Mums

Routine Charts for Easy Starts

The start of the day can be harrowing, especially if you have kids of different ages who need to get to different places!  The only way I know of getting everyone out of the door on time and with everything they need, is to establish good routines and stick to them.  Routine charts can be incredibly helpful for a child’s growing independence.  Young kids who can manage a few steps independently in the morning,...

Hilton Holiday – Luxury for Families

When we had kids, I was pretty sure our days of nice holidays were over – at least for the next ten years!  I know some families enjoy luxury holidays where the kids are catered for in their own special program, but when we have time away I want us to be together as a family.  So when the Hilton Hotel at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast invited us* to trial their “Doing It For The Kids” family holiday...

Brisbane Floods – One Year On

Miss 5 went to see the ballet today as a special treat with her Aunty.  The plan was for Mr 3 and I to hang out at the Queensland Museum for the morning – but it is currently closed for renovations in preparation for the 150th Birthday Party in just over a week.  (There will be cake. Two METRES of cake. You heard it here…) So, while the girls were doing this:

You Don’t Need Me

The last month has been challenging journey for our little family through some ups and downs. One of us came down with the flu, just as the other recovered. One of us flew away from Brisbane, just as the other returned. One family said hello to us, just as we say goodbye to another. One friend welcomed a new baby, while heartbreakingly another will bury hers this week.

Diamond Mums

A friend of ours was recently discussing diamonds with us, after proposing to his girlfriend  It’s been over ten years since we went engagement-ring-shopping but I still remember learning about the 4 Cs – cut, clarity, colour and carat!  Our friend laughed about the fact that synthetic diamonds are often of equal beauty to natural diamonds… the only problem is that they are too perfect!

How Do You Feel Today?

How do you feel today? How do you feel today? If you’re feeling happy then clap your hands Feeling happy then clap your hands Feeling happy then clap your hands Clap your hands like this. How do you feel today? How do you feel today? If you’re feeling grumpy then stomp around Feeling grumpy then stomp around Feeling grumpy then stomp around Stomp around like this.

Chemical Free Cleaning

Some of you may already know that I have started writing for Kleenex Mums. My articles over there are a little longer and more in depth than you usually find here at SquiggleMum, but I hope you enjoy them and find them informative.  Jump over to read my articles on Water Wise Families or School Projects, or read this one below on chemical free cleaning:

Climbing Up and Falling Down

I believe that kids and nature belong together, so I encourage my children to play daily outside, exploring their backyard and the natural elements in it.  I believe that tree climbing is one of childhood’s greatest joys.  I believe that happy kids require both freedom and boundaries.  I believe children’s environments should be as safe as necessary, rather than as safe as possible.  And I believe that...

Fence Storage

Every now and then I have great idea, followed closely by “Why didn’t I think of this sooner?” The simple ideas are always the best. I simply screwed a couple of old brass hooks (which were lying unused in the bottom of a toolbox) onto the fence at child height.  We were already using the two green baskets for outdoor toy storage.  I love them because: