Resilient Parenting

“Well done you!”

By: Joanna Myers September 7, 2018September 7, 2018

Blogkids, parenting, Well doneLeave a Comment

I love the British phrase “Well done you!”. Whenever a friend said it to me, it felt like someone had given me a gentle pat on the back; a thumbs-up; an encouragement that I’d done a good job. Nothing flashy, no fanfare; just a simple acknowledgement that they’d noticed my effort. It brings a smile…

Plan to Getaway

By: Joanna Myers August 24, 2018

Blogfamily goodtimes, getaway fun, holidays, Travel2 Comments

I was reminded this week of how thoroughly positive it is to plan a getaway. Whether it be a family holiday or time away just with your spouse, be it a weekend or a week; having something to look forward to is an effective antidote to the humdrum of everyday life. Sometimes the mundane can…

My Muesli Bar

By: Joanna Myers August 7, 2018

Keep Calm and Eat Cakedairy free, gluten free, sugar free1 Comment

In a creative response to being unwilling to pay the exorbitant price of muesli bars that fit all my dietary needs at the moment, (sugar, gluten, dairy, egg and fructose free) I came up with my own version of a muesli bar. It resembled something I’d bought previously and enjoyed. The quantities and method I…

Can I encourage you?

By: Joanna Myers July 31, 2018

Blogparenting, relationship, Teens1 Comment

If there is one thing I have learned about teens and tweens it is: that there is nothing they hate more than being nagged. Nobody likes being told what to do; least of all a teenager. A nagging parent is like an annoying drone in the background of your favourite song. No matter how much…

Roslyn’s Story

By: Joanna Myers July 19, 2018

Stories that EncourageLeave a Comment

Let me introduce Roslyn. She is a mother to 5 adult children and 11 grandchildren. She has faithfully lived out her role as a stay-at-home mother, while co-partnering with her husband in his church ministry. Having lived in 6 different places, whilst raising a family, she has drawn upon her faith in God and her…

A Thankful Heart

By: Joanna Myers June 18, 2018July 17, 2018

Bloggratitude, resilience, thankfulness1 Comment

I’ve been in a battle of late; it’s been a battle against discouragement. It started with a setback; or more accurately, what I perceived to be a setback. For me, a setback always begins with reoccurring pain; back and neck pain to be precise. It’s a part of the backdrop to my life, and with…

Best Ever Chocolate Cake

By: Joanna Myers June 18, 2018June 18, 2018

Keep Calm and Eat Cakebest ever, cake, chocolateLeave a Comment

As far as I can recall, this was my first memory of baking a cake. I was in my late teens, and I must have been given free rein in the kitchen; guests were coming and we needed to feed them. My mother had always been extremely health conscious, and so rather than follow in…

Choc Mint Slice

By: Joanna Myers June 7, 2018

Keep Calm and Eat Cakechocolate, fructose free, gluten free, sliceLeave a Comment

This fructose and gluten free recipe is my daughters kind attempt to cheer me up in response to recent health issues that have caused me to modify my diet. For a sweet tooth such as myself, I have been surprised how much I have enjoyed these sugar free alternatives. The coconut and cacao make for…

Don’t be surprised…be patient.

By: Joanna Myers May 16, 2018May 16, 2018

Blogkids, parenting, Patience, relationship, TeensLeave a Comment

“Are you kidding me! How many times do we have to have this conversation? I thought I made it very clear when I said… I can’t believe we are still having this problem!” Does this sound like a conversation you have on a semi-regular basis with your kids? The utter frustration of having to revisit…

Looking back, moving forward.

By: Joanna Myers April 27, 2018

Blogadolescence, childhood memories, parenting, relationshipLeave a Comment

Over the past year I have been really challenged to consider the way I parent… teenagers will do that to you. What had once been a reliable and comfortable way of relating to my children, was now met with a prickly resistance. Their emergence into adolescence significantly changed my relationship with them, leaving me confused…