Stuff: PG (Parental Guidance Advised)
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Short-changing the siblings
Getting out and about with one kid was easy. Even when our eldest developed a dislike for the pushchair, he would happily walk holding my hand. If he got tired, I would pop him in a sling on my back. Our stuff fitted in a backpack, and off we’d go.
Knowing when to cut it out
I caught up with some old friends recently, and the conversation eventually turned to the inevitable – our children. We chatted about the unforeseen situations we’d faced during the first few months of our babies’ lives. The consensus was that those first six months are completely unpredictable, much of a guessing game and, in my personal experience, blimmin’ hard work.
Actually, they're 126 weeks old
In my last post, I referred to Finn as being 28 months old. I knew someone would comment on it. I’ve seen it mentioned in other comments on Stuff lately, too: when do you stop saying your child’s age in months?
In defence of daycare
I’ve blogged about my daughter attending daycare before, but this article on Stuff last week has raised the issue again. Since my daughter’s been in daycare for several months now, I have a slightly different perspective now than when she was just starting out. Back then it was trepidation about what she was (and we as parents were) getting into. Now I’ve had some time to see how she’s getting on.
The chompy child
At 28 months, Finn is getting his two-year molars. The dribble patch on the front of his shirt has made a comeback. Presumably related is the fact that he’s started to occasionally bite.
Leaving your baby
I started a new job at the end of last year, and it involves occasional travel. I’ve just returned from the first of these trips, which required me to spend the night in Auckland, home being Wellington. This was also the first time I’ve had to spend a night away from my family since my daughter was born.
One kid, two kids, three kids, more?
I was chatting with friends the other night and discussing the number and age gaps between their children, what was manageable, whether they would change it, and the reasons why.
Parenting is more than a feeding choice
You’ve no doubt heard the big kerfuffle about Piri Weepu’s anti-smoking ad; it’s pretty hard to miss since it’s been all over the internet, newspaper, talkback radio and television. The thing is, there was no kerfuffle until this article ran in the Herald on Sunday.
Stop! Potty time
You might be committing a major social sin if you discuss potty time in a Facebook status, but this is a parenting blog and so this topic is fair game!
Top 10 melting moments
One of my new year resolutions was to make it a priority to focus and reflect on the good aspects of our life, and in particular the most memorable aspects of having children.
Dogs and kids
I was never a dog person; it was cats all the way when I was growing up. So the first time I met my eventual parents-in-law, I was disconcerted to find that they had an English Bull Terrier. He was butch, bulky and a bit intimidating.
Oh! Those (sleepless) summer nights
I used to love summer. Loved it. It was easily my favourite time of year. Sunny days that stretched on into languid evenings drinking beer and playing guitar on the deck. Then came our first summer with a toddler.
Homeschool bound
I came across this article about middle childhood soon after Christmas. It resonated with me, as it is exactly the stage Xander is at. While he’s just turned seven, rather than the six mentioned in the article, there has recently been a noticeable increase in his level of responsibility and maturity.
Wobbly thighs and high cholesterol
In my last blog about making new year’s resolutions, a few people commented on their resolve to lose weight – more specifically their baby weight in between having children – and asked whether I would be keen to share my experience.
Partying with your kids
New Year’s Eve. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always found there’s this kind of unspoken pressure to be somewhere special doing something awesome on that one night of the year.
Nasty nightmares
Sleep is never in surplus in our house.
New year's resolutions
Firstly, happy new year to you all – I hope you had a relaxing break over the festive season, and managed to do everything, or anything, that you wanted to achieve.
The balancing act
We tried to keep things simple this Christmas. Xander’s pillowcase had lots of books, including a second-hand copy of The Dangerous Book for Boys (he is fascinated by the section on naval flags), and seven or eight Asterix books from Trade Me.
Some assembly required
On Christmas morning I sent my father a txt with a picture attached (or a pxt, if you prefer). The picture was of a freshly assembled Barbie kitchen playset. The message simply read “some assembly required”. A little while later I received the following reply: “Ho. Ho. Ho.”
The final countdown
Just two days to go. All the presents are wrapped (except the one for Aunty Judith), the tree has been decorated (and redecorated, and redecorated, and swapped for a miniature one on top of the TV cabinet), and I’ve done all but the last-minute grocery shopping.
