I recently took a mommymoon.
It was long overdue. Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of life and heading out for a luxurious spa weekend has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. In fact, I couldn’t imagine anything more relaxing than taking the time to surround myself with soothing aromas, intoxicating music, and tranquil lighting all in one place.
Having been at home for as long as I have been, I decided to forego the full spa treatment, for some practical work. Microdermabrasion was high on my list, along with a manicure and pedicure. To some this is not real spa treatment per se; but to me it was bliss. Read more…
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It occurred to me today that there’s nothing quite as attractive as a ‘tough’ guy who responds to a young child’s enthusiasm. Today driving home from work I stopped at the traffic lights and watched as a mother steered her young daughter, who was probably three or four, in a pram / tricycle combination across the crossing.
The endearing smile and enthusiastic wave that this small bundle of energy bestowed on everyone sitting at the traffic lights was enough to lighten the heaviest heart. What was great was that in the two separate cars alongside me, both of the ‘tough guys’ in work shirts waved back with the same enthusiasm as this little girl. This put a smile on my face that stayed with me all the way home. Read more…
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On Monday I am told, “you need to go to Paris for 3 days next week.” I say “OK”, but think, “How can I pull that one-off? I am still nursing!”.
So I go into action, first calling my mother (who happens to be French, has a large family that live in Paris…and who is the primary caregiver during the day while I am at work), and then I start looking up plane tickets and hotels. The only way for me to be able to go on this business trip is to take the baby, and therefore, I need to take my mother to care for her while I am at work.
In turn, I need to take my 4-year-old son as well, since he would be otherwise left without a caretaker while we are away. Tickets are bought, hotel reservations made (which is a process on its own, since I need is a place with a kitchen, so that we can prepare food for the kids and are not forced to eat every meal out), bags are packed, and we are off! Read more…
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This week, we visit four countries! We start in New York on Monday, where Maman Aya tells us about a business trip with a difference – she took along her two young children! Come read as she tells us how she juggled working and parenting far away from home.
On Tuesday, we head over to Australia to talk about tough guys. That is, tough guys who love animals and children, and ladies, we all know how appealing that can be! Fiona at Inspiration To Dream describes the qualities that made her fall for her husband – qualities that she is now starting to see in her own sons.
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This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer TwinMom112. She asked our writers,
“Do you have any fears or phobias that you tried to overcome that are now present in your child/children?”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
Maggie Ellison of South Carolina, USA writes:
“I have a phobia of flying, but don’t want to pass that along to my kids. I flew with my son when he was under 2 and had panic attacks even with meds. He was young, loved the flights and had no idea what I was going through. I hope I never pass along my fear. I try very hard to never mention it in front of them. They want to take a flight home to see my family. I have no idea how to get through that without them knowing. They are older and more aware. I would love to get rid of this fear and I hope to never pass it on to them. So, to your answer your question, I have not passed along a fear of my own and hope not to.” Read more…
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I love research.
I think it comes as part of the “I-have-an-anxiety-disorder” package that I research things obsessively. Getting a dog? Buy ALL the dog books. Having a baby? Spend hundreds of hours trawling through research study abstracts.
So when I saw a notice at the Reproductive Mental Health Centre looking for participants in a study on infant feeding in mothers with depression and anxiety, I volunteered. Why not give back?
Infant feeding and maternal mental health are slightly controversial topic. Research has shown that mothers with post partum depression are more likely to be formula feeders than breast feeders.
What no one really knows is which causes the other.
Does breastfeeding make you happier? Does formula feeding make you miserable? Or does post partum depression just wreck your chances of breastfeeding success? Read more…
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