Tuesday 30 March 2021

Kids shower gels


I'm a bit hesitant to tell you about my favourite kids shower gels because after I posted about the popcorn shower gel on Instagram it sold out and now I can't buy it! But, I'm a nice person so I'll tell you about what I use on the boys.
 
I don't spend a lot of money on their shower gels as most of the product ends up down the drain, all over the shower screen and on the ceiling. 
 
The three shower gels shown above are the ones that I use over and over again. I buy them all from Chemist Warehouse.
The boys use these as shower gels and shampoo.

The BX Earth shower gels are great. They foam up nicely, the scents are gorgeous and they're sulfate and paraben free. I really like the pump top bottle, it's easy for the boys to dispense and they don't tend to use as much as they do with non pump shower gels.

My.Organics is a good one if you don't like scents or have sensitive skin. It has a very subtle, barely detectable scent and is super gentle on the skin. Chai can use this on his rashes with no stinging or irritation.

Organic Care 3 in 1 in the Popcorn flavour is my favourite. It smells like caramel and reminds me of the Lush Banana shower gel. I buy four of these with each of our Chemist Warehouse orders. There are two other scents which we also love, but Popcorn is my favourite. 

What shower gels do you use on your kids?

Sunday 28 March 2021

Thoughts of the week

1. I need to stay away from the news at the moment, it's making me so very angry. It's also making me a little bit happy that women are finally finding their power. Watch out world, we're coming for you.
 
2. The tide is changing, finally.
 
3. It's nearly school holidays. I'm looking forward to leisurely mornings.
 
4. Why don't shopping trolleys have brakes? It'd make life so much easier.
 
5. I'm on the hunt for a new water bottle. Why is it so difficult to find a stainless steel, insulated water bottle that has a wide mouth flip top lid, holds a litre and fits in a cup holder. Seems like I'm looking for a unicorn.

Saturday 27 March 2021

Twelve months ago today...

Today is exactly 12 months since we found out that Tiger no longer had a FIFO job. 7 years loyalty to the company, the longest serving employee and they stood him down whilst letting other people with lesser skills and time at the company continue to work. 

That's typical of the way he was treated by them, but it was a blessing for us. We're in such a better place now and it's not only because he's no longer FIFO. He's now working for a company who value and appreciate him. It took them two weeks to realise his potential and make him a leading hand. A few months later they made him supervisor and he's thriving. 

All this time he thought he didn't have what it took to be a supervisor but he did, he just had shitty management. 
 
He really loves the people that he works with and he gets to come home every night. 
Whilst it was a scary day, it bought such blessings to us and we're so much better off. 
 
As they say, when one door closes another one opens.

Friday 26 March 2021

FFS Friday - Really?

Hello Friday!
How are you all?
It's been a very, very rough week here. I have barely survived. I may not survive the weekend.
 
There has been some good news though. I did not break my foot. Last week I twisted my good ankle (which used to be my bad ankle, until my good ankle decided to tear two ligaments so became known as the bad ankle, therefore promoting my bad ankle to good ankle status). 
So, I twisted my good ankle and in doing so smashed the top of my foot into a concrete ledge. As per usual I decided "she'll be right mate" so ignored it for a few days until my foot declared that it no longer wished to be ignored so got my attention by being increasingly painful and expanding the hard, lumpy bruise.
 
Thankfully x-rays showed it was just being a drama queen so I'm now back to ignoring my very sore bruised foot. Good times.
 
Who else can't read the news without wanting to scream at someone at the moment? Same.
Is it so difficult just to be nice?
Clearly it is. 
 
I really admire the strength and grace of all the women who are coming forward and doing their best to fight the patriarchy. They are so courageous. It's disappointing to see other women trying to tear them down and discredit them. Women need to stick together. The sooner we stop fighting amongst ourselves the sooner things will change. 
 
That's my TED talk for the day. 
 
Have a beautiful weekend.
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday 21 March 2021

Thoughts of the week

1. I've come to the conclusion that some people are just idiots.
 
2. You know what's really been bothering me lately? My parenting. Specifically how to make sure my boys grow up to be kind, loving men who treat everyone with dignity and respect. I don't want them to grow up to mistreat women, or to stand by and watch if women are being mistreated. I'm trying very hard to make sure they aren't like that, I just hope I'm doing enough.

3. The more I think about the patriarchy and how women are treated the angrier I get.

4. When will the body shaming of women end? Now everyone's having a go at some celebrity because she has a flat stomach a few weeks after having her baby. So what? Some people are like that. We have no idea why she looks that way. 
I had a friend who had severe morning sickness her whole pregnancy. She lost 10 kg's due to being so unwell and only managed to put back on 5kgs during the pregnancy, so a week after bub was born her belly was gone. 
It does happen sometimes, so saying it's not natural just isn't true. Just stop commenting on women's bodies.

5. What I find really sad is that a lot of the people making rude comments are women. Until we stop dragging each other down things will not change. It starts with us. Let's just be kind.

Friday 19 March 2021

FFS Friday - Lucky

It's Friday! Even better, Tiger has the whole weekend off! It's the first weekend he's had off since the 26th of January.
 
I had my NDIS meeting this week. I was really nervous about it because of all the horror stories I've heard, however the man I got was lovely, very supportive and helpful. He said he'll make sure we get a really good plan which is great. I'm hopefully optimistic.

This has all been so confronting. Accepting that our baby has a lifelong disability, changing from being just a mum to being a carer, wondering what his future is going to look like. I'm so worried for my baby. I'm worried what his adulthood will look like, if he'll be able to sustain employment, if he'll get the wife and babies that he's already talking about, if he'll be a happy adult. 

Going to meetings and talking about how he struggles is rough. I feel like I'm betraying him, speaking behind his back. It's difficult to speak about him as if he has a disability, to me that's just the way he is. 

I've realised that's why I have so much trouble filling out the paperwork for him. I don't see him as disabled. To me he's just a normal kid. Yes, we've had to change every aspect of our lives to support his needs, but that's just the way it is. I've never seen it as abnormal. 
 
This week we had a class meeting with Chai's teachers. They were talking about the different types of homework they give and how they'll make it appropriate for each child. For some children the homework might be help your parents make tea, or make your bed. As they were saying this the ASD parents were nodding and saying they loved that idea. The parent behind me muttered "that's not homework, it's normal kid behaviour, things they should be doing." 
Clearly she doesn't have an ASD child so has no idea the privilege she has. 
 
It got me wondering what privileges I have that I don't even realise. There are so many things I take for granted that others can only wish for. In all the tough times I keep on reminding myself how fortunate I really am. 
 
Have a beautiful weekend!

Sunday 14 March 2021

Thoughts of the week

1. So many people are hating on Meghan Markle at the moment. Tell me this. If it was Harry in that situation, would the feedback be the same? No. She's getting the hate because she's female. It's the perfect example of how women are expected to be pleasant, compliant and quiet.

2. Two more weekends to go until Tiger gets a weekend off. I can't wait.

3. I have my NDIS planning meeting this week. Wish me luck.

4. Glow in the dark tattoos are a thing now and I'm not mad about it.

5. The boys got oodies this week, they are awesome! I'm getting one for my birthday in June and I can't wait.


Friday 12 March 2021

FFS Friday - The sound of silence

I'm venting today. It's cathartic. I write it all down and then it's gone, I forget about it. Sometimes I wonder if I should write the things that I write, but they're raw and true. I could pretend that everything is wonderful, but that's not the case. 
Reading honest, raw posts helps me feel like I'm not alone, so I hope this post does the same for someone else. 
Here we go:
 
How am I supposed to deal with this kid and maintain my sanity? How am I supposed to be positive and happy when he's so damn difficult all the f@#king time? When our days start with him being an asshole and get progressively worse through the day?

Take yesterday morning. We woke up, he got into bed for a cuddle. It was warm so I didn't have blankets on. He wanted blankets. I dragged the blanket under me and covered him. He complained that he had no blanket. I gave him more blanket. He complained that he had no blanket. I gave him as much blanket as I could. He complained again. I told him I couldn't give him any more blanket, he yelled at me for being mean to him. FFS.

I got out of bed. I just wanted to walk out the front door and go somewhere that he wasn't so I didn't have to deal with him. At the same time I felt guilty because he'd missed out on his morning cuddle, but I just couldn't do it.

He wouldn't stop talking to me. I wanted to scream at him to stfu. I just wanted to drink my coffee in silence. I couldn't look at him. I wanted him to go away. 

I went to the toilet, he followed me. Inside I was screaming at him to f@#k off. I gently asked him to leave the room whilst I was going to the toilet, he refused so I tried to pretend he wasn't there. It didn't work.
 
I am not a morning person. I like to sit alone in silence for ten minutes before I am ready to even look at anyone else. I don't get to do that any more and I hate it. Starting the day by being yelled at puts me in a funk that I struggle to pull myself out of. It reminds me of how much I struggle.
 
If I talk to people about my struggle most of them ask if I've medicated him. I have not medicated. They tell me that it'd be easier for me if I medicated. Maybe. But would it be easier for him? Would the long term effects be easier for him?
 
Would being suicidal at 10 years old be easier? That's the main side effect of the medication they want to give him. Considering the extreme reaction he's had to the other medications I've tried, is it worth risking a medication that might make him suicidal? The last medication I tried made his anxiety 100% worse and it's stayed that way. What if I gave him the medication, it made him suicidal and that never went away?

I'm told that once you've had suicidal thoughts they never go away. Imagine being like that from when you were 10. Imaging knowing that the reason you're suicidal is because your parents medicated you.
 
Not such a simple choice is it? 
 
Actually it is. It's very simple. 
 
I'll stick to my decision. I will not medicate, it's not worth the risk. 
 
I'll ignore the comments, I'll struggle along but I won't risk making my child suicidal. 
 
I'll vent when I need to. Just to get it out. Not to get solutions, just to get rid of the emotion. And no, I will not medicate.

 

Wednesday 10 March 2021

February Empties

The end of February snuck up fast! I totally forgot about posting my empties.

I've decided not to post my sachet sample empties any more, they're annoying and never have enough product for me to form an opinion, so there's no point posting about them. Added to that, they're annoying to store and photograph.
 
 
 
Kora Organics Nourishing Body Lotion
This is so lovely. I really enjoyed using it and will happily purchase it again.
 
Kopari Deodorant
One of my all time favourite natural deodorants. It's effective, good for sensitive pits and lasts through a sweaty work out. I've already got a replacement.
 
Lanolips Golden Ointment
This is a staple in our house. I use it on my dermatitis, Chai's rashes and any scrapes or cuts. 
 
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face and Body Sunscreen
Regular readers are probably tired of seeing this in my empties. It's such a great sunscreen for sensitive skin and eyes.
 
Ombra Daily Defence Sunscreen
I know how many raves the Ombra sunscreen gets but it just didn't work for me, it irritated my eyes so I used it on my chest and body.

Clarins Nourishing Revitalising Day Cream
Clarins have so many gorgeous products, I'm yet to find one of their products that I don't like. Whilst I enjoyed this moisturiser and would happily purchase it, I have enough moisturisers to last me for a long time so it won't be joining my collection.
 
Inika Organic Calendula Oil Cleanser
I really loved this cleanser. It smells beautiful, it doesn't irritate my eyes and it's a joy to use. I went to buy a full sized tube but it's $59 and no cleanser is worth $59. If it was reasonably priced I'd be telling you I've found my new favourite cleanser. 
 
L'Occitane Night Serum
After using around four vials of this night serum I can happily say it's not love. I did not notice any difference in my skin condition from using it. I expect results from my skin care and this did not produce them.
 
Salt by Hendrix Mermaid Oil
Oh how I love this gorgeous oil. I'll definitely be repurchasing when I've used up a few of the oils currently in my collection. Mermaid Oil smells beautiful, absorbs quickly and keeps my skin feeling soft and happy. 
 
Crabtree and Evelyn Cleanse and Awaken Shower Gel
I was so excited when I saw that Crabtree and Evelyn were available again, I've used and loved their products for years. As far as I'm aware they're only available online at the moment, but they ship to Australia so that's okay. 
The Cleanse and Awaken shower gel was my morning wake up. It smells fresh and revitalising, just what I need in the morning.
 
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra 
I will never be without Anthelios, it's the only sunscreen that I use on my face. If you have sensitive skin or eyes, get your hands on Anthelios, you'll never look back.
 
Kristin Ess The One Signature Conditioner
I liked the conditioner better than the shampoo, but it's nothing special, not worth the hype. 
 
L'Occitane Mineral Moisture Mask 
L'Occitane have so many beautiful products, I'd happily buy a store full of their products. Their moisture mask is lovely and I like that it's available in a single use size. If I didn't have a tub full of masks I'd happily purchase a tub of this gorgeous mask.
 
 
Tosses

These are all my tosses for the month. The Laneige and Shu cleansers irritated my eyes, the Physicians Formula lip butter and Laneige lip mask were expired and the other two products I just didn't love.


Tuesday 9 March 2021

Dear Chai

My beautiful boy. Today you are 10. Double digits!  
 
This time ten years ago you'd just been born and I was cuddling you and looking at your beautiful, perfect face. 

What a year it's been. You've returned to school, we've found out that you have Autism and Daddy is home for good.
 
You are such a happy, confident and outgoing boy. You make friends with everyone and are always sticking up for the underdog. You aren't afraid to stand up for yourself and others. 
 
You've thrived at school. You have lots of friends and have loved being there from your first day. 
 
You are creative, imaginative and full of joy. 
 
Today you're having the day off, Daddy has the day off and we're going down south for a family day.
 
I love watching you grow up and can't wait to see what you're going to do next. 

My precious boy, thank you for choosing me as your Mum. I couldn't be prouder of you. Happy birthday baby.

Sunday 7 March 2021

Thoughts of the week

1. Finally women are getting a voice. We're being heard, we're being believed and change is happening. It's about time.

2. My baby boy is 10 on Tuesday.

3. I had a little sample tube of a gorgeous cleanser that I really liked. I went to buy the full size, $59. No thank you. I'll stick to my Natio cleanser.

4. My Grandma turned 103 yesterday.

5. There's this thing going around on Facebook that says if you wear skinny jeans and part your hair in the middle you're old, and people are getting offended over it.
What I don't understand is why is being old offensive? Would they rather be dead? It's either get older or die and I know what I'd rather. 
Being old is not bad, it brings with it wisdom, experience and a whole load of other wonderful things. 
People get offended over the strangest things.

Saturday 6 March 2021

Equal

In martial arts it's called equal force, in Kinesiology it's called equal pressure. In life I call it equal effort and it's one of the principles I live by. 

I refuse to put more effort in to something than other people are. This goes for most areas of my life (other than motherhood).
 
For example, no one else cleans up my house, so I'm on strike. I've been on strike for years now. Things that they drop on the floor stay on the floor. Mess they leave lying around stays there until they clean it up and so it continues.
 
I've realised that when I'm the one putting in all the effort I get angry and resentful, so why do that to myself.
 
It works for friendships too. If I find I'm the one putting in all the effort I stop. Simple. 
Equal effort. 
 
Clearly there are ebbs and flows, times when I put in more effort whilst others are going through something, but I refuse to allow anything to be one sided.
 
 


Friday 5 March 2021

FFS Friday - Alien

I think Tiger is broken. Either that or he's been abducted by aliens and it's just his empty, soulless body that's here. 
 
Last Friday was the perfect example. He had the day off and we had to pick up something for his work. We did that then a few hours later his boss called and said we needed to go back to pick something else up.
 
We went to the place exactly the same way we had before and as we were going there we discussed that once we got in to the suburb we needed to turn left. 
We got in to the suburb 10 seconds later and Tiger turned right. 
 
I asked what he was doing and he had no idea. Instead of turning around at the first possible place he drove along for a while then turned at a spot where he couldn't turn around, so instead we had to go around the block. 
 
Simple enough. Or not. He's driving along, and instead of heading back to where we needed to be, he continued merrily driving along, missing all the turns, until I pointed out that he was still on the wrong road. 
 
Once again, he was surprised, but he turned around and we finally got to where we needed to be.  
 
How bizarre. 
 
He's only here in body but not in mind. It must have been aliens.  
 
I suppose it won't really make much difference, we'll just pretend that everything is normal. I'm sure the kids won't notice.
 
I'd say the aliens will return him soon, he'd be way too annoying for them to keep, especially if he uses the royal "we" on them.
 
He does that to me all the time, however every time he says we he means me. I refuse to let him take the credit for things I've done so I'm constantly correcting him. 
 
Last night was the perfect example. He got home and the pool pump was on, so he said "How long have we had the pool pump on?" to which I replied "We haven't had the pool pump on, I put it on at 4pm."
 
He also says we went he wants me to do something. Maybe he thinks I'm too silly to realise what he's up to. I'm not.
So he'll say "We really need to vacuum the floor" and I'll reply "Go aheah, you know where the vacuum is."
 
Nice try buddy, but it's not going to work. 
 
In other exciting news, yesterday I bought gum boots. It's the first pair I've had since I was a child. I got them after getting soaking wet feet at school drop off. That won't happen again because now I've got gum boots so I can splash in puddles to my hearts content. Fun times.
 
Hope you all have a beautiful weekend.