Revenge of the Parents: When and Why
Are your kids, nephews, nieces, grand-kids favourite words “when” and “why”? I’m asking some questions back!
OK – I know – I am on a “video blog” rampage. Forgive me, readers, for I am editing. Editing means all else fades into the background.
Related – for your continued amusement :
Residual fragility + giving up smoking = tears
I took a few days off on holiday. I needed a rest, as I pointed out in My holiday week that was yesterday.
While this has been a great year, an immense year, I have realised today we, or at least I, don’t get over trauma overnight. A few things have happened this week that have stressed me. Mr O hates it when I panic about things, so I try not to, but I think trying not to leads to a type of stress in itself!
There was the washing machine saga and trying to work out how to afford a new one. Then there is the issue, still not resolved, of Miss O 1′s eligibility for ESL (English as a Second Language) in Year 12. Next came the question of the Adult Apprenticeship Incentive Scheme. There is now a cloud hanging over Mr O’s eligibility for that on what appears to be two fronts, but as it isn’t resolved yet, I’ll not write much at the moment other than to say it is stress I wasn’t expecting. As I wrote back then, the occupation has to be on the Skills Needs List and horticulture is broken up into different areas. The area of his apprenticeship seems not to be eligible; then there is the question of even if that wasn’t an issue, the apprentice has to be actually eligible as a permanent resident at the time of sign-up, not become eligible a few weeks later. There was no mention of a permanent residency requirement anywhere on the website, we only discovered that later, let alone this bit about must be eligible AT sign-up. This was the grounds on which I asked for priority processing for the permanent residency, so now I feel bad about that too. I do try so hard to do everything by the book: I thought I did. We shall see what happens. I tried.
I got a disconnection notice for the gas bill, which we had paid. I called up to discover that the payment has been put against our electricity bill and they won’t/can’t transfer it across. I have been very careful with the Bpay on this as now both the gas and electricity bill have the same Bpay biller code, but different references. Presumably it was my mistake, but stressful.
Moving is stressful.
A letter of gratitude to our still-at-home children
To Our Four Noise Makers,
Yes, you are noisy! Happily, joyfully, wonderfully noisy. Dad and I do often wish there was a little less noise for our own sanity but we recognise that the noise levels indicate happy, healthy children. We are looking forward to the day we visit you with YOUR children and you ask “Are kids EVER quiet?” We are going to enjoy that day a lot! 
You have had so much to learn since June 3, 2011 and you have soaked up all that information like huge sponges.
Remember when you didn’t know there was a hot water tap and I did not know you didn’t know there was a hot water tap? It was the middle of winter and I found Miss O 1 shivering after getting out of the shower. We quickly got the hot water happening! It wasn’t until months later when a co-worker mentioned hot water just isn’t needed in West Africa. I can’t say I ever missed hot water when I was there, so NOW I understand. NOW we can’t get Mr O Jnr 1 & 2 out of the shower! What is it with teenage boys and showers?
Miss O 1, you still sometimes walk to the wrong side of the car, but I think perhaps that is just because you are now keen to get your “L” plates. Speaking of “L” plates, do you remember being surprised that Dad had a WOMAN to test his driving?
Mr O Jnr 1, do you remember being absolutely horrified that you had to say “please” and “thank you” to your sisters? Maybe even to your female teachers? 
Dad explained to you that in Australia the culture is to say ”please” and “thank you” all the time, even to the shop assistant giving you change. You thought this all very strange! As you now realise, it is just different: here you don’t bow to people, but you do say ”please” and “thank you”!
I will forever remember your horror when I QUIETLY threatened to just turn off the computer if you didn’t go to bed……. and then I just did it!
“Mum, that is not cool” you yelled.
“My job isn’t to be cool, it is to be Mum.” 
Happy Mothers’ Day, everyone!
This is a very diffrent Mothers’ Day when compared to Mothers’ Day 2011.
This is a very short article – I don’t have time to write much!
Mothers’ Day
The pot of paper flowers is from Miss O 2 – Isn’t she sweet?
A very different Mothers’ Day!
I also believe I might be going to meet my grandson today.
Happy Mothers’ Day to all our mothers!
Parenting trials and tribulations!
Parenting. That occupation for which there is no payment. You know, the occupation that is 24/7, no overtime and all parents are required to be saints. 
This year the kids were warned: “OK, you’ve all had 8 months to settle in and adjust, now you knuckle down with the school work!”
This week was full of “experiences”!
Miss O 2 was working on an assignment which required her to watch an hour of TV, recording the ad types and length of ad breaks, then to write-up the data and analyse why she felt the ads shown were shown during that time bracket.
She wrote it up in her draft book, then started writing in her actual homework book.
“I’ve run out of room!” was the cry.
“Turn over the page! Use as much paper as you need to make your homework beautiful. We do not have a paper shortage here. Water, yes; paper, no.”
I realised that at her old school, paper may have been at a premium. Miss O 2 thought she was only allowed to only use one piece of paper. This homework used two and a half sheets of paper! She was VERY pleased to come home with smiley faces and great stamps!
Miss O 1 got 92% on a legal studies assessment, so she was pretty pleased! As were Mum and Dad!
Now, take a deep breath.
Gender Wars
I’ve noticed a few mothers writing about the rules of their home lately. Check out Let Me Start By Saying for a great list! How about the wars of our homes?
We seem to be having a bit of a battle going on at the moment.
This is OUR space - KEEP OUT
When Mum stuffs up!
New school year? Check! Books collected? Check! Uniforms in order? Check! New school bags? Check! Materials levies paid? Check! School starts February 2nd? Checked on Education web site!
Last night was spent organising the pressing of pants, ironing of shirts, last-minute naming of books. I did query why school uniforms were left until the LAST NIGHT before being prepared, but oh well.
This morning the crew members were up and at ‘em early. Six weeks of holidays drives kids nuts (not to mention parents). We waved them all off to their new scholastic year. Yippee! Quiet descended on the house. Mr O and I took a deep breath and smiled. Mr O was planning to spend the day job hunting in peace and quiet.
The phone rang.
Stupidly, I answered it.
