie has taken something worrying about today's society and turned it into a charitable cause. As I said, I think that's wonderful and hope the campaign raises even more money. But I just hope the original trend doesn't diminish our view of beauty. Because to me beauty is the woman sweating and bruised from a long labour, beaming as she holds her trophy at the end. It is the athlete whose feet are blistered at the end of a long race but her face shows pride in her accomplishment. It is the elderly woman whose lined face expresses every early start with her children, every late finish at the office and every time her grandchildren made her laugh. </div>
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That is true beauty. And that is what we should be passing on to our daughters. </div>
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My version of the no makeup selfie... Not much of a difference (I'm a date night only wearer!). </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-85084763664298647452014-03-10T10:15:00.001+00:002014-11-13T21:28:46.648+00:00Things I'd forgotten about having a baby1. How much labour hurts. There's no getting around it - there's no pain like it. <br />
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2. The enormous sense of pride when you see what you've managed to create and birth. This goes hand-in-hand with the wonder of God's creation. <br />
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3. How it feels when your milk comes in and you're engorged and HUGE. And the relief when it settles down. <br />
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4. How long it takes to recover from birth - even if you've had no complications - and all the things that go along with it (after pains, night sweats, bleeding, cramps and pain). <br />
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5. How your love multiplies (not divides) between your existing family members and your new addition. <br />
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(Clearly, I've had our second child! God blessed us with a girl, 16 days overdue and weighing 9lbs 6ozs. You can expect lots of sleep-deprived ramblings soon, but for now I'm just learning how to be the mother of 2 under two). <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-27344435816916365612014-02-02T11:24:00.000+00:002014-02-02T11:27:39.415+00:00Thankfulness Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the month of January, I have been doing a Thankfulness Challenge on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/anunlikelyhousewife" target="_blank">my facebook page.</a> The response has been great and I've loved reading about the things you're thankful for! Thank you again to those who participated. I've learned that I have so many things to be thankful for - I thought that I might struggle towards the end to come up with things but I found it very easy (and probably could have gone on for another month!). It has encouraged me to remember those things I'm thankful for and that all blessings comes from above. <br />
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In case you missed them, here's a round-up of what I'm thankful for:<br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #1: My husband</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #2: Healthy babies</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #3: My son</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #4: The car</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #5: The end of my studies</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><div class="text_exposed_root" id="id_52ee26b0eb9c70198412438">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #6: That I have a month to go in this pregnancy</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root" id="id_52ee26af356912872084523">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #7: Those who serve in our military, past and present</span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #8: Mr. K's job</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #9: My parents</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #10: The Internet</span></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #11: My job</span></span></span></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><div class="text_exposed_root" id="id_52ee26af34d554197109122">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #12: Friends</span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #13: The NHS</span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><div class="text_exposed_root" id="id_52ee26aed4fda4a56308401">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #14: My sister</span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #15: My university education</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #16: Unconditional love</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #17: Skype/long distance calls</span></span></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><div class="text_exposed_root" id="id_52ee26a6e99139060066136">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #18: The unseen things my husband does</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #19: My nephews and niece</span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #20: My health</span></span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #21: People I can trust to look after my son</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #22: The beauty of Scotland</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #23: Motivation</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #24: Democracy</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #25: The weather</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #26: The church</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><div class="text_exposed_root" id="id_52ee24eb26a473956160670">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #27: The church in South Africa</span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #28: Prayer</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #29: Travel</span></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><div class="text_exposed_root" id="id_52ee24eb2626b4e62887671">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #30: Kindness</span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day #31: This challenge</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">What a blessing it is to see that list! Doing this every day for a month has helped me focus on each of these things, but seeing them all together just shows me so clearly how blessed I am. </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><em>Try writing your own list (if you participated in the challenge or not). Keep it somewhere you can see/add to it.</em> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjVau1w9_sCy4ZukYmilMkTUcbb8aqSJu-7a5b6eDaaASOiB1iEX86jo45EL5BSBapwfhOcG4Na18Rh7_wdZt0LlE2rwYwF_Esw0HsIZnHARkSAL0jHfVZLU_3Le726PQxMfY9FxEHUE/s1600/1509910_418871078242996_896729216_n.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 345px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 48px;" width="96" />
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If, like me, you find yourself a little short on space after Christmas, here's my five de-cluttering resolutions:<br />
<br />
1.<b> 3 month rule</b><br />
If you haven't used it in the last 3 months, put it away (back cupboard, attic or garage).<br />
<br />
2. <b>12 month rule</b><br />
If you haven't used it in the last 12 months, time to make a visit to the charity shop.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Sentimental items</b><br />
Only keep things outside these rules if you really love them and they have sentimental meaning. I'm a mama who wants to keep every cute items of clothing the frog's ever worn (so I can make that quilt one day - aye right), so this one is particularly hard for me. My tip? Have one box to keep all your sentimental stuff. Go back each year and clear through it - I bet half the stuff you won't remember why you kept in the first place!<br />
<br />
4. <b>Space?</b><br />
When buying things, ALWAYS ask yourself this vital question - where will it go? This doesn't just apply to furniture (i.e. that oh-so-practical-but-pretty storage box that is too small to be of any actual use). When you're tempted by that 2 for 1 offer, ask yourself if you actually have room for it in the cupboard. This is especially true of those things that take you a year to get through anyway - you don't need two (this is how I managed to find myself with 3 jars of golden syrup in my cupboard, which we only eat once a year on pancake day).<br />
<br />
5. <b>Don't go back</b><br />
When de-cluttering, make quick decisions and whatever you do, don't go back through that 'donate' bag. Follow your first instinct, or you'll find yourself making excuses to keep those shoes that you've only ever worn to the car and back because they shredded your feet (trust me, on this one I speak from experience). <br />
<br />
Happy de-cluttering! <br />
<br />
<i>What are your best ways of keeping the clutter down? How do you stop your kids toys becoming clutter? Please share any tips below! </i> <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-5425880177843699732013-12-27T20:50:00.001+00:002014-02-02T11:24:44.123+00:00New Year, New Attitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ladies, it's been a long time since I've blogged. I'd like to claim the reason is simply that I've been struggling with ill health with my pregnancy, and I have a toddler and it's Christmas. But the truth is, I've also been struggling with ill health of the soul. <br />
<br />
So, I am committing myself to a New Year's Resolution. This is something I usually steer clear of, as I know that after a week my best plans fall by the wayside. I started writing a list of things I'd like to change/improve in my life, and before I knew it the list had hit 17 and I still had plenty ideas. <br />
<br />
People, I'm having a baby in a month. This pregnancy is leaving me sick and very tired, my frog can't sit for more than 5 minutes and I have to finish my studies in a month. This is not the time for me to change my life. <br />
<br />
Instead, it is time for me to change my attitude. If I focused on the positive more often, my day could look like this:<br />
<br />
• How am I possibly going to cope when frog #2 arrives = <br />
I can't wait to hold that baby in my arms<br />
<br />
• Frog #1 is still awake, all I want to do is watch TV for a while = I'm glad for this last month to shower him with my attention before it's split <br />
<br />
• I'm so tired and just want this baby to come = I am so blessed this baby is healthy and I don't have to deal with the heartache of a premature baby<br />
<br />
• I wish my husband wasn't working late = I am glad for a husband who works so hard for our family<br />
<br />
I'm not saying these changes in attitude are always easy - sometimes they're downright hard. But I think this is exactly what I need right now. Not a new cleaning rotation, not a new sleep routine, not even more 'me' time. What I need is a change of attitude. <br />
<br />
So, follow me in January as I attempt to keep things upbeat and positive. To do this I'm going to attempt to do a daily thankfulness post, and would love if you did it with me. I'm going to do it via my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/anunlikelyhousewife" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page. I'm giving plenty of notice so you can think about your items and add it in the comments section. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with! <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-25300511613013561012013-11-29T20:29:00.000+00:002013-11-29T20:30:07.953+00:00I will get there<br />
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</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span>Recently I was at a family event with my sister (who has 4 kids 5 and under), and I realised that I'd forgotten something in the frog's nappy bag. I often do that - I'm constantly forgetting a bib, some snacks or a change of clothes. My sister on the other hand always has these things on hand (thankfully for me). My brother-in-law told me to wait until we had four. My sister said that I didn't have to wait that long - that after the next one comes I'll be better at remembering. <br />
<br />
I've thought a lot about this encounter since then. See, my sister is one of those people who keeps everything together and running without the need for laminated routines and schedules. She doesn't have whiteboards and blackboards and a family binder. In other words, she organises her family in a different way than I do. Her approach is more laid-back and less obsessive than mine. But everything gets done, and here's the clincher - it gets done more in her house than in mine. In her house where there's a slightly over-emotional 5 year-old, a clingy 4 year-old and nursing, dependant, only-mommy-will-do 1 year-old twins. Her kids are always well turned out for school with packed lunches, she hoovers more in a week than I do in a month and she constantly reads parenting advice. (If it's not clear by now, she's my <a href="http://unlikely-housewife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/supermoms.html" target="_blank">Supermom</a>). <br />
<br />
So, what am I getting at here? This isn't actually a post about sibling rivalry or Supermom comparisons. That situation I described initially made me realise something, and that is that <em>I will get there.</em> The idea of having two kids under 2 scares me, and I wonder if I'll cope. The thought of having 4 kids under 5, or twins, scares me even more! But what my sister teaches me every day is that parenting is something you develop at - you get better all the time. I'm constantly learning about patience. I'm learning how to be a better cook for a progressively-picky toddler. I'm learning when something is really wrong with him, and when he's trying his luck. I know with the next one I'll be a calmer, more laid-back mother. <em>I will get there</em> - I will develop into the mother I want to be. <br />
<br />
My sister and I are very different people and run our households differently. But if she has taught me anything it's that with each passing year and each passing child, <em>I will get there. </em>Every time I whisper instead of shout, <em>I am getting there</em>. Everytime I put the TV off so I can play with the frog, <em>I'm getting there. </em>I won't do it the same as she does and I know my children will be different from hers (especially as our husbands are very different people). But I now have confidence that soon I will pack the nappy bag better. And just that thought gives me the courage to have this next baby. <br />
<br />
In what way do you want to progress as a mother? How can you see yourself developing? How will you <em>get there</em>?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-12056871289565629242013-11-13T19:22:00.002+00:002013-11-13T19:22:28.532+00:00"At least I'm not like her" Moms
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We all have our <a href="http://unlikely-housewife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/supermoms.html" target="_blank">Supermoms</a> – those woman we look up to and
admire, as well as envy and compare ourselves with. I think we can agree that
the former are good things that may help us become better mothers, the latter
break down our confidence and destroy our self esteem. But what about when we
do the opposite? What happens when we compare ourselves with our "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">at least I’m not like her" </i>moms? </div>
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I’m sure we’ve all done it – I know it’s something I’m
especially guilty of. I watch a show, be it Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, One Born
Every Minute or (gulp…) Honey Boo Boo. After watching I feel a small glow of
smugness, because I KNOW I’m a better mother than they are. I won’t allow my
(theoretical) girls to dress provocatively, I had my children at a good age
with a husband, I’ll emphasise education and teach them good manners. I get a
break from my mommy-guilt because I’ve seen the others side – the ‘bad’
mothers. </div>
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And don’t just think I wait for an extreme show to do it
(and I understand those are). As much as I’m a lot more understanding since
having children, I still judge the mother who’s smoking while pushing a pram,
the grossly overweight one with a child heading the same way or the one that's yelling at her child
for being a child. And while I’m judging them, I’m congratulating myself for being
such a wonderful, health-driven, calm (insert adjective here) mother. </div>
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So, why am I making these confessions (and maybe changing
your opinion of me?!). Because I reckon I’m not the only one. Having the moral
high ground is something I think most people enjoy, but when it comes to
mothering I wonder if it can do even more harm than our Supermom comparisons.
Here’s why:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">#1. It sets my standards
too low<o:p></o:p></b></div>
Some women are unfit to be parents – that is a harsh thing
to say but something I believe. But those people – paedophiles and abusers – are
those the people I want to compare myself to? Not abusing my child does not
mean I’m a good mother, it means I haven’t had the background that has pushed
me to that kind of desperation. I want to be a good mother by God’s standards,
not by the worlds. And finding the lowest denominator of mother and comparing
myself to her will not improve my mothering skills, it will lower them. <br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">#2. I’ve probably
been an "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">at least I’m not like her"</i> mom<o:p></o:p></b></div>
I am sure that at some time in my short life of mothering,
another mom has looked at me and thought ‘I’m a better mother than her’. Maybe
it was that time I lost it in ASDA and yelled at the frog, or when I hoisted
him by his arm and marched him to the car. It could even be the day-by-day way
I raise my frog – I’m sure some people worry that I’m brain-washing my child
with all this ‘religion’, or that I’m not strict enough and he could do with a
good wallop. If I’m judging other mothers, surely they’re doing the same to me?<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">#3. It stops me encouraging
other mothers<o:p></o:p></b></div>
If I’m too busy thinking that I’m better than another
mother, I’m certainly not going to be encouraging her. I know how much it would
mean to me when the frog’s throwing a tantrum if someone came up to me and told
me I was doing a good job and to hang in there. Or if someone told me that
they’ve been watching the way I do things and they’re impressed with my
patience (oh how I’d love someone to think that!). Instead of judging these women, I should be encouraging them.<br />
<br />
The truth is, I like being able to say I'm doing a better job than someone else. I liked getting better grades than my classmates (which made me popular, I can tell you), I liked being the 'good' one who avoided worldly influences (well, tried to...). But mothering shouldn't be another one of those things I try to 'win' at. There shouldn't be winner and losers in mothering - there should be a group of women, trying to do better and encouraging each other to do the same. Does it mean I'll stop judging other mothers (or stop watching those shows)? Maybe not entirely. But it does mean that I'm going to try to raise my standards and encourage other women, while always remembering that there are many things I could be judged on as a mother. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-77400095244448777802013-11-12T19:33:00.000+00:002013-11-13T18:58:11.825+00:00Toy rotation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TlsjtAP39p496ttvNwRMwymt8nF2NODQkDSQPB7GRrhb03In2LqIXB3Bz7rFPGH4Mnc73GqheXf7nbfA48ZHm8ZKNIlQ9KCPmVhf6c31PPInIb9XAZWTvACLwwUHTxibI7vBq_MJG8o/s1600/Toy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TlsjtAP39p496ttvNwRMwymt8nF2NODQkDSQPB7GRrhb03In2LqIXB3Bz7rFPGH4Mnc73GqheXf7nbfA48ZHm8ZKNIlQ9KCPmVhf6c31PPInIb9XAZWTvACLwwUHTxibI7vBq_MJG8o/s1600/Toy.png" /></a></div>
<br />
I've found for a while now that the frog only plays with a few choice toys, often the ones that end up on top of his toy chest. We are so blessed with his selection of toys, but he was getting bored with the few he always played with. So taking a suggestion from <a href="http://organizinglifewithlittles.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/organizing-toddler-and-baby-toys/" target="_blank">Organising with Littles</a>, I decided to start a toy rotation. To do this I got 5 boxes that would fit into our toy chest, and then separated out the frog's toys. Into each box I tried to put a vehicle of sorts, a soft toy, something electronic and then a 'main' toy. The toys too big to fit into boxes have gone into a large 'alternate toys' box, and I've left his blocks and books out at all times (I don't want to restrict his access to either). I also have a toy returns box, for those toys that didn't quite make it into the right box. <br />
<br />
I've noticed such a difference in the few weeks we've been doing this. At the beginning of the day I get a box out and show him what's in there (I've found this to be really important to get him interested). He will then quite happily play with those toys he hasn't looked at in months. I try to keep the same box going for a few days, and then switch over. He's getting bored much slower now, and a happy consequence is my living room is considerably tidier!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1xN7sfXCYVZ9Pu9r1GIQe6Hk_7NT2q1hzjad03yonU0dX4XYDWheJVw-onlD5NeihYQVCfX7OPMo_tmJPwWSQFB-f8pVzkISFdULGnFZRvY3SqID6sZ0mr7Zo7TYxldtMjb0hMmRKSY/s640/blogger-image--1410692166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1xN7sfXCYVZ9Pu9r1GIQe6Hk_7NT2q1hzjad03yonU0dX4XYDWheJVw-onlD5NeihYQVCfX7OPMo_tmJPwWSQFB-f8pVzkISFdULGnFZRvY3SqID6sZ0mr7Zo7TYxldtMjb0hMmRKSY/s400/blogger-image--1410692166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What our toy chest looked liked before...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-17080571220890748982013-10-13T20:31:00.000+01:002013-10-13T20:31:31.750+01:00My parenting technique<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwkbT2KHXuX_z8K9SpMIGU38Cw18KirmOpndaI8ykVpfPVJwilmK7GKjjAA_PXWCM8Joio4QDo7MIQ7FR4c5pXckwN3epcsIrnqA82HM0dTIXA-HiDjDe9WLwzAZv6oua_HMZV7zrzs8/s1600/Parenting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwkbT2KHXuX_z8K9SpMIGU38Cw18KirmOpndaI8ykVpfPVJwilmK7GKjjAA_PXWCM8Joio4QDo7MIQ7FR4c5pXckwN3epcsIrnqA82HM0dTIXA-HiDjDe9WLwzAZv6oua_HMZV7zrzs8/s1600/Parenting.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(it's not to lock him away, although I've been tempted!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been thinking a lot recently about my parenting technique. I guess you could call it attachment grace-based parenting, plus spiritual training and gentle parenting mixed in. But here's the thing fellow Mamas - I don't want to label my parenting technique as anything other than 'what works best for my family'. Some of these techniques are great and I use a lot of suggestions from them, but I think what is most important is that I pick and choose the parts that are right for my family. For example, here are the bits we've chosen that work for the frog:<br />
<ul>
<li>We don't spank and try not to yell</li>
<li>We do say no, but try to leave it for when he's about to do something dangerous/damaging. Instead we try to offer choices and explanations.</li>
<li>We believe that continuous training is more important than punishment</li>
<li>We don't ignore the frog as a punishment, nor do we isolate him</li>
<li>We believe that comforting and calming are what toddlers need when they're throwing a tantrum<br />
We want our children to express their emotions, but we expect them (as much as they're able) to do that in a respectful way<br />
We think that manners should be a priority lesson, even with the youngest children. <br />
</li>
</ul>
I've been on an attachment group before where someone asked a question and instead of giving loving advice, the other participants jumped on the mother's technique, saying it was not attachment parenting. They were so concerned with her following the 'rules', they didn't even hear her struggles.<br />
<br />
Like I said, some of these techniques are great, some (quite simply) are not. Here's why I am cautious about following only one technique:<br />
<ol>
<li>It might not allow for a child's temperament /personality - the same strategy will not work for for every child.</li>
<li>It might suggest that one punishment/correction fits every infarction your child makes - I worry about how can a child learn a sense a justice when they are punished the same way for throwing food and biting another child.</li>
<li>Most importantly, it might make you feel like you can't follow your own intuition because what you think is right isn't listed as 'approved' by this particular technique. </li>
</ol>
Some of the techniques I've read promise to change your child - that you will have an angel by Friday. Well you know what? I don't want anyone to change my child. God made him, flaws and all, and I want him the way he is. Sure I'd love if he was a better sleeper, if he didn't have his health struggles or if could sit for longer than a minute. But he was gifted to my husband and I so we can train him in the way he should go, not the way someone who has never met him thinks he should be.<br />
<br />
Parenting styles and techniques can offer advice and suggestions <a href="http://unlikely-housewife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/when-you-just-don-know.html" target="_blank">when you just don't know </a>what to do. Some follow the most recent scientific findings about child development, and have come a long way from "beat it out of them" or " treat them like little adults". So, if they help you and you agree with what they say, I say go ahead and use them. But if something just doesn't feel right about how it's advising you to raise your child, it probably isn't. <br />
<br />
Don't forget your God-given ability to raise YOUR child. That ability wasn't given to your mother or mother-in-law, your preacher and certainly not a stranger. It was gifted to you. As I've spoken about before, this doesn't for a minute mean we always know what do to! It just means that when we quiet all the voices around us (both helpful and unhelpful), that is when we'll hear the prompting of the Spirit guiding us as to how to raise our children. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-79487640733826529702013-10-09T21:25:00.000+01:002013-10-09T21:25:28.238+01:00A day in the life: A toddler and expecting (i.e. me!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
I'm wanting to do a 'day in the life' series, after seeing it on another blog and thinking it was a really good idea. Basically my plan is to get mothers from families different from mine to write about what they do in a day. It made sense to start with mine, so here it is (in all it's pretty dull detail!). The frog and I have started a new routine, so I'm attempting to get certain things into our day. See how I succeed (or don't!) on a normal monday. <br />
<br />
<strong>0840 </strong>Mr K. late for work as he's slept in. Usually the frog acts as an alarm clock so we're all running behind today. I get the boy up and downstairs for some TV time while I wait for my sickness to pass.<br />
<br />
<strong>0930</strong> Get the frog some breakfast - oatmeal and frozen berries. It's shopping day so there's an embarrassing lack of anything in the house<br />
<br />
<strong>1000</strong> Brush teeth, make beds and upstairs pick up. Load of laundry. <br />
<br />
<strong>1015</strong> Playtime. I catch up on Masterchef while the frog plays, trying to get rid of residual nausea.<br />
<br />
<strong>1045</strong> Song time. We get half-way through 'happy and you know it' when the boy gets bored.<br />
<br />
<strong>1046</strong> Blanket time. I'll do a post about this soon, but it is going well.<br />
<br />
<strong>1047</strong> Learning time. We read some books, play with his cups while doing numbers, colours and Afrikaans. Animal sounds are thrown in there somewhere. <br />
<br />
<strong>1100</strong> (Has all that only taken up 15 minutes!) Another playtime while I, yet again, sit on the couch with the TV. Sickness is struggling to pass today.<br />
<br />
<strong>1130</strong> This is usually snack-time but again, no food in the house (stale Cheerios offer a tide-over. Talk about bad mama moment). Frog is showing definite signs of being tired so I take him upstairs, book, song, prayer and bed.<br />
<br />
<strong>1230</strong> Let me be clear - bed does not mean sleep. I go in every 5 minutes to check on the boy, who is desperately tired but can't give it up. Some of the time he is screaming murder, some of the time just singing to himself. In between rushes to his room I finish off an essay and do some blogging.<br />
<br />
<strong>1300</strong> Frog finally asleep. I have lunch and a cup of tea, which curbs the sickness. I then do my weekly schedule, which includes updating my diary and calendar, writing my meal and shopping list, character quality and completing my weekly family binder. Quick clean of the kitchen and another rest on the couch.<br />
<br />
<strong>1500</strong> The frog is up - it's been a long and very welcome nap. He has lunch (last piece of bread and cheese spread) and we read the character quality for this week. I speak to my mam on the phone and put that laundry in the tumble dryer. The frog and I have some cuddle time on the sofa with a bottle of milk - I love those moments. <br />
<br />
<strong>1700</strong> We play for a few hours, watch some TV and have some outside time (by that I mean he plays on the patio, his sleepsuit tucked into his little shoes while I sit on the step). Tantrum when I get him back inside. We both get dressed (did I mention I'm still in my loungers at this point too?) and wait for Mr K to come home.<br />
<br />
<strong>1745</strong> I make the mistake of telling the frog that Papa will be home soon - cue running to the window and then having a meltdown when he's not there. 15 minutes of crying and flaying arms when I try to comfort him (there's even a bite thrown in for good measure - sometimes 'papa's boy' is much less charming than it sounds). <br />
<br />
<strong>1800 </strong>Mr K gets home and we all go grocery shopping. Usually I do this in the day but I'm struggling to push the trolley at the moment and it was going to be a bigger shop than normal. <br />
<br />
<strong>1845</strong> Shopping done - armed with a shopping list, a helpful husband and content toddler it went very smoothly. We put away the shopping and start dinner.<br />
<br />
<strong>1945 </strong>We eat mac and cheese with tomato, pancetta and breadcrumbs - a new and pretty successful recipe - clean plates all around, hubby and I talk briefly about our days. <br />
<br />
<strong>2010</strong> The frog has his bath and goes to bed (it's a late night for him and we're hoping for a quick-to-sleep).<br />
<br />
<strong>2040</strong> Nope. And the back-and-forth to his room begins, complete with two full-blown breath holding incidents (he's mostly grown out of them but when he gets especially upset he holds his breath until he passes out. Unfortunately for us that passing out didn't lead to sleep!). <br />
<br />
<strong>2250</strong> Sleeping. Oh so finally, sleeping. It was an especially long bedtime tonight - usually it takes about half that time. Husband and I watch Star Wars in bed (something I should have mentioned: we're geeks. There's no two way about it). <br />
<br />
<strong>2305</strong> Asleep myself.<br />
<br />
Was this an average day? I guess it was. 6 out of my 8 daily chores done, week set up nicely with the weekly schedule complete. I watched too much TV, but on these sick days I'm willing to let it slide. Plus I know we're out all day tomorrow, so it'll even out. <br />
<br />
Good day? Actually it mostly was - difficult evening but I got plenty sleep the night before and was in a pretty positive mood, as was the frog. We played and got some housework done, and had a little family time in the evening, even if it was in Asda. <br />
<br />
Exciting day? No. But if there's one thing I'm learning it's that not every day as a mother is going to be exciting. Laundry has to be done, toddlers fight sleep and the groceries have to be put away. None of that is particularly exciting, and some of it can be downright boring (and difficult). In fact the best advice I've heard recently is that not all of motherhood has to be enjoyable - that doesn't mean you're doing something wrong, or even that you've got a bad attitude. It just means that not all of it is pleasant, as we all well know. <br />
<br />
So, I want to hear about your average day. Coming next in the series is a post I'm really excited about, written by my very own sister (the likely housewife) - A Day in the Life: 5, 4 and twin 1 year-olds. If you'd like to be the following Day in the Life guest blogger, please get in touch. No day is too dull or too 'normal' - I want to hear about your normal. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-78714872391526903932013-10-07T21:23:00.000+01:002013-10-07T22:56:24.570+01:00Character Qualities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7SvG3BQ8R2y1X_tUQCqYfoYTbkOf_arjbZNpCxSmS3fNVsGaj90SgHYxAQjo1M2JPXmnW4oycPy0g9HSjGpyCWEiqK-BHkqc3uLbcgkCKeGov9DAzjcSX_WoClkCFg4wAUKxjqzw7Jc/s1600/characterqualities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7SvG3BQ8R2y1X_tUQCqYfoYTbkOf_arjbZNpCxSmS3fNVsGaj90SgHYxAQjo1M2JPXmnW4oycPy0g9HSjGpyCWEiqK-BHkqc3uLbcgkCKeGov9DAzjcSX_WoClkCFg4wAUKxjqzw7Jc/s320/characterqualities.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I got these character qualities from the Duggars. Yes: those weird, ultra-conservative, prairie-dress wearing, 19-kid, all names starting with a J family. No matter what you think of them, I think their ideas are great and love the focus they have on their kids. I enjoy their show, try to channel Michelle in my most stressed moments and I frequently refer to their books. Does that mean I plan on having that many children, homeschool or stop watching TV? It most certainly does not. But it does mean that I'll try to implement their patient spirit into my household, and their focus on faith. One way I'm doing that is by incorporating the character qualities they use. <br />
<br />
Every week I aim to write our character quality on our board, mention it to the frog every lunch and bible time, and focus on it. Well recently that's just not been happening. Not just the character quality, but the bible time (and sometimes even talking to him while he's eating - that kitchen doesn't clean itself!). <br />
<br />
When I constantly find myself not getting around to something, I like to ask myself if it's because that something needs changed. Maybe it's unnecessary, or it's just something that doesn't suit our family. Well this isn't one of those things. I love these character qualities - they give me such a good weekly focus, and often seem to be exactly what I need to hear that week. My especially tired week corresponds to the patience quality, or my selfish moments with the generous quality. So I'm re-committing to doing this every week - even if I miss a week I'm going to pick it up the next week. <br />
<br />
I'm not going to do a post a week about that week's quality (as at one point I had planned on doing), but I will mention it as I go along, so I thought it might be good if you all knew what I was talking about! <br />
<br />
Do <strong>you</strong> have something you try to focus on each week/month? How do you make it a priority in your household?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-23808269331666293172013-10-05T20:33:00.000+01:002013-10-05T20:33:00.071+01:00Family BinderThis (along with the <a href="http://unlikely-housewife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/command-centre.html" target="_blank">command centre</a>) has taken up a lot of my time recently. Yes, probably a bit too much time that could have been spent on course or house-work (procrastination, anyone?). I got the idea from a few of the blogs I read, and it seemed like such a good idea to have all the lists and information I might need together in one place. <br />
<br />
I've included a picture of my header and index pages. For confidentiality I've blocked out any names, but you get the general idea. I've found it really helpful, for instance, to have everything I need for meal planning in one place. Is it a little OTT? Yes, probably. But I find that I am much calmer when I have a list to fill in or a place to refer to, so it works for me. <br />
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A couple are just for me - the sweet lists are nice/sweet things my husband and frog do which I'd like to remember. The toddler activities is a reference for those days when I can't think of a thing to do with the frog (any addition suggestions most appreciated!). I think everything else is pretty self-explanatory. </div>
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If anyone would like a pdf of the template for any of these, please get in touch. They took me a while to format (not my favourite things to do!) but I think I've got them looking pretty good. Would be great if someone else could benefit from any the way I have!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-70772471185048984972013-10-03T18:29:00.001+01:002013-10-06T19:09:17.393+01:00Command centre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My next project was setting up my home 'command centre'. I've seen these quite a lot on Pinterest and thought they looked like a good idea. For mine I got a foam board (Hobbycraft £5), a wall file (Ikea £15) a wall hanger (Fintorp range Ikea, £24) and our family calendar. When I put it all together like that it sounds like quite a lot of money actually! I've already gotten a lot of use out of it so I think it'll be worth it. <br />
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In the wall file is my <a href="http://unlikely-housewife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/family-binder.html" target="_blank">family binder</a>, diary, address book and maternity notes. I'm also going to put the frog's colouring books here - in the pots are some art supplies for him (i.e. pens and crayons, we haven't advanced any further than that!). I'm hoping to 'prettify' at some point, but that's definitely my weakest area! I've found it really helpful having everything I need in one place - it sits above my kitchen table so I can take the stuff out and work on it while the frog is eating or drawing. <br />
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Do <strong>you</strong> have a central area in your house to keep everything together - what do you find most useful?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-19230805315579297302013-09-30T12:25:00.000+01:002013-09-30T12:25:04.743+01:00Surviving morning sicknes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Of all the subjects I've written about since starting this blog - cleaning, cooking, organising - this is one I feel I am qualified to give suggestions on. During my pregnancy with the frog I had hyperemesis, which is extreme morning sickness. I was sick on average every hour, for almost the entire 10 months I was pregnant, leading to my being hospitalised twice. From getting pregnant to giving birth I lost 2 stone in weight (as opposed to the 2 stone you're meant to be putting on). Following the frog's birth I lost a following 3 stone (thanks to breastfeeding and not having an 8lb baby inside me anymore!). This pregnancy has been a lot better and I'm very grateful, but I'm still sick most days. So all that to say, I know what I'm talking about. Here are my top tips:<br />
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<strong>#1. Don't assume it'll end</strong><br />
For 9 months I had everyone - friends, family, midwives and doctors (even people on the street!) telling me not to worry, that it'll go away at 12 week, 16 week, 20 week... no luck. I was sick until an hour after I had given birth (that came as a shock I can tell you). I spent the whole pregnancy wondering why I wasn't feeling better, thinking maybe I was just being a wimp and wanting to throttle everyone who said "it'll go away soon". I started feeling more able to handle it when I assumed that it was going to last my whole pregnancy. That's what I've done this time around as well, so when I stopped being quite as sick around 16 weeks it came as a lovely surprise. <br />
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<strong>#2. Work it into your routine</strong><br />
I was always sick after a car journey, so I knew to park at the shops nearest the toilet. My family knew to let me get to a toilet as soon as I got anywhere. It was just something that became part of every day life - I knew I would be sick so made plans. In this pregnancy I don't make plans that involve me going out the house for at least the first few hours if I can help it. <br />
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<strong>#3. Make it as pleasant as possible for yourself</strong><br />
A strange thing to say, I'll grant you, but there are ways of making the experience slightly less horrific. For me it was having a clean toilet. My amazing husband who had never cleaned a toilet before in his life started doing it a few times a week so that at least the environment was as nice as possible. Take your phone so when you're sitting there deciding if you need to be sick you can be playing a game/listening to music. Take a blanket (I often get the shivers after a lot of throwing up). When you're out, know where the nearest decent toilet is. It might not make it better but it will make it more survivable. I also didn't want people coming in and asking me if I was okay - no I was not okay and did not want to talk to anyone. I make this clear to everyone - my poor husband had to suffer lots of glares when he'd just let me get on with it, but it's what I needed. <br />
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<strong>#4. Try suggestions</strong><br />
I was so sick with the frog that I got to the point I wouldn't try anything, because I just thought "what's the point?". People's suggestions really annoyed me, especially when they told me to eat little and often. But sickness changes across your pregnancy, and I think some of those things might have helped later on. Ginger biscuits, watermelon, sickness bands - they're all worth a try. Eating little and often is the only thing that stops the sickness in this pregnancy. Also, don't feel too guilty about what you're eating. Of course babies need nutrients but they are amazingly adaptable. The only thing that didn't make me sick with the frog was feta cheese and pesto, so that's basically all I ate. In this pregnancy early on it was peanut butter and bananas. Just do what you can, and be sure to eat more when you feel able. <br />
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<strong>#5. My silver lining</strong><br />
I had a lot of anxiety during my pregnancy - I constantly worried that something was wrong with the baby. It would keep me up at night and scare me to death. It is true that sickness is a sign of a healthy pregnancy, so every time I was sick I remembered that meant the baby was okay. I can't tell you how much that helped (to the point that when I would go half a day without being sick I would panic that something was wrong). I've been considerably less anxious in this pregnancy, and I've been considerably less sick. I don't think the two are related, all I know is that I don't need that constant reassurance in this pregnancy, and I'm (thankfully) not getting it.<br />
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Morning sickness is debilitating. Often seen as a bit of a humorous side-effect, when it goes on for an extended period it's extremely difficult to live with. But live with it you will. Survive it you will. And after the baby comes, no matter how little sleep you're living on or how teary you are, hold on to the fact that at least you've stopped throwing up. It made all the difference for me in those first, difficult weeks. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-49384466105095485772013-09-26T14:45:00.002+01:002013-10-03T21:06:09.478+01:00Blog Link-up 2<a href="http://smarttereachday.com/">http://smarttereachday.com/</a><br />
Jessica has some great recipes, but I've most enjoyed her writings on reducing the time spent on the internet. <br />
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<a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/blog">http://www.keeperofthehome.org/blog</a><br />
This whole website is great - they have really good ideas and are not afraid to stand by their ideals, even when challenges come their way. At the moment they're doing a great 'day in the life of' series, which I'm planning on doing here. Keep a look out!<br />
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<a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.co.uk/">http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.co.uk/</a><br />
Anyone who has typed 'organising' into pinterest will know about this site. Jen has some incredible ideas and links up with many more blogs. From organising a family binder to a morning routine, Jen has the answers. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-21007105624700243212013-09-23T19:49:00.000+01:002013-09-23T19:53:31.314+01:00When you just don't know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night was one of those terrible ones that seem to last for days and days. It was the first night of a wee break away for the three of us, and the frog had been awake since 2am, refusing to go back to sleep. I had taken over after an hour from my tired (and dare I say slightly grumpy?!) husband, and I was soon going the same way. <br />
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The thing is, I just didn't know what to do. What should I do? Attachment parenting, gentle parenting, spiritual training? What would my sister, mother or mother-in-law do (all of who's parenting techniques are very different but I respect)? What would Dr Sears or Michelle Duggar do (both of who's books I refer to frequently)?<br />
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I then started thinking, maybe I should ask myself: what would Jesus do? And you know what? I had nothing. Not a single helpful thought came into my head from asking that question. I racked my brain for a biblical verse about how to make a stubborn toddler go to sleep. <br />
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My fellow mamas - there is no such verse (to my limited knowledge). It does not go Matthew-Mark-Luke-Parenting-John. Oh how I wish there was such a such a book in the bible! How I wish there was some clear guidance that is God-breathed (and therefore, in my mind, undeniable) about all parenting-related matters. Dummies, swaddling, co-sleeping - how wonderful would it be if there was a clear answer for every such matter. I'm afraid there just isn't. <br />
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This is not me asking for advice, although I would gladly and humbly take any right now. Nor is it me giving advice - quite the opposite. It is me stating quite clearly that sometimes I just don't know what to do. And when I have 10 different parenting techniques battling inside my head, along with all the voices of well-meaning advice-givers, I don't feel prepared: I feel completely overwhelmed. <br />
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All of that advice is great if it works for you. But sometimes, it just won't. The reason for this (I firmly believe), is that no one has ever raised your child before. He is as unique as you are, and that means he'll require a unique parenting technique. God gave me my husband, we conceived the frog out of love. I bore him, gave birth to him and nursed him.* That means that I'm his expert. I know him better than anyone but God, and that to me is a truly comforting thought. So surely with God's help, I can figure him out? Maybe not tonight or in a year, but I will spend my lifetime as a mother trying.<br />
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And what will I do tonight if the same happens? I'll probably have a cry, a moan at God that He's not giving me what I want and maybe a complete meltdown about having another when the one I have doesn't sleep. Middle-of-the-night meltdowns are my speciality - please don't think you're the only one who has them (or maybe I am...?!). <br />
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What do <strong>you</strong> do when you just don't know what to do?<br />
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*Let me be clear, I know wonderful parents who have adopted, as well as Daddies who are not biologically fathers, who are the very best thing for that child. However your child came to you - whatever pathway God chose for that journey - this all very much still applies. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-48087525076222972012013-09-19T22:21:00.004+01:002013-09-19T22:25:02.998+01:00Meal Planning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxYsH4bhh5wc29Hw1KtbgDaYJbXnkK9taoZGDKHtKfkovuD-7tRRvCvsmvzrseQi1ze-L9mvRIHw3fq1SC9wskvRyClfoJDMvwlQcytxLJUN2BJZPvFFLs6Ko8cV0OxuFKKPie8cUmEY/s1600/414jDhjClcL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxYsH4bhh5wc29Hw1KtbgDaYJbXnkK9taoZGDKHtKfkovuD-7tRRvCvsmvzrseQi1ze-L9mvRIHw3fq1SC9wskvRyClfoJDMvwlQcytxLJUN2BJZPvFFLs6Ko8cV0OxuFKKPie8cUmEY/s320/414jDhjClcL.jpg" width="320" /></a>Meal planning is one of those things that it seems only super organised people do. You know the ones I mean - who have breakfast, lunch and dinner (all homemade and healthy of course), prepared 3 months in advance. I'm not that person. My schedule changes week on week, and I like to decide what we'll eat based on tastes, effort the meal takes and health issues (e.g. lots of hearty stews when colds are hitting). To do this I have a wonderful resource, the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Organised-Mum-Fridge-Shopping-Great/dp/B005R0BJCQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1379624756&sr=8-2&keywords=meal+and+shopping+planner" target="_blank">Organised Mum Fridge List</a>. Honestly they should pay me for endorsements because not only do I frequently buy it for friends and family, I tell everyone I know about it! There's a meal planner on one side and a shopping list on the other, and it stays permanently on my fridge. Anytime we're running low I just pop it on the list, knowing it won't be forgotten. </div>
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So on Mondays I write our weekly meal plan - to do this I have a list of the recipes I know how to cook (my Mam always said the hardest part of feeding a family is thinking of meals and she's right). I can then check our pantry and freezer to see what we need and then write my shopping list accordingly. I also have a small magnetic whiteboard on my fridge with a list of my freezer inventory - I don't know about you but I have no desire to rake through my much-needed-be-be-defrosted freezer every week. If anything on the plan needs defrosting I'll asterisk it and try to take it out the night before.</div>
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Anyway, that's my secret behind meal planning. It saves so much money at the shops (we rarely throw stuff away) and time at night. It also saves us ordering takeout as much, which I really enjoy and like to keep for special occasions. </div>
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How does your family organise meals?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-67981391340470650842013-09-18T11:32:00.000+01:002013-09-19T22:29:22.386+01:00The joy of my lifeLooking back on my recent posts, I've done a lot of complaining. Sickness, tiredness and being overwhelmed have all contributed, but let me tell you something - I lead a truly blessed life. So in light of that, I wanted to do a post and share with you just how wonderful the frog is, and how much joy he brings to my everyday:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wXlb7fIErT-b-L88oPDTwgp7Duor-0-a4NgLtfyGyZp9rJyelnCVL9VCTN-GBcttuFc8B1_yn_I-7aAAlhRGSeAvUKXlG_zY0yGQ5Bz1NGWRlNJpAn_KPn8jc7zfDl1IrRK8plyLjkM/s640/blogger-image--1492289756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wXlb7fIErT-b-L88oPDTwgp7Duor-0-a4NgLtfyGyZp9rJyelnCVL9VCTN-GBcttuFc8B1_yn_I-7aAAlhRGSeAvUKXlG_zY0yGQ5Bz1NGWRlNJpAn_KPn8jc7zfDl1IrRK8plyLjkM/s400/blogger-image--1492289756.jpg" width="400" /></a>• He still sleeps with his legs tucked under him, just like he did in the womb and as a newborn (thus the nickname!).<br />
• I told him today we couldn't get the washing out the machine as the basket was upstairs. So off he toddles to his nappy basket, empties them all and brings it to me, a huge smile on his face. <br />
• He'll always give cuddles and kisses, even without being asked. <br />
• He's a master of escape and could climb out of his cot age 6 months. <br />
• If anyone mentions they don't feel well, he'll bring them his blanket. <br />
• After a small fall down the stairs yesterday (me and baby fine), he gave me a pat on the back (literally) and started picking up the laundry I'd dropped. <br />
• If I'm not paying attention to him he'll hold my face with both hands, plant a huge kiss and then try to tell me what he wants<br />
• He has wonderfully ticklish thighs and giggles uncontrollably. <br />
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What do your kids do that melt your heart on a daily basis? <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-55028685118832380242013-09-16T11:58:00.000+01:002013-10-03T20:46:33.162+01:00My wonderful whiteboard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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That's right, I'm about to do a whole post about the wonders of my whiteboard. I have a good-quality one (by that I mean £40, not £100!), magnetic with colourful whiteboard markers. It's in my kitchen (the centre of most houses), and on it goes my cleaning list, reminder list and frog list. <br />
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Cleaning List: I got printable magnet paper, which was a brilliant buy. I then put on my 7 chores of each day (see <a href="http://unlikely-housewife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/my-daily-8.html" target="_blank">My daily 8</a> details), so I can tick off as I go along. This is mostly because I love lists and this works for me - I know some people would hate having a list like this around all the time. It just means that I can always see what needs done, especially if I only have 10 minutes. Yes sometimes I get down about all the crosses on the board, and some weeks I don't full it in at all. But mostly, I find it works really well. <br />
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Reminder List: In the middle of the board are all of my weekly reminders. They tend to be longer-term things that need doing, and often are the same ones I put up months ago. But I do find it helpful to have them somewhere I see them every day.<br />
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Frog List: This isn't an actual list, it's pictures of different activities, like singing, reading, playing etc. I don't know about you but sometimes I just don't know what to do with my frog, or (bad mama moment) I realise he's been playing by himself for the majority of the day. This would leave me feeling guilty and like a bad mother. So I have these pictures (also printed on magnet paper), and when we've done these activities we move them over. I don't aim to get all of them done in a day, they're just suggestions and a visual way to remind myself that I did do fun things with him (for my especially guilt-ridden days). I wanted to use pictures because when Noah's old enough I want to do something similar for chores, so I want him to be used to it. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0Scotland, UK56.490671199999987 -4.202645800000027547.764661199999985 -24.856942800000027 65.216681199999982 16.451651199999972tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-81176421655711589622013-09-15T18:19:00.000+01:002013-09-16T11:59:14.886+01:00Blog link-upAs well as writing this blog, I'm an avid reader of other blogs. So I've decided to sometimes post links to the blogs I've been reading and enjoyed. I haven't read all the posts of all these blogs, so I can't say I agree with everything said. I usually just enjoy their writing, respect their views and find their suggestions helpful. I've had permission from the authors to share their blogs. Just for interest, I use the blog reader Feedly on my iPhone.<br />
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<a href="http://redandhoney.com/">http://redandhoney.com/</a><br />
- Beth is the wife of an airline pilot and mother of 3. She survives on God's grace and coffee. I enjoy her realistic approach to handling her hoard.<br />
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<a href="http://organizinglifewithlittles.wordpress.com/">http://organizinglifewithlittles.wordpress.com/</a><br />
- Kelsey is a super-organised mother of two little boys. She has some great ideas about realistically organising your house when you have little ones, as well as maintaining a very strict family budget. She is also very sweet and encouraging!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-14899470051722714922013-09-14T22:41:00.003+01:002013-09-16T12:00:05.793+01:00My daily 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Each day, I attempt to get these 7 chores done, plus one alternate weekly chore. I have them noted on <a href="http://unlikely-housewife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/my-wonderful-whiteboard.html" target="_blank">my wonderful whiteboard</a>, and tick them off as I go. Now 8 chores might seem overwhelming with small children, and let me assure you it's very rare that I have all 8 ticked off in a single day. But having it on the board in this way makes it much easier to see what I haven't done in a few days. I'm also trying to adapt them so that <a href="http://unlikely-housewife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/helpful-toddlers.html" target="_blank">helpful toddlers</a> can help with each. <br />
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<strong>#1. Make the Beds</strong><br />
Everything seems so much more pleasant with nicely made beds. Don't get me wrong - I don't have 15 pillows and a throw for each bed - it's what we slept with and an additional blanket. But a great way to start the day.<br />
<em>Frog tip: we have a song we sing while making the beds. I also get him to 'make' his bed, by putting his blanket at one end and his cuddly toy at the other.</em><br />
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<strong>#2. Sweep and Hoover</strong><br />
My least done (and most disliked) chore. I just aim to hoover the living room and sweep the kitchen, but I only seem to do it every few days. This is one of those chores I should absolutely do every day, as the frog plays on the floor and a lot of food ends up there. It's pretty gross, there's not doubt. So I'm trying to at least sweep under his highchair after each meal (this was implemented after a fly incident in my house, which involved a lot of obsessive bleach-filled cleaning on my part - so much for natural). <br />
<em>Frog tip: their own little broom!</em><br />
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<strong>#3 Pick-ups</strong><br />
I've previously done a post on <a href="http://unlikely-housewife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/cleaning-tip-5-minute-pick-ups.html" target="_blank">pick-ups</a> - they really have revolutionised how clean my house stays. <br />
<em>Frog tip: I ask him to pick up tissues, put clothes in the laundry etc; all things that get more and more helpful as my tummy expands!</em><br />
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<strong>#4. Laundry</strong><br />
A full load of laundry, or putting clothes away from the day before and putting a new load on. But a few days can go by and wet laundry remains in the washing machine, or dry in the tumble dryer. My tumble dryer has an iron cycle and as long as you take them out as soon as it's finished, even shirts often don't need ironing. Does that make me do it straight away? Nope. A note on the ironing - I don't do it. It fills me with guilt to watch my husband leave for work in a crinkled shirt, but I still don't do it. Any tips for ironing those woeful shirts I'll receive especially gratefully!<br />
<em>Frog tip: little hands are great for hauling clothes in/out the washing machine/tumble dryer. They especially love pushing the buttons - the challenge comes to get them to stop!</em><br />
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<strong>#5. Dishwasher</strong><br />
This is the one chore I'm quite good at, mostly because having dirty dishes everywhere is a source of huge discouragement to me. And I do understand this people - I have a DISHWASHER; there should not be any complaints in my house about dirty dishes. Especially as I put everything in there, even those things that I shouldn't (so basically I haven't filled my sink in a month). Along with the dishwasher should come wiping down the sides, but that's not always a daily occurrence. My best tip is to unload it first thing in the morning so you can put all the dishes of the day in as you go along, and then put it on at night.<br />
<em>Frog tip: this one is a challenge.,what with all the dangerous/breakable things that end up in the dishwasher. I try to let the frog help, but with a lot of supervision. </em><br />
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<strong>#6. Dinner</strong><br />
I only get a tick if it's something I've made, not something I've bunged in the oven (so pizza doesn't count). <br />
<em>Frog tip: I must say, this is the one area I don't let the frog help at all. If Mr. K doesn't work late he gets in and takes over so I can cook in peace. It's a time for myself I enjoy and would like to continue (although I do appreciate the importance of teaching kids to cook). </em><br />
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<strong>#7 Schedule</strong><br />
I try to do this just before bedtime to help me the following day. I look at my diary to remind myself of anything I'm doing and prepare accordingly. That usually means packing the frog's nappy bag and preparing his snacks (by that I mean putting store-bought breadsticks in a tupperware container, not baking them myself - what do you think I am?!). I also check the meal schedule so I know if I need to take anything out of the freezer - this one is a real life-saver. <br />
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<strong>#8. Weekly Chore</strong><br />
Some days I get 3 or 4 of these done, some days none (some weeks none!). <br />
<strong>a) Weekly Schedule:</strong> I write the meal planner and shopping list, do the shopping and put it away, coordinate my schedule with my diary, calendar and whiteboard. Unless there's something important on, this is always done on the Monday to set my week up right. <br />
<strong>b) Dusting: </strong>usually reserved for when we have visitors, I'm not going to lie.<br />
<strong>c) Hoover on/upstairs: </strong>a job mostly reserved for Mr. K.<br />
<strong>d) Clean hob/sink</strong><br />
<strong>e) Correspondents:</strong> just taking some time to catch up on emails, especially to family abroad<br />
<strong>f) Act of Kindness: </strong>this is something I try to encourage to frog to help me with, be it making the neighbour cookies (okay, I've done that once and burnt them. Thought that counts?), sending a thoughtful card or offering my time (babysitting etc.). I want it to be a big focus of our week, and is something I need to work harder at achieving. <br />
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What chores do you find you have to do daily? Any you avoid like the plague? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071715254887506960.post-85562519230016790482013-09-11T21:42:00.001+01:002013-09-14T21:22:50.836+01:00Why do I blog?I've been thinking a lot recently about why I do this blog. Let's start right off by saying this - it's not because I think I have all the answers, it's because I'd like to find some! I have commonly-held dreams of writing that book one day, and want to keep up writing practice. I want to connect with other Christian mamas, share ideas and challenges. And yes, I have a lot to say and like this outlet!<br />
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I've been surprised since starting the blog the people who tell me they read it. When I started I didn't think anyone but my constantly-supportive sister would strive to be interested. I've since heard that a dear friend who is travelling the world took time, with shoddy Internet connection, to read my blog whilst between China and Singapore. My ever-helpful house-less housewife, despite not holding any religious affiliations, frequently encourages me about my recent posts. And my sweet cousins from New Zealand, not yet old enough to run their own households, always have lovely comments to make. <br />
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What I'm saying is that you never know who is watching. I don't know who reads this blog (but I would love to - please comment!), but it warms my heart to know the people I love, no matter their stage in life, take the time to read about mine. <br />
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So, to those I know, thank you for taking the time to read my blog - I would love to hear from you. And if there's anyone out there who is reading who I don't know, I would like to get to know you. If you have a blog of your own I want to read it - please post a link. God offers us so many opportunities to connect to others, and I'm excited that this is becoming one such method!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17718905769434609959noreply@blogger.com0