Parental Peer Pressure: The sleepover issue

parental peer pressure sleepover issue

From the age of six both my daughters have been receiving invitations for sleepover parties. With the kids being older, sleepover requests are still streaming in. Our stance on this is – we simply do not allow sleepovers at friends.

Before I continue, sleepover exceptions include staying over at their grandparents and cousins, go on school camps and for the first time this year my eldest daughter went to a one-night group sleepover at school. As for the group sleepover at school; our kids attend an all girls school and the sleepover is a social event organised for a specific grade. Well supervised by female teachers, they have a programme of activities lined up for the girls and they all sleep in the school hall that is secured.

(more…)


signature

MUTE BY CHRISTINE BERNARD | A BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

mute christine bernard book review giveaway

Hello lovelies and welcome to my first book review. Plus there is a lovely surprise in store, I’m doing a giveaway at the end of the review.

To be honest, I was a bit perplexed when I read the title of this book. But upon reading the book, I was so intrigued and found myself reading it for hours and not wanting to put it down. This book made me think about life and our relationships with people.

(more…)


signature

Attitude Gratitude: September Journal

Attitude gratitude September journal

Oh hello lovelies. I know I’m a bit late at posting my September Gratitude Journal but the last few days of the month was a bit crazy. Flu and bronchitis has hit my household and with the sneezing season at its peak; it made the symptoms worse.

But with everyone slowly getting back to being healthy and their normal selves; it gave me a chance to reflect on the month that was. September in particular was a good month but we also received some bad news for our country’s economy.  At the start of September it was announced that our country was entering a technical recession. The first economic recession since 2009.

So with the Rand dropping to an all-time low, inflation on the rise, the petrol price constantly increasing which has a ripple effect on all other prices – how do we still stay positive? Or do we continuously stay angry, complain and be sceptical about what is happening.

(more…)


signature

Travelstart survey discloses: The things that South Africans miss about home while abroad

travelstart survey discloses things South Africans home abroad

As a South African who has travelled abroad for a holiday, it was about keeping an open-mind. In essence travelling abroad is about the experience, visiting new places, different cultures and the people you meet.  In 2012, I travelled to Australia along with my family to attend a wedding which occurred in November. We decided to make it a 6 week holiday and stay for Christmas. But 3 weeks into our holiday, I became homesick. I had enough and wanted to go home. And although, Australia and its people were wonderful and I enjoyed my stay up to that point, it wasn’t home. It wasn’t South Africa and best of all it wasn’t beautiful Cape Town.

I missed Cape Town and its familiarity.  The things that I never imagined I would miss, I yearned for. Things that I often took for granted whilst back at home.

(more…)


signature

12 years of motherhood and loving it

12 years motherhood loving

My daughter, Lea is in such a happy mood this morning. Hopping, skipping and singing at the top of her voice. It’s her birthday and she has been waiting for this day to arrive with eager anticipation.  I watch her and smile.  There is so much love that is booming at the moment.  A love that is eternal and unmeasurable.

As I watch her, an exhilarating feeling comes over me. This child made me a mother. Knowing that my husband and I made this human, and that she is half mine and his DNA. Like my kids will always say “we are the best thing that ever happened to the two of you.”

And they are spot on, they are the best thing that ever happened to us. Knowing what we know now, life without them would be pretty dull.

(more…)


signature

Anxiety is Contagious in a Shitty Environment without a Village: Safety-focused parenting and communities

anxiety contagious shitty environment village safety-focused parenting communities

Unless you live under a rock, you should know that we are confronted with daily news headlines of horrific acts against children in South Africa. Alarming statistics shows that children are often the victims of horrendous crimes. The latest making headlines are a spate of child abductions and attempted abductions. With at least 13 confirmed cases reported so far.

The thing is we don’t want to be paranoid parents and let’s be realistic, we can’t protect our children and keep a watchful eye over them 24/7. These kinds of headlines make us worry. It makes us anxious and anxiety is contagious when our children are in danger. We suspect anyone who just glances at our children.

(more…)


signature

Attitude Gratitude – August Journal

Attitude Gratitude August Journal

Yikes we at the end of August and will be welcoming the ninth month of the year tomorrow. I’m quite looking forward to September and what it holds in store for me. Although Winter is my favorite month, probably because I was born in June and is classified as a Winter baby. But the thing is I’ve grown tired of Winter now. I’m ready to welcome Spring and and have slightly warmer days. To wear lighter clothing, flip flops and having socials in the backyard.

In saying that I’m eternally grateful for what Winter brought. With it came much needed rain which filled up our dams to over 60%.

Here is a summary of what I was grateful for in August. (more…)


signature

Hearty Creamy Chicken Corn Soup

hearty creamy chicken corn soup

We almost heading towards the end of winter but with the cold weather still lurking around there is nothing better than hearty chicken and corn soup. It just warms your soul when you taste it. Unlike other soups that takes hours to boil, this recipe is super quick and easy to prepare.  I have added my own twist to this recipe just to spice it up a little bit and to give it a bit of a kick.

(more…)


signature

An Unexpected Occurrence: The day I lost my independence

unexpected occurrence day lost independence

I always pride myself as being very independent. I’ve always been like that, since I entered my adolescent years. But recently I lost that independence – even if it was just for 4 days. It happened so quickly that I’m still not pretty sure what triggered it.

All I can say is – lower back ache or any back ache for that matter is a bitch.  There’s really no other way to describe it. And I wish it on nobody.

A twist, a bend, bad posture or a past injury – I just don’t know.  Or even the after effects of a spinal block from both my pregnancies which happened years ago. Weird but apparently that can also be a cause.

(more…)


signature