Farmstay and a time machine

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Last week I travelled back in time. The boys and I stayed in a white-washed farm cottage perched on a wide creek. Chickens roamed at our feet. Cattle regarded us with disinterest and the mothers of newborn calfs eyed us warily. Friendly horses came near and nuzzled at our sides, hoping for carrots.

cottage at farmstay

We seemed a million miles away from noise, from bustle, from stress and from reliable internet connection. The kids had nothing to do but run and play and explore. We had nothing to do but sit and talk, read and unwind. Read more…

Taking time out + SWELL festival

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Every now and then I feel a pull. When things feel unsettled and nerves are jangled, I need something to ground me. And I always find it at the ocean. I call it my vitamin sea.

Swell festival

We are about an hour away from the beach but I never regret the drive. Even with two little boys in the back. Last week the kids and I decided to take the day and head to Currumbin and the SWELL festival.  Read more…

How Sport Makes our Family Stronger + an Amazing Comp

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Sport and Family

This post is sponsored by Bupa.

Being a sports fan is new to me. It wasn’t big in my own family but it was huge in my husband’s. A family of basketball stars and football fanatics. Now we are growing our own. Our seven year old is obsessed with soccer and is a keen lover of AFL and NRL. Our three year old has a knack for winning the family tipping competition. Yep, we are part of an extended family that runs a footy tipping competition. The kind of family where my husband helps coach the kid’s soccer team. The kind of family that holds season passes. The kind of family where sport is important.

Not just playing it but watching it, discussing it and being excited by it. Barracking for our favourite teams and going to games as a family. It’s part of our household DNA. What makes us us.  Read more…

The problem with yelling

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The other day I yelled at my kids. Not a garden-variety yell. A screech. A holler. A roar. The kind of yelling that reverberates around the house and continues to echo in corridors of guilt. The kind of yelling that the neighbours will talk about (three doors down). The kind of yelling that leaves your throat hoarse and every time you swallow you are reminded of your parenting failure. The kind of yelling that stops a child in their tracks. In fear.

yelling at your kids

This is the problem with that kind of yelling. It works.  Read more…

Why law is a good training ground for parenthood (and coding isn’t)

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the law prepares you for parenthood

For most of my career I have worked with lawyers and law firms. From software development to IT management. From project management to directing a knowledge department. From event management to social media consulting. I even studied law, but never actually practised. My close proximation to lawyers has led me to believe it’s an excellent training ground for parenthood.

Much more so than coding.  Read more…