tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post8128080151751344353..comments2024-01-30T13:57:40.271+11:00Comments on LoveCats DownUnder: New Beginnings - Clare ConnellyAlly Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17352564320902831489noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-30633425761368969482018-02-09T07:09:33.156+11:002018-02-09T07:09:33.156+11:00What gorgeous kids, Clare. Go you. For distressing...What gorgeous kids, Clare. Go you. For distressing I like to walk or do some physical activity, but when the little grandies are involved it's harder. Haven't quite found the solution for that yet. :)Sue MacKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05475372981173809219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-54726526936590813732018-02-08T09:34:39.457+11:002018-02-08T09:34:39.457+11:00Clare, I can so relate to your post!
For me, destr...Clare, I can so relate to your post!<br />For me, destressing involves usually a long walk or a good book (aka. time alone doing something just for me).<br />Annie Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16804740491737358014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-79063751204827747542018-02-08T09:28:29.622+11:002018-02-08T09:28:29.622+11:00Oh Clare. What a gorgeous post. Those days when th...Oh Clare. What a gorgeous post. Those days when the kids are small are so precious but so stressful at the same time. <br /><br />To destress I either go for a run or bike ride, or binge watch rom coms (often with my daughter).Jennifer St Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15115014191040562984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-1755235063544325042018-02-08T03:43:54.453+11:002018-02-08T03:43:54.453+11:00Looking at it now from my vantage point of the gre...Looking at it now from my vantage point of the great-grandmother I feel so calm: they're just curious, they'll grow out of it, enjoy it while you can. . . . But I do still remember the days as a young mother wondering when the fun would start and some of the teaching and disciplining and cleaning and exhaustion would leave. One of my granddaughters has 4 young children, and I know how judgmental people can be, even asking are they ALL yours, so when I am out and see a parent struggling I always try to smile or say hi to the kids or somehow convey that not all of us think we have a bad parent and wild children here.<br />As for me, reading is still the best way to destress.Grandma Cootiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10709540756822695170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-62807255969091565192018-02-08T01:13:43.295+11:002018-02-08T01:13:43.295+11:00When my kids were small, I too took them to the pa...When my kids were small, I too took them to the park. Actually, it was a different park every day of the week, and I too could read my books (although only a paragraph or so at a time to start). The kids loved it, especially as they became more independent and could actually climb on structures unescorted.<br />Play dates (as they are called today) were fun, as my kids had new toys to enjoy at their friends' homes or they could share their own toys here at home with them.<br />We had special (crafting, usually) events at our local library weekly, although I often had to supervise more than just my own kids (but they were sitting at a table, which made it much easier).<br />My kids are now 32 and 30. They invite me or my husband, depending on where they are going, to join them on regular outings. My married daughter and I grocery shop most weekends together, often stopping in at my brother's home half an hour away too; we also play badminton together at our towns, taking turn driving. She's a daycare teacher who is required to eat with the little ones, but she drives 10 minutes across town to join me on her "lunch hour" (just so she can get away from staff who find excuses to interrupt her down time, plus we can catch up on daily events). My still-living-at-home son invites me to join him at other badminton events, or he might want my help in "getting a good deal", especially when buying vehicles.<br />What I'm trying to say is that many kids are still a big part of our lives, even later in life, and then come grandkids that you can hand back! I hear that that is QUITE enjoyable, LOL!Laney4https://www.blogger.com/profile/06990122242183752771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-40130089128122091912018-02-07T16:56:21.738+11:002018-02-07T16:56:21.738+11:00Hi Clare, I like to read or paint or sometimes wat...Hi Clare, I like to read or paint or sometimes watch a movie or t.v.,all can be good ways to relax.Kerri. S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-69805836647566457542018-02-07T16:38:47.213+11:002018-02-07T16:38:47.213+11:00Lmao I am 1 of 13 and the 3 rd oldest behind a bro...Lmao I am 1 of 13 and the 3 rd oldest behind a brother with MD who passed and a sister with MS who was my bestie growing up. We learned patience and child rearing from mom. So when I became a mother ( Irish twins ) and then married my second husband we had 2 kids always the same age whether it was the older two or younger two but whenever I got stressed I decided to be useful and cleaning became my way of dealing with stress. Needless to say House was always spotless. LolMoosehog83https://www.blogger.com/profile/09504656440970060283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-33081693872769669282018-02-07T13:43:09.490+11:002018-02-07T13:43:09.490+11:00My 2 boys are now grown and on their own, so I get...My 2 boys are now grown and on their own, so I get to enjoy my 19 month old grandson. It's so odd to me that his parents are always "googling" toddler behavior on their phones, while we just had common sense and some words of wisdom from our female friends or relatives (and our kids survived and thrived without online technical support). The little guy's mannerisms and daredevil energy are so much like his father as a toddler, it makes me smile! I love to have him sit on my lap and read him stories, I hope he develops a love of reading like his grandmother, as reading is my favorite way to unwind! lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08702597564760699067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-8086228765438482962018-02-07T13:20:31.476+11:002018-02-07T13:20:31.476+11:00You're absolutely right. Especially when you h...You're absolutely right. Especially when you have a favourite show where the characters feel like friends, and it's so comforting to slip into their lives. Clare Connellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01284821138196684053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-76584222106877816772018-02-07T13:18:54.276+11:002018-02-07T13:18:54.276+11:00LOVE IT!!LOVE IT!!Clare Connellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01284821138196684053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-66324112537687340992018-02-07T13:18:33.558+11:002018-02-07T13:18:33.558+11:00Gosh, Helen, you have had your hands full (and you...Gosh, Helen, you have had your hands full (and your heart!) for a long time. How wonderful to have had such a busy, chaotic house. Reading is just the best!Clare Connellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01284821138196684053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-47041869588206247862018-02-07T11:12:58.518+11:002018-02-07T11:12:58.518+11:00Oh yes, Clare, all the things I said my children w...Oh yes, Clare, all the things I said my children would never do or be like certainly came back and bit me in the bum when I actually became a parent!<br /><br />As you know I'm in the middle of buying a house, selling a house and packing and moving 700kms north. I know that the people who decide these things say that buying/selling/moving are some of the most stressful things you can do in your life. And the process hasn't been smooth sailing. During those stressful moments I usually go watch some TV. I can't settle my mind to either writing or reading but TV is so passive and very good for taking ones mind off things!Amy Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12690419732247281048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-7815101075475960452018-02-07T11:02:35.138+11:002018-02-07T11:02:35.138+11:00Gorgeous! :-) And I love your mantra.
I, however...Gorgeous! :-) And I love your mantra. <br /><br />I, however, have a card pinned to my fridge with a picture of a 1950s housewife trying to feed a screaming child sitting in a highchair and the caption reads: Margaret couldn't wait for it to grow up and leave. ;-)Michelle Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07748538761711892080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489168146200487747.post-69294006517966693162018-02-07T06:35:34.617+11:002018-02-07T06:35:34.617+11:00Hi Clare
What a fabulous post and so on the spot ...Hi Clare<br /><br />What a fabulous post and so on the spot mothers are the best, I had 4 kids in 6 years and I minded kids the same age for a teacher friend so there was often times I had 6 pre-schoolers at home with me that was lots of fun, but I wouldn't change it for anything my kids are now adults and three of them have children of their own I have 8 grandkids 2 who live with me so I am doing it all again but they are 12 and 10 high school so much fun :)<br /><br />I turn off by reading and always have I get lost in a story and it helps me breathe so to speak.<br /><br />As always I look forward to your new book I love your stories <br /><br />have Fun<br /><br />HelenHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.com