School Formal Checklist …

September 3, 2018

  Grade 12 is the final year of High School for most Australian kids. It can be stressful for those that are striving for entry into their chosen university, whereas it can be a more relaxed experience for those who just want to finish school and make it to the end. But regardless of the stresses and workload, one of the highlights of the final year is the School Formal.   Depending on the school, the Formal can be held at any stage throughout Year 12 but mostly it’s at the end of the year as a Celebration of the end of around 13 years of schooling. … read more

25 Delicious Fillings for Sandwiches, Wraps, Pitas and Bread Rolls …

January 10, 2017

  Very soon kids will be returning to school and parents everywhere will jump back into the routine of preparing lunchboxes. Some kids crave the familiarity of having the same sandwich every day whereas there’ll be others who get bored and want variety.   Remember to check your school’s lunchbox policy to see if there are any foods like peanut butter that are banned and then you could spice things up with some of the gorgeous sandwich fillings below. All of the suggestions use common items from the fridge and pantry and I’ve included some ideas for using … read more

50 Gift Ideas for your Child’s Teachers …

November 25, 2016

  It’s often said that “it takes a village to raise a child”. In other words, parents aren’t the only ones who will influence their children and kids will encounter many people throughout their lives who will all have an impact on how they grow and develop. The role of some people will be small, whereas the effect of others will be huge and, when I consider that, I think of teachers. Kids spend countless hours in the care of their teachers, so there’s no doubt about the significance of a teacher’s influence.   My girls have been so lucky throughout … read more

Yikes! My Child has Head Lice … What do I do???

February 11, 2016

  Now that the kids have returned to school and childcare, one thing you might find yourself dealing with is Head Lice (also called Nits). It’s incredibly frustrating and, unfortunately, hardly anyone will be immune if there’s an outbreak at school.   So, what are Head Lice?   Head Lice are tiny parasitic insects that have no wings and cannot jump but that live among human hair. They feed on tiny amounts of blood that they draw from the human scalp.   How do you catch Head Lice?   Head Lice are extremely contagious and you … read more

Back to School Checklist …

January 20, 2016

  Returning to school after the holidays can be a really busy time with so much to remember and even more to actually do. It can bring a whole range of emotions … it’s an exciting time for most but it can also be a very stressful time for Mums and Dads as you prepare your child and all their needs.   If you’re not careful, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and then forget something important. So I’ve created a FREE “Back to School” Checklist for you to download and help you stay on track. It lists most of the common things you will need to consider when … read more

Simple Tips for Choosing Water Bottles for School …

January 10, 2016

  Of all the good habits I’ve tried to teach my kids, drinking plenty of water rates very highly. Water is so important for literally every function in our body, so it’s a great idea to send kids off to school every day with a lovely big bottle of cold water. It’s also really important that kids have a water bottle if they participate in after-school sport activities. Teaching kids to drink water is not only great for their health but, if they have a reusable water bottle, it also reduces rubbish generated by disposable bottles and helps to save … read more

Back to School … Tips for Buying New School Shoes …

January 13, 2015

  Well, it’s that time of the year again and there is so much to think about ….. uniforms, book lists, lunchboxes, timetables, sport shoes and, of course, school shoes. I’m lucky now that I only have to buy one pair but it wasn’t all that long ago (when all three girls were still at school) that I had to budget for three pairs. School shoes have always been a priority for me because kids are incredibly active and will spend many hours every day in their shoes, so it’s important that their shoes fit well, are comfortable, offer the right kind of support and also … read more

Back to School … Tips for Choosing the Right Lunchbox …

January 9, 2015

  I like my kids to start each year with a new lunchbox because I figure, after a year of crumbs and spills, it’s time for an upgrade. When they were younger, Santa used to always bring them a new lunchbox and drink bottle, but now that they’re older I simply buy a new one at the start of every year.   Here are the features I look for when choosing a lunchbox/lunch bag:   Size – while you don’t want it so big that it takes up too much of your child’s school bag, it does need to be big enough to hold sufficient food for the day as well as ice … read more

Back to School … Organising Stationery Supplies …

January 7, 2015

  While it might seem early to be thinking about getting organised for “Back to School”, these last few weeks of the holidays will whip by in no time at all. A little bit of planning and organisation will eliminate any stress and frustration. Below is a system that I’ve used for over 20 years of organising my kids school supplies and, for me, it’s worked … maybe it will work for you too:   Start early … there’s nothing worse than running around in a frenzy only days before school starts. Not only will you potentially run out of time but particular items … read more

Lunchbox Ideas … Fruit Kebabs …

May 24, 2014

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the Mums I talk to who experience frustration when preparing lunchboxes for their kids. You can read more about that here. So, today I’ve got another idea to share with you that will hopefully alleviate some of that frustration and encourage your kids to eat more fruit at the same time … Fruit Kebabs. I love these because it’s a fun way to present fruit in the lunchbox, it’s super refreshing in summer and it’s so versatile because you can use any fruit that you like. And best of all, it’s really simple … just chop up your … read more

Put a Little Love in your Lunchbox …

May 8, 2014

  When I talk to other Mums, lunchboxes is a subject that has everyone sighing in despair about the frustration and monotony that comes with preparing the humble lunchbox. Lack of time and lack of ideas are common reasons that are quoted. I’m hoping to change that by sharing loads of tips, ideas and suggestions but the most important part of creating healthy, nutritious and interesting lunchboxes is the planning.   Lunchbox planning will help you get organised, save money, eliminate waste and most importantly lower your stress levels. It’s really not … read more