When we were in China recently I picked up a box of these for bars to snack on while sightseeing and travelling. They were delicious and I loved the ginger flavour. Not long …
Tips for solo parenting when your partner is away
Today’s post answers a reader question. You can read previous answers to readers’ questions here. My husband is about to leave for a three week overseas work trip and I’m wanting to …
My favourite things list
I receive many emails asking for the brand or links to particular items that I use. So to save me having to write separate responses to these emails I have decided to …
Tips to avoid being frustrated with the kids
I adore my kids, but sometimes they cause me great frustration. The have been know to leave their stuff all over the house, whine when asked to do something, fight with each …
Weekly prep and menu plan ideas for June 2017
You know the absolute beauty of menu planning is that you can recycle them. It is super easy for me as I post them here on the blog, but to make life …
Dealing with household paperwork
I answered a question about dealing with household paperwork in the Planned & Present facebook group today from a member who was finding it a challenge and I know have emails I …
Book review: A slow childhood – notes on thoughtful parenting
A Slow Childhood – notes on thoughtful parenting is written by Helen Hayward. Hayward is a freelance writer living in Hobart, who spent a large proportion of her time overseas before settling …
Why bother with a personal monthly review?
You only have to have been reading this blog for a couple of months to see I undertake monthly reviews. To be honest other than a handful of friends and those who have …
7 birthday gift ideas for teenage boys
As a parent I have found the teenage boy stage the hardest to buy for. The have very distinct preferences, have quite firm opinions on things and share less about what interests them …
10 things my 40 year old self would tell my 30 year old self
Today’s post answers a reader question. You can read previous answers to readers’ questions here. What would 40-something you say to 30-something you? I really love this question. Life is full of …
From chore to a choice
I wrote this in a newsletter last year and thought it would be good to have it here permanently on the blog too! *********** This year I have read and listened to …
Kids activities review: Code Camp
This is a review post. In the last school holidays our 11 year old was invited to go along to a Code Camp school holiday program. He has had an interest in …
Tips for using a slow cooker + 5 family favourite slow cooker recipes
I don’t love the cold weather but I do love some of the meals I cook during the colder months. The slow cooker will start getting much more of a work out …
Creating space to be more productive
When you are happy to plan and run with routines, it can have the drawback that if you don’t plan time for leisure or relaxation, you have a week that is full of …
Weekly food prep and menu plan ideas for May
Another month swings around! The last month before winter for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere 🙁 . Two of the five kids will take a thermos to school with left …
Monthly review – tips to make entertaining easier for recovering perfectionists
April was a great month to focus on having catch ups with family and friends at home. We had school holidays and two birthdays which of course encouraged my habit naturally. I …
Reading, watching, listening – the price, scarcity and the 80/20 rule
It has been quite a while since I shared a weekend reading post. If you follow me on Facebook you may have seen some of them, although with the way the Facebook …
Tips for getting kids moving in the morning
Today’s post answers a reader question. You can read previous answers to readers’ questions here. I have tried morning routines with my kids aged 6 & 8 but they don’t work. I …