All Mum Said

Telling it like it is...

Back To School with Budons

By Leave a Comment

Well it’s that time of year where it’s all about getting organised for back to school. Some parents are over excited and others dreading it – battling the crowds to buy books, rulers, pencils, etc. can be almost as hectic as Christmas shopping when the stores start their back to school sales (almost).
There are so many different types of stationary on the market but this year I recommend having a look at Budons kids stationary. The variety of items are fun, unique and suit both boys and girls. You can mix’em, swap’em, trade’em and collect the clip Budons. They have scented erasers, scratch ‘n’ sniff books, scratch ‘n’ sniff sticky labels, water bottles and even pencil cases.

 

As I said the range is quite extensive and caters to most of your childs schooling needs whilst maintaining the quality that every parent wants when purchasing school items. 

 

 
Budons can be found at Target and on Budons website. 


Are you looking forward to the kids returning to school or have you enjoyed having them home?

Disclaimer: I received no form of cash payment for this review.

I did however receive a few Budons items in order to review them.

It Only Takes A Few Words

By 4 Comments

The school year is coming to a close and for some states it already has. Declan my 5 year old started Kindergarten this year (otherwise known as prep for Qld readers) and we were extremely lucky to have gotten the teacher he did. She is not only a fantastic teacher; she really knows how to interact with the children. Mrs G has always put effort into the kids who want to learn and behave themselves instead of putting all her time and energy into the disruptive kids who don’t want to listen. This was very refreshing for me to see.

Image Credit

 

Throughout the year I have heard other parents talk about her for one reason or another and basically how little they think of her. A few of them were even boasting to one another how they made her cry by yelling at her in front of the kids. Yes, that’s right some of these parents yelled at their childs teacher in front of a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds. Now that’s great parenting right there! I just couldn’t believe these women and how proud of themselves they were. This woman, this bright intelligent woman is so kind hearted and does everything in her power to challenge her students, encourage her students and in my opinion has done nothing but go above and beyond her role as a teacher. I am devastated he will not have her as a teacher next year as we are moving in the New Year to a different area.
Image Credit

 

Teachers need to be acknowledged for the hard work they put in, they need to be shown appreciation for everything they do for your children. Whether you see it or not they are a huge support and put in many additional hours out of the kindness of their heart. We bought Mrs G a box of chocolates for Christmas as a way to thank her but I also attached a card with a little note. While I cannot remember exactly what I wrote it was along these lines ‘Thank you for everything you have done for Declan this year we really appreciate it. You have truly gone above and beyond and I cannot thank you enough. We couldn’t have possibly asked for a better teacher. Thank you.’
Image Credit

 

Now I didn’t think too much more of this besides it showing her that we appreciate the hard work she has put into teaching our son this year however it is amazing how much a few kind words can mean to someone. Declan gave his present to Mrs G during the day and when I went to pick my son up in the afternoon his teacher came up and hugged me and thanked me for my kind words. She told me she had had a rough afternoon yesterday as another parent had abused her and quite nastily I might add. It was so obvious how much these few kind words that I wrote in her card meant to her, those simple words that obviously are not said enough.

Image Credit
Please remember that it only takes a few words to crush a persons self esteem and ruin their day and a simple thank you so much or I appreciate you to make their day great.

Use and choose your words wisely!              

Stranger Danger Encounter – Reminder!

By 18 Comments

Sometimes in life things happen that make you think and re-evaluate what and how you teach your children. There was an incident at my sons’ school on Monday that has every parent concerned for their childs safety. This isn’t one of those helicopter parents or parents these days are way over protective type concerns this is a serious matter that everyone needs reminding of from time to time.

Image Credit
So Monday started as every other week – get Declan ready for school, breakfast, make sure lunch is packed, make sure Kye is dressed and fed, etc. etc. and off to school we went. I kissed him goodbye as he hung up his bag on the hook at his classroom.

Image Credit
When returning to pick him up that afternoon there was a lot of chatter and I didn’t quite understand what all the hoo-hah was about until I was informed by the principle that there was a strange man wandering around the school grounds earlier that day and appeared to be quite interested in the children. When they approached him he fled the grounds. Yes the police were called.



I have taught my children not to talk to strangers, or if one should approach them that they are to scream ‘STRANGER’ as loud as they can and run in the opposite direction towards safety. I haven’t told them however not to trust people within the school grounds. I think it is just one of those places you think your children are safe – when you step over that threshold from the unknown to the security of teachers who protect you.

Image Credit
We do not live in a big city area, quite the opposite actually. There isn’t even a high school where we live – kids have to catch the bus there. There are only a couple of thousand people residing in this little country town in the Hunter Valley. I thought I would take this opportunity to remind all parents, aunts, uncles, sister and brothers to be mindful of your surroundings regardless where you are. Please remind and refresh your childrens ‘Stranger Danger’ knowledge. It could save you and them a lot of grief and heartache.

 

NO, YELL, RUN, TELL!

Embarrassed to Perfection!

By 22 Comments

You know that moment your child says something that embarrasses you so much you just want crawl away somewhere and die hide? Most of us have had it happen more than once. My boys have been shockers for it but I must admit they have given me some pretty good stories over the years.

 

The most recent one being when they discovered sanitary pads; yep now you know it’s going to be good! It all started with the sound of mischievous laughter coming inside my bathroom. I walked in to discover that they got a kick out of sticking the pads all over the walls, shower screen and each other. They were discussing through giggles what the awesome sticky things were and came to the conclusion they were nappies. I told them they were not nappies but that sometimes mummy gets ‘sick’ and they help her get better. They are only 3 & 5 so I thought this was the most appropriate answer to give them at this point. They wouldn’t understand anything more than that and let’s face it anything more than that would have them scared shitless!

 

Anyway we went to the shops today; being the first day of school holidays and all I thought we could stock up on some craft and science supplies. We were walking up and down the aisles picking the items we needed and headed to the checkout. This is where B2 (my 3 year old) begins to tell the checkout man who looked like hay fever has got him a good one, that “My mum wears big people nappies when she is sick” (Not at all quietly I must mention!) I could instantly feel my cheeks burning into a bright red shade of embarrassment. I think he was trying to help the man by giving him ideas on how to get better but seriously!! Why can’t you keep your mouth shut child?
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO KEEP DOING THIS TO ME?

  What have your kids done or said to embarrass you lately?

Frugal Friday ~ Money Saving Hints

By 14 Comments

 
I am being asked more and more frequently for tips on budgeting and saving money ideas so I have decided that I will start doing a regular post about these as well.

There are so many little things you can do that all add up and result in saving a fortune. OK so maybe not enough to buy a country or even a house but it will help make a difference. I will share one or two per post so it doesn’t overwhelm you.  Some you will have heard of and others not but I would also love for you to email me any tips/ideas you have to be added to the posts (credit will be given J).

Email me at~[email protected]

 

The ways you can save the extra cash are endless! I will be sharing ways to do it from the kitchen by using some cooking tips I’ve picked up from being a chef, cleaning, power saving, lifestyle, leisure, entertainment, tips for around the house, freebies, plus so much more.

TODAYS TIPS

#1 Laundry ~ If you need to use your clothes dryer for more than one load, make sure you reload it when it is still hot/warm. As it will still be hot it won’t need to heat up saving you money on your energy bill.

 

#2 – Shopping ~ NEVER go grocery shopping when you are hungry! EVER!! You will spend a lot more than you need to.

 

Now this is the part where I need your help!!
*I cannot seem to think of a name for this segment on the blog so I would love to hear suggestions from you all (doesn’t need to be day specific). Something catchy!*

Top Posts & Pages