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Last Minute Gift Ideas for Father Day

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Fathers Day is fast approaching and if you have left gift buying until the last minute than don’t worry; Mister Minit has you covered. They have a large range of products to suit every type of dad and their interests.

Instead of getting dad socks and jocks this Fathers Day how about getting him something he would like to unwrap. There are so many options at Mister Minit for dads this year and you don’t have to spend a fortune to get something great. All the products are great quality, well known and trusted brands.

The range consists of everything from key rings, Zippos, LedLenser torches to Victorinox and Leatherman pocket knives with prices as low as $9.95! Surprise dad this Fathers Day by getting him something from Mister Minit and getting it engraved with a special message. He won’t be disappointed!

Make Time to Take Time!

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Life can get pretty hectic sometimes and we all know that but many of us don’t really acknowledge the fact that sometimes we need to slow down and take a break.

 

 

I recently discovered that after months of solid activity, each and every day my calendar full of ‘must’ do tasks ~ you can’t do it all forever. I don’t mean for this to sound like I am naive to the fact the body needs rest but having the knowledge and using it are completely different. I am sure many men and women (I’m sure it’s mostly women though ;p) have this problem. Most of us have some or all of these ‘must do tasks’ and know that we all have lives being lived, houses to be kept, jobs to work, children to look after, school drop offs/pick ups, groceries to buy, dinner to be cooked, the list goes on and on and on. But when do we take the time or even have the time to sit back and rest?

 

WE DON’T!!

We need to make the time! Clean the house tomorrow – make a cup of coffee and enjoy it sitting in the warm spring sun – take a long hot shower; I’m sure you get the idea. That is what I have learnt over the past week when everything about me seemed to be broken. I decided after admitting to myself I couldn’t keep pushing myself anymore and that the next day I was sleeping in. It was Saturday so I didn’t have to worry about school, the kids would be more than happy to eat breakfast while watching cartoons for a while. They could manage on their own for a couple of hours (thank you TV!)
I was going to take pleasure in the little things.

 

When I got up I felt recharged, refreshed, happy and ready to take on the worldday (in moderation). Now I know you are all thinking this is common sense and stop telling us shit we already know but sometimes I find it nice to be reminded that we aren’t alone and that yes, life does get hectic, life throws us curve balls and yes life can be very unpredictable and so I thought I may not be alone and others may need to be reminded also. It is OK!

Enjoy life, embrace life and make time for you!
It makes all the difference.   
 
 
 
 

 

Delaying the Dreaded Tasks

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I have a habit of putting particular household tasks on the back burner. The main one or I should say the one that I see most often is the folding of clean clothes. Every time it piles up to extreme masses, taking up 5 washing baskets full minimum (no exaggeration) I kick myself and swear I won’t ever let it get that bad again.

And yet each and every time I let it happen over and over again. I get into the swing of it just after I have spent hours folding them all and stick with it for a week or so but then get slack and it all piles back up. Then I get to kick myself all over again.

 

It is at the point now where I am searching through the baskets to find underwear and the kids’ school socks. How did I let it get this bad? When did it get this bad? I swear only yesterday there was one basket that was barely full – I promise!

It’s just that I hate doing it – I would much prefer to be doing other things! Like cooking, reading or dare I say it cleaning the toilet! That is how much I hate having to fold the clothes.

Is there some secret way to keep motivated that I just don’t know about? Am I the only who can’t stand this chore? Or better yet, anyone want to come and do mine for me?

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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