parenting

As a rule I hanker after the past, everything seemed better 20 years ago.  In the case of uShaka Marine World the present outshines the past.  When Domi and Heath were little I had annual tickets to the Durban Aquarium.  I knew the dolphin shows backwards and we loved wandering through the aquarium.  I was a single mother living in …

In April my sister-in-law took us to People’s Park at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban.  What a wonderful discovery for any parent!   This time during our 2 week winter break in Durban we visited People’s Park three times.  It is beyond doubt the best children’s playground that I have ever visited.  The equipment in the playground is fantastic!  …

Update 2017 – I believe that the KZN science center has moved to the old Durban Airport When the weather turns foul it is really tough to find things for kids to do.   Being cooped up indoors with children is not fun, particularly when on holiday.  We are in Durban for the school holidays.  Winter can be the best time …

I’m very excited to share that after years of work, countless edits and tons of enthusiasm my Children’s picture book ‘Snuffles and the Cloud People’ is at last available for sale in digital format on Amazon.   I would never have dreamed that under 1000 words could be reworked so many times.  My Mum who is an award winning artist and …

This month, I read the incredibly moving book “Endings & Beginnings” by Redi Tlhabi.  One aspect of the book which struck me was how a child given a name meaning sorrow was so negatively impacted by his name.   I have 4 children, their names and the meanings were carefully chosen. As a child, I had a best friend Dominique, she …

Every morning Acacia asks / commands “Go Top Tots“.  Fortunately once a week this is met with the response which she is looking for.  Sadly there are less Mom and child classes in Boksburg than when Fjord was little. When Fjord was 2 Months old I took him to Moms & Babes, we did lovely bonding excercises like baby massage …

When I heard the pitter patter of Acacia’s feet heading for our bedroom, my first thought was “I really hope Cliff get’s up for her and leaves me to have a bit of extra Mother’s Day snooze”.  At first while he lay there eyes shut I felt a bit sulky.  When I looked at her smiling face, so delighted to …

Coming up with lunch box ideas for a 5 year old is a challenge, particularly when the 5 year old in question has a host of allergies.  We don’t have many options with sandwiches and I was stuck in a groove of honey, ham or jam. I was reminded of the lovely idea which my sister in law uses, she …

Our son Fjord is 5 years old, over a period of about 4 months he developed terrible insomnia.  His bed time is between 7.30pm and 8pm but he would lie in bed for up to 2 hours every night unable to fall asleep.  He has a fixed bed time routine, we eat around 5.30pm, he baths at about 6.30pm then …