Playgroup

I'm involved in a playgroup with my children each week, and have been for the past couple of years.

For those of you who have been to playgroup before, you know the benefit for you kids and hopefully for you also.

If you've never been to playgroup before and you have young children at home, I encourage you to explore the options in your area.

Playgroups can vary greatly depending on where they are and who they are run by, and what facilities and resources are available to the group. Generally speaking, they are a time for young children to mix and play together, and for parents to also get to know each other and enjoy doing some of the 'messy' things with your children that, quite frankly, you don't want to do at home!

My children look forward to playgroup each week, and love being able to play with toys they don't have at home, play with other children in their age group, and do craft each week.

I also look forward to catching up with the other Mums and watching my boys interact and learn with the other children.

Toy Library

I joined our local toy library last year, and don't know why I didn't join sooner.
The boys love being able to look at and play with the toys while we choose what to borrow for the next fortnight.
I realise not all toy libraries are the same, but the range at mine is great.
Everything is sorted into categories such as building, vehicles, role play, costumes, games, puzzles, music, outdoors, manipulation, baby, and larger toys like play kitchens and large vehicles.

Yes, there is a yearly fee, and yes, there is duty to do each term, however this just hasn't been a burden and the kids love being able to swap the toys and have a larger range of things to play with at home.
It's so good to be able to borrow costumes for parties, or just for home, and have an ever changing assortment of puzzles to keep them learning and developing.

I encourage you to search the internet or contact your local council and enquire about a toy library in your area. It will save you money in the long term by only buying the basics in toys and borrowing more specific items.

Many toy libraries also have party packs, which you can borrow for your child's birthday party. They often include larger outdoor play items, outdoor games, and tables and chairs. A great and affordable way to create your own party at home without the need to spend on a play centre or other entertainment.

Food Steamer = sanity

When my first child reached 5 months, it was time to start introducing solids.
I decided that I would start making my own baby food purees, and so invested in a three tier food steamer.
I LOVED IT!
It made life so much easier to chop vegies, place in the steamer layers and set the timer.
I quickly got into a routine of making a week's worth of meals at a time, and freezing the portions in ice cube trays, and then in small food containers of assorted colours, making a chart for the fridge so I knew what was in each colour container.
It took about 3-4 hours each week, but I was so thankful as each week passed that I had done the hard yards and all the preparation in advance.

Beginnings

Let's be real...no one tells you the truth about parenting until after you're already in the middle of it!

I love being a Mum, but the truth is nothing truly prepares you for the challenges you face except actually living through them and working out your own strategies.

I'm hoping this blog will provide funny stories, the truth about the joys and struggles, and lots of practical ideas for feeding your family, weekend activities, and learning and playing together.