29 January 2013

Hello everyone - a perfect day to post!  Here in Queensland the storms have subsided but many are losing their homes, livelihood and some have lost their lives to widespread flooding.  Two years ago, we were also affected in many ways - and yes, the Government subsidies etc do provide some financial relief; as does insurance; however - resilience is paramount in these times.  Working with others and assisting a mate - a great Australian way of doing things is embedded into our DNA and we will get through it.

Twitter has a #mudarmy - and I think we will give it a go in the coming weeks.  Students and future friends will be a part of the groups that are affected.  I would love to assist in some way; and have the children work with me - so we will be keeping an eye on this feed.

Over the last few weeks there have again been many learning opportunities.  One this week past was in regards to Morgan's health and his diabetes.  He had a massive low; and with all the distractions around us at present - I did not even think to give him the hypo needle.  My husband walked past his bedroom and heard him moaning.  Anyway, I called the ambulance and they also attended.  He was coming to when they arrived four minutes later.  Very scary indeed.

Our hospital visit was informative and insightful.  There is a lot of research going into this chronic illness and I have faith that Morgan's lifetime will see a cure.  I was so proud of Morgan's sister (Josie) who contributed to the research efforts - there were other children doing the same.  Her blood will be tested for antibodies to see if she is susceptible to Diabetes Type I.  If she is, the choice to participate in the research will be entirely hers.  The head of the research is a resident Dr at the hospital and Morgan will most likely have him on his team of health professionals when an adult.

Pump therapy is wonderful; however needs careful monitoring.   Emails to educators, downloading data and analysis of this is now a part of our weekly routine.  It is amazing - the technology; and using it is wonderful.  I am hoping that this will assist us in management.

School shoe purchasing was another adventure - thank you to my husband for taking the journey.  Morgan wanted special pointy shoes; but ended up with the normal school lace ups.  A pair of new sandshoes completed the purchase.  Retail are doing it tough - four pairs (one ended up being free) from the shoe store.  This was unheard of a few years ago.

Today is a big day - an orientation at the new school.  It is still a little rainy so the weather won't be pleasant - however kids hardly notice that.  The new school will be wonderful; and I wish Morgan a wonderful day.  He is going in completely cold (on our interview there was no tour) and he has only driven into the driveway for this purpose; a visit to the Uniform shop (courtesy of hubby again) and to collect his laptop computer.  The essentials I guess.  Now it will be up to him.  We had dinner with friends whose boys attend the same school.  All schools have their concerns and this is no exception.  Being a part of the music program, a little sport, his studies and his mission work should keep things busy enough for no distractions.  I do not want to have my head in the clouds; but provide opportunity and support if ever needed.  The friends gave my husband and I some wonderful advice, company and friendship - which I will value and treasure.

A birthday celebration was had by three of the family members, including Morgan.  He has grown into a wonderful young man.  His visit to his father brought back more stuff; and there were disagreements on where to place it.  I am pleased that I do not fall for the retail therapy and buy buy buy.  I am hoping that the children see this for what it is.

The time passed from 15 January to now - a little calculation:  (I am still posting at 5am each morning).

1440 minutes per day for 14 days = 20,160.

best moment:  Morgan having breakfast (a bowl of cereal) with his baby sister
song of the day: Gangham Style (dancing and singing this song with baby sister)
aha moment:  Always keep plugged in to the health needs re Diabetes (all of us)
teaching time:  Shoes - may look good but not for every occasion (purchasing of school shoes)

2,077,920 - 20,160 = 2,057,760.

15 January 2013

Another day or two over and the school year is drawing near.  These past two days were like chalk and cheese in regards to the weather - yesterday (14 January) was the first day we didn't melt and we opened windows and doors to let the breeze in.  Wonderful!

Morgan, I should mention is also a Diabetic Type 1 - he was diagnosed on January 14, 2009 at the age of nine (going into his tenth birthday).  We have come a long way since that day and his health management team has had a change.  While in Regional Queensland, we worked with the private system - an approach that was recommended by the chosen local GP at the time.  The ladies were wonderful; and the educator is a friend of mine on Facebook, speed-dial on mobile and yes, I think I will add her to my Christmas Card list.  Wonderful lady and more importantly; Morgan liked her and listened.  Asked the right questions and followed her advice.  I am hoping with the change he will continue to do this.  

Anyway, yesterday was a visit to the new GP (we are choosing the same surgery that we were patients of before we left the city).  She was happy to see us again while we all down a trip to memory lane of when the children were babies.  How time flies!  She told Morgan stories about students who love the new school he will be attending and the culture of its inclusiveness and school tie connectivity.

It was also wonderful to hear that there will be connections at the public system that we have been recommended (by Morgan's health team in Regional Queensland).  Our doctor's husband is a part of the research team at the hospital; and she seems to be a receiver of his work - telling us about new research and ways to work with Diabetes.  She also informed Morgan that these are the formative years and his management now will be instilled in him for the rest of his life.  

We have had a great start - no chocolate, soft-drink or lollies in the house and if he craves them; we pay full retail price.  I have instilled this so that the children know the expense and that it is a luxury, a sometimes treat and not something that will be readily available.  I have also, in the past, educated them on the business cycle of chocolate and sugar; with the farmer or primary producer not seeing the return deserved and how hard both raw materials are to grow.  You Tube now is a fabulous teaching tool in this way but when they were little, I invested in pay TV (we did not go out to many movies, nor did we borrow DVD's - we didn't even have a player).  That way the children were entertained, educated and I could enjoy some shows too.  Ten years ago, Disney Channel had no retail advertisements (only their own products) - now there is an abundance of advertising even on this channel; or Disney has diversified in its product range.

Paperwork from the Doctor was received (it is a mine field out there) and connections made.  Morgan has his check-up with all the health team next week and I just wanted to be assured that this was all covered.  Next time, Morgan will be doing this on his own.  I am going to take him, sit outside and wait in the waiting room.  We chatted about this on the way home, after he made the comment (I did not have to be there).  Well, he will be the only one there in the future.  I guess I did dominate the conversation and I apologised. 

Morgan receives pump therapy - he commenced this in June last year after he emailed his Doctor with the positives and negatives of being on needles and how being on pump therapy will improve his health and his capacity to enjoy life.  She listened and at the next appointment arranged for pump therapy.  It has been the best thing for him.  The first week of being on the pump I can still remember Morgan saying "Mum, I have not felt this good in years."  

Yesterday we received a call from the pump manufacturer offering a new testing machine. We happily accepted their offer and will use it as a machine on stand-by.  The consumables are a little fiddly for a teenage boy at school (and at home and anywhere) and cost wise could be more expensive than what we are doing.

So the last day was about health.  The children are off to their Dad's this morning until Sunday 21 January - a little under six days (8640 minutes).  This will be the last time in a big batch of time before school starts.  They should have a nice time.

best moment:  coming home from a morning's work seeing Morgan and his sister playing Monopoly
song of the day:  I got the Money Money Money ....
aha moment:  Morgan can learn to manage his own health (go into Doctor's on his own from June).
teaching time:  Time management - time does tick away if you are not watching, and prepared.

2,080,800 - 2,880 = 2,077,920.

13 January 2013

Well, four days have passed.  The time has been quiet and reflective.  We are getting television connected next week so I guess then the children will want to watch and catch up on all that lost viewing time.  It is a Sunday morning, pretty hazy in the city and still.  Bush fires are everywhere here in Australia at the moment - I don't think from last night's news any state or corner is immune.  It is very hot - my parent's property recorded 50 degrees Celsius on their verandah out at a property near Roma.  No rain in sight - lots of clouds that travel to the south-east.

Watching the news on Free to Air is something that we do; and the children watched a movie last night called  "The Waterhorse" which starred the little boy from "Millions" - one of my favourite contemporary children's movie and story.  We were on our own yesterday as hubby went along to see the crowds and study the crowds at the Magic Millions event held annually at the Gold Coast.  He was home by 5pm which was nice.

We have had visitors at the house - the children's grandparents came for the afternoon of 8 January.  They were happy to see the children and all of us.  A Thai takeaway dinner was shared and lots of stories about Christmas and moving and future were also entertaining.  Walking up heaps of steps to get to the house was challenging and it was nice to see both the children help their grandparents down the steps at dusk.

Playing on (Exploring) the new Mac Book Pro seems to be dominating the time for each day to date.  Finding a place in the house where this can be done safely ergonomically and out of the viewing range of a toddler is challenging; however we are getting there.  I have to ask about a dozen times to get off the machine while the toddler is around - The teenager's, I think will need desks of some sort in their rooms in the future to ensure that this is the case.  Funding this is challenging; however when school and University starts and an income is generated - we will be fine.

The holiday stretch is nearly over - the children will be with their father from 15 January to 21 January - not sure what they are doing as he planned to go camping (the children reminded him about bush fires in the region); so I guess that they will be at home.  Their sister is staying with them too.

Uniforms will be purchased; school books collected and shoes fitted are on the agenda this week ready to commence on 29 January.  A little daunting still; but an excited young man has emerged.  Morgan asked for his subject selection form to check on his subjects yesterday and get his computer organised for this purpose.

best moment:  helping Grandma down the steps and into the car; watching a movie made on the Mac Book Pro by Morgan, starring Morgan and featuring Morgan.  It is a wonderful tool and I pleased we chose this devise as his learning computer for school.
song of the day:  Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi  (Morgan follows him on Facebook - a surprise from me)
aha moment:  kicking a ball in the backyard will ultimately mean it will land in the neighbour's yard
teaching time:  The complexities of family relationships and values

2,086,560 - 5,760 = 2,080,800.

8 January 2013

9 January 2013

Yesterday was a relaxed day - downtime will be important when school starts is the lesson learned.  I learned that it is difficult to have a life with teenage children - especially when you want to catch up with friends for short periods of time. The children are a little too young to leave at home on their own; and too old to have a babysitter.  Family are close as mentioned in the first post; however it is a little too soon to ask for the favours.

Christmas this past year did not bring many presents under the tree - we were busy moving.  Instead, a beautiful card and $ were provided for times that came up yesterday.  It is interesting to see how the $ are managed manually.  "Mum, I think I will take $75 with me - do you think that will be enough for shoes?"  My response - "well, you will have to live that moment to find out - we shall wait and see."

I was dropped off at the airport to see my friend in transit with her beautiful bubby - and I had a wonderful hour or so.  The children (and hubby) were off to see DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) to score some purchases.  I have told both the teenagers that I will not be supporting your love for labels - that can be funded with your birthday/Christmas monies.  Since Daddy provided the television (see second post) there will be more cash to splash on these occasions.  I did say that there will be other opportunities so do not purge all your money today!

There are a few rules.  Morgan has a smartphone and can be contacted.  His sister is to be with him at all times (so no-one ditches the other).  They are to shop together.  Both are patient with each other and learn about each other's taste and style.  Purchases in the car after I was collected were three pairs of sunglasses (Morgan chose a tortiseshell design??) and two pairs of shoes - one Converse - and "only $50 Mum" and the other were a pair purchased by Sister.

After shopping, it is downtime.  Relaxing, unpacking purchases and finding a space for them.  The baby is trialling childcare before the onslaught of school life - and lasted the day today!  Very proud we all were!  Morgan came with me to collect and he found it also interesting to see his little sister engage in another world.  Helping others with their waterbottles.  A beautiful sight.

We also collected his new piece of technology for school - a MacBook Pro.  How exciting and now he is set.  Although I have no wireless or Wi-Fi connections where the children can tap into at any time; he is enjoying exploring the options that the devise has to offer.  Rules of course will need to be established (I read some on facebook a few days ago - link here).  I did a similar thing with Morgan last year when I gave him his smartphone - but shortened it to five sentences.  When I find the piece of paper with the dot points; i will post!

best moment:  a few; hearing "thank you Mum" a few times (after shopping, after picking up MacBook Pro and after dinner - Paella.)
song of the day:  Wonky Donkey - a little sister tune
aha moment:  Sales are always on at DFO and this is the place we will go to shop for clothes
teaching time:  Learning that the new school is massive - "Mum, how am I going to get from the Oval to the classroom?"  My response - "you are not alone; many boys have done that journey and lived through those moments.  Enjoy!"

2,088,000 - 1440 = 2,086,560.

7 January 2012

Well, so much for blogging about this every day - it is a difficult challenge and one that I will have to make time for.  The first thing of the day reflecting on the previous day seems to be the best time - if I can get up at 5am to do so.

1440 minutes per day x 5 days = 7200 minutes have passed since the last post and most of these Morgan has been at his father's house.  These times are very important to establish relationship and maintain connection with his father and his world over there.  It is quite foreign to me; although I did have a relationship with his father for 10 years - I have learned over the last 10 years that he is still doing things the same and that he has not changed or enhanced a parenting style.  I have learned too over the last 10 years that it takes some time for the children to snap back into normality.  It is a bit like jetlag - so I will refer this time to "daddylag".  In our new home, we have a number of spaces the children can relax and work - so, from now on, Morgan is to go to one of these spaces (bedroom, verandah, their lounge room) to chill out and relax for a while with his guitar or just himself (sometimes he needs to catch up on his sleep).  Then come into contact with us again in their own time.  I did explain that this time will need to get shorter as they get older as others in their new worlds will not tolerate their tiredness or irritability.

A shopping trip at one of the major department stores was conducted on 2 January 2013.  This was an experience as we do have a number of items on our list - Television for the children's living area, shoes, clothes.  Morgan saw the value of his money diminish very quickly as he saw the price of these items.  I ask that the children do not buy straight away; they look at everything first and then make decisions about items later at home.  I have spoken about the strategies retailers use for sales, shopping and general marketing.  It is amusing when we do go shopping that they sometimes pick up on these things and declare them.  I have to also consider lessons in tact and respect for the trade.

So, the $ received at Christmas time have already been spent in their heads.  Each Wednesday night there is a telephone conversation scheduled with the father.  Thursday morning when I arrived at his house to drop off the children, there is a television waiting (one that he had downstairs not being used).  I was a little surprised; however, in his words "it is a present for the children doing well at school".  I was also a little annoyed as I have vowed that big purchases like this the children will be involved and they will contribute.

A teaching lesson lost; but one also gained.  No new tricks here from my perspective; and it seems that the children have established skills in manipulation.  Anyway, there are plenty of minutes to reinforce this lesson - I will just have to be tactful.  It got me wondering, how many households have spare sets lying around - we don't.  So much digital waste.

Today is the beginning of a new week - we are busy (all of us) getting ready for new schools.  I have one child's booklist done - I am working on Morgan's this week.  I think we do need to get stationery though.  One thing is a scientific calculator ($220 per unit) for both of them - my goodness!

best moment:  listening to guitar playing in the background while doing the laundry.
song of the day (week):  Tainted Love (played by Morgan).
aha moment:  coming up with the term "Daddylag" with my husband (referring the symptoms the children have when they come home from their Dad's as those similar to Jetlag).
teaching time:  television moment - humbling accepting the gift and paying the consequences later.

2,095,200 - 7,200 = 2,088,000.

It is New Year's Day 2013 - the time is approximately 7.30pm and today is the first day of this two million minute blog.  I am the mother of a teenage boy who is embarking on his education from Year 9 this year.  I envisage to blog about my experiences for the next four years - or 2, 096 640 to be exact.  My last entry for this project will be New Years Eve - 2016.

To place the situation of my parenting into perspective - I am a mother of three children, one boy (13 - who this blog will feature), one girl (12; and a full sister of my son) and one toddler (a girl who is 20 months).  My husband and I have relocated back to Brisbane, QLD, Australia after a two year working contract in regional Queensland.  I am a teacher at a girl's school and my husband is a professional event manager.  We live in suburbia, and have chosen to be close to the schools of the children.  The biological father lives close-by.

Today, being a part of the school holidays and a week from our move back into the city was filled with unpacking, cleaning with a little relaxation.  Out to lunch we went - to a cafe in Milton where we enjoyed the ambience of Italian beverages and conversation.  Beverages not normally chosen were selected from the menu.  With children, regardless of age - Each moment is a teaching moment.  Questions about the photocopied menu (because it is a public holiday and surcharges apply) to "what is gelati?" - good questions all answered without googling responses.  We loved the "Nacho's" with the Italian twist (every crumb was eaten).  Topics of conversation included Japan, Italy, Rome, France, China and its Dynasties and our own.

Music enjoyed included "one hit wonders" from an album added to an iPod over Christmas.  Some of them bringing back memories to this Mummy.  Good ones of course!

best moment:   listening to 13 year old boy reading to 20 month girl - Strawberry Shortcake!
song of the day:  Ogachucka
aha moment:  Rome is in Italy
teaching time:  Restaurant experience - surcharges on Public holidays.

2, 096 640 - 1440 = 2, 095, 200.