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Tag: parenting

  • FEATURE: Inside the life of a celebrity mum

    FEATURE: Inside the life of a celebrity mum

    Multi Golden Guitar winner Sara Storer
    TODAY I’m handing the blog over to multi Golden Guitar winner and mum Sara Storer. The aim is simply to show mums out there that, no matter what cards you’re dealt in life, we all share similar experiences. Even celebrity mums.

    This down-to-earth country music star, who’s renown for her unique Aussie sound, is mum to little Harry and has her second bub due at the end of the month. Her latest single, Children of the Gurindji with Kevin Carmody, will speak to many mums this Mother’s Day. You can see the video clip at the end of this post. Some of you will already be familiar with Tears, a song which touched so many with its direct message about domestic violence towards children.

     

    Kellie O’Brien: You’re one of country music’s newest mums. How did mums like Beccy Cole, Kasey Chambers and Gina Jeffries support you on your new path?

    Sara Storer: The girls were a big help and a wonderful support during my first pregnancy and after Harry was born. I was on the road touring with the Songbirds… Beccy & Gina. Being mums they had heaps of advice especially about my future concerns of being a mum on the road with a baby. The girls also took it in turns of babysitting Harry whilst I was on stage or having a number of wonderful tips for those moments of chaos just before I was to go on! They (Bec, Gina & Kasey) were very inspirational and encouraged the idea that I can be a mum and a singer at the same time.

    KO: What is the story behind naming your son Harry? Is this a nod to the retired buffalo shooter who inspired your first song, Buffalo Bill?

    SS: It was just a nice coincidence that we named our boy Harry. Not directly linked to Harry the Buffalo shooter who inspired my first song but the love of the name and the lovely song it sings when I say…’ Harry O’Hare get out of the fridge!’

    KO: You took time off from your music career to play mum to Harry? How important was that time for you?

    SS: Well initially it was extremely important to bond with our baby and take some time to rest and recover from the big day! It definitely has been a challenge between balancing motherhood and career. Motherhood has been and still is the most wonderful thing I’ve experienced but I still love performing and being Sara Storer the artist and all that that brings.

    KO: How has that period inspired you musically?

    SS: Motherhood is so much more than I expected. It’s huge and has and will inspire many songs about my family. I have been introduced to so many new emotions and every day brings something new. I hate it if I miss anything and would prefer to see it all for myself… that’s why balancing motherhood and career is such a challenge.

    KO: Your singles Tears and now Children of the Gurindji (with Kev Carmody) are very much centred on our Australian children; the latter from your experiences as a teacher in the Northern Territory. Has having Harry made you look at life – and children – differently?

    SS: I guess having Harry has reinforced my beliefs and values about the upbringing of our children. We can change a child’s personality by exposing them to things that should never be seen, heard or felt. It’s up to us to protect them from abuse of any sort, so let us start in our own backyard… our neighbours and our students and our families and give a child a fair start.

    KO: What one moment shared with Harry stands out most for you?

    SS: One true special moment would be watching my fiancé become a big softy. When Harry and I have been on the road for weeks and we come home to Darwin and Dave meets us at the airport, it’s very special. The relationship between a father and son is such a lovely thing to watch at any age. And I see a big toughie reduced to a big softy in seconds!

    KO: What do you love best about being a mum?

    SS: I love not missing anything. I love the fact that my job allows me to take Harry on the road with me. I love that I haven’t missed funny things he has said and his first steps and triumphs. Of all the advice I’ve been given the one that I take seriously is that it all goes so quick and before you know it they have grown up. So I try to slow down and never wish to rush the day away. (Even though there have been days that I could definitely put into fast forward… and nights!)

    KO: What’s in store for Mother’s Day?

    SS: I have just turned around and asked the two males on the couch ‘what is installed for Mothers Day?” and the reply was…”When is Mothers Day?”I will be working on that one! Look, I don’t get too precious about those days… as in I don’t turn into a psycho and demand presents, but I do appreciate mums and what’s involved in the day and life for a mum. For example, today I have done 18 phone interviews as well as squeeze in four loads of washing, a quick whip around, this questionnaire and the days not finished yet! I think I will demand some chocolates!!  


    What aspects of Sara’s life can you relate to?
    This post is joining in with FlogYoBlog Friday over at Where’s My Glow?
    FYBF

  • SHED: For the love of a mother

    SHED: For the love of a mother

    Kel and Holly

    WHEN you grow up with a miracle mum as a role model, your expectations of what a “mum’’ is, is kinda high. You see, Betty O’Brien had seven kids and I was the last of them. I was a mistake in fact. Result of a housewives basketball celebration dinner apparently … still getting therapy for that revelation.

    I was nine years after my next oldest sibling and my mum was well over 40. My birth nearly did us both in – I was so premature I spent months in hospital after being born.

    Despite that, I still reflect at the amazing amount of time my mother devoted to me in my childhood, even to the point of having nightly post-school “foul shooting competitions” at the family basketball court while tea was bubbling away on the stove. My point? Bear with me …

    I reflected on this influence privately recently. What I concluded was, in looking for my own partner I did, subconsciously, look for someone who would similarly take the same approach to motherhood.

    Don’t be confused. Kellie and my mother are completely different people (it would be kinda weird if they weren’t). However, they both share an unfathomable love and devotion for their children.

    Take our six-month-old Holly for example. Since conception, it has not been easy for Kel. A perfectionist with a great career and true professionalism, Kel’s sickness associated with the pregnancy meant she was largely bed-ridden for a large portion of the pregnancy and had to give up work way earlier than expected.

    Since birth, she has had to battle a baby, which – while delightful in every way – has slept only three-hour stints at night on less occasions than you have fingers. All this while managing an independent and spirited three-year-old and a husband with a challenging, full-time job requiring long hours.

    Kel does all this while remaining sane, (largely) happy and actively aiding the development of both children to the point they are a sheer delight to all those who meet them. Her kids adore her, as do I. She, like Betty before her, is the perfect mum.

    Kel on our wedding day

    Happy Mother’s Day to my dearly beloved. xx

    What do you love most about your mum?

    Taking part in Weekend Rewind @ Life in A Pink Fibro on June 10.

  • FEATURE: What’s wrong with Baby Holly?

    FEATURE: What’s wrong with Baby Holly?

    Cuddles with Baby Holly

    SOME parents face really terrible and tragic circumstances with their children. Luckily that hasn’t befallen us. But we have had some minor scares and it’s never easy. Nobody tells you it’s like this when you take on the role of mum. (Maybe they know we’d all chicken out if we did.)
    On Saturday, while Baby Holly was trying her best to crawl, we realised one of her arms wasn’t straight. It appeared to turn downwards – so much so it looked as if it was dislocated.

    Driving the “boat''

    After an excruciating journey via Dr Google, the Parenting Helpline, the ER and then finally yesterday our wonderful GP, we’ve been told Baby Holly likely has a muscle imbalance. It’s linked to the extreme flexibility that allows our little bubbas to do things like touch their eyebrows with their toes. Oh, to still be able to do that!

    Playing with her toes in the highchair

    Of course, we have to monitor her over the next month in case her development halts, but for now I can finally sleep easy – when she actually allows me to sleep, of course. Now, that’s a whole other post.

    Showing off how she can now sit by herself!

    I’ll never stop worrying about my two girls. Well, it is my job. But let’s hope it’s a while before I have to go through this degree of panic again.

    My baby girl

    Subscribe to Three Li’l Princesses to keep up to date with Holly’s progress.

  • FEATURE: Get by with a little help from my (imaginary) friends

    FEATURE: Get by with a little help from my (imaginary) friends

    Ella is a social butterfly… with all her imaginary friends!

    PRINCESS Ella astounds me with the extent of her imagination. While once I would have been concerned that she was spending too much time at night reading books to her imaginary friends in bed, I’m now super proud. “Can you find the letter eeee, Teddy? Yes, that’s right. Good boy, Teddy’’.

    You see, this strange behaviour isn’t going to see her turn into Mel Gibson. Apparently, children with imaginary friends retain knowledge faster than other children, are more sociable and more creative. Or so I read somewhere. I’ll be whipping out our favourite Chocolate Brownie recipe and inviting more friends over, I think.

    Ella also walks around the house, pretend mobile phone cradled between her ear and shoulder, parroting an adult’s conversation to a “friend” on the phone. I’m guessing she’s either mimicking her dad or a child care worker. It couldn’t be me.

    The conversation usually goes something like this: “Oh, I know. That’s terrific. She’s been such a good girl today. I know. I’ll just write that down on a piece of paper (scrambles for paper and a crayon). Now, let me see. It’s e, u, h, k. I know. I know. Yes, I know.’’

    Mostly, her imagination has helped spawn incredible art work. Just look at this elephant she drew. Remember, she’s only three – and that long thing is its trunk.

    Then, only two days ago, while I was trying to get Baby Holly to sleep, she was busy with her craft and card making. I came out to find she’d made this rabbit for her cousin’s birthday. All. By. Herself.

    She proudly showed it off to me by lifting it up to my face. At this point, the taped on ear flopped downwards. “Oh dear, mum’’ she said, in a rather sad voice. “He’s got a floppy ear’’.

    However, there is a downside to having a child with a vivid imagination. A couple of weeks ago she had a play date with her cousin of the same age. The pair ran around the house, laughing and squealing because a monster was chasing them.

    Then, suddenly, everything went quiet. No, don’t worry, the monster didn’t eat them. Wondering exactly what mischief they might be into, her mum and I started searching through the house. Here the girls were, in my bed, in the nudie rudie playing hairdressers, doctors …. and massages. Worrying, or what?

    How do you foster your child’s imagination? Does your child have imaginary friends?

  • FEATURE: The book that stopped me crying

    FEATURE: The book that stopped me crying

    Baby Holly

    BABY Holly won’t sleep, is clingy, grizzles no end and fusses over everything. That’s where we’re at right at this moment. However, instead of letting out a *sigh*, a *huff* or showing off a :), I’m jumping for joy. Well, kind of.
    You see, amid Baby Holly’s Naomi Campbell-style hissy fits, I’ve been able to finally get my hands on The Wonder Weeks book. No, this is no Fred Savage tale, although The Wonder Years was a damn fine TV show.
    Written by Hetty Vanderijt and Frans Plooij, The Wonder Weeks has uncovered the eight “fussy’’ phases in the first 14 months of bub’s life and shows you how to turn them into magical leaps forward. Yes, those cranky pants baby episodes are bub simply developing new skills. Cool, huh?
    We’re at the very challenging Wonder Week 26. This one is about relationships, so Baby Holly is beginning to understand that something can be inside, outside, on top, above, next to, underneath or in between something else. Of course, the most important element in all of this is the distance between her and I. When I’m not in the room, all hell breaks loose.
    Here’s one of the most important pages in the book – the one which shows when the Wonder Weeks are (the fussy periods) and the Sunny Weeks (where they’re happy having mastered their new skills and go back to normal). More of those please.

    The book, compiled after studying mums and bubs over a long period of time, shows you which games and toys are best for your baby during each key week and how to encourage each leap forward. Of course, it won’t turn your baby into a genius. Drats!
    Here is a quick guide to each Wonder Week, but really you should check out their website The Wonder Weeks (they even have a leap alarm to sign up to) and grab a copy of the book. I’ve been a bit stingy and borrowed mine from the library, but I may just have to buy a copy (and the more updated version goes through to toddlerdom).
    Wonder Week 5: The World of Changing Sensations
    Wonder Week 8: The World of Patterns
    Wonder Week 12: The World of Smooth Transitions
    Wonder Week 19: The World of Events
    Wonder Week 26: The World of Relationships
    Wonder Week 37: The World of Categories
    Wonder Week 46: The World of Sequences
    Wonder Week 55: The World of Programs
    Now you know when to lock yourself inside the house and ban all visitors. Or put a sign on the door saying: Beware: feral baby inside.
    I’ll give more detailed info on each as Baby Holly experiences them. So first, here’s what we’re doing to help her development during Wonder Week 26:

    • Reading more books, as Holly is now more interested in them
    • Playing with our stacking blocks (building towers and showing how they fit inside each other).
    • Singing and talking to her when I leave the room, so she knows I’m still there.
    • Encouraging her movement (some babies can now start crawling), by giving her plenty of floor time and doing exercises with her arms and legs.

    For more information, I have reviewed the book and had author Frans Plooij guest post. You can also buy the book (affiliate link).

    Have you heard about The Wonder Weeks? How do you cope (or not cope) during your baby’s fussy periods?

  • FEATURE: Hot Cross Mum

    FEATURE: Hot Cross Mum

    I’VE been a bit of a hot cross mum lately. Princess Ella has been testing my patience to the point I’ve had to resort to ringing Easter Bunny. At this stage, Easter Bunny won’t be visiting our house due to someone misbehaving (at this rate, not for the next 10 years).

    Usually I wouldn’t stoop so low, but with the end of daylight saving, 4am starts to the day and Baby Holly popping two teeth at once and going through Wonder Week 26, I veered off the path of good parenting and picked up the phone. I will, of course, ring him back and invite him to drop off some eggs. I am not that mean.

    The real problem is two-fold. Firstly, there’s a little girl who’s not getting enough attention because mum is always throwing her boobs about breastfeeding Holly or trying to get Holly to sleep. I try my best to do as much craft, drawing, “hairdressers”, telephone calls to Dorothy the Dinosaur and hide and seek (with the bonus of getting five minutes shut eye under the bed) as I can. However, for her, it’s just not quite enough.

    The second problem is, dare I say it, me.  Romina from Martyr-hood put it best when she said

    “ how you feel about yourself, actually reflects in your own children’’

    and that

    “anxiety is contagious’’.

    This struck a chord with me because, well, the reason Ella is a grumpy pants, is because I’m a grumpy pants. Time for new undies, I say.

    After reading many blog posts about mums being grateful for their lot in life, I’m determined to change my ways. Naomi of Seven Cherubs has started a Happiness Project that I’ve jumped on board and I’ve already posted by first edition in Maxebella Loves’ I’m Grateful For meme.

    So Tuesday morning, as I set off on the road to get Holly’s six-month immunisation shots (yes, more reasons to jump for joy), I decided to get up and get happy.

    So I started singing at the top of my lungs – always guaranteed to make me feel better. I belted out a stellar rendition of Play School’s Ning Nang Nong where the cows go bong and the monkeys all say boo, and was halfway through Der Glumph went the little green frog one day when I realisedd Ella wasn’t even in the car with me.

    A little embarrassed, I quickly flicked on the radio and got rather disappointed by some bumpin’ grindin’ pop tune with no melody. It was at this point I realised how old I was. Back to the Ning Nang Nong.

    The end result was, however, that I’d released the beast and felt much better. I’d recommend it too. And if that fails, there’s always chocolate. Although, I’d better go ring Easter Bunny first.

    So come on, sing it with me…

    How do you overcome “challenging’’ days with the kids? What makes you feel good?

    Read about the follow-up phone call to Easter Bunny.