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Tag: books

The launch of Only Hearts Should Be Worn On Sleeves: The Snotty Truth About Motherhood

Today is a pretty significant day in the palace. The long-awaited ebook, Only Hearts Should Be Worn On Sleeves: The Snotty Truth About Motherhood, has been released. A tad earlier than expected, but in all honesty I’m just glad to see it finally out there. Kind of like the day Ella was born. I’d had enough of waiting.

For those who don’t know the background, here’s a bit of a timeline:

Mid 2007: I was up the duff and trying to launch a new magazine for The Advocate Newspaper. There’s nothing like a bit of stress when you’re “in the family way’. We needed a column and we needed some content to appeal to mums. The logical answer was to write a funny mummy column about the good, the bad and the ugly of pregnancy. Back then, I had no idea about mummy bloggers. Never heard of the things.

November 2007: Ella was finally born and requests for the column to continue quickly started. So we decided to continue it throughout Ella’s first year of life. Re-reading them, there seems to be an awful lot of discussion about excrement.

November 2008: A year later the column ended, but people’s desire to talk about the column didn’t. We’d get stopped in the street by people wanting to meet “THE Ella’’. Even older men whose children had long left the nest wanted to recount their favourite column. Always awkward when it involved the one where I sneezed eight times and wet my pants. Did I do that?

October 2010: Ella’s little sister Holly was born. With the column still being brought up in conversation at least two to three times a week, it seemed the right time to launch one of those mum blogs I kept hearing about so I could direct them somewhere to keep reading.

January 2011: This blog was born and my discovery of the potential of ebooks began. I started talks with The Advocate Newspaper around the idea of launching the columns into an ebook. Over the course of motherhood, blogging and starting a business, the ebook idea gathered a bit of dust in the “we’ll get there one day’’ trays.

April 2012: Here we are, nearly five years later, finally launching my baby. And it really is like having another baby all over again. At least this time I keep my dignity. Or maybe not. I hope you enjoy it as much the second time around as you did the first. And if this is the first time you’ve read it, I hope it gives you plenty of giggles and head nodding moments. If you see us in the street, please stop us, let us know you read the ebook and say “hi’’ to Ella – she loves the attention. She feels akin to Suri Cruise these days.

Oh, and it seems the support continues. This was what happened on Facebook last night.

Thank you. You have no idea how much those “likes’’ and comments mean to me.

If you’re interested in buying the book, whether as a Mother’s Day gift, for yourself or a friend in need of a good laugh, you can buy it here or click the button below.

Stay tuned for Monday when we start our Virtual Book Tour.

I’m interested to know if you read the columns when they were printed in the paper? Are you planning on reading the ebook?

April 21, 2012
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.

***

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

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?

April 19, 2012
Key moments from the Digital Parents Conference 2012

Early Friday morning, I headed off to Melbourne for the Digital Parents Conference 2012 and what took place over the next 48 hours was not what I planned. Here are some of the key moments from my trip away and what was happening back home.

Louisa, Laney, Laney’s boobs and I (stolen from Louisa’s Instagram)

FRIDAY:

8.24am:

ME: A bus driver nearly loses an eye at the airport bus zone when the bus my bloggy mates Lori, Cassie and I booked is full. Suddenly, we find it’s us, not the passengers who didn’t book, that have to transfer to another bus. Lori to bus driver: “You’ll be able to get us to our conference by 8.30am, then?’’. Bus driver: “No can do, lady’’.

JULIAN: Feeding Li’l Holly breakfast and struggling with the smell of the spew emanating from her high chair after yesterday’s power chuck.

9.15am:

ME: The bus driver takes Lori, Cassie and I captive, driving around the city releasing others but not us, like some scene from the movie Speed (sort of). My prescheduled tweet about how I’ll be “live blogging now’’ goes out. Umm, yes, live blogging from the bus isn’t particularly riveting reading according to my stats.

JULIAN: Watching the #DPCON12 Twitter stream, while text messaging me the following: “There yet?’’; “Oh dear. Lots of people waiting to meet you. Problogger on’’. (Problogger? Noooo).

10am:

ME: We finally wrestle the bus driver to the ground, tie him up and escape the bus. Not long after, I find myself sitting next to my good friend Louisa (thank you so much for saving me a seat), iPad open and taking deep breaths. I made it. Was disappointed to miss most of the Social Media For Social Good session.

JULIAN: Temper tantrums begin, mainly with Ella.

10.45:

ME: One of the highlights for me was the Blog to Book Session (click to read CoverItLive transcript). This is where my head is at right now, with the ebook coming out this month and also writing a biographical novel. While Valerie Khoo from the Sydney Writers Centre was quick to point out that the stories being told were not the norm, I still learnt a lot about getting a publisher. My biggest take home was “you need a book distributor to physically get books in stores’’.

JULIAN: Went to pick up Ella’s new glasses. Our little girl now sees the world in a different light – until she sits on them.

12.45:

ME: As much as I would love to have sat in on Valerie’s Writing Workshop, I ended up at the Working with Brands session (click to read CoverItLive transcript). This was probably one of the most… `interesting’ sessions of the day. I’ll let you read it for yourself. The comment: “You run a huge risk with your readers if you’re accepting cash for your posts. You’ll soon lose your readers. It will hurt your blog’’ sparked a lot of conversation.

JULIAN: Not much to report. Taking that as a good sign.

1.30pm:

ME: I’ll be honest and say I went into Blog to Business session (click to read CoverItLive transcript) not expecting to learn a whole lot. However, I was blown away by some of the lessons these women had to share. Renee from Bra Queen was particularly inspiring for me and was glad I had a chance to chat to her in the break too. Even during that chat, she was still sharing tips. What a generous woman.

JULIAN: As before.

6pm:

ME: I spent the afternoon in a hotel room stupidly trying to catch up on work after having Holly stuck to my chest the day before throwing up. Instead, I should have been listening to what I knew would be a powerful story from Kristie from Hespera’s Garden and others in the My Blog, My Story session. By 6pm, I was pulling on a dress and heels and ready to party for the dinner and dance.

JULIAN: Texts through to tell me: “oh no. I’m feeling crook’’.

8pm:

ME: There was that fear my awesome dancing abilities pre-children may have been lost to daggy mum shuffling. Thankfully, there wasn’t a Tassie Two Step in sight. The phrase “dance like no one is watching” was undoubtedly penned for the fabulous Shae. Although, I’m not so sure about the moment she decided to rip her boots and leggings off mid dance. Hmm.

JULIAN: Texts through to tell me he’s: “power spewing and shakes’’.

10.30pm:

ME: Get wrangled into doing the photo booth, wearing a princess tiara and oversized glasses. Restrain myself from grabbing the microphone and singing Shania Twain. Wow, mummy bloggers are hardcore party animals.

Sadly, the only photo I have from the whole DPCON12.

JULIAN: Texts through to tell me: “Holly has spewed everywhere. Your mum has come over.’’

SATURDAY:

8.30am:

ME: On the phone to Julian and the princesses, giving details of my fabulous night with some of the most inspiring women on the web. Brenda, you and the team should be very proud.

JULIAN: On the phone to me, detailing the volume of spew flushed down the toilet since 8.30pm yesterday, which includes Ella also now spewing.

10am:

ME: Eating this with my li’l brother in St Kilda.

JULIAN: Texts through to tell me: “you cow’’.

11.30am:

ME: Shopping at Chadstone and fell in love with the Build a Bear Workshop.

JULIAN: Texts through to tell me: “Holly has crashed. Ella asleep in our bed’’. It seems the sick girls are worn out.

5pm:

ME: Sitting on the plane, just landed, and seeing a little girl in a pink dress jumping up and down inside the airport. Within a few minutes, I have two li’l princesses jumping all over me, covering me in the biggest kisses. Especially Holly, who has never spent a night away from her mum-mum. It’s good to be home.

JULIAN: Enjoying seeing his girls smiling for a change.

6pm:

ME: Going through the DPCON goodies bag with the girls, with Ella’s favourite being Karen Andrews book Surprise. My favourite is the beautiful cards from Hallmark and the voucher from mooo.com.au.

JULIAN: Becomes far too excited about the Viva and ENJO products included in the bag. Apparently one of the Viva products was marked on his shopping list. I am not kidding. Probably due to all the spewing that’s been going on.

7pm:

ME: Exactly two hours after arriving home, I begin adding colour to the inside of the toilet bowl.

JULIAN: Sighing… will this ever end?

Does anyone else go to these sorts of events and have that fear someone via Facebook/Twitter/email will mention they spoke to you, but you will have no recollection of it? We spoke? Did we?

April 2, 2012
#DPCON12: Blog to book

Blog to book is the second session of the Digital Parents Conference 2012. If all didn’t come to a crashing halt during the last live blog, I’ll attempt to do it again here from 10.30am. You can also follow the hashtag #DPCON12 on Twitter.

Speakers are:

Pip Linconle – Meet Me at Mikes

Karen Andrews – Miscellaneous Mum

Kylie Ofiu – Kylie Ofiu

Valerie Khoo – Sydney Writers’ Centre (moderator)

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question, but same rules apply as before – not everything may coordinate at once for me to moderate comments in real time. Don’t let that discourage you though.

To follow the conversation, simply click “Play’’.

<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=eba4f4bfef" >DPCON: Blog 2 Book</a>

March 30, 2012
Another look inside the upcoming ebook

Here’ another excerpt from the April released ebook. And it now has a title: Only Hearts Should Be Worn On Sleeves – The Snotty Truth About Motherhood.

We’re getting closer (and extremely nervous)…

The bump

All-day sickness — milk it for all it’s worth

Vomit, wind, dribble and burping — and this is all before the baby’s even born. To be honest, right now I’m in the midst of the easy part of being knocked up. The worst I have to complain about is being kicked in the guts repeatedly or having a foot poke out from under my skin.

It’s a far cry from those challenging early days, trust me. In the initial months, a Queensland holiday sounded like just what the doctor would have ordered — except that the doctor probably knew better.

Having scoffed at women who carried on about morning sickness (oh please, it can’t be that bad!), my payback was falling victim to something that combined sailing, show rides and partying — or rather seasickness, dizziness and hangovers.

And morning sickness, my foot. Try all-day sickness. Mind you, for two months I got breakfast in bed every morning and my dinner cooked every night (couldn’t stand the fumes.Honest!).

But back to the holiday. Arriving at a Gold Coast shopping centre, 15 minutes in I start to turn green. Then there’s panic. No toilet. No rubbish bin. No time to think. So I just close my eyes, bottom up, head down and heave. When I open them again, two women are staring at me like I’m a junkie, while I stare at a once immaculately manicured garden, now far more colourful than before.

I’ve never been so glad to get home from a holiday — there’s nothing quite like spewing in your own toilet.

While the worst part is that all-day sickness arrives just before you’re able to announce you’re preggers (try explaining to work mates you’ve still got your 24-hour bug two weeks on), the best part is stringing the sickness out just that extra month longer. Come on. Breakfast in bed is hard to give up.

Read another excerpt from the book.

What was the early stages of pregnancy like for you? Did you suffer morning sickness?

March 22, 2012
Quiet! There’s too much noise – Zhu Zhu children’s picture book

THIS is my little stab at writing a children’s book. I know it still needs a LOT of work. Either that or the bin. It’s based on the adventures of Ella’s two Zhu Zhu pets and. at the moment, it is a well read story here. So I thought I’d share it with you.

This is my final few days as Zhu-Fari’s mummy blogger ambassador and is an opportunity I’ve been very thankful for.

QUIET. THERE’S TOO MUCH NOISE

One day, when the two princesses were at school, there were some strange things happening at home.

Mum was busily doing her work, when suddenly she heard a noise. What could it be?

She peered around the corner to find Zhu Leopard and Zhu Zebra tearing around the lounge room in a loud car. They were going sooo fast, Zhu Zebra’s hair was flapping in the wind. “Quiet,’’ Mum said. “There’s too much noise.’’

Mum headed back to doing her work. Then, a few minutes later, she heard … scratch, scratch, scratch. She peeked into the kitchen to find Zhu Leopard and Zhu Zebra trying to get into Baby Holly’s birthday cake. “Quiet,’’ Mum said. “There’s too much noise.’’

Just as Mum sat back down to her computer, she heard scratch, scratch, scratch AND nibble, nibble, nibble. What was going on? Mum headed to the kitchen again and this time found Zhu Leopard had jumped INTO the cake tin. “Quiet,’’ Mum said. “There’s too much noise.’’

As the sun started to set and Mum was writing her last few tweets (um, we mean work emails), the Zhu-Faris sat up to the window as the sky changed colour. Then… squee, squee, squee. The noisy pair had spotted a tiny bird through the window and wanted to chase it. Mum sighed and then said: “Quiet. There’s too much noise.’’

Mum had had enough. She picked the two Zhu-Faris up, took them into Princess Ella’s room and and tucked them into bed. She then opened a book and read them a quiet bedtime story. The Zhu-Fari’s sat, without making a noise, and listened.

Soon they were fast asleep.

Mum was finally able to sit down and finish her work. But something was wrong. What could it be? “It’s too quiet,’’ Mum said. “There’s not enough noise.’’

***

If you want (and please, don’t feel like I’m twisting your arm), you can download a free copy of the ebook (with proper formatting) to read to your little ones. Just click on the image.

Joining in with Kate Says Stuff’s Thankful Thursday. Find out what others are thankful for by clicking the link.

DISCLOSURE: I am a Zhu-Fari mummy blogger ambassador.

October 27, 2011