Harassed Mom

My friend Nicci wrote a few posts about – this one was one of them. Basically she questions why we want/need relationships – I have wanted to write a response post for ages but just can’t really seem to make sense of how I feel about it.

I don’t really have a great history with relationships – in fact my track record is a string of very dysfunctional and abusive relationships – except for David. So I am no expert on the subject at all.

What I do know is that when you have found that person – that one. The one you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is THE ONE then you suddenly understand why we have relationships. It all makes sense.

Not having David here is physically hard – I have to organise, feed, watch, etc etc with 3 kids all at different stages  on my own and it is exhausting but doable.

Not having David here is emotionally impossible. He is my best friend, my go to person. When I am unsure about my next move at work – I ask him. When I am worried about one of the kids – I can tell him. When I feel overwhelmed – he reassures me. Just knowing he is next to me when I fall asleep makes it all ok because I know that whatever happens – the good and the bad – I don’t have to do it on my own. He is there. He wants to be there. I want him there.

We have both, over the last few years, had to sacrifice and compromise but it is for OUR greater good. We set goals for us as a family, us a couple and for our work lives. We share these goals. We know what each of us need to sacrifice to achieve them. I don’t feel held back at all and I hope he doesn’t either.

No matter how cheesy or soppy or needy it may sound – I need him. He needs me. We need each other. And we are ok with that!

The kids are fighting A LOT at the moment.

They can not be near each other without one of them throwing an insult, pinching, whining or just being down right painful!

It is a rather rocky time for everyone. David is away and was away for 8 nights – Cameron doesn’t cope to well with him not being here and Kiara gets anxious at night.

Cameron is writing tests and hates studying – so him and I are bumping heads.

I am stressed about the op and the shop move and whats happening there so I am a little on edge.

Mix all that together and you get sibling fighting like no other.

I DO NOT KNOW what to do. I have no idea how to get them to stop!

This evening there were tears because Cameron changed the channel, then denied it so Kiara had to get up and change it back, Cameron then took her spot on the couch which resulted in her storming up to her room in tears!

This was about the 10 million incident since I got home 2 hours ago.

I am ready to ship them off to Angola with David!

Those of you with more than one how do you deal with the fighting?

This time next week my op will be over. I will be recovering – probably (hopefully) drugged up and sleeping.

I am still trying not to think to much about it and focus on the fact that for 6 days I get to just do NOTHING and have people wait on me, bring me tea and food.

There is so much happening until then – we moved the shop today – it was supposed to happen on Wednesday but before I knew it they guys were there with a bakkie telling me to unpack the shelves so just like that we moved.

We have a Pamper Party this weekend which is very exciting and the bookings are coming in thick and fast. I have to try and get as much sorted as I can before I go into hospital.

Cameron started test month last week and it is not fun – there is lots of work and lots of subjects.

Kiara appears to be improving but homework with her is still a challenge.

Jack is going through some weird phase where he screams if I dare put him down – it is exhausting especially when I am trying to cook and help with homework.

And David leaves again tomorrow for 2 nights to Angola.

Again I will mention how much I am looking forward to my break at hospital :-p

Oooh and I am on day 6 of the photo challenge I am doing – I am behind on the blog posts but have been updating Instagram daily – I think it is the furtherest I have gotten on a photo a day challenge and I am enjoying it!!

How is your week looking?

• About one third of parents report using severe forms of corporal punishment against their children (UNICEF Child Rights and Equity report).
• Sexual offences made up around half of all crimes reported against children in 2010/2011 (SAPS 2010/2011 report).
• Sexual offences against children (younger than 18 years) increased by 2,6% in 2010/2011 from 2009/2008 (SAPS 2010/2011 report).
• Around 30% of sexual offences against children involve children younger than 10 years old and 60,5% were committed against children below the age of 15 years (SAPS 201/2011 report).
• 27% of high school learners report feeling unsafe in school (UNICEF Child Rights and Equity report – original source 2008 Youth Risk behavior survey).
• There are more than half a million children in foster care and close to 2 million children have lost one or both parents due to AIDS (UNICEF Child Rights and Equity report).

After reading that there was no way I could not share their campaign and it is actually a pretty cool initiative.

UNICEF is calling on all South Africans to unite behind the goal of zero violence against children. In the run up to Child Protection Week (28 May- 3 June), its newly launched ‘Believe in Zero’ campaign highlights the role that everyone – not only the authorities – has to play in the protection of children.

“South Africa’s levels of violence against children are among the highest in the world. Tens of thousands of children are victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation every year – and offenders often go unpunished,” says Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative.

Statistics from the South African Police Service confirm there were more than 54,000 reported crimes against children in 2010/2011; however, crimes against children are grossly underreported and the real figure is much higher.

Sexual offences make up about half of that figure, while around 30 per cent of these victims are under the age of 10 years. Research has shown that in most abuse cases, the offenders are known to the children.

UNICEF Ambassador Yvonne Chaka Chaka has added her voice to the Believe in Zero campaign: “Child protection starts with every one of us, as individuals – no matter who we are and where we live.”

UNICEF is driving the Believe in Zero initiative online. A specially designed Facebook app urges people to express their support, upload photos or videos, post messages and engage their networks on the goal of zero child abuse.

Among those people who share their views through the app, one passionate supporter will be given the chance to take a field trip with UNICEF to see first-hand how the organisation works with partners – and children themselves – towards the fulfillment of child rights.

To find out more about Believe in Zero, or participate in the campaign, visit www.unicef.org.za or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Where have we, as a society, gone wrong that crimes against children are increasing and there is a need for these kinds of campaigns? Please go and join their Facbook page and check out the entries they have received so far.

Starting something new is always scary and you never know until you know that it is going to work but when you believe in something you have to just do it. Ignore the fear and move forward.

Nicci and I decided to start this market a little over a month ago I think and it’s been go go go to get people to trust us and to get the word out there.

It was not without it’s stressful moments. But today it all came together so nicely and I am insanely proud of how it all went.

It was small but it was good. Everyone had a successful day and almost all the stands will be back next month – the ones who won’t aren’t going to be here but have said they will be at future ones when they get back.

YAY US!!!!!

We obviously learnt loads today about what needs to be changed, what we need more of which I suspect will happen after each market.

The next market will be on the 26 May so mark it in your diary NOW!

I am loving the photo a day challenge but I just quickly post the pictures from my phone so haven’t really had a chance to link properly to the host of this challenge.

If you want to take part then pop over here for the details and rules and what not.

Here are the rest of the challenges.

And today’s challenge was “something you wore today” – so here are my favourite cupcake socks.

I am rather ashamed to admit that I don’t give my kids many multi vitamins – Kiara is on EyeQ and that’s about it.

My kids have never really been sick so I figure I must be doing something right and just make sure they eat a relatively balanced diet.

Having said that Scots Emulsion is one of the products we have used before and both of the older kids take it with relative ease.

Below is a little more about Scott’s Emulsion.

Scott’s® Emulsion, helping moms and kids throughout the year

A mother’s focus lies predominantly on the health of her family and whether her children are able to get the most out of their everyday activities. As the year picks up its pace, moms can rest assured that Scott’s® Emulsion will help keep her little treasures happy and healthy. “Prevention is better than cure”, is an age old expression and Scott’s® Emulsion resonates with this as it has been a trusted brand and ideal solution to aid preventing illness in children for many generations.

“Vitamins & Minerals play an essential role in a daily health routine and can often be missing in today’s diet,” says Leigh Pedersen, Brand Manager, Nutritionals, GlaxoSmithKline, SA. “Maintaining a strong immune system throughout the year is beneficial to your whole family. By combining an active lifestyle and a healthy diet, you can reduce your child’s chance of getting sick and avoid missing out on play time instead of hours spent in the doctor’s waiting room. It’s simple, just by taking the appropriate dosage of Scott’s® every day, your child can experience the benefits of these important supplements which assist in building immunity.”

Scott’s® Emulsion has a special blend of cod liver oil, vitamins and minerals and is available in three flavours – orange, original and tropical fruit. It has been recommended that Scott’s® Emulsion be administered from one year-old right through to the pre-teen stage.

A healthy child is a happy child, so remember to include Scott’s® Emulsion on your shopping list and to make it part of your kid’s daily health routine. Scott’s® Emulsion is available at all major retail outlets and pharmacies.

Do you give your kids any additional vitamins and minerals?

I thought I made a proper post yesterday but when there were no comments coming through I realised I didn’t.

David being away, the public holidays, school holidays and lack of sleep have left me rather disorientated to be honest with you.

Every morning I check the appointment book at work and then  plan the kids picks up etc – at the moment I check it about 500 times just to check what flippen day it is.

Yesterday can only be described as frenetic. The shop was busy. My emails were going mad with people making bookings, asking for prices. I eventually put my phone on silent because the notifications were driving me insane.

It is nice being busy and May seems to be going a whole lot better than April – David had some good meetings yesterday as well – so we are moving forward.

I do have some serious posts I want to write but for now I just want to share a few things that are happening quickly.

Journey2Joy has joined the Twitter Blanket Drive – we are a collection point in Pretoria so you can drop off your blankets with us.

I also managed to get the Oak Leaf on board – so they are also a collection point and within walking distance (sort of) from Sandton City so if you work around there then you can drop off blankets with them.

Our Fat Olive Market is this weekend – we are super excited about it

David leaves Nigeria tonight and lands tomorrow morning and I can not explain how happy I am about that. He leaves again on Monday for the week again but at least I will get a few nights decent sleep in.

Today’s photo was of a skyline. We have such awesome days at the moment.

This was taken in on our daily walk with Lucy.

I am going to try another photos day

This time from Fatmumslim.

Today’s word was peace and I managed to get this cool shot of the kids showing peace signs.