Nit Patrol: You are under arrest

Tiny lay in my bed on Friday morning and then started scratching her head vigorously. She then proclaimed, "Mum, my head is so itchy."

Alarm bells rang. Well not really, but in my mind, alarm bells were ringing, lights were flashing, there was no ticker tape parade, I was in a state of emergency. 

I grabbed Matt's phone for the torch, and shone it bright. I couldn't see anything. But only because I needed my glasses - so grabbed them too. And then I grabbed Matt's torch again, and started the search - which didn't actually take long because I found Tiny's hair pets within a matter of seconds. 

"Quick Tiny, into the bathroom."

And then nit patrol started.

She was in the shower before you could say, heads, shoulders, nits and towels, nits and towels. 

Thankfully, because of my glamorous life as a non-mummy blogger mummy blogger I had been sent some nit stuff, some time ago - and had held onto the comb, fearing this day would come. 

I worked that conditioner through her hair like sands through the hourglass. And then I worked that comb through her locks like... Like a tight steel-toothed comb through a kilo of nots in a ball of wire. Not easy. Oh dears. 

Tiny was patient. Wrapped in layers of towels. We ruled that nit patrol. We combed and combed, and wow, I don't know if I have ever written about how much I hate parasitic creatures (does anyone love them? Does their own mother even love them?), but yuck. We got so many of those disgusting hair pets out, it was impossible to count. 

Four days later and we've done two more nit patrols. Last night's nit patrol we counted each as we got it out, gave it a name and wrote it down, before we sent it off to a water resort. A dark and hot water resort. 

Tiny in subsequent patrols was particularly wiggly 

Sayonara Kevin, Jen and Ben (they were twins), Sheneke, Trevor, Carrie, Larry, all of you. So long and farewell, and no thanks for coming, and don't return. 

My Sunday Ritual:: Motherhood

Want to know what I do every Sunday?

I wrote a little piece for Mamabake, about something that's close to my heart. 

You can read it here. 


image via Babes in Boyland

10 things to do these holidays

Holidays are still going strong (but not strong enough when they're nearly over - well a couple of weeks to go). Maybe you're flagging and you need some inspiration. Wave the white flag my friend, I have ideas to get you through. I do! 

1. Penguins of Madagascar: I know the audience is divided but both Matt and I loved this movie. And that's the main thing. Wink. Wink. Ok the kids loved it too - so it's a full house - adults and kids both rated it. And Benedict Cumberbatch is a voice in it. That's always a good thing. 

2. Uno wars: We lie in bed in the morning and play Uno. Endless rounds of it. And then we play it at night too. And pretty well we play it all day. And all afternoon. And just all the time. What's not to love?

3. Hide and seek in the park: We love going to a small park and playing good, old-fashioned hide and seek. Seriously it's so fun, gets the bodies moving, and the feeling of play can't be beat. Obviously I have older children, so if you've got smaller children - use your noggin and do this in a fenced space where you can keep an eye on them. But you already knew that.

4. Flip out: I'd heard so much about it, and I finally took the smalls to Flip Out this week. It's a massive warehouse space full of trampolines. I paid for an hour for each of the smalls - and they jumped until they could jump no more. But oh man, they were so, so happy. 

5. Art Gallery visit: There's a great pop art exhibition at the AGNSW at the moment. I wanted to see it, and Matt and I thought the bright colours and content would appeal to the smalls, so we met up with my sister and niece and made a day out of it. 

6. Go Gramping! We were lucky enough to go gramping recently on Cockatoo Island as guests of Aeroguard. What is gramping? Camping with grandparents! It's a great way to spend time together, and help bonds grow. We loved this experience - the kids hadn't been camping before (I know, I know!) - and there's a recent study that shows there's a growing concern about development of life skills with 42% of Aussie parents believing their children are missing out on important life lessons by not spending enough time with grandparents, this is a great fix! We explored the island, BBQ'ed for breakfast, lunch and dinner, watched the boats (and world go by) and slept side by side in tents. It was so much fun and good for the soul. 

7. Roadtrip: If you can't go on a holiday - go on a road trip. We've been exploring up at Palm Beach (HELLO HEAVENLY HAMBURGERS!),  but it doesn't have to be anywhere fancy. Drive to another suburb or a small town and go exploring! 

8. Playdates: Honestly one of the best things to do with kids is organising a play date. They're happy. You're happy. The whole world is happy. 

9. Museums: Being a tourist in your own town is a good thing to do. Check out the museums, go look at the botanic gardens, it can create awesome conversations and memorable days out with your smalls. 

10. Drawing wars: We sit at the dining table with huge sheets of paper and draw. And collaborate. And we spend long periods of time doing this together. It's fun to do after dinner too - it can last for as long or as little as you like, and requires very little drawing skill. Seriously - I am proof of this! 

Got any extra inspiration to get everyone through the holidays?

Getting School Ready (sp)

Faber Castell Single Hole Pencil Sharpener: keep them en pointe this year!
Document Wallet Printed (A4): perfect for notes and readers
Staedtler Norris Club Coloured Pencils: get them colouring within the lines (or outside!)
Studymate MegaMonster Premium Scrapbook: make lunches more exciting by keeping a scrapbook

I can barely believe the school holidays are almost over. Gasp! I love school holidays, it's relaxed. There's no school lunches, no morning rush, no fossicking through the laundry searching for clean uniforms. It's living the dream. Ha! Particularly when I am on holidays from work too. 

But these holidays I've decided to use the time to get a bit organised. When the kids got sent home last week of term with a list of stationery requirements for the year ahead - I sighed. It felt like forever away. But fast-forward and we're just a few weeks off being back in the grind, so together with Officeworks, I'm sharing my top tips on how to get your child school-ready. 

1. Talk about it: Don't go into the cone of silence, talk about school. Talk about what it's going to be like (particularly if they haven't started school), talk about teachers, about friends, maybe even talk about playground politics (because heck, we have SO been there). We talk about the year that has been - and what a big year it was - recognise this, and then talk about all the opportunities that lie ahead. Communicating allays fears and helps their growing minds. 

2. Involve them: When you're getting prepped for school - you might just want to knock it all over by yourself (we all know that's quicker), but by involving your child, you can make them feel like the captain of their school-ship. I let my kids have input into things like lunch boxes, school shoes (but they have to be fitted properly), and a couple of key rings on a school bag helps them feel like they're personalising their kit!

3. Sleep isn't for the weak: While I could sleep for the week, my kids love to stay up late in the holidays, and they love to get up early too. Sigh. A couple of weeks before school goes back, start that nice routine again so that they are getting enough rest. I also wind down activities in this period too so they're not so tired from running about everywhere. We stay home and have quiet days, playing board games and soaking up the together-ness. Children love routine, and love to know what's happening next, so if you can set this up early, it should help to make things easier.

4. Cut corners: I'm not usually one for cutting corners, but if you can outsource something. Outsource it. Officeworks has a free School List Service that allows you to submit your list at your local store - and their team members will pick and pack on your behalf for free. They'll even call or SMS you when it's ready to collect. 

5. Start a scrapbook: School lunches get so. darn. boring. Start a scrapbook with lunch ideas so you're never stuck for fresh, nutritious ideas. (I love this Studymate MegaMonster scrapbook for just 88cents!)

Officeworks has also just launched a new app for growing minds - suitable for both primary and secondary students, that's fun and educational. Check it out! 

It would be remiss not to mention Officeworks support for The Smith Family's Back to School Appeal - aimed at helping 638,000 disadvantaged Australian children succeed at school. You can buy a donation stationery card in store, or go online and help provide a child with their school needs. 

Are you ready to get back to school? 

Yo Mama! An Interview with Angela Roper of Ziera Shoes

Shoes. You either love them or you hate them. Actually. Let's tell the truth. We just love them. 

Today I'm talking with the Design Director of Ziera Shoes - Angela Roper. She spends her days surrounded by shoes. She's just like Carrie Bradshaw. Only from New Zealand. 

As a busy mum myself, I like to look stylish - but it's crucial to my day that my shoes are comfortable. Ziera shoes are about merging fashion with comfort. Back in July I was lucky enough to take a sneak peek at the S/S14 collection before it launched, and chatted with Angela then, so I'm stoked to be able to ask more questions about what makes her tick. 

Here we go!

PMM: How did you become a shoe designer?

AR: After completing my design degree, I opened my own business promoting and selling New Zealand designed products. After that I worked as a design manager for Bobux, an international children’s footwear brand and after a few years was lucky enough to land my dream job at Ziera. Two years later, here I am.

Started by two podiatrist brothers in NZ, Ziera launched with the belief women deserve the best of both comfort and style. How does this translate into your work?

We want to be the first option for women in shoes, not something they wear because they’ve already done too much damage. Obviously I’m tasked with ensuring every single product we produce offers style and comfort so from the shoe shape, fabrications and even technological advancements that give extra comfort, every aspect of my work focuses on this. 

You're a busy mum. What's the best way to manage the work/family juggle?

I’m lucky that my kids are now a little older so are getting to stage where they’re finding their independence (not that I really want them to). We always try to make the most of our time, like they do their homework at the kitchen table so I can help while preparing dinner. My husband is a great support so between the two of us we’re able to share parenting and balance that with our jobs. I leave early for work and he does breakfast, lunch and the morning drop off so I do the afternoon pick up, activities and dinner.

What's your best tip for working mums?

Finding the balance and having a great support team! My husband and I both have understanding employers that have a strong family focus so that really helps.

Where do you seek inspiration?

Where does any designer seek inspiration? I’m lucky enough to travel quite a lot and get the opportunity to meet lots of interesting people. We also have a Ziera Fit Club where we get customers to come in to preview ranges or new developments. Understanding a woman decision making process when buying shoes is essential. Their body type, foot shape and skin tone play such an important role. Spending time in Ziera stores and in other stores who stock our shoes around the world is always a great source of inspiration.

What's your favourite style (from Ziera) for this season? Why?

It’s a toss-up between our Paris heel in Snow Pony or Peta in Blush. They’re both such stylish shoes but soo comfortable. I think the Paris might win though because I love the texture of the Snow Pony fabric.

What's the best bit of your job?

Getting to play with shoes day in and day out. So many women in the world love shoes but how many can say they get paid to design them.

Is there a downside?

I’m running out of shoe storage at home and my daughters have now grown enough to fit into the Ziera range so they’re insisting I bring shoes home for them - but I don’t know if either of those is really a downside?

When I get home from work, I am usually pretty pooped. How do you re-energise before you walk through the front door?

I always take the drive home to calm down and process the day. I love coming home to my family and want to give them my full attention when I do. I find cooking and spending time in the vege garden relaxing and with a winemaker for a husband I can always help him with some ‘research’!

Best advice you've ever received? And who from?

“You need to be content with the now” - David Roper (my husband keeps me grounded!).

If you had to choose five words that described you - what would they be?

Individual, energetic, stylish, focused and driven.

Favourite book at the moment?

Favourite cook book at the moment is My Petite Kitchen by Eleanor Ozich.

How do you take care of yourself?

I use all natural skin care products and take magnesium to keep up energy levels. I enjoy my downtime with my family and I try to grow veges and cook organic & free range products (we have our own chickens - for eggs only!) I also know that finding time for myself every day, even if it’s just 10 minutes, makes a huge difference.

What's coming up next for you?

We’re getting ready to launch Winter to the media next month and then it will go into stores from January. Summer 2015’s almost done and we have started researching for AW16 ! 

Shop the range here. 

Find Ziera on Facebook. 

Follow Ziera on Instagram.

Go Pin with Ziera. 
Or tweet them!

This is the 13th interview in my Yo Mama! series. Interviews with creative working mamas. Look out for them weekly. 

PlayStation:: Talking Gaming with Dr Jason Fox (AKA Gamers gonna game)

A couple of weeks ago the smalls and I were invited by PlayStation for a morning of games and a chat with Dr Jason Fox. Well the games sounded exciting, but who wants to spend a morning listening to a middle-age podgy doctor banging on about something?

Oh how wrong I was, dear reader. 

We spent three blissful hours hopping across a range of PlayStation games - including an epic SingStar battle between Tiny and I (where she tried to sabotage me by covering my mouth) - where I leapt ahead to claim the title of SingStar champion with over 2 million points. WAY TO GO MAMA! 

And the middle-age doctor bit? Oh man. SO wrong. SO WRONG! I really, really loved listening to the good doctor. He was smart. He was funny. He had sharp threads. And a really good beard. 

As with many parents I am constantly worried about how much screen time my kids are getting, so I leapt at the opportunity to ask Dr Fox some questions. 

What's an ideal amount of time for children to spend gaming? 

Ah, what’s the ideal amount of time for children to be engaged in immersive, mentally stimulating puzzles and creative challenges (aka games)? A heap! 

Of course, like all things, this needs to be balanced. On a school day, one needs to ensure that kids are getting the right mix of time for homework, outdoor activity and indoor play. I’d suggest that 60–90 minutes is good for a weeknight, and something best done before dinner.

The key is balance. Another important question to ask is: what’s the ideal amount of time for parents to invest playing games with their kids? Again, it’s a heap. This is probably one the biggest opportunities modern parents have today — playing with their kids. Much akin to building sandcastles together, or kicking the footy — playing games is a wonderful shared experience parents can tap into with their kids.

Steve Jobs was once interviewed and talked about how his children weren't allowed much screen time - because he knows how addictive it can be. What do you think about this?

I’d tend to agree with Steve — but it’s important to make the distinction between passive screen time (simply watching tv) and active screen time (playing games, engaged in challenges). While it’s important that we’re all allowed time to ‘switch off’, passive screen time doesn’t convey the same learning benefits as active screen time. 

Making progress is highly motivating. We love seeing how our effort contributes to something, and it’s partly why screen activities are ‘addictive’ — we can see that our effort is making a difference. Rather than simply limit screen and game time, we also need to explore how we can bring the benefits of game design into the real world.

I've noticed my son goes red, and becomes pretty intense (read: obsessed) sometimes when gaming. What's that all about?

He’s probably entering a state of flow — that perfect balance between challenge and skill, where he is achieving something very complex or difficult, beyond his comfort zone. Here things become ‘autotelic’ — he is at one with the task, in the same way that champion golfers or surgeons get when doing their thing. 

Coupled with this is the perception of ‘fiero’ — an Italian word meaning ‘pride’. According to Dr Jane McGonigal (multiple TED speaker, and author), this is an important outcome of games. After periods of intense flow in which we are triumphing over adversity or epic challenges, we can experience a fiero as a powerful neurochemical high.

In her book, Reality is Broken, McGonigal also writes that “games not only gratify intrinsic needs for happiness, but also ‘do it safely, cheaply, and reliably’”. 

Our family really loves spending a couple of hours on Sundays playing Little Big Planet together. Is this a good thing? 

Yes definitely! You’ve got a real shared experience in which you are creatively and collaboratively engaged in the resolution of meaningful, story-driven challenges. It’s hard to think of anything better. The fact that Little Big Planet 3 allows up to 4 players to play together means that the whole family can be involved in this shared experience. And, you can create new levels too, opening up opportunities for you and your kids to create challenges for each other too (imagine: special birthday challenges). This gets them into ‘user experience design’ — an important new skill and industry in the modern world.

And do you have any other similar games you could recommend for us to play as a family?

Well, the PS4 now supports 4 x player Minecraft, and there are games like Singstar which are immense fun for the entire family. For younger kids, there’s Disney infinity, which is another open game like Minecraft. 

Do you game with your kids?


* This post is not sponsored. 

Yo Mama! An Interview with Tracey Hocking of Lazybones

Phew! I had to have some time off post Frocktober because I was completely exhaustipated*. Really dog tired!  Exhausted but elated. But I'm back.

And I can't imagine a better way to come back, than with a brand new Yo Mama! This week I'm chatting with Tracey Hocking, the head designer behind one of my long time loves - Lazybones. 

I first bought a beautiful cotton vintage-inspired nightie from Lazybones about 10 years ago, that I wore religiously. I'm not even really a nightie kind of girl, but there was something different about this one, and it was made from the softest cotton. I still have it folded neatly away for when Tiny is bigger. 

It was from this beloved nightie that my love for the Australian label grew. Whenever I've been around Byron, I've always ducked my head in to see what's new with Lazybones, so today's chat is pretty exciting for me!

*****

PMM: You have a teenage son (tricky in itself!). How do you manage the whole parenting/working ratio?

TH: This is an ongoing source of angst for me.  However the teenage years are kind of great because now I am So Embarrassing apparently, I can feel a bit better if I am not always here.  But could not do it without my amazing wonderful husband who does so much for our son.

Do you have any tips for nailing it? Or even sort of nailing it?

Oh dear.  Not sure I can give any tips for nailing it but find that having something to look forward to makes all the difference for all of us.  Holidays to look forward to make those long school terms not seem as bad.

Oh and disconnecting the internet at bedtime…..

Part of the allure of Lazybones is the vintage vibe. Where do you seek inspiration? 

I sometimes wonder what I did before Pinterest…  And the whole internet in general.  An incredible wealth of ideas and images are available to us so readily.  I find the images, blogs and ideas  intoxicating and endlessly inspiring.  We use Pinterest a lot in our design team.  We build boards that expand on our initial concepts for each range. Each of us add to the board so that we get a real sense of where we want to go with a particular item.  

This is even extending to the creative people we work with in other countries now which is really exciting.  And specifically I love all eras from the 20s to the 60s and spend way too many hours looking at all manner of interesting things.

What is the best part of being the designer at Lazybones?

I am the head designer of a small team of wonderful, creative, generous, clever people.  That is the best bit.  Working with them.

And is there a downside?

No.  Oh, well only the fact that I cannot afford to make all the wonderful products we dream up….

Does your son have creative bones too?

Yes he does although he wanted me to say that he excels in creative excuses.

If you had to choose five words that described you - what would they be?

Focused, messy, creative, resilient, dreamer.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee definitely.

How do you take care of yourself?

I walk every morning with my dogs on a quest to spot our resident platypuses.  Lots of stretching and fast walking.

What's coming up next for Tracey?

OMG.  Setting up a shop in LA.  Who would have thought that would be a lot of work?  And be so complex?

***

You can take a look at Lazybones collection here. 

Follow Lazybones (and their LA adventures) on Instagram. 

Check out Lazybones on Facebook. 

Go behind the scenes with the blog.

Take a look at the Pinterest inspiration here. 

Tweet the Lazybones team here.  

This is the 11th interview in my Yo Mama! series. Interviews with creative working mamas. Look out for them weekly. 
* Exhaustipated was a word an ex-colleague of mine used to use - when she was super tired. I never had the heart to tell her it wasn't a real word. 

This Whole "Working Mum" Palaver.

This is definitely not working for me, this whole working pretty-much-full-time thing. 

Well the working thing is working fine. I go to work, I work. 

But it's the balancing act. It's the endless juggling. It's not death-defying, it's just I am not coping.

So. Many. Notes. And I can't keep up. Our kitchen table is currently covered in notes:
- This note tells me to send it back for tickets (to which both my children are now telling me I am too late and there are no tickets, and no you can't come)
- This one says I'm to sign and send it back and I will be billed in your next set of fees
- The next one wants to know if I can help with face painting
- The other one is telling me what clothes I need to send with the kids for the concert (and PS you'll be billed for the rest of the outfit in the next set of fees)
- You want your kid to learn recorder, right? So sign and send this back and we'll bill you for the aural pleasure
- This one is telling me I haven't paid our fees
- And here's the weekly newsletter - that you have to read just in case, and by the end of the 14 pages (I am not even exaggerating) you realise that one paragraph related to you

I can not keep up. 
I never know what's happening at school. 
I am failing this whole working mum, perfect balance, women can have everything thing. 
I've dropped so many plates I don't even have a bowl to eat breakfast out ofdotcom

Oh you want me to put a positive spin on it? I am failing successfully. 
I am really excelling at being the drop out mum. 

I'm the pariah of the playground. 
Welcome to my public breakdown.

* Neither of these images reflect what our home looks like. Purely for illustrative, meltdown purposes. 

Learning To Let Go

I've always thought I'd have three children. It's always been the DNA of my dreams. 

I'm from three girls, and I thought that I too would have three children. 

And now here I am, 35, the bread winner, and with a nine year old and a six and a half year old. And no third. 

I still have the strong desire for a third, and talk incessantly to Matt about having a baby, but the further we get away - the further that feels more like it's a dream and less like it's going to be a reality.

And before anyone gets their panties in a twist and tells me how lucky I am to have two healthy, happy children - I already know. I am everyday grateful for this. They are the BEST thing I have ever done. But it doesn't make me pang any less for that third. 

This weekend we've been tidying up our house because our real estate agent has told us they're doing a routine inspection (apparently their routine is every years because that's how long it's been since the last one). 

I've been trying to get ruthless, but really struggling with getting rid of things. I've got a bag full of clothes ready to go to charity, but what's really hard is letting go of toddler toys. 

It's those things I painfully saved for when we had very little money, and buying something new for my smalls was a big deal. But it's not the money that I am thinking of, it's the memories of my two playing with those things, and the thought that I may not have another to play with them. So is it time to let these things go?

I often get people telling me we should just have another, money doesn't matter - except it does.

I'm the breadwinner, and I've talked previously about the burden of this role. I've tried to retrain my mind and think of it as what an honour it is to provide for my family, but the reality is, I miss being home. 

If I didn't work, we wouldn't be able to live. End of story. 

I had a funny discussion a few weeks ago with a female family member who declared something along the lines that women get bored being stay at home mums. I think I blew her skirt up when I flipped everything around and told her I would love to be a stay at home mum, or at least home more often mum. 

I don't romanticise being a stay at home mum, I was lucky enough to do it for a short period when the Doctor was small - it's hard, monotonous work, but just being with my kids - well that would fill up my buckets. 

For now, I'm going to keep trying to declutter in increments. It's less painful that way. 

You Should Totally Watch This #likeagirl

Have you seen it already? What did you think?

The Decompression Chamber

At night, when I get home from work, I am really tired. Sometimes it's just mediocre tired, but this week it's been bone tired. 

I've slogged off my workwear, crawled into bed, and become a sloth.

Tonight I did it again and wondered - is this my kind of decompression chamber? After a busy few weeks at work, I feel like I need to lie in bed and just be. I wander the internet, chat to my kids, I even eat dinner in bed. 

It may also because our house is bone chillingly cold. Bed is warm.
I feel bad, because I'd really rather be hanging with my little peeps (and Matt).
I don't do it all the time, but this week, my bones! 

But then I wondered, do other mothers seek this decompression chamber? 

The Week That Was. Actually. The Fortnight. Let's Go With The Fortnight

Dudes. What happens to the end of the year where it just wants to give you a good whipping and upset your applecart? 

First Tiny had her big tumble and that poor little face just made me want to cry. It was bad enough not being with her and being stuck at work. But when Matt told me it looked like someone had just punched her in the face, ugh. People. So sad. My poor wee babe.

And then two nights later she woke vomiting. Delayed concussion? Nope. Gastro. With a vengeance.

I thought it was all the cherries she hoovered down pre-bed. Turns out some violent bug had invaded her wee body and wanted to shake things up. And it wasn't a swift recovery, but she got over it. Then we went up to see my Mum and Dad for a couple of days, came back, the Doctor played basketball, got home - oh hey Mum, I think I'm going to vomit. Oh and we spread the Gastro to my Dad too. Sorry Dad.

And so started a week long bout of gastro for the Doctor. I wish I was making this shizz up. 

Every night I'd go to bed thinking - please let us crack it tonight. And in the morning I'd see his pale face and go - nope. We're still in down town Gastro-land.

So. Many. Sleep. Deprived. Nights.

If you had a newborn I'd offer to look after them - except they'd get gastro too. I was up and down that many times, washing bed linen like Gustavo Fring's laundromat. Someone reimburse me my sleepytimes.

I came home from work on Friday and Matt was fast asleep in bed. And he stayed that way until Saturday morning - because oh, let's see - did the GastroFairy visit? Yes. Yes she did. 

Saturday afternoon was Tiny's party - and Matt and the Doctor were quarantined. I had to do all my prep solo. Including bleaching the whole damn house because who wants to spread gastro? Not I said the Little Red Hen. 

Saturday afternoon I was what is officially known as: POOPED. 

I went to bed - and would you believe on Sunday morning I woke up with such a sore throat Schick and Gilette might as well have gone head to head doing a demo saying 'well whose blade is the sharpest'? 

I know. I have hit delirium and I might never return. 

This was the fortnight that was. Someone send me a freaking medal. And a chest to pin it on.

The Best Thing You'll See All Week

3 Queens from Matt Bieler on Vimeo.

Without doubt the best thing I've seen all week. Which isn't hard because I've had a crappy week, but regardless of my week - this is so freaking awesome. 

Big thanks to my friend Em for showing me. x

PS - I think I've cried every time I've watched it. All 78 times.