All Mum Said

Telling it like it is...

No! My Money Is Not Diamond Crusted

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Whatever happened to good old fashioned customer service? It seems to me that staff complain about rude customers however it is becoming increasing obvious to me that it isn’t one sided. Businesses wonder why customers aren’t loyal and return or spread the good word and yet the answer is right in front them!

 

Staff can be the most rude and unwelcoming people. Everyone is encouraged to shop local yet are to feel like they are scum of the Earth when they try. It is also a common misconception that it is all the young kids that know no manners; I agree to a point but there are the fair share of older generation that treat people with not a shred of decency. Is there something wrong with my money? Not shiny enough for you or coated in diamond? Money is money and business is profit as far as I’m concerned!

 

I miss the days when people went out of their way to help each other; shop staff, strangers or otherwise. I know that it is not every staff member and that there are indeed some extremely friendly ones out there but when you are unfortunately met by the impolite, foul-mouthed and hygiene lacking person it really has an effect on your day. And not a positive one!

 

It is people like that that make you realise why everyone shops online these days. People buy everything from food, clothes, toys, you name it you can buy it online and have it delivered straight to your door; all without being insulted or being looked down upon. It is no wonder we are a generation of convenience.  

 
Ok my rant is done! Obviously I have had a bad experience in the past couple of days and cannot stand rude and obnoxious people.

Have you been made to feel like you aren’t worthy of the ground you walk on by so called customer service?

GUEST POST – The Top 10 Tips for Surviving Co-Parenting

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A big thank you to Chrissie for her guest post today!!

The Top 10 Tips for Surviving Co-Parenting

Image source: http://counselingatheritage.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/tips-for-succesful-co-parenting/

Co-parenting is a tough gig these days. Some days just getting along with your ex-partner can be just too hard, let alone effectively raising children together. Believe me, I know the feeling! I have put together 10 simple ways to make it just that little bit easier to co-parent with your ex, and some of these ideas could even be put into practice with your hubby if you feel you just aren’t on the same page when it comes to parenting.

1.      Have a communication book. We have an exercise book that goes back and forth between the 2 houses. Any information such as illness, medication, recent sleep issues or even just new routines get written in this book, so that the other parent is aware of what is going on. It is really important to fill it out each time.

2.      If you find that you can’t have a conversation without arguing, try a different form of communication. Unless it is an emergency, my ex and I communicate through email. This means that there is no expectation that you are to respond immediately.

3.      Do not keep each other as friends on Facebook, or any other social media. My ex wanted to continue to stay Facebook friends, but I found that my privacy was being invaded, things I was doing were being used against me, and it created a lot of problems.

4.      Create a handbook specifically for your child, if you find the other parent isn’t sure what to do. I saved myself many middle of the night phone calls by creating a simple document telling my ex what to do if Munchkin was teething, if he woke through night, when his asthma is playing up, everything that could happen when Master A was in his care, there was a simple solution that I have tried and know works. I now don’t get any phone calls!

5.      Have rules set in place for when either of you start a new relationship. Go with what you are comfortable with. I like my son to have 1 of the 3 days he is with his dad each fortnight to be spent only with his dad, not his girlfriend and her child. You may have a preference as to when your children are introduced to a new partner. Make the rules clear, and abide by them yourself. Don’t have 1 set of rules for your ex, and 1 for yourself.

6.      If possible, choose a public place to do swap over time. This means you are more likely to get it done cleanly, and without an argument. If this isn’t possible, do swap overs at the front door. Don’t go into his house, and don’t invite him into yours. This means you are able to fight, and I found it invited my ex to ask too many personal questions about my life.

7.      If you get along with your ex, try to arrange a day, perhaps once a month, for them to come out for a play date at the park, or for lunch. Show your children that their parents can still get along, and are still friends. Remember that you are role models to your children.

8.      Discuss any concerns you have right away. But be fair. Don’t accuse and don’t use the children as weapons.

9.      Keep the adult conversation to the adults. Don’t put down the other parent, or vent in front of the children. Don’t bring them into the situation by telling them to tell Daddy to “make sure he pays the child support this week”. Don’t make your children choose between you and the other parent. They love you both equally, and this is just something you need to accept (and yes I know how hard that is.)

10.  If all else fails, and you still aren’t getting along, contact Child Support, and they can provide you with a provider for mediation (or Family Dispute Resolution). They can help you talk with your ex, and try to come to a workable agreement for the both of you. They can also help to create a parenting plan, should you want one (which I strongly recommend).

Above everything I have written here, remember that when it comes to your children, it is not about the parent’s rights to have the child, it is about the child’s rights to have access to both parents, as long as it is in the best interests of the child. Good luck with your journey.

Author Bio – Chrissie is a stay at home single mum to a toddler, with a total handbag addiction. Her blog Me and My Munchkin shares the ups and downs of doing the parenting thing alone.

Make sure you follow her facebook page too – Find it here!

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