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Last Friday I posted about a segment or more so theme of post that I will be doing regularly. I was planning on it being about how to save money and don’t worry it still will be but I thought I would also add in ‘Did you know’ which will ultimately save you money as well.
*Instead of buying expensive stainless steel polish try a mix of denture cleaner and water.
*We all have socks that no longer have a match. Don’t throw these out – use them as dusters for blinds, window sills, skirting, etc.
~Did You Know?~
If you add a raisin/sultana to flat champagne or sparkling wine the natural sugars released restore the bubbles!
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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!*
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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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My 5 year old has become very inquisitive lately and has begun asking a lot of questions that I didn’t think I would have to have an answer for, well many years to come.
There has been one stand out question though that required an answer I couldn’t give with 100% certainty. He asks – If there used to be no people in our world where did we come from? How did we get here?
Yes that’s right – from a 5 year old! Where did he even come up with this question – it was 7am for crying out loud.
Now I don’t generally broadcast my belief system as I don’t want to sway my kids in any which one direction. I am an Atheist or at least I think I am. It’s not that I don’t believe in God, it’s just that I don’t think I do either. I am a fence sitter. I’d like to believe there is something whatever it may be!
I was always given the choice growing up to join a religion or to not and I never felt the need. I have also felt that it is not my place to say my kids can’t believe in God just because I’m not religious. Mr 5 asked if I could show him a church so I did and explained all about God to him (to the best of my knowledge that a 5 year old would understand). So when the question of how did people get here arose I faced it front on with an honest answer and sleep filled eyes.
My response – No one really knows for sure. It is a great mystery but some people think that God made people when he was making everything else like the trees, butterflies, beaches and everything else we have. The other people think that over a really really long time monkeys started to change into people. I then showed him a picture of the evolution chart to explain it a bit more clearly.
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He did have a question that made me laugh. “So when Nanny was a baby was she a monkey?” ‘Nanny’ is only 45 she is nearly old enough. I tried to explain how long ago it was and the best description I could come up with was just after the dinosaurs died.
I felt I handled this question without any persuasion of beliefs. It is ultimately his decision and when he is old enough he will make it. Until then I will continue to answer and encourage any belief or curiosity he may have.
Now I understand religion and beliefs are a tough topic to talk about so I understand if people don’t agree with my method (or have even read up to this point) and I want to say that that is OK. I encourage everyone to believe in what they want regardless what that may be and to not feel judged or pressured.
How do you think I handled the big Q?
What questions have you been surprised by?
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