The Idle Parent

I recently read a great book called "The Idle Parent" by Tom Hodgkinson.  This book was fantastic, and I have really taken on board The Idle Parent Manifesto.

The Manifesto Of An Idle Parent

We reject the idea that parenting requires hard work

• We pledge to leave our children alone
• That should mean that they leave us alone, too
• We reject the rampant consumerism that invades children from the moment they are born
• We read them poetry and fantastic stories without morals
• We drink alcohol without guilt
• We reject the inner Puritan
• We fill the house with music and laughter
• We don't waste money on family days out and holidays
• We lie in bed for as long as possible
• We try not to interfere
• We push them into the garden and shut the door so that we can clean the house
• We both work as little as possible, particularly when the kids are small
• Time is more important than money
• Happy mess is better than miserable tidiness
• Down with school
• We fill the house with music and merriment

I don't know about the drinking alcohol part, but only because I just don't drink, but everything else makes perfect sense.  Now if only I could get Mick to follow suit....

When Mick is away...

Mick is off in Borneo for 2 weeks, deep in the jungle looking for reptile, frogs and other creatures.  So I am flying solo with 4 kids and school holidays.  We have started off well with Nutella monsters and a mud bath.

A belated Birthday Party

So Harry and Charlie missed out on having their Birthday party's for a number of reasons, so we decided to have a joint party at our Swimming Centre.  We hired the whole place for 2 hours and the kids each invited some of their closest friends and their families.  I think everyone had a wonderful time, and it was great to catch up with some of the parents of Harry's classmates.

Bits and Pieces

1. Feeling a little down last week without my biggest boy.

2. Crazy monster kept my amused though.

3. I have an excess of forks, but can never find a tea spoon!!

4.  Have to cut back on the muffins, too much Glucose is causing my digestive system havoc.

5.  School photos this morning, and she looks neat and tidy.  Hope she stays that way.

An anxious, but exciting week.

So, it was Harry's 11th Birthday last Thursday the 2nd March.  I can't believe how big he is getting.  He has had a High School Information night already, and it seems like far too soon for me to be thinking about sending him off to High School.

Next Thursday, the 15 of March, he will sit the Selective High School Exams, and I am sure I am more nervous than he is.  I would rather he went to the local High School, but ultimately, if he gets a place at the Selective High School,it will be his choice where he goes.

This week he has been away for his first ever week long camp.  Year 6 travelled by XPT to Wellington, and by bus to Lake Burrendong, where they were going to enjoy a week of fun activities.  He was so excited and couldn't wait to get going on Monday morning.  When Mick pulled out of the drive with him in the car, I got in the shower and cried like a big baby.

The week has been long and hard.  It is so incredibly quiet without him here.  The others had play dates at friends houses on a couple of days, and it was even more lonely then.  He comes home this evening at 8pm, and I cannot wait to see him.  I know he will have had a great time and I think that the time away, and having to take responsibility for a lot more, will have done him the world of good, but Mummy needs a good long hug.

To top it off, this morning I ducked up to the shops to get some read for school lunches, and as I was stopped ready to turn into the driveway a beautiful Suzuki Impreza (value $60,000) ran right up the back of me.  Thankfully no-one was hurt, except for the Impreza.  My gorgeous, tough Jackaroo had barely a scratch on the rear bumper, but his car was un-drivable.  The police came and took statements, and it looks like he will get some sort of traffic violation.  He did admit to me that he had bent down to pick something up.  I had been stopped for some time, as I had to allow at least 4 cars to pass in the opposite direction before I could turn.

Oh well, it was an exciting week, and the best part is Harry will be home in less than 7 hours.

Bits + Pieces

1. Harry's 11th Birthday

2. Matilda in her gorgeous plaits!!

3. New owl necklace.

4. Mummy looking tired

5. Amelia NOT taking a nap

6. Major greys happening

7. Playgroup snack

8. Favourite necklace from Charlie for Christmas

9. Chicken Pide, so yummy

10. Amelia, a close up because she is just so darn cute.

Fussy Behaviour

How I deal with it, or try to!!!