Tag: motherhood

motherhood

Things we’re doing to give our children a bit more autonomy

by WaikiLeave a Comment on Things we’re doing to give our children a bit more autonomy

For context, my husband and I have 3 children. Our two sons, 12 and 15 years old, and our daughter who is 5 years old. In this post I’ll explain some of the things we’ve decided to do to allow them to become a bit more autonomous, as we slowly detach ourselves from the tight grip of “micro-parenting”, as I like to call it. You know, that tendency to always be on your kids’ backs, checking everything they do, monitoring every move… We found that micro-parenting was having less of an impact as our kids started to grow, so our approach to raising them really changed over the last year or so in order to accommodate their need for independence and autonomy.

Continue reading “Things we’re doing to give our children a bit more autonomy” →
Lifestyle

8 Steps to help you take back control of your life

by Waiki2 Comments on 8 Steps to help you take back control of your life

At the end of 2022 I wrote a very depressing post about the type of year I had just had. I was in a bad place that day and there was nothing anyone could have said to make me feel better – I really was just as miserable as the post sounded. I felt like my life had spiralled out of control and I quite frankly lost hope. But the moment I published the post, I knew I had to come back at the beginning of January, revisit these thoughts and force myself into a more positive outlook for the new year. So here I am, and this is what I plan on doing to regain control of my life after such a disappointing year.

Continue reading “8 Steps to help you take back control of your life” →
motherhood

How much do you judge other parents?

by WaikiLeave a Comment on How much do you judge other parents?

“My son is not yet potty trained.” She said.

“Oh. Okay!” I replied, surprised.

She then sighed and went on a rant about how difficult it is with boys.

“They’re a bit slow compared to girls, when it comes to these things.” She said.

I smiled and didn’t say anything. That had not been my experience, but I understood that she had obviously been struggling with potty training. I wasn’t about to confront her gender stereotyping (perhaps I should have, gently?). Clearly she just wanted someone to talk to.

Continue reading “How much do you judge other parents?” →
Food

Simple, quick and easy lunch boxes for kids: 7 Tips

by WaikiLeave a Comment on Simple, quick and easy lunch boxes for kids: 7 Tips

If you follow my Instagram stories in the mornings, you will know that 3 or 4 times a week I like to share my children’s lunch boxes. Some very interesting conversations have taken place in my DMs as a result, i.e. people asking me how I set aside the extra time in the mornings to pack them, or people asking about quantities, nutritional value etc. I’ve also had a few people telling me they preferred the school canteen option, which I can actually relate to, as my children used to eat in the canteen prior to the pandemic.

I’ve written this post to break down my lunch box process from beginning to end, but bear in mind that my approach is extremely simple and suits my busy lifestyle. My children’s lunches are nowhere near as creative as the ones you have probably seen on Pinterest and Tik Tok. In fact I take my hat off to any parent out there who finds the time, energy and creativity to make fancy-looking lunch boxes for their kids everyday! This is not my reality, and I’m sure many parents will relate – we don’t necessarily have it in us to make the fanciest lunches, but we still want our kids to enjoy the experience and the food!

Continue reading “Simple, quick and easy lunch boxes for kids: 7 Tips” →
Lifestyle, motherhood, Tried & Tested

AD | Coping with the demands of home learning – in partnership with Joy Learning

by WaikiLeave a Comment on AD | Coping with the demands of home learning – in partnership with Joy Learning

A few days after the very first lockdown was announced at the beginning of this pandemic, I looked at my husband and said “Academically speaking, this year is pretty much void, right?” He just sighed. We both had a feeling that we’d just have to erase this year from our children’s academic journey and start over next year! Being a teacher, he knows all too well the struggle to keep children’s interest in learning alive. He knows how hard it is to stimulate their young minds to keep learning at a time like this.

This past year, every time schools closed, he almost singlehandedly took care of our children’s education, home schooling them to the best possible standard and supervising them while they took their online classes. And all this, on top of having to teach from home himself. We have a routine, but let’s be honest – being at home with all the distractions just simply isn’t the same.

In times like these, that feeling of dread for your children’s future is normal. But you don’t have to do it alone, you don’t have to struggle. If you’re a parent who is finding it hard to give your children the additional academic support they need in their school journey, or if you’re simply looking for an affordable tutoring service of great quality, I’d like to tell you about Joy Learning (Click here to visit the website).

Continue reading “AD | Coping with the demands of home learning – in partnership with Joy Learning” →
motherhood

Encouraging honest parent-child dialogue: 5 questions to ask your children

by Waiki6 Comments on Encouraging honest parent-child dialogue: 5 questions to ask your children

I value the beauty of communication and dialogue with my children. The questions I’m about to suggest came to me completely randomly as I sat down with my sons for our daily ‘chit-chat’ – a mother-and-son moment we have every single evening, where we talk about their day and anything else that’s been on their mind: from “Mum, how are trains made?” to “Mum, I have this spot on my chin…” That evening, I decided to have a bit more of a structured approach to our chit-chat, and introduced a set of questions. I didn’t think they’d be so useful in making the conversation flow, and I’m surprised at how much the boys enjoyed answering them! N.B.: These questions are specifically aimed at pre-teen/teenagers. However, parents of younger children (and dads!) feel free to tailor as necessary.

Continue reading “Encouraging honest parent-child dialogue: 5 questions to ask your children” →
Lifestyle, Style

AD – Create a Christmas garden adventure! In partnership with Barbour x House of Fraser

by WaikiLeave a Comment on AD – Create a Christmas garden adventure! In partnership with Barbour x House of Fraser

One thing I absolutely love about this time of the year is using my imagination to transform our living space into the perfect festive setting. I usually do this indoors with our Christmas decorations, our tree and all the other festive touches that put us all in the mood for Christmas. This year however, I decided to do something different by creating a Christmas enchanted garden – an adventure that my children, especially my 2-year old daughter, would remember for a long time.

No matter the size of your garden, there are many different ways to encourage your children’s curiosity and sense of adventure. From creating a mini winter wonderland, to turning your outdoor space into a small campsite, you’ll find that a little bit of imagination can go a very long way. So get into the spirit and dress for the occasion – we are wearing Barbour’s gorgeous new Father Christmas collection, which is inspired by Raymond Brigg’s Father Christmas, available here.

Continue reading “AD – Create a Christmas garden adventure! In partnership with Barbour x House of Fraser” →
Lifestyle

Thriving in every role – What modern womanhood means to me

by WaikiLeave a Comment on Thriving in every role – What modern womanhood means to me

I’m proud to embody different versions of what it means to be me. Throughout my adult life I have blossomed professionally, creatively, gained confidence in the workplace.

But I can’t celebrate ‘me’ without mentioning my more domesticated side. I take pride in my love for homemaking just as much as I take pride in my career journey.

Continue reading “Thriving in every role – What modern womanhood means to me” →

Lifestyle, motherhood, Tried & Tested

AD│ A caring gift for little hands – Childs Farm Hand care tin

by WaikiLeave a Comment on AD│ A caring gift for little hands – Childs Farm Hand care tin

If there’s one thing this year has taught me, it’s that we can never be “too hygienic”. Growing up, good hand hygiene was something my mother used to insist on all the time, and I’m glad she raised us that way. Today I find myself using a similar approach when it comes to my own children – teaching them to not only wash their hands regularly, but also keep them soft, nourished and moisturised especially in colder weather.

With the festive season fast approaching, the Childs Farm Hand care tin makes an amazing Christmas gift and is also the perfect little tool (this year especially!) to encourage the little ones to be intentional about their hand washing routine.

Continue reading “AD│ A caring gift for little hands – Childs Farm Hand care tin” →