Family life

Back to school time – a Bright Star Kids review (and discount code)

This post is sponsored by Bright Star Kids. My daughter starts school this year. You might be sick of hearing it. I've already mentioned the school fees. And had a social media sob about my daughter growing up too fast. Look at these shoes. LOOK AT ...

School costs add up before the fees even start

My daughter starts school this year. She’s excited. She’s nervous. She wants to make new friends, and she’s worried she’ll miss her kinder friends. She can’t wait, and she doesn’t want it to start. She’s surprised and exhausted by all the feelings, ...

Family quirks

I've been slack on the blog lately. Some of it's been work. Some of it's been life. But most of it's been ... sigh ... something ... else? I can't concentrate. Social issues are getting me fired up, particularly when they're close to home. ...

Interview with a preschooler (the dad edition)

Last year, I interviewed my daughter about her relationship with me, and Interview with a toddler was the result. This year, I thought I'd do it again. But this time, I decided to ask her about her dad. Here are the results. A dad-focused ...

The week my five-year-old was my stylist

My daughter is a little fashionista. This will come as no surprise to those of you who follow me on Instagram. She loves mixing and matching colours, prints and textures. Each night before her bath, she pulls her clothes from the wardrobe, lays ...

Reno reveal – the stairwell landing (Bright Star Kids review)

This post is sponsored by Bright Star Kids. Long-term readers may remember that I once had a renovation reveal series on the blog. That series stopped two years ago. Which was about the same time we took a 'short' break from renovating. A break ...

How to fly with young children – a 15-step plan

Have you ever flown with young children? I have. I flew with my daughter when she was 14 months old, and then again with both children when they were 3 years old and 4 months old respectively. And both flights went very smoothly.* *I'm ...

Kids grow up, and so do we

My son is growing up. Usually, when I put my son to bed, we read a story or two, sing some songs, then kiss good night. But one night last week, he didn't want to do any of that. He wanted to hop straight into bed, and then invited me to lie ...

Family-friendly things to do in Melbourne’s inner north (#ShareAustralia)

I moved to Melbourne in 2000, and have lived north of the Yarra for all but one of the years since. I lived on campus at the University of Melbourne in Parkville for two years, and then hopped my way from rental to rental, ever so slightly further ...

How I stop myself from yelling at the kids

Alternative (but less catchy) title: How I try to stop myself from yelling at the kids and succeed most of the time. Okay, some of the time. I love my kids. Adore them. I think they're great kids, in that totally non-biased way where even though ...