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Happy Friday and welcome to one of the most popular posts of the week. It’s time to reflect on what’s happened during your week – the good, the bad and the in-between. Sharing is caring and for several years now, Mamamia readers have been gathering here on a Friday and over the weekend to trade highs and lows, celebrate and commiserate.
Remember that if you want a chance to host best and worst, email info@mamamia.com.au with your full name, headshot and a short bio (include any links to your blog/Twitter etc), and we’ll take it from there.
BEST: I finally booked a holiday that had been in the works for months! Sigh. Of. Relief. The irony of planning a ‘relaxing’ holiday is that for me, the whole process is anything but relaxing. Suddenly my life revolves around putting together the perfect itinerary, worrying over hotel costs and stressing about how much money I’ll have to buy shoes. Thankfully, the hardest part is now over. I can now relax until the second wave of stress hits me when the departure date arrives. In the past, the departure day has gone something like this: Arriving at the airport 5 hours before check-in? Check. Forgotten my passport? Check. Yep, there’s a reason why I worry.
WORST: I started compiling a bucket list recently. I’m only 20, so I have at least a few decades before I have a mid-life crisis and do something drastic like get a spontaneous tattoo or plastic surgery. My bucket list started off with a few solid things like ‘travel away from home for more than 6 months’ and ‘not die until I have accomplished something wonderful and worthwhile’ but by the end of the (very short) list, I had included things like ‘have a cool Wikipedia page about myself’ and ‘learn every word to Nicki Minaj’s raps’. This led to some serious life evaluation and considering the fact that maybe, I need to get some better dreams.
On My Mind (OMM): Gay Marriage. I really can’t believe we are still having this ‘debate’ – if that’s what I must call it – in the 21st century. I say this because I thought we threw conservatism out the window when we started giving elite celebrity status to people like Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian for releasing sex tapes. Pop culture essentially says, “Sexuality! Embrace it! Kim Kardashian is doing it, so we all should be!” But when the question pops up of WHO we’re doing it with, suddenly it becomes an issue.
Whitney Higginson is a part-time journalism student and full-time internet stalker (and intern at Mamamia). When she’s not doing any of these things, she’s blogging.
What were your best and worst bits of the week?
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290 Comments so far
Been a while since I’ve posted in B&W.
I’ll start with Worsts since it’s been one of those weeks…
Worsts: It’s been a super crazy week at work. I work at what some people would consider a ‘rough’ school. NAPLAN disrupted some of the kids, especially those that did not do the tests. They were shuffled from class to class, as their teachers conducted some of the tests. This obviously resulted in some behaviours that were not nice. It culminated in our school going into lock-down yesterday afternoon as one of our more ‘interesting’ students slowly destroyed the school and hurled rocks at anyone who walked past and the cars in the carpark…
In my own class, some of my most challenging students have been really making me earn my paycheck this week. Many of them come from pretty dodgy backgrounds, so I try to show some empathy, but I hate being disrespected and ignored.
I came to the realisation this week that I have majorly over-committed myself with various things at work. I like knowing and having a say in what goes on, so I join many committees at work. I also participate in other extra-curricular groups within the school and am slowly falling in a heap. I have something going on EVERY afternoon after school. Normally, this would be okay, but in reporting season, it is exhausting.
One of the things that is helping to add to my ‘over-committed’ feeling is being a union rep. I am only the vice-president of our school branch and have never really had to do much in that role other than help the president with EBA stuff. Well, our president is currently working at another school for the rest of the term and yesterday I became a fully fledged union rep having to help a staff member with a pretty MAJOR issue. I am not experienced enough to deal with this. I have told the staff member that and am strongly advising he contact the union and ask for a more experienced representative. Ugh, it kept me up for most of the night thinking about the issue.
To top it all off, I think I’m getting sick. I’m not really surprised actually…
Bests: I start NAPLAN marking next week. While it means I have to plan 7 days worth of lessons for my relief teacher (another job on my never-ending to do list), it also means I get a break from the school (not just my class) and I really enjoy reading the student responses to the argument.
I am settling into my new home. I moved in with my sister due to my ever increasing debt. I am now saving just over $600 a month in rent. While it’s going to take a while to see any real improvement in my debt, I am starting to feel a bit more positive about my situation.
Wow, I sound really whingy and whiny in this post… Don’t get me wrong, I do love my job, it was just really challenging this week.
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Can I just ask why the kids did not sit the NAPLAN test?
I hear you – have worked at a school like that myself. Had a pie thrown at me on playground duty, was pushed down the stairs and had a desk tipped over onto my toes. That was in just one week. And some say we have a cruisy job and too many holidays!
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They didn’t sit the test because they were in either year 2, 4 or 6. We have composite classes.
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Best #1: Seeing my grandparents this week. They live in Canberra (I’m in Brisbane) and have come up for my sister’s engagement party this weekend. I don’t get to see them very often, but it’s been WONDERFUL catching up! They mean the world to me.
Best #2: My sister’s engagement party is on Saturday night. I’m so thrilled for her, she has found a lovely guy who adores her, is her best friend and has her back on every level.
No worst this week. Lovely
OMM: Trying to juggle my music with a fulltime job. Something’s gotta give & I’ll be damned if it’s the music! Any thoughts/advice/suggestions?
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What kind of music, Sair?
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Modern Celtic/singer-songwriter.
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Awesome!
I am a classical muso, but my advice to my adult students is to try and schedule a regular thing with others (for us, a community band or having people over to play trios, etc). Having the others involved is not only fun, but the fact that it is scheduled means you try not to let them down.
Alternatively, schedule in a regular practice/writing session or two by yourself that you aren’t allowed to interrupt. Maybe go somewhere else to do it so it doesn’t just feel like you are ‘messing around at home’ and the temptation of doing something else is there.
I had a student who is an editor of a major newspaper. He used to practice in his lunch hour in the park reserve across the road!
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Best: I have just returned from America this week, (where I got married and caught up with friends and family). I am a newly-wed! So this week I have begun to notice firstly how awesome marriage is, and secondly how it hasn’t changed my husband’s and my relationship – But interestingly it has changed my relationship with myself! I have never been happier.
Worst: I have loads of Psyc lectures to watch and learn. I struggle with this ‘elective’. Can’t wait until this semester ends and I’ll never do it again!
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OMM: do I have the right to decide I don’t want my Mum in my daughter’s life? I have no good feelings towards her. We don’t have a good relationship. She talks about me constantly behind my back, makes up lies about me and is generally not a nice person. When I am around she’s bitching about another one of my siblings. She’s also called my daughter (who at the time was 9 months) antisocial. She’s been in the same room as my daughter for up to 4 hours and has not gone over to see her or say anything to her. During the times she’s been around her and actually acknowledged her she hasn’t made attempts to play with her. She just expects her to want to sit on her lap and not make a noise.
I know that I’m at fault here too. I guess I could keep on making the effort and getting nothing back but the reason I don’t is because I don’t love her and I hate what she does to me and my other siblings. I was willing to overlook that if it meant by daughter could know love from someone other than her father and I but after this gathering I just can’t…
Best: my Husband and daughter are truly the most wonderful people
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You definately have the right to choose not to have your mother in your daughter life, what a negative influence!
I hope you have a lovely mother in law or beautiful aunties to support you and be there for you though.
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Thank you
My MIL is yet to meet my daughter but she always sends her postcards and letters which makes me happy. Unfortunately, my aunties won’t speak to me whenever they see me (I guess a side affect from the things my Mum says about me).
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B’s Mummy, I am in this situation but with my father. I made the decision before my son was born that my dad will never know his grandson. It’s hard but my father is not a good role model, he is very irresponsible, an alcoholic and he thinks he is never wrong, amongst far worse things. At the end if the day it is our job to protect our children and if we feel that someone is going to have a negative or counter-productive influence on our kids then why would we encourage that relationship? I only want good, positive people around my kids on a regular basis.
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This is tough!
From my own family’s perspective, my SIL does not want my mum involved in her child’s life and it’s killing my mum. My SIL finds my mum to be overbearing and critical, which she can be, but she also has some wonderful points and I think it’s important for a child to have a relationship with a grandparent (my mum is the only grandparent). But of course, my opinion is biased by own experience.
I would suggest maybe a “limited” relationship while your daughter is growing up, with you in control, setting boundaries but also encouraging some positive interaction between them. And then when your daughter is old enough she can decide for herself whether she wants to maintain a relationship with her grandmother.
I think it’s important for children to know and understand different personality types, even the difficult ones. If your child always has a safe-haven to come back to and to grow within, she will be ok.
Some people are not-so-good parents, but make great greatparents (my mum is one of these). But if your mother is not pushing for it, then I suppose there’s no real harm, it’s not worth forcing….
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I understand your point and that’s why I’ve been so worried. I don’t want to cut people out of my daughter’s life just because I don’t like some of their personality traits. I have tried to overlook everything she does to me for my daughter but at this point I can’t see how she even loves her if she doesn’t make an effort to come up to her when she’s a few tables away. My daughter even crawled up to someone who was at the same table as my Mum and tried to climb into their pram and nothing…
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B’sMummy, as someone who has toxic family members too I would say don’t be afraid to put up some boundaries. Just because she’s your mum, doesn’t mean she’s deserved the role. Do what it takes to feel you are protecting yourself and your child and don’t feel guilty, you don’t owe her. People need to earn the right to be in our lives, not expect it just because of biology and history.
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Best: My four month old boy is entering the cute overload stage. He is the happiest baby, smiling constantly and sleeping beautifully. I do wonder what I did to deserve such a gorgeous boy. My other two children were nice babies too but this one is taking it to a new level!
Worst: Feeling like I’m climbing a mountain and never getting to the top. Housework, washing, cleaning, school drop off and pick up, groceries, oh and trying to catch up with friends too. Seems like every time I turn around there’s something else to do.
OMM: Drivers who throw cigarette butts out the car window. One hit my windscreen this morning and stayed next to the wipers! I get so irate.
Smoking is disgusting but apparently smokers also find it so disgusting they don’t want butts in THEIR car either! One of these days I’m going to stop at the lights and throw it back in their car!
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Don’t know why that pic posted sideways!
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I can see why you’re so in love with your son – he is just gorgeous! Look at that smile!
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Your boy is divine.
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What a cutie! You are right about the smoking too, how disgusting!
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Hey Vicsta, did you know that you can report people who throw butts from cars? (At least you can in Victoria) Go to the EPA website and register and you can file a littering report. you need to have as much detail as possible i.e. rego, car make and model, location, time, description of driver if possible etc. I keep a pen and pad in the car and get my passenger to jot down the details. The offender will get a fine in the mail – a couple of hundred bucks I believe – more if it’s a lit cigarette. Growing up in a bushfire prone area, I get very ticked off with people who throw cigarettes from cars so hopefully a fine makes the person think twice about doing it again.
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Best: I have been promoted to principal flute for the local pops orchestra for the next concert, which means double the pay and I get to invite a friend to play 2nd with me! Oh, and almost-summer weather – gonna be 31°C tomorrow! Bought two lovely dresses from Goodwill (the only way I can afford to!) and have already worn both of them!
Worst: husband has to take a language to be able to graduate (US college policy, at least, most of the big ones). He has never studied a language before, and it is a condensed 4-week summer course. He’s doing German, luckily, as I did it in uni, but I am basically tutoring him from sunrise to sundown and beyond (how do you explain gender of nouns and verb forms to someone who has never dealt with them before?) Hard work. But I’m enjoying the German refresher. Third time around (high school, uni 10yrs ago, and now) I think I actually get it.
OMM: Not pregnant. This is OMM because it’s not best or worst. For everyone who was desperate for a child when it wasn’t an appropriate time, you will understand why this is neither best nor worst. Sigh. (Is there a ‘sigh’ smiley?? Maybe it needs inventing.)
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Congrats on the promotion Rach! And yes looking forward to the weather warming up, I’m desperately wanting a bike to ride around on but can’t get one just yet.
Good luck with that German!
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Danke schön!
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Congrats on the principal gig!
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Thanks!
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Haven’t had kids yet, but might I suggest visiting with your doctor to see what you can do to help the situation?
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Forgot to mention another best in my post below. Found out one of the girls I work with used to be a beautician so she gets great discounts at a beauty supply store….hello $4 OPI polish!
Going to get with her next time and get some (or a lot) of goodies!
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Best: 5 weeks to go before my long-awaited child is born. We were told it is a girl, so I hope they were right! Almost everything is pink!
Worst: This is not really a worst but shows just how good a week I have had. My worst is now that all of our baby shopping is done, all I have to do is wait, wait and wait until she is born. I am not a good waiter – but I have made it this far so will survive!
On My Mind: The health of my hubby who is working so hard at the moment running his business and trying to earn money since I am now out of work. He is also trying to renovate the baby’s room which there seems to be no time for. He is rush, rush, rushing and I can’t help in any way but love and respect his dedication.
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Best: I graduated yesterday! True, I finished my degree in October last year and I’ve been working full-time since in my grad job…but still! I graduated! I have my diploma and got to share the day with my proud as punch parents and boyfriend. Very lucky. And my brother’s sister sent me the most beautiful pic of her baby holding a sign that said “Congratulations Aunty Em” …was so beautiful
Worst: No real worsts
OMM: My eyesight is becoming a little poor since starting my job, I feel like the hours staring at my computer and the office lighting is sending me blind. Must book in to get my eyes checked.
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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Congratulations! Such a wonderful achievement!
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Congratulations! It took me about 2 years to realise I had actually graduated from Uni, I would have these dreams that I had forgotten to had in an assignment or hadn’t turned up to an exam and I didn’t actually have my degree! Would wake up in a panic then look across the room to see my degree hanging up lol.
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Congrats!
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Congratulations!
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Congratulations! Graduating is a wonderful feeling, you should feel very proud.
With your eyes, we need to take regular breaks. So every 30 mins, stop what you are doing and look into the distance. Focus on an object. Close your eyes (screw them up tight) then go back to work. Just doing this will make a bit of difference. Not saying you shouldn’t get your eyes tested, but often it is just fatigue that is causing vision problems so starting some good routines now is a good idea (from my experience of OHS work)
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You are awesome Emma … congrats!
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Best: NKOTBSB tomorrow night. I Cannot WAIT!!
Worst: I miss my boyfriend. he’s been doing weird shifts and so I barely get to see him anymore. We’re back to only seeing each other one day a week which is hard. his scheduled also sucks because it means I can’t stay at his place during the week and so I’m back on the couch again… lame.
OMM: I’m getting more and more disengaged at work which I hate because I really do like my job but I’m just sick of having to constantly wait and complain about why it’s taken HR 3 months to even start looking for the 4 people we lost 2 months ago.
I’ve started smoking again which is even more lame.
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Best: It was Norway’s National Day yesterday and I had the best time. We went to the zoo and had friends over for dinner and drinks after. It was not quite the traditional celebration but it was great fun. http://www.glossy-beauty.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy-norway-day.html
OMM: Time – there is never enough.
Worst: I must improve my diet, it has been quite bad lately.
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Best: watching my amazing son develop into his own little person every day. This week he has been very sweet and affectionate, and I love how snuggly he is. He is understanding more complicated instructions now. I marvel every day at how clever he is (and I’m totally not even biased.)
Best #2: Cleaning the house. Weird, I know, but being over 6 months pregnant I have not been in the mood for housework for a long time. So when I dusted the entire house, sorted out my son’s room and finally organised my wardrobe, I felt unbeatable.
Worst: Wondering if my marriage is over. The same issues keep cropping up with hubby and I, and I don’t know if we can overcome them. When I say something, I am being a nag or unrealistic or impatient. We have been married for 3 years now, and he still says he has to get used to being in a relationship because he was on his own for so long. He lived alone for about 2 years. Same as me. Lame excuse. Whenever I put his hand on my belly to feel the baby kick, he pulls a face and gets annoyed. He cannot put his phone or iPad down to have a conversation with me. Every weekend morning his xbox gets turned on for hours on end while our son roams around the house eating toast and getting into mischief because he is bored. He lets me sleep in, but I would rather be up if he ‘s just going to leave our child to his own devices. I don’t know what to do. I have cried, I have yelled, I have reasoned with him, I have threatened to leave. Nothing makes a difference. Things do improve for about a week, but then he is back to his old habits. I. Don’t. Know. What. To. Do.
OMM: Single parenting. Due to the above cirucmstances, I have thought lately what it would mean for me to have two little ones on my own. It would mean going back on welfare, something I fought for years to get off (working as many shit-kicker jobs as once as I could, just to be self-sufficient. I hate being answerable to the government.) I don’t want my children to be brought up on welfare. But getting a job where I live is near impossible, and what would I do with my toddler and newborn? My family lives 4 hours away. Childcare is scarce and expensive. Even if I want to leave, how do I do it? I have no money, no income. I feel trapped.
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I feel for you, Ashby. No advice here, just hugs.
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Maybe talk to him about getting some counseling?
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I feel your confusion and pain Ashby. If he is not interested in counselling, I still suggest doing some for yourself. I was in a similar situation and went to private counselling. Saved myself and in the end my marriage. 5 years later we are waiting the final 5 weeks for the birth of our first child. It was so worth it.
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I have mentioned counselling several times. He says we don’t need it. I have talked to a psychologist as few times, who has suggested a few tactics that have not worked. When we talk things over, (I say talk…) he sits there sullenly. When I ask him why he’s not speaking, he says “What’s the point, I’ve said all this before.”
It doesn’t dawn on him that it keeps coming up because it keeps happening. Then he cries and hugs me, says he does love me and is trying. So I give it another go. And then, like I said, a week later, back to old habits.
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Ashby, could you move back to where your family live? If it’s an option seriously consider it. The support you would get from them is insurmountable and they could help with child care while you work.
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Unfortunately not. My husband has a steady job here and would never let me take his children so far away. And I wouldn’t want them to be so far away from their Dad either.
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Maybe start a long term plan for yourself and your children? Leaving now may not be an option but start putting away money, building up skills/ up skilling or studying. Often just having a plan or an escape clause in the “worst case scenario’ can help you to cope and feel less trapped.
maybe contact centre link and get some advice on what support could / would be available should you need to leave…
I
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Best: It was one of those weeks that came out of nowhere – in a great way. Law ball last Friday was a blast – thank you for all the wonderful hair suggestions! Photo attached.
Worst: Have just found out that I’m going to have to see my ex at a birthday party next week – on the bright side – he hasn’t seen my since I’ve dropped 3 dress sizes.
OMM: WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?
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oh pretty!!
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Wear something bright and eye catching that make you feel as sexy as you look. There’s no way he won’t notice you and be all kinds of “she looks great! What have I missed out on?”
Have fun!!
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Rockin’ dress – you look awesome. xx
(and also, where did you get it?!)
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You looked beeeeaaaauuutiful! for your ball!!
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Red is your colour, hayleyjane! Your smile makes me want to smile with you
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Hi all,
I am currently 6 and a bit weeks into my trip and it is so amazing!! America has surprised me in so many ways and I am having a blast! I have learned so many things and travelling with someone has helped me practice lots of tolerance and patience! New York is a dream come true and next wednesday night I get to see Wicked on Broadway! Then it will be less than a week and I will be on my own in Europe. No worsts for me! So thankful every day I am here! I worked so hard to get here but I am stil a very lucky girl to be doing what I am….
Love to all, I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Xoxoxoxoxoxo
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Best: My lovely boyfriend surprised me with flowers, rock candy and a beautiful curry on Wednesday because he knew I hadn’t been feeling well! He is a keeper.
Second Best: It’s now exactly 2 weeks until holidays! *Happy Dance*
Worst: It seems that to take a holiday I first must work myself like crazy, put in tonnes of overtime and basically work myself sick! It is just so hectic at the moment and with new publications the deadlines never seem to end! Just have to suck it up and get through it all….
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Worst: Found out some terrible news this week – someone I went to high school with passed away. He was only 20 years old, fitness guru and studying to be a doctor. His family are unsure of what happened at this stage but it’s just so sad, everyone remembers him as the nicest guy. Makes me think how short life really is and how everything can be taken away so quickly…my thoughts have been with his family and best friends all week.
Worst 2: Seems little and insignificant in comparison, but I’ve been struggling with a cold all last week and just when I thought I was feeling better, a busy week at Uni with assessments has worn me right out and plus the sad news this week as just had me a bit down.
Best: Skyping with my mumma for her birthday! Also my wonderful boyfriend. Been helping me however he can this week – like buying me a celebratory Magnum ice cream when my assignments were all finished! I think another highlight will be going to see Riverdance this weekend. Gonna be awesome.
OMM: Andrew, you quietly touched so many lives and I wish I had taken the time to let you know that before it was too late.
Tell the ones you love how much you love them, and tell them often.
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Best: Whole weekend with new boy to look forward to!
Worst: Woke up with tooth/mouth-ache. Thinking it might be an abcess. Damn teeth!
OMM: Well…at the moment all I can concentrate on is my sore mouth. Sigh. Dentist at lunchtime…
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to help with the pain in the meantime – try oil of cloves or take a black teabag, dampen it with warm water and place on sore tooth: sounds weird but it works (i know from experience)
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Best: I’m going on a ghost tour tonight at the Q Station in Manly! Excited.
Worst: Sick. Bah.
OMM: When will it snow? I want to go skiing. I just looked at the Perisher snow cams out of curiosity and there’s not a speck to be seen! I know it’s only May but I’m impatient..
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Ooh, I’ve done the Q-station ghost tour. The old morgue scared me the most. I actually screamed out loud and was most embarassed afterwards (but then I am an A-grade wimp). Have fun!
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Worst- my 9 week old still has terrible silent reflux and colic after chiro, Bowen, osteo, and Zantac. Started him on losec yesterday so fingers crossed.
Best- my mum coming back up to help me with my 17 month old as bubba number 2 takes up so much of my time.
OMM- how do single mums do it? And I miss my little girl and my hubby even though I live with them!!!!
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Hi Alisha, I am not a single mum so I don’t know how they do it but just wanted to say hang in there. It looks like your two are around 15 months apart and my two boys are too (they are now 3 and 20 months). I know the feeling of missing the people who are right there in the house with you because you are so absorbed with the new baby. It does get easier (cliche, sorry). Have a great weekend
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Thanks emmaline, so lovely to be reminded that so many of us have ridden this train! you have a good weekend too
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Ailisha, my little boy had terrible reflux. We tried everything and treatment finally escalated to Losec. It worked wonders. I hope it does for you too.
All the best.
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Thanks sarahlouise, I have gotten my hopes up so many times with each new thing we try and get so badly disappointed when I realize he is still in pain….I so hope that losec does the trick! Can I ask if your little one was breast or bottle fed? I’m breastfeeding still but ppl keep telling me to put him on an anti reflux formula as it’s thicker and might stay down better than the thinner breast milk! Don’t want to do this though so yep, hopes are all on losec now! Oh and what age did yours grow out of it? Sorry for all the questions!
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No worries about all the questions… Nice to be able to answer and share!
My boy (who will be 3 next week) was breastfeed (for 12 months). There was no real difference between formula and breast milk as far as I can remember. What I did do was express A LOT. This allowed me to feed him my milk but in a more upright position (and, in hindsight, it also made weening a little easier). Very time consuming but I persisted and it paid off.
For memory, the reflux became less of an issue when the losec was started (around 2 months) and then again at about 5-6 months when solids were commenced.
Things will improve. His little gastro intestinal tract will mature and allow him to ingest all he needs. Until that time, medicine can help. xo
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Hi, sorry to hear about the reflux. All 3 of mine have had it, a very difficult thing to deal with. Unfortunately my boys all ended up on formula (due to various health reasons, reflux was not a major factor). I do remember something that a pharmacist told me about that you could spoon into bubs mouth before/after a breastfeed which would help thicken your milk and keep it settled in the tummy. Sorry for such a vague response but could be something you ask about?
I think breastfeeding a refluxy baby can be incredibly challenging but if you are coping well then keep pushing on. There is some debate about thickening milk as it might reduce the amount of vomit it doesn’t actually stop the reflux/burning/discomfort. Might reduce your washing pile though!
My first son grew out of it at about 1yr, my second at about 9months and my third is still spewing his guts up (10months) but is quite a happy chucker and it has settled down majorly in the last couple of months.
Good luck
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Thanks xxx ps. Tried the thickener thing- he seemed to get a really upset tummy from it, the smells he could make after I spoon fed him that stuff were beyond description- lol!
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Hugs to you Alisha, refulx babies are hard work. You are doing a fantastic job. Miss C had TERRIBLE reflux, and we started on losec about 8/9 weeks. It took a week to really help. She still vomited constantly, but she became more settled. With Master A as soon as he became too unsettled I was at the paed for the losec so he was on it at 7 weeks and was not as unsettled.
WIth both I breastfed (only stopped at 13 months) so don’t feel you have to go formula if you don’t want to. I did work out that if I ate tomatoe puree the reflux was worse, but otherwise no foods really made a difference in my diet (not dairy etc). They are refluxing because the sphincter muscle is too weak, and needs to grow stronger. Time will do that.
With Master A I also found that limiting his feeds to 10 mins a side helped as well, so he wasn’t overfeeding (which is what Miss C became, a comfort feeder), keeping them upright for a little bit, after a feed etc.
Get as much help as you can!!! This time will pass.
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Thanks so much- feel a bit better, can’t wait for losec to kick in! Hugs back to you x
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Best: the realization im doing Ok! I’m not battling a sinking sea of finances anymore! I’ll be set to look at buying a house next year, be that on my own, or with my boyfriend. Thing are on the up
Worst: my dad moving away. He’s going to bendigo, so not too far, (I’m an Adelaide gal) but he’s my rock. My go to. My parent who never left. I’m going to miss him so much.
OMM: work, interviews with new employees, trying to find my feet in the managent world
Also, finding a settling peace with God, away from the politics of religion.
And, trying to get my ex to sign divorce papers … :/
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Worst only… I am having a fling with a married man and I can’t cope with him going back to his wife after we get intimate. It makes me so angry. Lord I hate being in this situation but I just have to have him
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Rainbow, please get help to stop seeing this man. You are worth more than this, you deserve to be with someone who wants to be with you for more than just sex. He’s just using you.
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I’m sorry to hear that Rainbow, but seriously do not kid yourself, he will never leave his wife if he is going back to her after he has been with you.
Please don’t get caught up in something like this, when in the end you will loose out- sorry to say.
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Even though the result of a spelling error, you make an important point, anon. Very “loose”, indeed … among other things.
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Ha! your sentence doesn’t even make sense.
Have you never made a typo before?
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Your misspelling of lose as ‘loose’ just seemed a good description for the affair-having ways of ‘Rainbow’. Not particularly clever, I know. Maybe that second sentence could have been clearer, although no amount of editing would have made my comment any funnier. Thanks for the feedback.
And, of course I make typos.
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Rainbow, women who have affairs with married men make me so angry. Find your own husband dont take someone else’s. How do you think his wife feels? I think she has more rights to be angry than you do….
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can you read my comment below please. this is absolutely something i would NEVER do
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Rainbow I’m so so sorry!!! I didnt realise your MM identity had been stolen! Thanks for clearing it up!
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I’m not meaning to be rude, but can I ask how it began? Did he tell you he was married or single? I’m curious to know how these things tend to start. Feel free not to answer if you don’t want to!
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this isn’t me. someone has been posting really inappropriate remarks under my name.
geez if this really was a dinner party i’d be the one with the restraining order!!
ps. i also don’t have sexual fantasies about the blue wiggle (that was yesterdays comments)
pps. mamamia, are you able to confirm that this is coming from a different address? to be honest it is slightly freaking me out!
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My first thought seeing this comment this morning was “what??? Rainbow??” didn’t seem like you at all! Horrible about the weirdo’s making comments with your name, some people…
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If it’s any consolation, rainbow, anyone who has read your regular comments on this site would sense that this capitalised version sounds nothing like you!
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Yes, I thought that too…doesn’t sound like Rainbow. Glad to hear its not!
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Sounds like rainbow has just changed?? Maybe her true colors have come out! Lol!
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why???
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I’m hoping that it’s a genuine mistake and that the other Rainbow just thought it was a pretty name (and wasn’t trying to steal your identity). I also hope she stops engaging in an affair and potentially ruining someone’s life! It certainly didn’t sound like you.
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i have a feeling it is targeted at me. i had a go at someone making several rude comments on a post. i think this is my punishment!!
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I knew it wasn’t you! And I confirmed it in the office and am confirming it for the rest of the Mamamia readers!
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thanks lana, and everyone else for the lovely comments.
i am off-line for a couple of weeks, going on holiday and going to try staying away from the laptop! so if in the meantime there are any weird comments, please know it isn’t me!!
ps. when i get back i will start using my log-in again, i get lazy, but this is a good reason to use it. i am not sure why people like to troll, it is a little unsettling though.
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So sorry this has happened to you rainbow
I’m just going to ignore any comments that don’t sound like yours.
Enjoy your holiday xo
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Glad it’s not you, I was shocked & surprised.
Even though I don’t really know you…
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lol it’s kinda funny? Kinda? I knew it wasn’t you because of the capital. But yeah, bit trolly.
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Wasn’t there a post like this last week as well where someone claimed they wanted to get pregnant to the married man they were seeing and most people thought it was a troll?
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I’m not sure whether to classify this as best or worst, I suppose it is a little bit of both. We didn’t get the house we wanted to buy, which is a bummer since it was a gorgeous house in a great location but we weren’t able to secure a high enough loan which meant we would have to put down a LOT of money for a deposit, which just wasn’t going to happen! So the fact that it sold to someone else was probably a good thing. I think we might have to stick to renting, as much as I hate it until we have been here longer. I think us not getting this house was a blessing in disguise.
Worst – Not sure if I have already mentioned this here before but I’m pretty sure the Pill I’m on is causing me to gain weight, have mood swings, be irritable and have a low sex drive. I can’t think of anything else that it could be and I started taking this new pill when we moved here and I feel like it’s just getting worse! It has helped a lot with my period pain and duration, but I feel so yucky! I don’t know how to explain it but I just feel like I’m getting bigger and bigger and annoyed with little things and cry at a drop of a hat! Uhhhh so yeh tomorrow I’m off to the doctors.
OMM – The event that unfolded at work over the weekend, I work part-time as an assistant at place that does Cooking Classes, and basically witnessed my manager (now ex) have a breakdown. It was bad…. luckily no students had shown up yet, but she just snapped and was abusing everyone, yelling and swearing. Storming off, only to come back to have a go at one of the other assistants, which caused her to cry for the next 2 hours. It was just really really bad and pretty much put us all in a shit mood for the whole class, oh and she (the manager) snuck out again after coming back and just left us with all the students. The class went ahead albeit 40minutes late.
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I hate that Pills don’t seem to be transferrable between countries. And medication here in the US in general is so strictly governed that anything that is strong enough to do anything is not produced. I had to go from 50 strength to 30 strength because they don’t make it any stronger here, which of course the breakthrough bleeding I managed to control for 10 years is back.
Voltaren is illegal here except by prescription injection, yet you can buy it in any form in any pharmacy over the counter at home. Had to get an Aussie friend to smuggle some in for me!
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Oh wow I had no idea voltaren was illegal here. Good thinking re the smuggling, am going to have to go speak to the doc tomorrow about all this. I miss my GP back home, ahhhh!
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Best- my toddlers, sleeping eating talking. They are such great company and I’m loving these toddler years. The younger one’s temper is easing up too!
Worst-my mum’s mothers day was ruined by my brother.
Omm-delivery of new fridge is delayed and we already promised our old one to someone else.
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Best: getting a glimpse of the little person growing in my tummy. The 19-week scan is so much fun!
Worst: getting woken up at 5.30 by my toddler. When she started getting up at 6.30 I was struggling, but this is just rediculous. Ruins the rest of my day.
OMM: Has anyone out there successfully trained their kids to stay in bed? What did you do?
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Seems my reply email wasn’t saved, please give me your thoughts kn this post
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Hi Dkmum, what worked when my kids were toddlers was a clock with stickers on the time where the hands were supposed to be when the kids were allowed to get up. In our case, there was one sticker on the 12 and one on the 7. It was good because it wasn’t sleep-deprived grumpy mummy saying “get back to bed”, it was the clock saying it!
Good luck with it!
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I taught mine to turn the TV on and eat dry cereal.
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Our rule was ‘if the sun’s not up, then neither are you’. They had to look out their windows, if it was dark they had to go back to bed. Took a few days of explaining the rule and showing them how to open the curtain and enforcing the back to bed bit, but it worked. I now have the opposite problem – can’t get my teenager OUT of bed!
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How old is your toddler? My daughter is 2 1/2 and the groclock is a massive lifesaver in our house to avoid the early wakeup. It is a little $$ but when I bought it I got it 1/2 price. Its a clock that has a moon/sun and she knows that she is not allowed to get out of her room till the sun is up. Comes with a book about cranky Percy pig – who’s cranky cause he wakes up before the sun and can’t play with his friends! I assure you we tried EVERYTHING till someone recommended this…..fabulous!!
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My daughter does like to get up at about 3am some nights but telling her the sun is still asleep gets her back into her room straight away and she goes back to sleep.
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Thanks for all your replies. I let her watch tv for a while, but I think a) she’s now spending WAY too much time in front of the box, b) she’s probably excited about getting to watch it and is more keen to get out of bed, and c) still wakes me up.
I bought a clock similar to the gro clock but half the price (and half the style) which I’ve introduced today. Fingers crossed that works. Letting her into my bed probably hasn’t helped either. I’m so ready for a ‘sleep in’
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Grouchy voice saying ‘back to sleep you’re not getting up’ reinforced with shaking pointed finger worked with both my kids. Gotta be tough for a few mornings in arrow though! Prepare for a few tears
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Best: finally getting into the excitement of organizing my 40th birthday party.
Worst: feeling scared about returning to work next week after 4 months off after having and burying our beautiful Audrey. I work in health around some obstetrics so despite the best preparation with my wonderful psychologist still worried.
OMM: the battleground of friendship.
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Thoughts to you. Best of luck!
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Hi Katmag, it sounds like we are traveling the same journey. I returned to work after only 5 weeks. I lost my daughter 3 months ago. I am also 40.
I wish you all the best you will have good and bad days, I usually do most of my crying in the car on the way home. It’s hard because everyone knows but no one knows what to say. Take care.
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Hugs to you both Katmag & Mel, thinking of you xx
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Best: Got through a big week of assessment at uni. Only 2 exams to go and then holidays!!
Worst: Mum has a lot going on at the moment and I’m worried about her, but don’t know what I can do to help her…
OMM: Study.
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Best: have had an excellent week. Wedding anniversary – 4yrs yay!, kids have had a relatively tantrum free week, great boss to extend mat leave cause still no daycare for mr 10mth old, holiday booked (not till October but least it’s booked!), spent quality time with my beautiful mum and at the moment eating crumpets and having a cuppa while watching my daughter dance to Hi5.
Worst: not going to ruin the best with whinge about my SIL today!!!
OMM: what type of plants i’m going to buy for the yard to plant this weekend.
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Hi ! Fancy seeing you here
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Ohhhhhhhh I think I know who you are too!!!!
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Best. I got to sleep in on Sunday
Worst. I can’t take any form of contraception as it causes severe migraines. I’m also allergic to latex so my plans of “no more babies just yet” has been thrown out the window. I’m now going to go back to being petrified having sex because I don’t want to fall pregnant which adds major tension to my marriage but if I go on the pill I get crippling migraines but can have sex and be relaxed about it. Great. What can I do? Anyone else in a similar position?
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Please tell me have you spoken to your partner about getting the “snip”?? We are planning #3 (maybe!) but my husband is def getting the vasectomy immediately following that. It’s certainly seems to be a common thing among our friends. Husband was one who suggested it and doesn’t phase him at all. Thoughts??
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What about an IUD? Have you talked through all your options with your GP?
I used to get terrible migraines on the pill, and it took me ages to figure out that was the cause. Haven’t had one since stopping.
I actually found out we had infertility after stopping, so contraception is no longer an issue for us, so I can’t speak from person experience there.
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We’re only 1 baby in and I don’t think we’re ready to rule out any more, I’m just not in the right frame of mind for one yet and think it’d be a baindaid baby which never works!
I talked to my GP this week and have tried numerous pills, Depo shot and Implanon and he thinks because they all apparently have a similar drug in them I’m still going to get migraines. I’m so lost as to what to do. Why is it always up to the woman!! Aghh
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iud’s – best things ever. no pills to take, no huge levels of crazy hormones and minisule periods.
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You can buy latex free condoms – lots of links to buy if you Google.
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Non latex condoms for sure! We use them and neither of us are even allergic to latex… We just find that they’re better because no rubbery stuff comes off of them!
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You can get latex free condoms.
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Oh thanks everyone! Might pop down to the chemist this afternoon, yay, goid times here we come!!
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I’m on the nuvaring.
Most amazing thing ever!!!!
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Have had someone recommend this- it has about a 5 yr span doesn’t it?
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Ooo, what’s this?
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Best: Got the phone call from the foster agency yesterday. The next step in the process is three days of training (over two weekends). Bad news is that the next training course is this weekend, which is too short notice to get someone to care for our boys while we’re there.
Worst: Next training course is August. Sigh. Ah well. It’ll give us time to start getting the house into order, move boys into other bedrooms etc to make room for the new one (when, if etc).
OMM: Children!
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Good on you!
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Gosh you really sound lovely, I take my hat off to you, August is not far away.
Fingers crossed it all goes to plan.
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Best: husband coming home after a long stint working overseas.
Worst: in laws won’t look after my dog anymore. Fair enough, they don’t have to, but it has been good in the past. Now, I can’t see how we will go on holidays anymore. She is a rescue dog, and I don’t want to take the risk of a kennel traumatizing her, and losing all the gains we have made in her behaviour over the last couple of years. We live in the country, so the sorts of services where someone comes and walks and feeds your dogs aren’t an option.
Oh well, in the scheme of things it’s a small problem to have, and holidays at home will save us money!
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We have or should I say had the same situation with our rescued dog. We spent a lot of time finding the right kennel where the staff understand our dogs needs. Start with visits and then a single overnight stay…etc etc…oh and the anti-anxiety medication the vet prescribed also made a difference.
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Hello Twomummies! Haven’t seen you in ages. Miss your posts.
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Or you can look into holiday options where you can bring your dog. I know it won’t be quick cheap Bali trips, but there are options.
Happy holidaying!!
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Can you offer your house to a friend to housesit while you’re away? Maybe someone who could do with some time out but can’t afford a holiday? We always get someone to house sit for us and look after our cat.
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That’s a great idea, there are companies that don’t charge much as you are basically offering free rent in exchange for caring for your pets/garden. I knew a couple of students when I was at uni that constantly house-hopped for people on holidays. The good thing about using a company is that everyone is screened/police cleared.
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Ask the local vet, they often know of people offering services.
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Best: Its been a while since I’ve posted on Mamamia, but I have a best I needed to share…after thinking and wishing and hoping and planning, I’m finally pregnant! I can’t believe that my hubby and I are going to get to be parents. I’m 10 weeks, so still smack bang in the middle of the sickness and tiredness and I wish I could say I’m loving every minute of it but that would be an outrageous lie. Baby is due 13th December, so here’s hoping I don’t go too overdue and have a Christmas baby.
Worst: I don’t really have any!
OMM: Babies!
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Congratulations, how wonderful. I hope the morning sickness subsides soon for you. The second trimester is usually so much better in terms of energy and you’re nearly there. Best of luck for the rest of your pregnancy.
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Congratulations to you and your hubby! Fantastic news
Babies are OMM too lol
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Congrats! My son was born on the 13th December. Sag. Total party people – very social.
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Congrats!!
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Congratulations! My niece is also due on the 13th of December!
But I should warn you, my son who is now 13 was also due on the 13th of December was actually born on the 22nd, and that was after I insisted on being induced! Fingers crossed you are on time!!!
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Best: Prince concert.
Worst: Getting caught talking on my phone while driving yesterday. It was on speaker but I was holding it. Ironically it was a call from my brother in law thanking me for a hairdresser recommendation because they were good and cheap…Taking that call cost me $245 and three points. Ouch!
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I got done for this AND not weating a seat belt all in one hit… $490 and 6 demerit points. I know it’s no excuse but I was driving along the street I live in about to pull into my driveway. LESSON LEARNT!
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I am not trying to sound preachy but I hate the use of cellphones while driving. It is illegal in NZ, not sure if it is in Aus? I have a friend who was in a bad accident two days before Christmas last year because a woman using her phone crossed the centre line and crashed head on into the car my friend, her sister and another girl were in. My friend and her sister were on the drivers side and both were very lucky to be alive, the other driver was killed instantly. After watching bright and cheerful 24 and 19 year old girls recover from their massive internal injuries, I cannot tell you enough times that a phone call is just NOT worth it.
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Sorry to hear about your sister and friends.
It’s illegal in WA. You can use hands free/bluetooth systems, but nothing that requires you to take your hands off the wheel and actually touch the phone (I don’t know the technical limits, but that’s the general gist).
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best: prince concert tonight!!!!!!!
worst: commercial law exam
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Make sure you stay till the very end. He did 4 encores on Tuesday night. Have fun. He’s awesome!
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Oh Whitney, your post made me giggle!
However, I have a problem about what you were saying in your last bit. Yes some stars, Paris and Kim K, are ‘allowed’ to embrace their sexuality, some aren’t. Rihanna is coping a lot of flak lately for doing what she likes whith her lady parts. In fact Chris Brown wrote a song about what a ‘slut’ she’s being. Pop culture says. “sexuality, embrace it, but not too much. We don’t want you getting idea about owning your body and what not.” also, this is only said to women, not men.
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Best: I finished the first draft of my book. I had planned to use all of my 11 weeks of Long Service Leave to write the first draft, but I completed it in less than 5…so I’ve decided to take a break from that book, and write a first draft of its sequel while my imagined world is still fresh in my head. The second book has a darker setting and tone to the first, so it’s also a nice break to write about something slightly different…
OMM: I’m still in a quandary about what publishing method I’ll try once one of the books is ready (not that I have to make a decision any time soon…I don’t imagine either of them will be completed this year). Do I go down the traditional path of finding a publisher (or even an agent) or do I choose instead the new world of crowdfunding and self-publishing.
Traditional publishing gives me a small chance of huge success, but self-publishing gives me a greater chance of a small success. I have to admit, I’m being drawn towards self-publishing simply because I like the idea of having more control over my work. I don’t need or want to be the next JK Rowling. I think I’d be happy writing for a small but (hopefully) loyal audience.
What do you guys think?
http://about.me/jaj
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Traditional, then if no luck, self-publishing.
But I know next to nothing about these things, it’s just my instinctive opinion.
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What happens if, on the read-through of your debut novel, you decide to completely change the ending? Will that affect the sequel that you’ve already written, necessitating a complete re-write of that one as well?
These things worry me, John.
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Actually, the 2nd book invaded the 1st book when I was writing it, making me alter the final sections of the the 1st book…
…but, yes, these things happen…which is another reason I’ve decided to work on the pair together…
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Well, that’s a weight off my mind.
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Send it off to a manuscript assessor who might be able to help.
Altair Australia Books might be worth a look, depending on your genre, it’s a middle ground between self publishing and having a mainstream publisher.
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Best: Finally feeling like I am listening to myself for the first time in a long time.
Worst: Trying to get my mum to agree to seeing a psychologist and get help as her depression has been tested by recent events. (My breaking up with BF of 7 years) She won’t accept our help, but I am hoping she will come around. Feeling so frustrated but am not giving up this time.
OMM: Anyone who has had to deal with this sort of thing with a loved one. It’s bloody hard to stay sane yourself. Makes me truly feel lucky to have such a wonderful family and friends though so not all bad.
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ABC123 from experience get yourself a good psychologist as well, it will help your coping strategies as well. I think people are far too worried about the stigma, psychologists are wonderful people to help you order your thoughts. I had some sessions with one when I was in a similar situation with my mum and it was invaluable.
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Best: Penny Wong
Worst: Finding out there are kids in my childs class who are not immunised.
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Good to see you around here more often again, two mummies. Did you take a break for a while?
Penny Wong is awesome.
Anti-vaxxers are not.
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It’s that pesky thing called work! Lead up to the end of financial year is always a distraction from what should be a priority activity
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