THIS week I was honoured with the editorship of The Advocate Newspaper. It’s the paper I grew up reading as a kid (mostly comics and the footy achievements of my brothers). It’s so much more than that though. It’s where I met Princess Kel.
Despite growing up in neighbouring towns, Kel and I were not destined to meet till that one day I happened to walk into the then Editor’s office as a young cadet to find this pretty little thing sitting there. Kel doesn’t remember that moment. I do. Like it was yesterday.
In those early days at the newspaper, our lives were heading in different directions… till events made us realise our shared feelings. A sneaky kiss in the newspaper’s file room (which funnily enough is now the IT dept) sealed the deal.
From then on, while being different individually, we have been almost as one. Our strengths and weaknesses complement each other. There is no doubt my sometimes over-the-top personality helped Kel evolve from a shy, young journo into a confident writer, while I would not be an Editor today without her calming hand and sound, measured advice.
Yet, our greatest achievement has nothing to do with the newspaper directly. It is the two princesses we have been blessed with – Ella and Holly. Whatever you achieve in your working life is great, but it can never supersede what you have as a family.
MY NAME is Kellie and I am a list person. In fact, I write lists for my lists. I know, sad.
Things have been so incredibly busy around here, with Mum PR picking up at an incredible pace, hubby preparing for his new role as newspaper Editor, Baby Holly becoming mobile and Princess Ella, well, just being her usual busy self. So last week when the housework started to look like it needed a little tender care (actually, probably more brute force), I decided to ring in some help and create a new version of my to do list.
The help was Princess Ella. And this was the list:
The list.
Can you guess what each task is?
It made house cleaning incredibly fun for Ella, as she got to cross off each job after we completed it. Although, not all duties were performed0 to my usual standard. This was the washing:
Ella's attempt at hanging the washing.
It was a good effort. While I’m not into slave labour, I do like to teach Ella new skills, show her that life is about balance (play and work) and give her some responsibility.
Do your children help with the housework? How do you make it fun?
By the way, the list (in order) is: wipe condensation off the windows; mop the floors; do the washing; bake biscuits; cook dinner; pay bills; clean bathrooms; clean kitchen; finish the doll’s house; and change the sheets on the bed.
DURING my journalism career I had some incredible mentors and people who inspired me. However, there’s one who stood above them all. And I’m not just saying that because we stole a kiss in the office file room. Shhh, don’t tell.
That person is my husband. The father of my two princesses. You know him as The Bloke in The Shed. Yesterday Julian added one more title to his name. He was announced Editor of The Advocate Newspaper and I couldn’t be prouder.
It was inevitable this day would come. He lives and breathes newspapers. On weekends our kitchen table AND the lounge room floor are covered with papers. It near drives me batty at times.
He walks around with his portable radio, ear plugs in, listening to Melbourne radio station 3AW. When you peek over to see what he’s doing on the computer, it’s either a news site or Facebook (where he’s picking up more and more stories these days). Oh, or stupid Supercoach. Really, what is the point of that?
He got the job based on more than passion though. He’s worked hard for it. Right from those early days as a skinny kid (yes, skinny) heading in for work experience every school holidays. It only increased when, out of Year 12, he got his first break. I was fortunate enough to witness the moment he became the paper’s youngest Sports Editor, then Chief of Staff and eventually Deputy Editor.
There’s another factor in the equation too. His family. He’s been brought up surrounded by high achievers. Most of you will have read about his brother, the new CEO of Woolworths. But it doesn’t end there. As the youngest of seven children, he’s surrounded by siblings who have excelled in their chosen professions. And atop them all is a mother who taught them to keep their feet on the ground and a father who showed them the possibilities from sheer hard work. It’s easy to see why it’s been such a natural progression for him.
When it came to this week, let’s just say there was a slight level of stress in the O’Brien household anticipating the interview. Then there was the little fact of some ash cloud causing flights to be cancelled from Tassie to Melbourne – including the one that was to take The Bloke in The Shed to his interview. Slight panic? Yes.
We’re not kidding ourselves. The next six months won’t be easy. Especially because I’m going to have to start doing the ironing myself. The li’l princesses won’t be seeing much of their Dad as he commits himself to getting the paper to where he wants it. For now, the focus will be on quality time with the girls, while quantity just isn’t possible. And, in years to come, that’s what the girls will remember most.
By the way, Julian’s now on Twitter. I know, wonders will never cease. You can follow him at @Julian_OBrien
I never want to leave this one and her big sister helpless.
THE other night I had a pain in my chest. It frightened me. So much so, I realised if something happened to me at that moment, three-year-old Ella and her eight-month-old baby sister Holly would be helpless. Ella has no idea what to do in an emergency.
So, after assuring myself it was a touch of indigestion, I Facebooked. As you do. You can read the full transcript on the TLP Facebook page.
Sharna: My kids always knew 000 from younger than pre-school just incase. They were also told of the massive consequences if they rang it for no reason. It was rung once or twice and the people on the other end were happy that the kids knew what to do, but asked them not to do it unless it was an emergency. What about a number on speed dial? Like Daddy is 1, other people other numbers. Maybe change the numbers for coloured dots. Does she know dad’s fave colour?
Sheralee: We have numbers programmed into our phone so all you need to do, for instance, is hold down the number 2 button and it automatically dials Adam. Maybe even put a dot of colour on the numbers on the phone and a pictures of people on the fridge with their colour next to them.
Barb: Have been a bit slack with Darcy, but when Ellie was about 3 I did some re-enactments where I told her it was a game and that if Mummy fell over or hurt herself and couldn’t talk or move, to go get the phone and call 000. Taught her address and practiced a few times and then did a couple out of the blue to see if she got the gist. First time I feigned collapse she jumped up and down on my guts… not a good result. But next time I tried, she did it perfectly! Worth the peace of mind, for sure.
Sharon: One funny/serious/odd new thing about teaching kids to call “triple O” is that with text messaging so big these days the young are trying to dial “666” as that is the letter “O” button!!! No joke. Tell kids it’s “triple zero”!
So the next day I set about teaching Ella to ring her dad and the emergency number. Whoa, was this a challenge. Because I couldn’t figure out how to work the speed dial function, we drew a picture each to help her navigate the address book. I know, I may as well have taught her to knit with one needle. Much easier.
Two very different versions of what to do in an emergency!
In the end she mastered ringing Dad twice and if he doesn’t answer (obviously in a meeting… or the toilet), ring 000. Then it was onto answering the questions the operator may ask her. Her name? That was easy. What was wrong? “Mummy’s sick’’. OK, that’ll do. Her address? Well, that was a whole new challenge. For the sake of this post, let’s say our address is 7 Hippopotamus Drv, Devonport.
Ella: “Hippopatmus Drv, Devonport’’. That’s fantastic, except we’re missing the all-important house number.
“I don’t know.’’ After explaining that, yes, it’s seven, we tried again.
“7 Hippopotamus Dve, Hobart’’. What? OK, so we’d just been to Hobart for a holiday. Let’s try again.
“Devonport’’ OK, what about the rest of the address? Try again.
“Um, I can’t remember.’’
Oh dear, we’ve hit a hurdle. I must add that, generally, she gets our address first time. I’m wondering if the whole pressure of HAVING to remember it is doing her head in. We’ll keep working on it. Since this conversation, The Bloke in The Shed has promised to work out speed dial for me. In the meantime, their chances of survival are slim and none – and slim just left town.
Have you taught your child what to do in an emergency? What are your tips?
For my three-year-old daughter allowing me to see what I’ve become this week under the effects of a cold and sleep deprivation. Jiggling her “baby’’ on her hip this afternoon, she remarked how her bub was very tired. “You woke her up. I’m very annoyed with you. She’s going to be very tired now. OK? You were very naughty.’’ She then produced a rather over-the-top frown, with furrowed brow. Oh dear. I need to relax.
Again, for Ella, realising my misery this week, allowed me a 20-minute nap one afternoon. Well, after poking me in the head 15 times and then shouting “Wake up, Jeff’’. But there was 20 minutes uninterrupted sleep, none-the-less.
A pain in the chest (most likely indigestion) being the catalyst for me teaching Ella what to do in an emergency. There were some rather humorous moments (of course), but you’ll have to wait ‘til Tuesday for the full story.
I’m joining with Maxabella Loves to share what I’m grateful for.
THERE’S a lot of greens being eaten in our house at the moment – and I’m not talking about vegetables. As mentioned earlier this week, Mr Sniffles entered our house after a cold snap and left everyone running for the tissues. Except me (touch wood).
During my short time as a mother, I’ve experienced babies with colds on more than a few occasions. I even ended up in hospital with Ella when she was just a bub after fears she’d contracted swine flu.
Thankfully, she hadn’t, but she still had quite a serious case of Bronchiolitis. It was one of the most frightening nights of my life, as I sat watching her breathe all night. So when colds come to visit us, I take them pretty seriously.
A friend was battling the lurgy in her house recently and asked for some tips to help her bub through it. So, now Baby Holly is going through the same, I thought I’d share what I’ve learnt here.
Give baby extra breastfeeds to prevent them from getting dehydrated
Vicks Baby Balsam on the soles of their feet (unless under four months and then it’s best to avoid)
Use a vapouriser in their room. My favourite brand is Hippo Deluxe Steam Vapouriser. It’s the only one we’ve bought that hasn’t broken down after a couple of uses.
Disclaimer: This is based on my personal opinion and experience. I am not a medical professional, so please seek medical advice if you are at all concerned.
THIS week I was honoured with the editorship of The Advocate Newspaper. It’s the paper I grew up reading as a kid (mostly comics and the footy achievements of my brothers). It’s so much more than that though. It’s where I met Princess Kel.
