Oh the places you’ll go after kids – Brisbane’s best picks

By Robyna on December 13, 2015

After you have your first baby, it seems like the number of places you can go dwindles. Cafes with narrow spaces and no room for prams are out. Expensive restaurants are no places for infants. Nightclubs are for other people. Basically anywhere that requires you to be up past 9pm is a long forgotten relic of night times past.

However, there are some awesome places you discover AFTER having kids.

Here’s my Brisbane list..

Buying presents for kids that parents won’t hate

By Robyna on December 9, 2015

Shopping for kid’s Christmas presents is kind of fun. Particularly when you don’t have any of your own (kids that is, not presents). I remember those child-free days, when the toy aisle were corridors of nostalgic remembrance (I had that) and occasional envy (they never had those when I was kid). Now they are battle fields of hostage-like negotiation. Put that back. No, I’m not buying you that. We are here to buy your friend a present, remember? Yes, I think it’s very cool that the dinosaur can move and make noise. No, I’m not buying it for you. I don’t care if every other boy in your class has one.

If you are buying for a child this year, and don’t have one of your own, chances are that you are thinking about what’s going to impress your little friend. Can I suggest you also spare a thought for their parents?

This handy guide will help.

Reflections on high school

By Robyna on November 11, 2015

I remember feeling ostracised and lonely at my all girls high school. But when I look back, there was no reason for me to feel that way. I had a group of supportive girlfriends and one particular tight-knit friendship. I might have felt on the outer, because every teenage girl feels that way sometimes, but it wasn’t my true orientation. I never ate my lunch alone. I never dreaded going to school. I never begged my parents to send me somewhere else. Any dramas were completely internal and of my own making. Is there anything a teenage girl seeks more voraciously than drama?

Holding onto Contentment

By Robyna on November 2, 2015

The sun rose steadily over a pink and orange sea. Promises of warmth but no sting yet. Just glorious sunlight. From the balcony of an ocean-side hotel I basked in the rays and watched the beach become busier. At dawn, the surfers arrived, shadows against the waves. Then the joggers. Then walkers with their dogs. Finally, a scattering of young families as the sun crept higher.

I sat, with a cup of tea and a neglected novel and watched. The sun rising and the people on the beach. I heard the crash of the waves. I closed my eyes and felt the warmth against my face. And I felt perfectly, perfectly happy and content.

If mothers groups had an instruction manual

By Robyna on October 28, 2015

Like kids, mothers groups don’t come with an instruction manual. Maybe they should.

My (almost) 30 days without coffee

By Robyna on October 26, 2015

Most people give up coffee due to a health kick, pregnancy or one of those self-sacrificing deals for charity. Me? I lost a bet.

I swore black and blue that my wedding anniversary was on the 15th October. My husband, who is much better at dates than I am, was keen to bet I was mistaken. And to wager a month without coffee. Despite the fact that it was highly unlikely he was wrong. Despite the fact that I have a terrible memory when it comes to dates. Despite the fact that I once had our wedding date engraved on a key ring and then promptly misplaced the key ring. Despite the fact that I REALLY love coffee, I took the bet. As you know, I lost.