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Most Of Life Is Saturday…
I am going to talk just briefly about each of the four days we celebrate this week – Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter – and look at how in each day Jesus surprises us and defies our expectations of who he is. It begins with Palm Sunday, which we celebrate today, when Jesus rides into Jerusalem and everyone thinks he`s coming to kick out the Romans and bring freedom to the Jews so they lay down Palm branches and shout, “Hosanna” King of the Jews.” You can understand why they are so excited because for centuries they have been oppressed and conquered by everybody – the Assyrians,…
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Dis Eenvoudig. Dit Werk.
Ek wil graag met julle deel wat nou-die-dag, in die kar, op pad huis toe na afloop van ‘n kuier by maatjies gebeur het. ‘n Onderonsie het tussen my 11-jarige en 8-jarige ontstaan. Die 11-jarige sê toe vir die 8-jarige: “Ek kort spasie asseblief…”Waarop die 8-jarige antwoord: “Dankie dat jy vir my gesê het wat jy nodig het.”Waarop die 11-jarige antwoord: “Dankie dat jy my respekteer.” Dit is natuurlik op hierdie punt waar die uwe amper die kar rol met ‘n opgewonde gejuig: “Dit is sulke goeie kommunikasie! Julle kan só trots voel op julself! Hoe voel dit???” (Dit is ‘n doelbewuste tegniek om die spesifieke gedrag te versterk en hulle…
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The Talent Show
the cousins are visiting. Last night the girls decided a talent show was to be had. They would be the judges. Everyone had to participate. I did not want to. Stages aren’t my thing. I was wholly unprepared. I told a joke which did not land. No surprise – I did not place. Afterward my 11 – almost 12 year old – came to me and said I sucked. We both laughed because, well, truth. However, he then went on to say that I should’ve gone up there and have been a mom, because that is my talent… (Disclaimer: this is not about me – my son has a beautiful,…
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They Get To Have Their Feelings
Parents are allowed to hold the boundaries. And kids… well they are allowed to feel upset about it. Does that make you do a double-take? Well, it ought to, because it is so contradictory to how most of us were raised. Parents used to think that they could dictate how children should feel about something which, in hindsight, makes no sense at all. Spoiler alert: we can’t hi-jack their feelings or experiences! They get to have their feelings. If the thought of the aftermath of boundary setting makes you break out in a cold sweat, wanting to reach for a tub of ice cream, an adult beverage or a solitary,…
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The Choice
I choose to free my child. My child will not be held responsible for feeding my ego, nor will they be held hostage by my ego or expectations. I understand that who I am is not tied to my child’s behaviour or achievements or failures. I choose instead to dismantle my ego – my false sense of self – in favour of my core being. I will give my self the love and acknowledgement I need – to reparent myself if need be – in order to deeply connect with my child. – I choose to acknowledge effort not outcome. To encourage instead of praise, because I want my child…
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Finding Yourself
People will often say that they need to go “find themselves”. They embark on gap years, do cleanses and detoxes, declutter or go on some journey to exotic far-off places. The truth is we don’t need an elaborate trip. The only journey (and probably most important) we need to embark on is a journey inward. Mustering up the courage to look in the mirror and really see who it is we truly are. To join the dots in a coherent narrative about our life and how we got to be where we are. For we are not lost (usually merely unconscious). We are not some crumpled up note that is…
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Pain. Healing.
Pain: She is trying to escape… but the tornado keeps pulling her back in. She keeps spinning and spinning. Healing:It’s not always about escaping though. Sometimes you have to learn how to survive inside of it. Right in the middle of all that spinning you can let that tornado rip apart your heart… or you choose how to let what has happened to you affect you. Only you can decide who you want to be. No one else can do that. SOME SECRETS SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT a guide in teaching sexual abuse prevention to kids
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When Only YOU Will Do!
Let’s talk parental preference for a moment. Yes – it is a thing. You know those times when your toddler only wants one parent to do absolutely e-ve-ry-thing. That, friends, is parental preference. It can be exhausting for the (cue the deep announcer voice with an echo) CHOSEN… CHOSEN… chosen one and frustrating (even rejecting) for the other parent. Don’t worry – you didn’t do anything wrong; you didn’t mess up. Preference does not equate love! Underdeveloped toddler brains are obsessed with control – OB-SESSED. So, this is just one more area where they try to explore (exert) decision-making and autonomy. (Remember: it is developmentally their job to push boundaries…
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“Everyone wants to hold the baby, who will hold the mother?”
This article, excellently written by Samantha Herbst, highlights the silent, isolating struggle mothers face on a daily basis: the reality that motherhood isn’t only “wonderful and a blessing and beautiful”. It is also hard and tiring and ugly and frustrating and isolating at times. Motherhood does not only involve meeting the needs of another around the clock (at the expense of our own I might add), but it also confronts us with our own unhealed wounds, right in the middle of an identity crisis where we mourn the loss of our pre-pregnancy identity. The perfect storm. Be gentle with yourself. Do the inner work. Show kindness and care and consideration.…
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Beautiful Free 2022 Calendar
free – whaaaattttt? YES – FREE! In the words of Maui, “You’re welcome!” floral and pretty, for a desk or the fridge, and designed by shining mom. This calendar will help you keep up with your wildlings and keep your hubby in the loop too {without you having to repeat the same thing more than once :)}. “You’re welcome”. for best results, download the image to your computer before printing. Simply click on the link below to download. JANUARY 2022 CALENDAR
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‘n Eenvoudige Gebed
oor die afgelope paar maande praat die Here op so ‘n sagte, geduldige manier met my oor vertroue. Jy sien – ek sê so graag vir die Here voor. Ek vertel Hom wát moet gebeur; hóé iets moet verloop; of wát die antwoord op my gebed moet wees. Sug. (Die prentjie van ‘n geduldige ouer en beterweterige tiener spring in my kop op). Op die oomblik bid ek seker die eenvoudigste, dog moeilikste gebed: “Father I trust You. Have Your way.” Soms afgewissel met die baie moeilike: “Father I don’t understand… but I trust You.” Dit is vir my so moeilik om ‘n PUNT aan die einde van “I trust…
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Freed From Our Ego
my social media feeds are full of beaming faces of parents or children – holding trophies, occupying a position on a podium, or fulfilling a spot on an academic leaderboard. Proud moments indeed, but have you considered the toll? Imagine the weight of the responsibility on our children when they feel responsible for fulfilling us? How untenable and unhealthy the role. Imagine the burden they feel when they have to perform like circus monkeys for our attention, praise and validation. What about the quiet moments – when they just are? Is that good enough? Do you acknowledge who they are at the core of their being instead of their performance?…
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Running out of ideas?
do you ever feel like you are running out of ideas to keep your toddler entertained? Yeah – me too! Here are some great, creative, easy-to-do ideas that you could try:
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A teething baby is so much fun… (said no one ever!)
taking care of a teething baby is best done in shifts… by well-rested people. We know it is hard, mama. Especially when you have tried e-v-e-r-y-thing and nothing seems to soothe them! We want to help in any way we can and think this teething hack from Tobbie is a fabulous idea to provide some relief – to both you and your babe (or maybe a werewolf – not quite sure).
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How to Talk to Kids about COVID-19
this illustrated story by Manuela Molina is a lovely child-friendly and emotionally safe way to support children’s understanding of COVID-19 and to help reassure them. It can open up conversations about any underlying fears or anxiety they may have regarding the current state of affairs. be sure to watch what you say and how you talk about COVID-19 to others in your children’s presence. They will pick up on your anxiety and underlying fears, which might trigger their own emotional reactions. (Children look to their parents’ emotional reactions to gauge how they should feel / react to situations). The key is to communicate calm and reassurance to your children and…
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❤ FREE printable valentine cards ❤
by now you probably know that I am a sucker for a cute lunchbox note and, no doubt, my kids’ lunchboxes will be filled with all things hearts tomorrow (cue the strawberry jam)! However, what would Valentines be without an anonymous card? these cards, thanks to Shining Mom, are designed with all things CUTE and they are SUPER easy to print – simply click the link below! The fatties (hippo and ellie) are my absolute favourites! Which ones do you adore? so why are we sharing them here you may ask? As a little thank you and love-right-back-at-you for all your loyal support. We appreciate you. these really are the…
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Shop Now, Pay Later?!
shop what you want now and pay later. No interest. No fees. No catch. Does that sound too good to be true? Actually it is not – it is called Payflex and it is awesome. Payflex is a free spending plan that enables you to get what you want now and pay later. It won’t cost you a cent more. Payment is made over 4 interest free installments. You pay only 25% upfront, then another 25% for the next 3 fortnights. what are you waiting for? Get what you want today.
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kids, cows & clothing
it was a Friday afternoon in the middle of May, somewhere on the other side of lunch when I got the message: “Hi are you from Rustenburg? Do you have stock? I need it before 5. My daughter has a farm shoot and I don’t like what I have bought anymore.” {Disclaimer: NOT an eye love garment 🙃} a frantic exchange of messages followed and finally a decision was made; a beautiful package was wrapped and delivered before 05h00 pm. We settled on A ROSE FOR EMILY romper, a leather hair accessory and STAND IN MY SHOES vintage leather shoes. so what happens when you style a beautiful little girl…
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meet the MONTHSTERS!
“WHAT on earth is a monthster?!” I hear you say. Monthsters are friendly monthly monsters and the creative of mrprintables. Each printable monthly calendar comes in the form of a cute monster that folds to a small pocket size and stretches to a long monthly calendar, with days you can write on and fill in. Your wildlings can either keep it with them when needed or put it up against their wall. i especially love it for times when you have to go away. Wildlings do not understand the concept of time and need something more tangible and kinesthetic to help ground them. So, what can you do: you print…
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parenting memes
we recently shared some parenting memes on our Facebook page and it had our followers reacting! It just goes to show how much parents can relate to the challenges of parenting. #thestruggleisreal. any guesses as to what kind of meme got the most reactions? I’m not sure if we should be worried about the current generation of parents or if it is the only way parents are able to survive the toddler years?? here is a roundup of the top 7: isn’t this just so like us moms? Our kids look like they just stepped off the pages of a kids fashion campaign and we wear the underwear with…
