Monday 29 August 2016

SMALL STEPS



One of the reasons I started the blog Daily Imprint almost 10 years ago was that I wanted to live a different life. I had been on a safe path up until then. I did well at school, graduated from university, completed a Masters degree, travelled a chunk of the world, got married and had a steady job. But it wasn't entirely the life I wanted to live. 

Instead, I wanted to be a writer. Not on a medical newspaper, as I was. And not as a copy editor, which was how I spent most of my days, hunting out adjectives with a red pen. But I had romantic ideas - of living as a writer in a foreign environment, ideally Paris or New York, Italy or France. I looked to the Modernist American writers in Paris at the turn of last century and of the Beat Generation in New York City fifty years later as my ideals. And Graham Greene and Gore Vidal living on the Amalfi Coast, and even the painter Picasso in the South of France. And while the image of these groups have become cliches, today I realised again that the most obvious truths on how to live these dream lives are often the easiest ones to forget. Perhaps because they are the hardest ones to live out.

In 2012 Leonie Barton had the opportunity to drive herself around the deserts of Namibia in Western Africa. "I had one of those cliche moments," she told me for today's interview on Daily Imprint. "I came back pretty determined to commit to a creative life because I could and because I lived in a country where the only thing holding myself back was me."

There were two ideas that struck me with this comment. The first was that we have to take responsibility for our lives - we can't lay the blame on others. Except in some dire situations, we are the ones who make the daily decisions that constitute our paths. I have known this before, but it's always a good reminder. But something that I hadn't considered in this context was our position of privilege.

There are many people in many parts of the world who live an impoverished life. They would do anything for the opportunities many of us are afforded every day. Not just the basic human needs - of water, food, clothing and shelter. And not even to speak of their rights - freedom, liberty and equality. But even if they were able to rise above all of that, Leonie's words make me think that to not live to our full potential was an insult to them. When we have everything that they don't, then is it not abhorrent to squander our opportunities? Whatever they may be - eating healthy foods, spending quality time with our children, caring for the planet, making a home. And then, perhaps the hardest one of all to do, commit to the life we really want to live - in another country, travelling the world, in a beautiful home, in creative pursuits, in the countryside, in a different job, in a different body...

Leonie's strategy was to take on a daily art practice. It was a simple idea - to create something every day from what she found, take a photo of it, and leave it for others to enjoy. After more than 18 months she has created a body of work, been interviewed by ABC Radio National, given a TED talk on "The Art of Saying Yes" and is now looking to exhibit her work and participate in artist residencies.

That decision on her part, and those small daily steps led to a creative life. And while many of us have wish lists that are big and long, it is worthwhile remembering that it is the small steps that make them happen.

portrait photography chris warnes



Friday 26 August 2016

SLEEPING BABIES



Talking about babies and their sleeping habits is a loaded topic. There are a lot of judgements that seem to fly around about the type of person - and mother - you are depending on the path that you take. Because, after all, motherhood is a journey, and is different for every person.

However, there are times when I try to listen without judgement because I am open to hearing someone else's story. There are times when I am willing to try anything that has worked for someone else. And this is true for all of the stages of childhood.

Today I am sharing my experience - not as a way to say it's the best way, but to say it's what has helped our family. 

When our first child was born, I felt out of my element. I hadn't grown up around lots of siblings, and even when my friends started to have children, I still didn't know or understand what they were going through. But I was also interested to know what was working (or not) for them, and willing to listen.

After learning that we were to become parents for the first time, my husband and I took classes through the local hospital. These were mainly about what happens during the birthing process, but also provided tips, advice and current medical recommendations on different elements of caring for a newborn baby. For example, the hospital wanted to encourage parents to place babies sleeping on their backs as research had shown that this had helped to reduce the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome significantly. They also discouraged parents from sleeping with babies in their beds, for the same reason. Even at the delivery of my most recent baby, the hospital's policy was that newborns had to sleep in the bassinets, and not with the mother. SIDS was sited as the risk factor.

Because I was a new mother and wide-eyed, I didn't want to take this risk with my first child. However, there were times when I was so tired that sometimes he fell asleep with me in bed as a newborn, always during a nighttime feed. However, the few times that this happened, either he or I wouldn't sleep so well. Even when I was desperate for one of us to sleep, it never worked for us. I was always worried that myself or my husband might roll over onto the baby. It has always been my experience - with all four children - that we both sleep better when in our own beds. (And this is true for the children as they have aged too - they are too wriggly!)

Co-sleeping is something that seems to becoming more and more popular - at least from my admittedly small sample of mothers who I follow on Instagram. And that is fine - I understand the need to find something that works for each person's circumstances. But it is not something that has worked for us. 

When I was pregnant with our first child a friend gave me a book as a gift. She was an intelligent woman and a high achiever - a classic type-A personality. The book was called Save Our Sleep. At first I put it to the side, but when I felt overwhelmed with my newborn I started to read it. Then another friend, whose baby was sleeping at six weeks old, gave me another book: The Baby Whisperer. I also read this, and started to follow through on some of the advice. While I have never been overly strict on following routines, we have found them to work for our family. All four of my children - who have each had their own distinct personalities - have now been sleeping through the night by about three months old. 

For me, what the books above have helped me to teach me is ways to understand my baby, and their needs. For example, if a baby has just been fed and they start to cry, I always check their nappy first or try to determine if they have wind. My first reaction is not to breastfeed straight away. I also try to ensure that they have a "full" feed each time, offering both sides - and this usually happens when they are about three hours apart - versus "snacking".

Also, swaddling has worked for us. If they come out of their wrap, then they are more likely to wake and not have a full sleep. I've always found wrapping with the arms up - as above - allows the baby to suck on their hands and comforts them. The giant wraps from Li'l Fraser have been really good for this, as I have mentioned before.

And by following some form of a routine, I can read their cues better for when they are tired and need to have a nap. If they are starting to grizzle and they have already had a feed and a nappy change, then I know it's time to put them down for a nap. If I get the timing right then there is little to no crying.

And the word "crying" is often quite loaded too. But when babies make a noise, they are trying to communicate. With each of our children I have learnt to read the different sounds they make - because different cries really do mean different things. Sometimes our baby shrieks and often this proceeds a burp or wind. This doesn't mean that he's hungry - because when I first tried this, he actually refused. Similarly, when I put him to sleep he makes different sounds and I listen to what he's trying to tell me. Sometimes it's, "I'm tired and not happy here but I'm not hollering. I just want you to know that I'm here." And so I wait. If his sounds escalate then I will go and pick him up. But I don't rush in at just any sound. Sometimes it almost sounds like he is forming words. They are almost a string of sighs. 

If the baby has woken up and their nap was only a short one then I might take them for a walk before feeding them. If they are "rooting", I will breastfeed. But if they are content then I will hold off until closer to their feeding time. Generally, I feed every three hours - starting at about 6.30/7am - put the baby down at about 6.30pm and give a "dream feed" at about 11.30pm. Now our baby is sleeping through until 6.30am. When he is about four months old, we will transition to a four-hourly feeding time.

It is a flexible arrangement and by no means dogmatic. But knowing roughly when he should be feeding helps me understand his needs better. This has been true for all of my babies. And it may help you.

image the indigo crew


Thank you for supporting Imprint House, our online homewares store, which helps to keep this space alive.







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SLEEPING BABIES



Talking about babies and their sleeping habits is a loaded topic. There are a lot of judgements that seem to fly around about the type of person - and mother - you are depending on the path that you take. Because, after all, motherhood is a journey, and is different for every person.

However, there are times when I try to listen without judgement because I am open to hearing someone else's story. There are times when I am willing to try anything that has worked for someone else. And this is true for all of the stages of childhood.

Today I am sharing my experience - not as a way to say it's the best way, but to say it's what has helped our family. 

When our first child was born, I felt out of my element. I hadn't grown up around lots of siblings, and even when my friends started to have children, I still didn't know or understand what they were going through. But I was also interested to know what was working (or not) for them, and willing to listen.

After learning that we were to become parents for the first time, my husband and I took classes through the local hospital. These were mainly about what happens during the birthing process, but also provided tips, advice and current medical recommendations on different elements of caring for a newborn baby. For example, the hospital wanted to encourage parents to place babies sleeping on their backs as research had shown that this had helped to reduce the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome significantly. They also discouraged parents from sleeping with babies in their beds, for the same reason. Even at the delivery of my most recent baby, the hospital's policy was that newborns had to sleep in the bassinets, and not with the mother. SIDS was sited as the risk factor.

Because I was a new mother and wide-eyed, I didn't want to take this risk with my first child. However, there were times when I was so tired that sometimes he fell asleep with me in bed as a newborn, always during a nighttime feed. However, the few times that this happened, either he or I wouldn't sleep so well. Even when I was desperate for one of us to sleep, it never worked for us. I was always worried that myself or my husband might roll over onto the baby. It has always been my experience - with all four children - that we both sleep better when in our own beds. (And this is true for the children as they have aged too - they are too wriggly!)

Co-sleeping is something that seems to becoming more and more popular - at least from my admittedly small sample of mothers who I follow on Instagram. And that is fine - I understand the need to find something that works for each person's circumstances. But it is not something that has worked for us. 

When I was pregnant with our first child a friend gave me a book as a gift. She was an intelligent woman and a high achiever - a classic type-A personality. The book was called Save Our Sleep. At first I put it to the side, but when I felt overwhelmed with my newborn I started to read it. Then another friend, whose baby was sleeping at six weeks old, gave me another book: The Baby Whisperer. I also read this, and started to follow through on some of the advice. While I have never been overly strict on following routines, we have found them to work for our family. All four of my children - who have each had their own distinct personalities - have now been sleeping through the night by about three months old. 

For me, what the books above have helped me to teach me is ways to understand my baby, and their needs. For example, if a baby has just been fed and they start to cry, I always check their nappy first or try to determine if they have wind. My first reaction is not to breastfeed straight away. I also try to ensure that they have a "full" feed each time, offering both sides - and this usually happens when they are about three hours apart - versus "snacking".

Also, swaddling has worked for us. If they come out of their wrap, then they are more likely to wake and not have a full sleep. I've always found wrapping with the arms up - as above - allows the baby to suck on their hands and comforts them. The giant wraps from Li'l Fraser have been really good for this, as I have mentioned before.

And by following some form of a routine, I can read their cues better for when they are tired and need to have a nap. If they are starting to grizzle and they have already had a feed and a nappy change, then I know it's time to put them down for a nap. If I get the timing right then there is little to no crying.

And the word "crying" is often quite loaded too. But when babies make a noise, they are trying to communicate. With each of our children I have learnt to read the different sounds they make - because different cries really do mean different things. Sometimes our baby shrieks and often this proceeds a burp or wind. This doesn't mean that he's hungry - because when I first tried this, he actually refused. Similarly, when I put him to sleep he makes different sounds and I listen to what he's trying to tell me. Sometimes it's, "I'm tired and not happy here but I'm not hollering. I just want you to know that I'm here." And so I wait. If his sounds escalate then I will go and pick him up. But I don't rush in at just any sound. Sometimes it almost sounds like he is forming words. They are almost a string of sighs. 

If the baby has woken up and their nap was only a short one then I might take them for a walk before feeding them. If they are "rooting", I will breastfeed. But if they are content then I will hold off until closer to their feeding time. Generally, I feed every three hours - starting at about 6.30/7am - put the baby down at about 6.30pm and give a "dream feed" at about 11.30pm. Now our baby is sleeping through until 6.30am. When he is about four months old, we will transition to a four-hourly feeding time.

It is a flexible arrangement and by no means dogmatic. But knowing roughly when he should be feeding helps me understand his needs better. This has been true for all of my babies. And it may help you.

image the indigo crew


Thank you for supporting Imprint House, our online homewares store, which helps to keep this space alive.





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Thursday 25 August 2016

BIRTHDAY BOOKS FOR A FIVE-YEAR-OLD




The five-year-old received some lovely books this year for her birthday, a combination of ones that we had found and others that she was given as presents. Five is something of a transitional age for reading. She's interested in chapter books and happily listens along to stories by Roald Dahl but she will also look on when her younger sister is read picture books.

The Little Fairy Sister by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite and Grenbry Outhwaite (National Library of Australia)
This book was a gift, and I'm so glad that it is now part of our collection. It is a popular Australian children's book from the 1920s that has been reproduced by the National Library of Australia from an early edition. The illustrations are representative of illustrations of the Art Nouveau era and the text is not dissimilar to books such Alice In Wonderland.

The Hidden Kingdom: Sippy & Sunny - A Great Barrier Reef Adventure by Vicki Wood and Kelly Elsom (Unclebearskin Productions)
As we have all of the Sippy & Sunny books it was too irresistible to add one more to our collection after mother and daughter authors Vicki Wood and Kelly Elsom released their latest book. It follows Sunny on an underwater adventure and is accompanied by the most beautiful illustrations by Brigitte May. Vicki has a real talent for selecting illustrators to really bring her stories to life in a completely unforgettable way. As with all the other books in this series, it flips and has a French translation on the other side.

When We Were Very Young by AA Milne and illustrations by EH Shepard (Egmont)
It's interesting that even though poetry is less read by the general population as a whole, it still has a way of captivating children. Our son has enjoyed many books of poetry, and we thought that this one might appeal to our daughter. Many of the poems are familiar to me from my own childhood, and I look forward to reading them all over again.

Home by Carson Ellis (Walker Books)
This book is perhaps a little young for her now but the illustrations were hard to pass by. But even though the text is quite simplistic, the illustrations are rich and, hopefully, will provide a talking point. Sometimes books like these can actually provide the opportunity to talk about different topics because the images are the strongest thread.

images the indigo crew



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Wednesday 24 August 2016

BIRTHDAY TRADITION



Years ago I read about a man who wrote a letter to his son every year and sealed the note in an envelope for it to be opened when he was a grown man. I thought this was a lovely tradition. And I started it with my son. But then life got in the way and I wasn't able to keep it up. But it has always stuck with me. 

However, without even realising it I have started our own tradition, which is much easier to manage. It's a simple idea but one that I hope will be appreciated in years to come.

Every year I write a long note on each of the children's birthday cards. I've never been the sort of person to write just a brief message but with them it takes up an entire card and is perhaps about 300-500 words long. 

I reflect on the changes in their personality since their last birthday, their milestones and interests and comment on how they relate to their siblings, and the changes in our family's circumstances - moves and holidays, etc. They always enjoy when I read it to them on the morning of their birthday and I hold onto them for them to re-read when they are older.

And for these cards I enjoy using special ones that can decorate their walls. One year I got each of them a card/mask from TMOD. This year I was taken with the illustrations by Cat Lee on cards from UncleBearskin Productions

images the indigo crew





Tuesday 23 August 2016

FAIRY GARDEN BIRTHDAY PARTY








It is easy to get excited about birthday parties. They are a joyful time, and can be a lot of fun - even in just the envisaging and organising. But after all of the planning and preparation when the clock ticks down and the guests arrive, we try to keep the occasion as low key as possible. 

But there are parameters. Over the years we tend to find that children can get a little restless if there's no structure. So we usually have in the back our minds a run down of how things should go. An activity or two followed by food and cake. Two hours seems to be a good time limit too, and generally we prefer morning get-togethers - from about 10-12 noon. That way the sugar and excitement can abate as the day wears on.

Last year a craft-based fairy-themed birthday party was quite a hit and so this year we continued with this theme but with a twist. After seeing an idea for a potted fairy garden party on Cloistered Away, I thought it would be a great activity for our soon-to-be five-year-old. It also suited our current location as we could set up a table outside and have plenty of space for the children to forage.

In the days leading up to the party, I bought a few craft supplies and also rounded up some of our own, including shells we had found at a local beach and feathers that we've accumulated this past year. We also made some toadstools the day before from air-dried clay, moulding the shape, inserting a skewer and painting with poster paint.

For the party, we carried the supplies in old jam jars (easy to transport with the screw-on lids) and egg carton containers. Everything was placed in the centre of the table. We also bought small strawberry plants for the girls to plant in their fairy garden pot. Each of them was given a terracotta pot filled with soil and were free to decorate the gardens as they chose. There are some amazing creations on Pinterest, but I wanted each child to have the freedom of opportunity to create their own design.

When everyone arrived we gave them all a paper bag to forage in our garden where nothing is precious. The girls picked black-eyed Susan flowers, bamboo leaves, sticks and pebbles. And I had some paper butterfly notes from Poppies For Grace from years ago, which I taped onto skewers, and they inserted into their gardens. Each child also got a little Schleich rabbit to use as a decoration. And along with the potted gardens, this was their party gift.

Food was cobs of corn and organic sausages cooked on our make-shift outdoor fire, and one of our homemade cakes that we make and decorate every year. This year chocolate sprinkles were made to look like a toadstool.

Decorations were kept to a minimum as we are the midst of renovating The Stone Lodge, where we hosted the party. A painter's drop sheet created a neutral backdrop and was adorned with simple white bunting.

Creating the fairy gardens was enjoyed by all and, of course, something you can do at any time of year.

images the indigo crew



Monday 22 August 2016

MAKING PROGRESS



When you are busy living life, it's sometimes hard to see how far you have come. Especially when you are a forward-looking person who rarely looks in the rear mirror. But there is value in it, as I was reminded a couple of times this past week.

Late in the week a friend came to visit and while walking through the grounds she asked if we had been taking progress shots. I had to think because it's not something that we've done consciously.

There are plenty of before photos, and many pics of the children using the spaces but not a lot of the property itself as we bring it back to life. The one exception would be the treehouse as this was one of our first projects. 

She remarked that it might be a good idea because to her eyes we had achieved a lot in eight months. However, from our perspective our work is only a chip in the mountain of what needs to be done, and the vision we have for this place.

But her words stayed with me because she is right. And it is something I've also been told in relation to my work. It's important to stop and acknowledge the small victories and steps along the way. When there's a long to-do list it's easy to get wrapped up in what lies ahead and not pat yourself on the back on for what you've already achieved.

Perhaps because my friend's words were fresh or because it was a good day in general, but over the weekend I experienced moments of gratitude - a word that I tend to associate with America and talk shows and self-help books. It's not a word that we use comfortably in Australia, which is more of a buttoned-up country when it comes to emotions and feelings. There's a reason why "She'll be right" is almost a national motto. And "no worries" is one of our most common expressions. 

But just as there is value in acknowledging small victories, it's equally important to be thankful for them too. 

Over the weekend, after we opened our gates to a group of interesting and diverse families for a child's birthday party, I had a moment of feeling, "life is good". This year we have created a home, cleared land around some of the other buildings and made connections with a new world of people.  We might not have climbed the tallest mountain but it was time to wave the flag from where we were.

image the indigo crew




Friday 19 August 2016

LOST ART OF PLAY

 





The art of play has to be one of the most underrated desires and drives in human beings. It is something that we are all born with, yet is slowly but surely discouraged as we age. 

But it surfaces, sometimes when we least expect it.

Over the past few years I've noticed that many people who pursued sensible, corporate-style careers in their twenties and thirties start to yearn for something more creative and hands-on as they approach the age of forty.

Through work and my own circle of friends I have encountered many women who have left their jobs to have children and then undergone a re-evaulation process when deciding to resume some sort of work.

Many don't want to return to what they did before. Perhaps partly inspired by their own home-making journeys or renovations, many of them want to become interior designers or stylists. I've spoken to doctors, fashion designers, journalists and lawyers who have enrolled in courses to help this desire become a reality.

But it's not just women. And, again, this is from my experience. But I have spoken to men who have wanted to get more hands-on in other ways - giving up careers as journalists to become joiners and managing directors to become builders.

This desire to be hands-on and more creative with what we do with our everyday lives is lived out on a minute-by-minute basis on Instagram. I think it's perhaps part of the reason the application has become so popular. It has allowed people to indulge their creativity like never before. All of a sudden people from all walks of life have become stylists, photographers, crafters and chefs. They have been given an opportunity to express themselves, visually. And receive instant gratification for their work. Of course, the neurology of the effects of likes is another discussion. But there's a lot of good that can come from a creative life. Elizabeth Gilbert has written about it brilliantly in Big Magic. 

"Do whatever brings you to life. Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart." - Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.

The images above were created in a burst of creativity after a walk along one of the roads near our property. The desire to create was overwhelming and thoroughly enjoyable.

images the indigo crew



Tuesday 16 August 2016

ALMOST FIVE



A few years ago at a photo shoot I was talking to a father who had teenaged children. He said that the years seven to 11 were golden ones - that a child was able to do things on their own but hadn't reached the hormone surge of adolescence. It is one of those comments that has stuck with me, although at the moment I'm not sure I agree entirely.

So far I have really enjoyed the ages four and five. But perhaps aged four the most. Three has always been a challenge in our family. Most of our children didn't go through the terrible twos, but did have some trying moments at the age of three. With my son, who has always been quite mild tempered, this coincided with another sibling coming on the scene. And with our eldest daughter it was still only a year into her having a younger sister, which was an adjustment. So it is hard for me to separate the age of three from other factors that the children were going through.

But I enjoy living with a four year old. They are capable but still enjoy cuddles. They show signs of maturity but can be silly. They develop a real interest in learning (wanting to write and read) but are also happy to play for hours with a cardboard box (see yesterday's post).

However, when they turn five this slowly starts to change again. They need us less and want to become more independent. And this is a pattern that continues on.

There are days when I miss my eight-year-old son. He has always been independent, and in the early years of childhood this was something that I craved at times, but now it's almost as if he doesn't need us. He wakes, eats breakfast, gets dressed without fuss. He will put his bowl in the dishwasher and sometimes is even happy to help prepare his lunchbox. Now he is even catching a bus to and from school a few days a week. He can play independently and other than when he's using power tools, doesn't need our help as such. While he has been moving towards spending more time with his father, which I have read is a classic developmental stage, I have mourned him a little. He is no longer a little boy.

So as our eldest daughter is fast approaching the age of five, I feel a little sad. I'm proud of all that she has achieved and of the kind and thoughtful person she is becoming. But a part of me will also miss the little girl that she was. Such sweet sorrow.

image the indigo crew




Monday 15 August 2016

LIFE WITHOUT TOYS






When you are living your life, you often just view that as "normal". In many cases, you expect - give or take - that most people live a similar type of existence. Or at least your peers.

But sometimes a stray comment or two can make you see your life in a new light.

This happened over the weekend when friends from Sydney came to visit. One of them remarked how tidy our home was, and noted that it wasn't overrun with "stuff". She said that their house was filled with kids' toys and they were everywhere.

I haven't been to their current home, but I've been to many like it. The homes of other friends and people's places that I've visited during the course of my work as an interior stylist.

I've been to homes that have entire rooms dedicated to toys. I've sat on sofas surrounded by piles of plastic - figurines, cars, lawn mowers, bicycles and push-button games. All of a sudden last night I had a vision of all the plastic toys from all the people I know piled high. It would be a mountain, and it would just be a speck of dust in comparison to the rest of plastic toys the world over.

And while I don't have a big problem with plastic toys per se - some of them are made out recycled plastic and others, such as Lego or Schleich, are good quality and can be passed down from one child to another and even one generation to another - it is the quantity that people have in their homes that sits uncomfortably.

Even our removalist commented on how few things we had for a family of (then) five when we moved home last year.

While we have never been excessive consumerists, our desire to live with less has been something we have had to cultivate over the years. Even if we don't buy superfluous goods for our home, it doesn't seem to stop the rest of the world from bestowing them upon us. Whenever we go to the hardware store there are towers of balloons with plastic sticks that are almost impossible to walk past with a three or five-year-old. But just think of how many balloons and plastic sticks each individual store must go through, and then consider how many hardware stores there are across the country. And that's just this country. It's worth considering the damage balloons can do on the environment though.

Even a trip to someone else's birthday party sees us come home with a party bag of plastic toys. Often they are cheap, break easily and end up in the rubbish bin. As I have considered these issues over the years, I've always tried to provide party bags with something a little longer lasting. For example, at my son's recent birthday party I gave each child a ply letter of their name painted in chalkboard paint and some pieces of chalk to decorate themselves for their rooms.

When it comes to receiving gifts I have found that gentle requests on birthday invitations can help. Often I include a small comment "please no plastic toys" or "books or educational toys welcome".

And, funnily enough, I have found that with each successive child it has been easier to say no to plastic (or toys in general) and also cull them from our lives. So now we have a house that has one cupboard with two shelves of toys - for three children (the baby has a couple of soft toys, and that's pretty much it). And most of these are puzzles or boxes of Lego. Other than that, we have one basket with some musical instruments, and two baskets for each of the girls with stuffed toys. There are a few other items too - quality wooden pieces - such as blocks and bikes that can be passed down from one child to the next, and hopefully one generation to another.

But, as I was saying to my friend, the children don't really play with a lot of their toys that much anyway. The girls are in a "cutting" stage and have spent most of the past week chopping up pieces of cardboard from delivery boxes. And they have been creating "jail" from chairs and cushions. In the most recent school holidays they played with a couple of large cardboard boxes almost every day - they were cars, cubby houses, a rocket ship and a music play station. And our eldest daughter enjoys creating and curating collections - from feathers to seashells. Our son requested a Rubik's cube for his birthday and it was one of the toys he received, which he has been playing with. But other than that the main toy he plays with is a skipping rope. He's much more interested in using tools in the workshop now.

In general, the children much prefer to run outside and play in the great outdoors - "fishing" in the pond with bamboo sticks, creating fairy gardens or pretend fires from rocks and sticks. And there's a lot of playing with mud!

Of course, not everyone lives on 26 acres and is able to just let their children run free outside. But even when we were in the city, the children's preference was to do art and craft in the kitchen - mainly using a box of pencils, some scissors and a pile of paper. If they played outdoors in our courtyard, they enjoyed water play with a large tub and milk cartons. Or drawing with chalk.

Sometimes the hardest word to say can be "no". But the rewards can greatly outweigh the discomfort of saying it.

images the indigo crew






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