Being Selfish.

This week, the word 'selfishness' has flickered into my mind lately.
It happened after I read about it and the author had brought it up.

Being selfish.
I think we are all selfish. I think it comes naturally.
I don't think it ever goes away. Or is something that you can get rid of completely.
Because you see it in kids. I don't think any parent teaches their children to be selfish.
Instead, it reveals itself. It happens everyday at my home!
I've caught myself saying "Clari, please be kind and share your [belongings] with Celeste.
or "Celeste, you've had that [toy] for a while now... maybe Clari would like a turn now?"

And so... I think everyone gets taught that being selfish/looking out only for yourself is not right. So, our selfishness gets curbed. Hidden. It's still there. But we learn not to show it. 

And this is what I've been struggling with this week.

I've been silently trying to figure out how on earth I'm going to guide my own children into seeing what true selfishness is. And the many different forms it takes.

It's really not just about the action of not sharing.
I think it's easy to say "Share that with your sister".
Happens a thousand and one times. They automatically squabble. And those words automatically come out of my mouth!! Eeek!

It's the mindset.
And I struggle with this.
Because as an adult, even though I share my time, share my love around, I need to make sure that I'm not just doing it because I was trained to be that way when I was younger.
And if that sounds simple,
How on earth do I go about teaching and guiding my kids to love others out of the right motives... because they truly want to... not because someone told them that it's the right thing
to do?


Ahhh. Coffee comes in handy during times like this.

That's why I think that when people say that being a parent is hard, it's not so much about the mundane. Not so much about the sleepless nights at the start. The nappies. The chores. The meals. Etc.

For me, it's super hard because being a parent challenges you as a whole person.
It makes you confirm some of your existing beliefs, create new ones and realise that some beliefs that you had in the past might have just not been the right ones!
And it really develops your character and personality.
I am still learning about who I really am... and being a mum has really fuelled this.
I need to really challenge myself... question the essence about how and why I live and treat others the way that I do, make sure that they're solidly sound and teach myself up.... before I try to teach someone else, especially my own children.


There are countless of little ways to step forward and make the effort of loving others instead of yourself. But all this must be done after you really firmly believe that you'll be doing it because you truly and sincerely want to.

I think this is probably one of the more important ones for me. :)
Asking about others instead of talking about yourself.
Giving my friend the time to talk, asking about them and their day sincerely.
Even giving my husband the time to talk! Or my kids! And really listening to them.
Instead of talking about myself. I think everyone loves talking about themselves to a certain extent. Me included. And sometimes, I do agree and believe it is important to look after yourselves.
But sometimes, it really is a lovely treat to give that chance and time away and love and care about others.

Agreed?
Something to think about for ourselves today? :)

xx Germaine

Celesteville.

I've just looked through all the photos taken over the weekend. 

So much fun. So much memories created within our little family. So much happiness shared with our friends. So much food and cake. 

My Littlest turned 2 on Friday. 

I don't really want to believe it. 

 A huge part of me still wants her to stay exactly the way she is now... 

10 Ways to Keep Sane (I mean, Busy) during the Holidays

Hurrah! School holidays are here!
Like? Dread?
Both?
Then we most certainly can be friends. I practically skipped out of kinder while my Miss 4 dragged her feet out of the door, holding her Easter basket of chocolate eggs and wearing this super cool feather-licious paper crown she made during her last session.
I'm sure she's looking forward to being at home with me. *snort
While I'm sure she loves her mumma, I do admit I have my crazy hair out sometimes and I say crazy things. That tends to happen when certain small people drive me crazy.
So... I am determined to make the following weeks full of fun!
For everyone, of course.
Mum should be the one to have the most fun, methinks.

So here are not one, but TEN ways to not lose your shit during the holidays. (Pardon the language).

1. Make Rainbow Jelly Eggs.
I love these. My mum used to make these for our parties and I thought they were the best thing ever. She used to save eggshells and have about 3 tupperwares full of shells carefully tucked away to be used for Jelly Eggs.
Hubby wants to make this for Easter. I do like his ideas sometimes. :)
This is No. 1 on the list because you have to start saving those eggshells now!
I've started and have about 5 sitting on my kitchen benchtop now.

TIP: I have to confess that we don't have the egg moulds like the tutorial.
What we do is tap a small hole on the egg to let the egg white/yolk out, wash it clean, set up all the clean egg shells with small holes sitting in the egg carton and just fill them with jelly. 

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2. Create a stash of colouring sheets.

From the simplest of colouring sheets to some really cool looking ones, there are just heaps of free colouring sheets online for us mummas to use!
One thing I totes love about the Anorak Magazine are the colouring pages inside there... just out of this world and my little girl loves them too.
The key to colouring sheets is to keep it different all the time, and short and sweet.

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Give your child 1-2 sheets and always choose ones that you think might blow her away when she first sees it. Colouring is one of the most fun thing you can do.

3. Make a stuffed bunny.
Or a stuffed anything.
I'm serious. Have you ever tried making a softie? Those things teach you patience.
Have you ever handsewn a whole softie? Now that's one way of training yourself to be patient.
Patience is not my strong point. In fact, I'm a person who relishes getting things done in the fastest, most efficient way and there is not a single day that motherhood does not challenge me in terms of patience.

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To be honest, sitting down, thinking about it, cutting those fabrics and sewing does wonders for the soul. Close that laptop. Make a cuppa. Snuggle up on your sofa and just concentrate on creating that cute little bunny friend for your child... you will love it.
4. Go back to the simplest toy. Blocks. 

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5. Bake those cookies... lots of them... let your whole kitchen smell so yummy. Let those little hands help as much as they want, lick the spoon.
And give those calories, oops, I meant cookies, away in pretty little containers tied with twine and sweet little printable tags for friends!
One thing I love about holidays is the extra time we are given to catch up with friends.

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6. If your family is anything like mine, we buy toilet rolls in 18 roll packs and use up toilet rolls like there's no tomorrow. Well. Don't throw those toilet rolls away! Check out these 20 ways to use them.

 

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7. Paint your nails a different colour. And your little girl's nails too. 

8. Go to a different playground.

9. Prettify your phone cover with pretty fabric/paper. 

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10. Make the small people happy. I can't emphasize this last point enough. I know that when my little ones are happy, I'm happy.
And vice versa. Hence, this list was a give and take of what would make us mummas and our little ones happy. I've also learnt that if you're trying to do something else when your kids want you, no one will be very happy! From personal experience, trying to email or blog when your little one wants you to read to her, will ultimately be a lost cause. Close the laptop and go to her. Come back later.

So that's all for now!
I hope everyone has a very lovely and enjoyable break. :) Happy Easter!