tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post1371580874472969310..comments2024-03-03T16:03:52.071+11:00Comments on Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing - The Cheapskates way to living the good life: Overdoing the entertainmentCath Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-62087278891437193082018-06-26T00:06:44.555+10:002018-06-26T00:06:44.555+10:00Thanks for all the tips - I'm taking things on...Thanks for all the tips - I'm taking things on board for the (hopefully not-too-distant) time when I have children!<br /><br />Something from my own childhood - there are lots of ways to try out clubs and activities so your children can see what they like. Look for open days (e.g., Australia Day - many councils organise or at least list groups having open days then), and keep an eye at your local library for posters and in your local paper for events.<br /><br />Many amateur groups will allow children or teenagers to participate as long as they can demonstrate responsibility. For instance, when my elder brother decided he was interested enough in Gilbert & Sullivan to join an amateur theatre company, we all started going along to help build and paint scenery and props (and I was a teenager, and not the youngest of my siblings to be involved). People in amateur groups are usually glad to teach all sorts of skills to anyone who's interested.Estel Talroval / Theophilus Balsamonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11197224825565985845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-31933509872312348772011-01-08T19:38:33.458+11:002011-01-08T19:38:33.458+11:00All I want to know Cath is how you got to be so wi...All I want to know Cath is how you got to be so wise? :-)<br />thanks for your inspiring words and kindness to all of us<br />Deb SkaleckiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-53687547583300878392011-01-08T14:24:33.185+11:002011-01-08T14:24:33.185+11:00Hi Cath
You just brought tears to my eyes with th...Hi Cath<br /><br />You just brought tears to my eyes with this little tip, and not because I'm guilty of over organizing (rather the opposite actually).<br />I never realized that kids, who had their days filled with activities, could suffer in almost the same way as kids who are ignored.<br /><br />Thank you (for the tips/hints/website and reality check) :)<br />JoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-51033171626301790552011-01-08T14:23:59.601+11:002011-01-08T14:23:59.601+11:00Cath,
You’re comments are so true, how often d...Cath,<br /><br /> <br /><br />You’re comments are so true, how often do I hear mums listing off the daily activities that their children have to do, music, swimming, karate, basketball, cricket, singing, dancing etc etc, it’s almost like they are afraid of being alone with their children or even themselves. Yes, as you say perhaps one or possibly two planned activities is fine but they have to learn to use their imaginations and get used to their own company and that of their sibling/s and parents. My children are both young adults but when they were much younger they had swimming lessons and were involved in a sporting club which they both still belong to – my daughter as a coach and my son as a player and a coach. They learnt to play together, sure they got on each others’ nerves at times but they once again learnt to deal with it. As money was tight, meeting a friend ‘for coffee’ was a luxury instead I just invited them over for coffee, we chatted while the kids played – much less cheaper and definitely less stressful than dealing with the traffic and then finding a car spot. I am constantly amazed how people don’t think that kids can be ‘stressed out’ almost as if this is a complaint that only adults get – it happens believe me, I speak from experience. When I was 6yrs old I had a nervous breakdown because the school bumped me from Prep to Grade 2 (seems they felt I didn’t need to go into Grade 1) I was off school for 3 months. So spare a thought for those children that have countless activities and the pressure they are under to ‘achieve’ and ‘perform’. I’m not saying that some pressure isn’t good but not to the extent that some children are put under.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />ShelleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-31482013227379947192011-01-08T14:23:19.536+11:002011-01-08T14:23:19.536+11:00I agree 100% Cath, very true...Narelle....I agree 100% Cath, very true...Narelle....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-64911980391171696512011-01-08T11:36:00.876+11:002011-01-08T11:36:00.876+11:00The pressure is on us all these days to be perfect...The pressure is on us all these days to be perfect parents and for some reason society sees perfect parents as those who have their children in every activity, sport, club etc going.<br /><br />The constant cry is "I don't have time to....." but we all have the same 24 hours in a day, it's how we choose to use them that makes the difference.<br /><br />It took a major accident, where we came so close to losing a child, to make me stop. It's sad that my child had to suffer to make me a better parent (and I am by no means parent of the year material, I have a lot to learn still) but we are a much happier and more contented family because of it.<br /><br />And I'm not biased when I say my kids are fantastic (not perfect, they are teenagers after all) but they are incredible human beings.Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-31205825581945674982011-01-08T11:30:23.112+11:002011-01-08T11:30:23.112+11:00This is so very true Cath.....I hope it reaches ou...This is so very true Cath.....I hope it reaches out to all those young mums out there. I only had one child and she used to love having friends over and play cubbies and dress ups and shops in the back yard....wonderful times with NO EXPENSE....and NO RUSHING!!!.....I think all this enrolling kids to do a thousand and one things makes them all stressful over achievers that will never be satisfied with themselves.<br />Thank you!!<br /><br /><br />JennyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-56697664101449788402011-01-08T11:29:50.151+11:002011-01-08T11:29:50.151+11:00Thank you for a fabulous email today, a timely rem...Thank you for a fabulous email today, a timely reminder for parents as we organise children for the school year ahead.<br /><br />Admittedly, I have never been guilty of managing an over active schedule, simply due to budget but now that we are a two-parent working family the opportunity is there if I wanted to take that path. But like you it would become too stressful and it also means I would lose valuable time with my children.<br /><br />My girls (3 & 6) are most happy doing craft and playing in their own playroom, not somebody elses. I cringe when I think about the amount of time, money and exhaustion my friends spend racing about sometimes up to four times in a week, for me that time 'wasted' is better put to use baking and cooking meals in your own kitchen instead of having to purchase takeaway meals....or perhaps I'm just a contented homebody?<br /><br />Once again, thank you for the great read.<br /><br />KPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com