As summer is fast approaching I thought I would get some tips on how to teach our kids to be Swim Savvy around the pool from my friend Lee-anne McQueen, the co-owner of Splash Swimming School and Watersportshop.co.za and author of a new book called Swim Savvy… I’m sure you’ll find her tips helpful and informative. While enjoying a picnic in Kirstenbosch gardens one gorgeous summer afternoon, a toddler ran past me towards the duck pond, barefoot, arms in the air, squealing with delight. A moment later I clocked his panic-stricken mother sprinting down the hill after him, and being …  Read More »

So, it’s the school holidays and parents everywhere shiver…. We have just been enjoying a holiday with our pre-school children and at one point I said to my husband we should just be enjoying this stage when our kids are happy to do what we have chosen to do for the day… in the not too distant future we will have sulky teens who are not so keen to comply and go along with our plans! I’m putting out the SOS now for advice on how to holiday with teens!! Fortunately if you have a Cape Town based teen I’ve …  Read More »

Today is Woman’s Day in South Africa and to celebrate I thought I would tackle a topic that is central to women everywhere – Friendship. Whether you are young, old, rich, poor, have kids or not, single or married, something that is consistent across all demographics of women is the need for genuine friendships. A place to belong and find acceptance whatever your circumstances. I have never met a woman who doesn’t appreciate a true friend and see the importance of friendships, both old and new. Over the years I have had my share of failed friendships. Ones that left …  Read More »

No parent wants to deal with their child acting up or throwing a fit. Unfortunately, these situations are something that come with the territory. The good news are there are steps you can take to deal with any problems that may arise, as well as minimize the frequency of these issues occurring:  Follow these tips on how to handle disobedience in kids… Be Sure Your Child Knows What You Expect of Them  It’s common for parents to assume that children know what’s expected of them. While this is a reasonable expectation for older children, the fact of the matter is …  Read More »

Parenting is a frustrating job.  Raising good, healthy kids takes commitment, reinforcement and more reinforcement.  You have to constantly remind your kids about good behavior, what is and is not appropriate and what they can and can’t eat.  Parenting takes patience and self control.  It’s all too easy to lose your temper when reminding your children about their laundry on the floor for the umpteenth time.  When the going gets tough, keep in mind these Five Things NOT to say to your Kids…. “Don’t be a baby.” Toddlers, preschool age and even elementary aged children have a hard time processing …  Read More »

Every now and again I put together a list of interesting articles I have found on the internet. These are recommended reads for parents in all stages but mostly focus on pre-schoolers this time…. Enjoy! (and be sure to send me links you find interesting too!) How to talk to little boys – Lisa Bloom, Huffington Post. Plus this free excerpt from her new book, Swagger. Does Pre-school matter – Wired Printable Pre-school Assessments – Tip Junkie (plus many other amazing free printables) How Nature Makes Kids Calmer, Healthier and Smarter – AHA Parenting 3 Points of Encouragement for Raising …  Read More »

This week TIME magazine ran a cover picture that caused more than a small media frenzy! The controversial image was to do with the main article about the Attachment Parenting trend sweeping the States. It was called “Are you Mom enough?”. The image featured a 26 year-old mother breastfeeding her almost 4 year-old son (see above) Feedback was fast and furious with responses from almost every major newspaper and mommy blogger out there! I rounded up a few of the interesting items for you to read through and make up your own mind on this topic TIME magazines complete coverage …  Read More »

I love to read and gain knowledge which means I am especially good at clicking on every link I like online. The aim of course is to read all the articles that sound interesting… but life happens and I don’t, which means I end up with 37 tabs open on my computer for days! Eventually I get around to reading all the very interesting articles and then I can’t help but want to share some of them with you. Here is a link list of some really helpful articles about parenting problems that we all face at one time or …  Read More »

Every now and again I put together a list of recommended reads from around the internet. Sometimes they follow a topic, sometimes they don’t! I realised by the length of my bookmark list that I haven’t done one in a while so thought you might like some interesting links to suck your time on this Sunday evening! Here are some great reads which I will label parenting pointers! On Health Why the Ritalin debate is asking the wrong question – The Huffington Post. Healing Our Kids’ Soul Fever With Simplicity. Our kids are in crisis, victims of an undeclared war …  Read More »

Here is a round up of very interesting links I have come across recently: recommended reads on parents and kids. A few I have featured on my Facebook page but in case you missed them I have included them here again plus a few new ones too… Read one or read them all – hopefully you will find something useful or thought-provoking…. An open letter to moms of newborns – Simple Mom The Neuroscience of Imagination – Psychology Today Why I tell my daughters they are beautiful often – Motherhood. Your Way. 9 essential skills kids should learn – Zen …  Read More »