How to find the perfect babysitter

* this is a sponsored post as part of my DPCON12 sponsorship with Meet-a-sitter

Being a young, busy family with lots of commitments, and demanding children, it's hard for Mr D and I to get quality time together. The windows for these opportunities are few and far between.

Often the time we do have for down-time, we just want to spend it as a family rather than heading out as a couple and leaving the kids behind.

However in recent years of married life, it has become more apparent to both of us, that despite our busy life, and desire to spend time as a family unit, it remains important to prioritise our relationship with each other. This means scheduling in date nights together to remain connected, to keep the lines of communication open, the spark alive, and walk away from the routine family life for a couple of hours.

Unfortunately, despite us realising the importance of this time together, the reality is that date nights are easier said than done.

With some of our parents working full-time with active social lives, and with other parents living out of the area we can't rely on the kids' grandparents to babysit on a regular basis.

And we don't expect family and friends to put their own lives on hold to be available to mind our little cherubs while we grab some 'Mummy-Daddy' time.

So we are limited with out babysitting options.

We've looked in the past to hire a babysitter. I found a few websites online but felt inherently concerned about choosing a person via the Internet to mind the most important people in our lives.

I felt uncomfortable with the idea of finding a babysitter this way. My reluctance was exacerbated by layers of mothers guilt and overwhelming questions about how to carry out the process safely.

How do we know who we are contacting if we set up an interview?

How do we run police checks?

How do we test to see if they are the right calibre without introducing them to our kids?

I'm sure these are all common questions parents ask when they embark on a similar process. But what if all the hard work and stress could be taken out of the way for you?

Meet-a-sitter does do all the hard work for you. Meet-a-sitter is a boutique speed-dating service designed to help you find the perfect babysitter.

They do all the screening for you.

All the babysitters are put through a thorough behavioural interview by HR mums. The interviews are conducted in real-life scenarios to assess how effectively the babysitters care for and entertain children.

All the babysitters have at least 2 years experience in childcare, have had police checks completed, and also provide photo ID and a comprehensive resume detailing their level of experience and skills.

With this taken care of, all you have to do is turn up for a 'speed-sitting' event in your local area. You chat for 5 minutes to each babysitter as part of the speed-sitting rotation and work out who will be the best person to babysit your children.

It's a much more safe and trustworthy way of going through the process. And it's actually quite fun too.

On Saturday I went up to Balmain to a gorgeous pub called The Exchange to review the process.

I was able to interview 8 potential babysitters, ask specific questions, and ascertain whether they would be the right fit for my children and our parenting style.

I immediately fell in love with one of the babysitters, who was just a bit younger than me. Her bubbly, enthusiastic nature and passion for having fun with children in a relaxed environment was a mirror of myself. The chemistry was right and I knew she would be the perfect person to care for our kids on a date night. My kids would adore her!

Unfortunately for me, the service isn't available in my area of Wollongong just yet and we're a bit too far away from Sydney to expect a sitter to travel down for the evening while Mr D and I sneak out for a Panang Curry and some deep-fried ice cream

But if you're in the Sydney or Melbourne areas I'd highly recommend this service to find the right person to mind your kids. It's efficient, effective and affordable too. You'll walk out of a speed-sitting session in an hour with a new babysitter for only the cost of $70 to use the meet-a-sitter service.

It's definitely something I'd suggest looking into.

How did you find your babysitter?


Do you have lots of family support to help with childcare?

Windows of Happiness: My sleeping angels

Welcome to another week of Windows of Happiness.

Feel free to share a happy moment that made you smile lately, and share some comment-love with your fellow bloggers. We all know how much a thoughtful comment can make us smile.

::

Yesterday was a big day for my little people.

They were up early to head off to their Big Bro's soccer match.

It was go-go-go from the minute they woke up. We shovelled toast into them, rugged them up in thick, cosy clothes and bustled them out the door ready to face the winter soccer fields on the Highlands.

I was working in the city for the day, but from all reports there was lots of playing, wrestling and exploring. Perfect for curious minds and adventurous pre-schoolers.

Once I arrived home after a jam-packed day myself, we had just enough time to dress them (again). It was into their 'going out' clothes this time, ready for a special family dinner out.

I attempted to negotiate over outfits with Miss E, putting my foot down at her not wearing my 1990's flower girl dress. Pink taffeta and glittered tulle was a little too over-the-top for the occasion.

Eventually we made a compromise and she stepped out the door in bright blue tights patterned with giant daisies, coordinated with a striped pink sun dress and a heavy black coat.

She looked very mis-matched, but felt like a princess.

More arguments ensued as they raced to be the first into their car seats, debating over who was the winner.

I was taking lots of deep breaths at this point.

After a two hour eventful meal of home-style Italian cuisine at our local, we dodged confrontations with a very moody Big Bro and blew out birthday candles for Mr D's almost-forty birthday.

We traipsed back into the car to be met with some tired tears and tantrums, but we were on the home stretch.


Just keep breathing...

Once at home, we shuffled the kids through the shower, buttoned them up in their flanno jammies, and curled up under the covers in our big bed to watch the Olympics.

I sighed out loud as I felt the warmth of our combined body heat sooth my tired body. Their tangled bodies woven around mine was comforting. Cuddles under the doona never grows old.

It wasn't long before I heard that trademark slow, rhythmic breathing and looked over to find all three of my bed companions sleeping soundly. 

Instantly I felt my body relax.

Miss E and J-Man were both snuggled up together, arms and legs folded about each other, and snoozing with their dad.

Despite a very busy day, and not being able to spend much quality time with them, it was this adorable moment that made me smile.

There's nothing more heart-warming than the angelic face of a sleeping child.

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5 reasons why I adore having sons

This is J-Man.

He is my baby boy, and always will be.

One day he will be a grown man with children of his own, but will remain my baby boy.

His Big Bro, whom I've affectionately parented as my step-son for the last 9 years is an 11-year-old boy, and very quickly becoming a young man. A handsome and very clever young man at that.

I adore these two guys in my life, despite the challenges that their ages and personalities throw me.

It's a unique relationship that a mother has with her sons. One that I feel very privileged to cherish.

After a quiet confidential chat with Big Bro tonight, and a special dinner date together recently I've been feeling reflective about what I love so much about having young men to treasure in my life.

5 reasons why I adore having sons

1. They love their mothers fiercely


J-Man and Big Bro are forever protective of their mother and are lovingly affectionate with me too. J-Man is like a little chimp clinging to me wherever we go. He even clutches large strands of my hair, just to keep me near, and him feeling safe. And to this day, Big Bro has never denied me a cuddle or shunned my terms of endearment for him. I am not his mother and never try to be, and I love seeing his loyalty towards his own mum.


2. They teach me new things 


My boys teach me things that I never would have otherwise learned about. Amazingly interesting conversations revolve around the intricacies of dump trucks, excavators, invertebrates, geology and dinosaurs. 


I'm bombarded with curious observations and new facts that I never would have pondered without their suggestion. I've learned about the coolest skate board tricks on You Tube, how to play a chord on the guitar and fantastic tricks that I never knew I could pull with my face. And don't get me started on poo jokes and learning just how funny bad smells are.



3. They show me what daring is 


The bravado and bravery that is wrapped up inside my guys' genes reminds me of two young cave boys daring each other to run through fire. There is something innate about their daring curiosity and rough and tumble nature. I love seeing their ability to throw caution to the wind. Whether it's racing down the driveway to pull off a new stunt on his bike, or doing a somersault off the slippery slide, their daring spirits, and endless energy make me proud.


4. They remind me that males have feelings too

I love seeing Big Bro have the ability to express his feelings. I encourage him to articulate his inner-most thoughts and fears. Seeing J-Man's gentle, caring nature and loving sensitivity reminds me that it's too easy to stereotype the gender differences between boys and girls. My boys can be just as sensitive and loving as their sister, if not more at times. I love being reminded that it's OK for boys to feel.


5. They teach me how to understand my husband

Boys are just so different to girls. To generalise, their minds just tick over differently to mine. Being a girl myself, having sons gives me a great insight into the curious, working mind of my man, and helps to explain some of the crazy stories he shares about his boyhood and teen years.


::


I feel very honoured to have a great relationship with J-Man and Big Bro.

Playing tip in the backyard until I'm wrestled breathless onto my back. Playing karate chops and 'kick and punch' in the kitchen. Trying my clumsy hand at a new skateboard trick. Deciphering the difference between a back-hoe and a front-end loader...


It sure beats playing barbies and making pom poms!

Having sons is truly awesome.

WIN 1 of 3 Kitchenware Direct Vouchers

I've been feeling pretty excited lately about my upcoming New York trip and I've been wanting to share my excitement with you all.

Then as I was cooking my secret spag bol recipe last night my good friends in the kitchen, Kitchenware Direct came to mind.

So I decided we were well overdue to offer a Kitchenware Direct giveaway to the lovely Mummy Dazzler community.

So, with special thanks to Brad and the spesh folks at Kitchenware Direct (seriously, those guys have awesome products AND service) I can now offer you the chance to WIN 1 of 3 $50 gift vouchers to buy what you wish in their online store.

How cute is this super bright mini food processor? I want one!!

All you have to do to win is jump over to their website and choose your favourite product. Then give your answer below.

If you're extra keen to win a voucher you can get extra points too.

The giveaway is open until Sunday night and the winners will be announced Monday morning. Open to Australian residents only (sorry).

a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck!

New York. Less than a week to go

My New York trip is zooming up fast.

Too fast.

I feel like a crazy pregnant woman fanatically nesting before my baby drops.

I'm washing curtains, changing sheets, scrubbing windows, and cooking mega batches of food to last the duration of my confinement... in New York.

I look longingly at my dozing babies that extra bit longer when I tuck them in at night and stroke their angelic faces.

I'm going to miss them so much.

My heart aches at the thought.

I've already had a few tears in the quiet of the night at the idea of being away from them.

They have become my life, and the idea of them not being by my side for 11 days is heart-breaking.

I know I will be homesick for them. Love sick even.

But I also know I will have an amazing time, and I cannot wait to start exploring New York and soaking up that big city life.

I've ticked off some more of my to-do list this week. With only a few more jobs to go.



To- Do:

• Book appointment for leg wax and pedi (I'm heading to the beauty salon today)
• Sort travel insurance (what a weight off!)
• Book plane seats with Laney (watch out fellow travellers, the Mummy bloggers are on the loose!)
• Buy travel adaptor plug (I won't get caught short without my hair straightener!)
• Cook big batch of spag bol and freeze into portions (at least I know they won't be eating baked beans the whole time I'm away now)
• Buy comfy travel outfit (thanks Target for the voucher)
• Bring home my travel buddy, Cornelius the chicken (best home-made toy ever)
• Organise cash passport
• Talk to Optus about turning off my phone
• Buy a funky travel wallet
• Pack!!!

Given that the wonderful Kellogg's Australia have sponsored my trip to BlogHer in New York, I thought it would be fitting for their pet chicken, Cornelius to come along on the trip with me.





I had organised a cardboard cut-out of Cornelius to be my travel companion, but my ever-thoughtful Nan made me a felt Cornelius instead. She and Miss E whipped him up on Tuesday morning while I was at a meeting. 




Isn't he adorable?!

Be prepared for Cornelius to do some serious photo-bombing around the Big Apple!

I think my little travel pal will be quite the comfort to me, especially with his lavendar fragrance (thanks Nan) while my cuddly babes are on the other side of the world.

Cornelius - expect lots of hugs from me dude. I hope you're water resistant too because I know there'll be tears!

Spaghetti Bol - my secret ingredients

Spaghetti Bol.

A family staple for generations!

It's made up of simple, affordable ingredients that are easy to prepare, fun to eat, and deliciously tasty to enjoy with a rich tomato-beef flavour.

I whipped up a triple batch tonight for dinner and to freeze into portions to help hubby manage the crazy 'happy hour' while I'm in New York.

You've got to love that I'll still be feeding my family even from the other side of the world! A mum's got to do what a mum's got to do...

Meanwhile, I got a special delivery of ingredients yesterday from Fairy to add to my next batch of spag bol. Fairy are running a special competition that could land you (and me) a trip to Margaret River, Western Australia.

Sound good? Read on to find out the rest of the delicious details!

Spaghetti Bolognaise, Mummy Dazzler Style!

Dazzling Spaghetti Bolognaise

Serves 4 - 6

2 tablespoons oil

1 onion, diced

3 cloved garlic, crushed

100 bacon or ham, diced

100g salami, diced
500g beef mince

200g semi-dried tomatoes

2x 800g canned diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

500g traditional pasta sauce

2x beef stock cubes

2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon dried basil

500g spaghetti (we love Angel Hair)

fresh parsley & grated parmesan to serve

1. Heat oil in a large pot or frying pan over a medium heat. Add onion, garlic, bacon and salami. Cook until onion is soft.

2. Add the mince and cook on medium heat until browned.

3. Add the tinned tomatoes, tomato paste, pasta sauce, and stock cubes and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes.

4. Season with the balsamic, sugar and basil, and add salt and pepper to taste. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and allow to simmer until heated through.

5. Cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain well.

6. Add the pasta to the sauce. Serve with parsley and parmesan. 

My 'secret' Spaghetti Bolognaise ingredients are sun-dried tomatoes, sugar, balsamic vinegar and stock cubes. I love the enhanced flavour they give my dish, and the added texture of the sun-dried tomatoes adds something a little extra special.

So, what secret ingredients do you add to your spag bol recipe?

How many plates do you think one bottle of Fairy could wash?

Answer both of these questions and you and I could be jetting off on a trip to Margarget River, Western Australia for three days next month with ME (yay). 

We'd even get to watch the filming of the latest Fairy commercial as they test out exactly how many dirty dishes one mighty bottle of Fairy can clean.

Not to mention, we'd enjoy the culinary genius of Ben O'Donoghue as he hosts a special lunch for the Margaret River community. I wonder what his secret Spaghetti Bolognaise ingredients are!

So, tell me your answers to the above two questions and you could be enjoying three child-free days here... BLISS!

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Terms and Conditions:

• A select number of bloggers have been chosen by P&G to participate in the Fairy Spaghetti Bolognese competition
• P&G invites blog readers to guess how many plates can be washed by one bottle of Fairy dishwashing detergent
• The competition will be judged on a number of components:
• The bloggers' Spaghetti Bolognese recipe
• The reader that guesses the correct number or closest number of plates that can be washed by one bottle of Fairy
• In the event that readers from different blogs guess the same number, the Spaghetti Bolognese recipe will be judged by the experts at P&G
• The reader and the respective blogger, who facilitates the reader’s guess, will both win the trip to Margaret River, Western Australia
• The competition is open to Australian residents only
• The winning reader must be available to travel between August 23^rd and 25^th 2012
• The winning reader must claim their prize by August 15th, 2012 by 4pm 
• In the event that the winning reader cannot make the trip or does not claim their prize, P&G will go down the list of readers that guessed closest to the amount of plates that can be washed by one bottle of Fairy dishwashing liquid.

Are you JUST a mother?

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Do you feel like just a mum?

I feel bombarded with social messages that tell me that being a stay-at-home mum isn't good enough.

There seems to be a consistent devaluing of mothers who choose to stay at home to nurture their children beyond a certain age.

It's isolating, confusing and simply confidence-crushing.

In one breath we hear conversations where mothers are criticised for not going back to work early enough to support their families.

Yet in another breath we hear criticisms about mothers not being available for their children, relying on daycare and TV-babysitting to get their work done.

Mums can't win.

These subversive criticisms lead me to the point where I was embarrassed to admit that I was just a mother at social functions.

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When "What do you do?" is the first question you're asked when meeting new people, replying that you're a mother is like a road block to the conversation. It's a no-through-road.

Desperate for a grown-up conversation I'd tell a story about my latest day at the 'office'. I'd eagerly and proudly describe my childrens' latest antics and explain my biggest challenges. Curious expressions would quickly change to forced smiles and nods until eventually the conversation was shut down.


Apparently I had less to contribute to the conversation.

My vocation was uninteresting, unintelligent and boring.


I found myself introducing myself as just a mother. By doing this I was immediately publicly undermining my role as a mum, despite it being the most important position a woman can be bestowed - but that's a whole other blog post.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I felt compelled to add the 'just' to my mothering role. I was devaluing myself before anyone else had the chance to.

It's no wonder I found myself confused, undervalued and having an identity crisis.


Who am I?


Who do I want to be?


Being just a Mum, isn't good enough...


Because of experiences like this I felt the need to do more. 


Despite already working part-time for our family business, I began a public blog and was soon focusing on what career direction I wanted to head in. 


Soon enough I began developing my own business, despite my children only being preschoolers, and requiring still a great deal of care.

And now that I have a career focus I am receiving feedback that makes me feel like a more valued member of society. People take more interest in what I am doing. As if I have something more valuable to contribute because I'm earning an income and work outside of the home.

Does that mean raising and nurturing my children, our future leading generation is not valuable? Is it unimportant?

I think as a society we need to be very careful about how we treat and honour mothers, and fathers too. Staying at home to care for children is a huge and apparently thankless job, that I for one appreciate.

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Windows of Happiness: my precious child

This my little angel.


She is as precious to me today as the day she was born. 


The moment I first met her she was cradled in the nook of my arm as I lay mesmerised and exhausted, admiring the precious little being that I had been carrying for the previous 41 weeks. 


I counted her ten fingers and ten little toes and held her close to me. I was not able to wipe the proud smile off my fatigued face. Through over-joyed sobs my husband shared with me that she was a little girl.


Our little girl.


I had been too weak to lift her up to check and honestly the question of her sex hadn't even entered my mind in the moments after her birth. I was too elated and utterly exhausted to think to look.


Four years down the track and my Miss E is the light of my life.


She fell asleep on my chest Friday night as I sweetly sung Edelweiss to her.


It's her favourite lullaby, which she often sings to her little brother to help him doze off to sleep.


As I felt her soft, warm body melt into mine I listened to her steady, rhythmic breaths.


She looked so peaceful and perfect asleep on me, with her gentle, little face so relaxed and angelic.


I was filled with complete contentment and pride in that moment. 


A window of happiness that I wish I could bottle to savour forever.




 

If you'd like to join in with this link-up, jump over HERE to find out more.

Simply add your link below and hop over to read the other happiness stories and leave some comment love along your way. 

Enjoy your Sunday Mummies!

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Who could hurt a child?

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* Warning: this content may be disturbing and graphic for some readers *


Life is precious.

Children are precious.

There is something universally special about a child that makes us protective.

We hear them cry in a supermarket and our milk might leak, or we feel instantly uneasy as we fight the urge to cuddle that tiny, upset cry or tired tantrum.

Instinctively we want to protect these smaller, more fragile and beautiful little people.

They are innocent and vulnerable and in need of protection to preserve their sweet little souls.

We, the grown-ups, are the custodians of their future.

Yet, I hear tragic, horrific news stories week after week that make me cry for the innocent little lives that are lost to the brutal hands of adults.

I cannot fathom who would want to hurt a child. To harm a child. To maim, to torment, to neglect, abuse or kill a child. A child.

It makes me uncomfortable just writing those words.

Since becoming a parent myself, I am acutely sensitive to stories of children treated poorly.

It makes me more uncomfortable hearing about them on the news. It's disturbing.

Sometimes I have to change the channel.

Other times I don't turn off in time and vivid images are burned into my imagination, only to be replayed over and over and over again as I try to sleep at night, or drive down the street, or tuck my babies into their beds.

Those images and stories never leave me.

Some children are mistreated intentionally by an adult who knows better. Adults who children completely trusted with their lives.

Like the child that was thrown screaming to her death off a Melbourne bridge by her father.

Like the baby that was left in her mother's car all day, unattended until it's feeble body could cry and scream no more.

And like the innocent little person who went to watch a movie with her family and was brutally shot to death along with many others.

This was the news I heard as I packed up my childrens' toys off our lounge room floor last night.

I wasn't able to flick to a different channel in time. Instead I listened to the description of a police officer carrying the limp, and lifeless body of a small child out of a movie theatre, riddled with bullet wounds in their back.

I don't understand.

How?

Why?

I want to forget, but simultaneously I want to remember. I want to remember so that I can somehow honour the life of that sweet, little child who was so cruelly robbed of an innocent and joyful childhood.

I can't make any sense of stories like this when I instinctively want to protect every child.

I would wrap my arms around and hold and rock any child who was in harms way and needing love and protection.

It's in my genetic make-up as a mother and as an empathetic human being.

I fail to understand how these news stories continue to break seemingly going against human nature.

I can only hope that my children are never the subject of such horror news stories.

Windows of Happiness: Toe-tappingly good

Welcome to the first week of Windows of Happiness.

Each Sunday this is a space where you can focus on something happy, no matter how small or big.


It is an opportunity to focus on the positives in your life, despite the bleak and depressive weather, the busy life you're juggling and the life stresses you are facing. 


You can share a thought, a photo or an experience that has made you happy recently. Whatever you like. 

Let's try and focus on those golden rays of sunshine that break through some very grey, overcast days. It's time to enjoy those simple, little pleasures in life and celebrate the small (and big) windows of happiness across your week. 


In doing this we can fight off the winter blues together and look on the bright side of life. 

This week, my special happy moment was soaking up some beautiful winter sunshine while I drank a hot chocolate yesterday morning.


Mr D had taken the kids to watch Big Bro play soccer and my yard was peaceful and free of pre-schooler antics.


I let my bare feet feel the soft grass of our lawn and let my tootsies tap away while I listened to good, old Billy Joel.


I captured that little 55 second window on film...

If you'd like to grab a button for this link-up, jump over HERE to choose the size you'd like.

Happy Sunday Mummies!

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BlogHer preparations

I'm ecstatic about my looming New York trip. It's only 20 more sleeps!

I've got those jittery butterflies that signal nervous excitement.

I've still got a bit of organising to do. But besides cooking huge batches of food to freeze (so that I can sleep at night knowing my kids won't be eating baked beans on toast every night) I've got things just about under control.

Things that I've got sorted ~

1. Flights booked - yup. I'll be slumming it in cattle class on my first long-haul flight.

2. Passport - sorted. I've joined the crummy passport photo club.

3. Visa application - done. I even got ripped off in the process, paying $74 instead of the necessary $14. Hello naive tourist!

4. Accommodation - right near Union Square (check it out here) and bunking with the gorgeous Crash Test Mummy. Bring. It. On!

5. New ringtone downloaded - you betcha. Frank Sinatra croons 'New York! New York!' to me now every time someone calls me. If I don't answer straight away, you'll know why...

Things I still need to sort out

1. Money - I need to figure out how to spend my money whilst I'm over there. Apparently a holiday card is the way to go to avoid getting charged $15 per transaction.

2. Mobile Phone - I need to have one of those painful phone calls to the Optus call centre to make sure I don't get a $6000 phone bill while I'm over there.

3. Travel insurance - yeah, about that. Don't tell my Mum I haven't bought this yet.

4. Wardrobe - I'd like to buy some new, sassy and summery clothes to get New York ready. Plus I need to pack my bag with room to spare for the bargains I score while in the Big Apple.

5. Itinerary - I want to book a tour to climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty and write a list of all the must-see New York sites I have to visit.

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Have you been to New York? What are the must-see places you recommend I experience?

52 Week Project: Windows of Happiness

Week 27, 2012

This is me and my little guy.

J-Man and I snuggled outside on a dero, old mattress that will shortly be left on our front nature strip to be collected in the council clean-up.

As we lay on our tummies, the winter sun warming our backs, we grinned and goofed around as he made dolphin noises and tried to cuddle my head off.

It was a very simple joy.

It's these windows of happiness that make my day.


::


On another note, after 18 months of running The 52 Week Project I've decided to shift focus and introduce a new community link-up.

I'll still be posting my weekly selfies, because I love the self-reflection and regular journalling it enforces.  However, I will not be opening this up as a linky party.

I love the opportunity that The 52 Week Project has created to honestly share the good, the bad and the tedious happenings of my week. And I enjoy being able to look back on the pictorial journey of the project.

Instead, as of next week I will be introducing Windows of Happiness. This will be a new weekly community link-up to help us through the winter months.

I thought it would be a great opportunity to focus on the positives despite the bleak and depressive weather. The link-up is where you can share a thought, a photo or an experience that has made you happy recently. In doing this we can fight off the winter blues together and look on the bright side of life.

The link will open this Sunday.

A big thanks to everyone who has participated in The 52 Week Project, especially Lee, Kate & Shar. You guys are champions!

52 Week Project: Taking in the scenery

Week 26, 2012

Sometimes you just need a moment. A moment to breathe everything in.

To stop and take stock.

To survey your surroundings and admire the beauty in everything around you.

It can put things into perspective and show you just how insignificant your worries are and how simple life is in the grand scheme of things.

I try and do this often.

So this week we visited out local lookout and I saw my stomping ground from this great height.

The kids bounced and skated around, eager to find a new vantage point, while I soaked up the crisp, clear view and enjoyed the winter sun brightening up my home town below.

I couldn't help but let a warm smile slide onto my face as I filled with pride for Wollongong.

Where the mountains meet the sea.

Where huge coal ships forever wait patiently on the horizon to be tugged into the harbour.

Where endless, crowdless beaches provide a quiet space to have a peaceful moment.

Where peak hour comes and goes in the blink of an eye.

Where there's about six degrees of separation between everyone. Often less.

I love the slower pace, and calmer vibe of home, especially after a day or two in the 'big smoke'.

It may not have the lure of it's big sister, Sydney. The Wollongong nightlife, fashion trends and vibrant culture pale in comparison to the Sydney scene.


It's true. 


Wollongong is no trend-setter. But it's the comfiest pair of Havianas you'll ever wear.


And I'll come home to my trusty, old thongs anytime.

Mount Keira Lookout

P.S You can link up for The 52 Week Project below. 

Ballet girls & body image

Miss E started ballet at the beginning of this year.

She was so adorable on her first day. And she was so very excited too.

Her little pink shoes, tights and leotard.

Just. Too. Cute.

I was a little reluctant to encourage her to start ballet classes.

One of my main concerns about her starting ballet was the emphasis on body shape that I perceive ballet culture can place on young girls. I was, and still am wary of the effect that this can have on young, impressionable girls developing their body image.

But there is a strong tradition in my husband's family to learn ballet, and I like that.

And Miss E really wanted to learn too.

So after I was reassured that four-year-olds are far too little to be influenced by the strict ballet image, and that the classes are mostly about having fun and introducing basic ballet skills, we signed her up and she proudly wore her first leotard in February.

It all sounded pretty harmless to me. But in the back of my mind, the issue of body image and those skin-tight tights and leotards outlining their little body shapes still lingers.

Body image is a concern for me as I want to protect my daughter from it's heavy influence. It's something that I still struggle with as a grown woman and I don't want to expose my little girl to it's grasp for as long as I can.

Miss E is no waif. She is her father's daughter and built with strong, muscular legs and a good covering (as my dad always calls it).

Where as some little girls can struggle to keep their tights up, my gorgeous girl has no problem with this. They fit like a glove.

When I see the girls in their pretty little outfits, I'm immediately aware that my little ballerina is bigger. She is rounder. My cuddly bear.

This is fine. She is a healthy little girl. But I know it won't be long before she is an age where other children draw attention to her muscular figure. And more so, it won't be long before she notices she is different. Bigger.

Unfortunately we live in a world where girls and women are constantly sent messages in so many ways that bigger is not better. So I want to protect my daughter from any harm that these messages will cause her body image and self-esteem.

This Saturday was the first time parents were allowed to watch our ballet girls perform.

I filmed this 15 second Viddy of her doing her little ballet routine. The poor petal wasn't quite sure what she was doing but I thought she looked adorable just trying.



There's not many cuter things in the world than a group of four-year-olds clad in pink leotards tip-toeing and galloping around a ballet studio.

I loved watching Miss E proudly show off her ballet skills.

But my concerns about body image resurfaced when she was referred to by her ballet teacher as 'Big Em' as opposed to the other ballerina 'Little Em'.

I cringed at the reference. Why refer to a person by their size? This is how poor body image begins. I bit my tongue to stop myself from calling out to the teacher to correct her and share Miss E's full name in front of everyone.

My little Miss E was looking confused.

'Big Em'?

She looked around trying to find this person being called.

I let it go on Saturday, but after further thought I'm going to address this with her ballet teacher.

It's holiday break now for ballet, but when we go back to class next term I'll be politely reminding their ballet teacher that my daughter has a full name for her to be called.

I'll be suggesting that she not use my daughter's name with any reference to her size, big or small, in future.

Maybe I'm being over-protective, and maybe I'm jumping at shadows. But in the end, I'm my daughter's advocate in every sense of the word.

If I don't speak up for her, who will?