Finding Friends Can Sometimes Mean Losing Friends

By Carol Duncan - 7th March 2012

Are there any kids at your school that you’re glad your own children aren’t friends with? Do you keep an eagle-eye on the friends your child does make and, well, judge the friend just a little bit? Carol Duncan reminds her boys how to make, keep, and sometimes let go of, friends.

An Immortal Hovering Television for Your Viewing Pleasure

By Carol Duncan - 15th December 2011

Well, we’ve made it through 2011. Almost. Just a few days to go. We’ve made new friends, lost old ones, seen amazing things and been some wonderful places - and mostly due to good friends who share with us their time, their love, their generosity and give us the gift of experiences. The boys have come home this week, this last week of the 2011 school year, with their bags heavy with the fruit of their efforts this year. Workbooks in every possible area: maths, HSIE, literacy and so on .... and I’ve saved two of my favourites to share with you.

Bed Wetting in Children - Worrying When They Spring a Leak

By Carol Duncan - 30th October 2011

Mr 8 still leaks. And while I knew not to worry about it, until if and when he did for things like sleep-overs, I’ve always maintained a vigilant eye to make sure that if he was becoming concerned, I’d know and be able to act on it early ... A local behavioural paediatrician recently held an information evening on bedwetting so I thought I’d head along ...

A Stiff Conversation with My Boys

By Carol Duncan - 5th August 2011

"No darling, stiffies aren't a type of dog." Wednesday is much like any other day around our house, except that Mr 8 has soccer training. So picture me, if you will, perched on the lounge with Mr 8 trying to squeeze his feet into the always-too-tight soccer socks, shove his shin pads in, boots on and get to the ground by 5pm. Then picture me 10 seconds later when Mr 8 asked, "Mummy, do you know what a stiffy is?"

Letter Reassures me I'm Doing Okay as a Mother

By Carol Duncan - 4th July 2011

This parenting business can make you feel all manner of insecure. I worry about my kids being safe, about them being healthy, having friends at school and trying to do their best in class. I get worried when the boys fight and squabble, and I used to often wonder, “Is this normal?” ... But this week, an unexpected and wonderful thing happened. So wonderful I even had a little cry.

Stephane Pois, a Gourmet Pied Piper Inspiring Children

By Carol Duncan - 30th May 2011

Today I saw something wonderful. And unexpected. My kids know about real food. Fresh food. They don't think cakes come from packet mix because Mum says if you're going to have chocolate cake, have a real one. They know how to make dumplings. They've had chooks in their backyard (and will have them again when I build a proper pen ... long story) ... Today at the farmers' market we met Stephane Pois.

Doing Stuff With Your Kids - And Leaving the Washing Behind

By Carol Duncan - 2nd March 2011

My friend, Barney, recently commented on my Facebook page, “Gee you get about!” He was commenting on a photograph of the kids on our most recent weekend away. I admit it had been a busy week. I’d done an overnighter to Sydney for an early morning meeting at the ABC’s head office in Ultimo, I had moderated a business forum thing back home in Newcastle .. and a few other odds and sods on top of doing my daily radio show. Nothing particularly unusual for a week in the life of me.

My Children's Hearts - the Good, the Not So Good and the Resilient

By Carol Duncan - 21st January 2011

...Finding out that BOTH of my lovely boys have a heart issue was an awful shock. I confess I had a couple of rough days with it but we have seen our cardiologist now and know where we stand ... This is what I know. We are resilient. All of us. My little family. My kids. You and your kids. All the people in Queensland whose lives have been turned upside down and inside out by the recent floods. Sometimes things happen to us that we've never imagined. Things both good and bad. We lose loved ones, we gain new people to love. And who love us ...

Our Kids are Clever, or Clever Enough

By Carol Duncan - 2nd December 2010

We all know our kids are clever, right? We all want them to do well, to do the best that they can, to make friends and thrive and grow. I take great pleasure in watching the small (and large) achievements of my two sons, just as this morning my heart stopped a bit when they both slipped into the spray jackets I bought them in the Blue Mountains during our Christmas holiday last year. Last year, these jackets were way too big ... but this year, oh my goodness, they won't be wearing them next year!

There Were 15 Nine Year Olds in My House - A Birthday Party

By Carol Duncan - 31st October 2010

Just the mere mention of a child's birthday party is enough to send me into a sweat. I hate them. No, really...I simply refuse to pay an exorbitant amount of money for themed parties, clowns, face-painters, magicians, musicians, hookers and blow. Not going to happen. I will, however, spend a goodly amount of money on awesome loot bags for all attendees, great food for kids (no fairy bread here, thank you very much), and great food (and wine) for the adults.