threelilprincesses.com

Blog

  • The Parent Manifesto: Book extract

    The Parent Manifesto: Book extract

    The lovely Jodie Benveniste from Parent Wellbeing is taking over the palace today as part of her week-long Virtual Book Tour for her latest release. I’ve already devoured her two previous books – Full Belly and Little Bundle – and am now enthralled by her The Parent Manifesto: How to create a parenting approach that’s perfect for your family.

    ***

    The Parent Manifesto

    As a first-time mum, I devoured every book possible on parenting, to the point I became so confused I wasn’t quite sure whether I was laidback Kate Hudson or strict Julia Roberts. According to my acting skills, I’m neither. The fact is, I didn’t trust my instincts enough.

    Funnily, the past two weeks I’ve had my head buried in yet another parenting book. The difference is this one doesn’t tell me what to do. Instead Jodie has put together a nurturing and encouraging step-by-step style book that empowers mums and dads to create a parenting approach that’s perfect for their family. I mean, seriously, nobody else is quite like The O’Briens.

    It doesn’t matter what age your children are, anyone can put themselves back in control by using the tools Jodie provides. The AAA Parenting Tool is my fave. And no, it has nothing to do with using batteries. We’re now creating our own little O’Brien Parent Blueprint.

    ***

    Here’s an extract from the book which particularly resonated with me:

    This is what I value, this is what I believe

    Not so long ago, I had a major meltdown

    I was de-motivated about my work and I felt uncertain and unsure. This was confronting because I’m normally highly motivated, goal orientated, and very sure about what I want to achieve.

    But I was forced to stop everything, sit back, reflect and make some decisions. Difficult decisions.

    This process involved a number of stages.

    Firstly, I had a major freak out. The freak out was the warning sign that my life wans’t how it should be. Freaking out wasn’t a pleasant experience, but, as I later realised, it was necessary.

    Secondly, I went through a stage of feeling incredulous. I didn’t believe there was anything wrong with my life. What could possibly be wrong? THERE IS NOTHING, I REPEAT, NOTHING WRONG! But there obviously was.

    Stage three involved avoidance. I wasn’t motivated to work hard so I created distractions like reading and re-reading the Twilight books. It was enjoyable and indulgent, but only for a while.

    It was time to face facts. I realised that working too many hours and putting too much pressure on myself at work and at home was not sustainable. I had to be honest. I had to get real.

    Next, I spent time reflecting on what was important to me. I asked myself some tough questions and really listened to my gut. Why was I working so hard? For what end? Who was benefiting? Me? My family? Is there another way to do this? How can I make this better?

    Then, I made some difficult decisions. They included selling my corporate business to focus on Parenting Wellbeing, and scaling back my working hours so I didn’t miss out on my kids.

    Finally, I moved onto a happier stage where I felt physically healthier and more fulfilled. I was still working hard on my business but in a smarter and more sustainable way and I had more energy and emotional capacity for my family.

    Turing a meltdown into a valuable learning experience involved me assessing my values and beliefs.

    ***

    Jodie is also running a new 12 week Parent Manifesto program

    Parenting Manifesto

    AND

    a free webinar next week:

    Parenting enemy #1: Everyone else knows best (or do they?) During the webinar I’ll be providing valuable information such as:

    · The 5 parenting pressures that are keeping us from having a great family life

    · The top 5 things that parents really want

    · The 3 things kids really need from us as parents

    · How one parent overcame her struggle with dealing with others’ opinions about her parenting (including her own mum’s)

    · How you can separate helpful and unhelpful parenting advice, and parent a little more confidently

    It will take place at 8pm AEST time on Thursday, 26th April. Visist: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/787159231

    So, what was the worst piece of parenting advice you received? And what was the best advice you were given?

  • What I don’t miss about my old life

    What I don’t miss about my old life

    iPad3

    SOME days, being a Work at Home Mum (WAHM) and Stay At Home Mum (SAHM) leaves you tearing your hair out (usually the grey hairs if you’re rather skilful). You’ve heard it before, but it really is the hardest job in the world. Sitting at an office desk is child’s play.

    With Baby Holly battling a cold, there’s no such thing as sick leave. The boss is unlikely to give you a pay rise. And it’s hard not to be distracted by the crumbs on the kitchen floor when you’re either meant to be making that business call, blogging or feeding a hungry mouth. And that coffee break? What coffee break?

    However, there are some real advantages too:

    • The incessant ringing of telephones is no longer. Unless your four-year-old constantly has this conversation with herself using a shoe: “Brrp, brrp, Hello? Nan? Yes, yes, I know. I’ll be right over. Polly put the kettle on and we’ll have a Milo. Oh Nan, you’re so funny. Bye.’’
    • You don’t have to endure the workmate who eats their lunch at their desk and makes loud chewing noises. Eewww. Although, it is replaced with li’l princesses who spill their food ALL. OVER. THE. FLOOR.
    • Gone are the rumour mills. You know that workmate who wants to start a rumour about everything and everyone. And, when you’re not in earshot, most likely you. (By the way, I did not sleep with the boss. Well, the old boss, anyway.)
    • Not being told what to do all the time. Mind you, I do have one person in my ear constantly asking: “Mum, can you get me something to eat? I’m hungry’’. “Mum, can you play Snap with me?’’ “Mum, can you make me a pina colada with one of those little umbrellas and ice?’’ OK, so maybe not that last one. If I had stayed on at my workplace, my boss would now be my hubby. So I’m not escaping the boss regardless of where I “work’’.
    • There is no longer a commute to and from work every day. Not to mention the cost of parking. All I do now is reverse myself into a chair. Or the couch. With a laptop atop my lap (hmm, think I’ve been reading too much Dr Seuss).
    • You don’t have to work back late. Note the words “have to”. OK, so I’m the first to admit I sit up every night blogging or doing my PR biz. However, the kids have been bathed, fed and had bedtime books and songs. Hubby is busy watching An Idiot Abroad, so what else is a gal to do?
    • Most importantly, you don’t have to put up with other people peeing on the toilet seat or not flushing properly. Sorry, but it had to be said.

    Are you a WAHM or SAHM? What do you miss (or not miss) about working outside of the home?

  • Aussie Giveaway Linkup #45: The Easter Bunny poo edition

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup #45: The Easter Bunny poo edition

    Easter eggsMost of you may remember last Sunday I mentioned how The Bloke in The Shed had painstakingly turned choc bits into balls to pretend they were Easter Bunny’s poos. Well, just wait till you see Princess Ella’s reaction when she witnesses him eating it. And then watch how fast Li’l Holly tries to stuff them into her mouth as she quickly acquires a taste for rabbit excrement!


    A win to Dad! Now time for you to score a win in the linkup below. Get clicking.

    If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:

    1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
    2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
    3. Grab the button below to add to your post.
    4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
    5. Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.




    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses



  • Hairdresser’s appointment leads to eyebrow raising moment

    Hairdresser’s appointment leads to eyebrow raising moment

    By The Bloke In The Shed
    The question hit me right between the eyes – literally.
    It was unexpected, I’d never been asked it before and it was just a little unnerving to be asked quite loudly in a crowded hair salon by a hairdresser who looked like she’d not long ago graduated from fingerpainting and play lunch.
    “Now, would you like me to trim your eyebrows?’’ she said innocently.
    Calmly, I replied “no, thank you” but deep down I felt like someone had slammed me in my hairy forehead with a sledgehammer.
    My mind was racing.
    “Is that normal? Is she serious? Are my eyebrows that bad? Have my eyebrows become an eyebrow?’’
    When I turned 35 I think I had a mid-life crisis which lasted about a day.
    Now, at 37, one innocent question from a hairdresser sent me into a tailspin.
    It led me to post –

    Um, hairdresser asked me if I wanted my eyebrows trimmed. What the? #gettingold #monobrow

    – on Facebook.
    One “friend” said I should only be worried if they asked to trim my ear hairs.
    I would have found that funny if only a few months earlier I hadn’t found one rogue hair growing one full centimetre directly out from one of my ear holes.
    Another mate said the same question had surfaced for him at age 35 and yes, he still answered “NO!”.
    Another suggested I should tell them to trim my nose hairs.
    I would, but it’s rather hard to attack a rainforest with a pair of garden sheers.
    I came home from the salon and told Princess Kel my sad story.
    She laughed.
    And laughed.
    So much for support.
    Oh well, at least in my old age, I’ll have my ever expanding optical warmers to keep me company and who knows, if I live long enough, I might have my own portable knee warmers.

    Have you heard of someone being asked this before?

    Photo credit.

  • Warning! Baby brain may result in foot in mouth disease

    Warning! Baby brain may result in foot in mouth disease

    baby feet

    EVER said something that by the time you realised what you’d said it was too late to take back and as a result you looked like a douche bag?

    Well, not so long ago someone was kindly commenting on how they enjoyed reading my newspaper column about my pregnancy, birth and rearing Ella during her first year. They said they enjoyed it because their granddaughter was a month younger and so it helped them anticipate what was coming next. She said a month after I wrote something her granddaughter would be doing it – ie rolling, walking, talking etc.

    My response: “Oh, I used to write them a bit in advance, so she would have done a lot of that stuff for a few weeks before it got printed?’’

    I smiled, then wondered why everyone in the room was giving me death stares. A quick rewind in my brain as to what I’d just said and I realised I was implying her granddaughter was slow.

    All of a sudden the clock was telling me it was time to go home. 

    Does your brain and mouth sometimes not work in sync?

  • WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #44: Easter edition

    WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #44: Easter edition

    Happy Easter. May you be rolling in chocolate this morning and your children bouncing off the walls. Or something like that.

    Happy Easter PlayDoh

    Apart from an 11th hour call to Easter Bunny to let him know he could now finally put Ella back on his chocolate list,

    Smiles

    Easter planning went as smoothly as The Bloke in The Shed’s main task for last night. What was that, you ask? Making rabbit poo out of choc bits. Because we all know Easter Bunny poos chocolate, right?

    chocolate rabbit poo

    Holly rode off to bed without fuss (or pants)

    riding a horse

    and Ella waddled off to her bed soon after.

    waddling penguins

    Now all that’s left is this morning’s Easter hunt, some Choccie Hot Cross Bun and Butter Pudding, then to score a few prizes in this week’s giveaway linky. Enjoy!

    And PS. Yes, I’ve just become addicted to Instagram.

    If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:

    1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
    2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
    3. Grab the button below to add to your post.
    4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
    5. Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.




    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses