Honestly before now, Women’s day was another public holiday in my books…

It is only as I have “matured” and undertaken the task of studying, specifically anthropology, this late in life that I realise that I have not taken the time to acknowledge why we have a day specifically dedicated to being a woman especially here in South Africa.

I am lucky, I have been born into a time where I have a right to vote and the opportunity to study and be anything I want to be. A privilege still denied to many. As a mom, I hope to let my girls know that the sky isn’t even the limit. That they can be whatever they want to be and that they have a right. In our last conversation, my eldest was going to be an astronaut who does hair.  And that is awesome! I was proud. Well only until she told me there would be no space in the rocket ship for me, but she was quick to quip that she still loves me.

Today I had the honour of speaking to a “seasoned’’ sports mom. All the men in her life (husband included) play sport while she freezes her butt off on the sideline. How does one make this just a little bit more bearable?

Solution: Fear not moms, supportive girlfriends, fiancé’s, wives and even husbands and dads. I am here to help you!

How can I, a mere newbie to the “supportive” scene help?  It’s not very complicated and I do like to help.

Is there life after “mommy”? Well, It actually really boils down to who is asking the question.

If young teenagers or girls in their twenties are asking, well then the answer is a simple “NO”! No there is no life; they suck all that is nice out of your persona. Zombies are friendlier. Run young one, run! My advice – go out, get your heart broken, make friends that you are able to be crazy and scary with. Friends you can just have fun with. Have fun. Establish who you are and what is important in your life. You are allowed to be selfishly indulgent at this stage in your life. Find you.

Mother ‘verb’ to bring up a child with care and affection.

Mother’s Day ‘noun’ celebrated on the second Sunday in May. A day in which motherhood and the influences of mothers in society and families are celebrated. A day to celebrate with cards, flowers and gifts.

Mother’s Day ‘T&T’ a day everyone lets mom know how much she is loved and appreciated, as she gathers her snot flickers to get in the car or starts prepping for lunch. She may have had breakfast in bed but needs to go clean the kitchen up.

My mom started a tradition with my brother and I.  When we hit big milestone like birthdays or when we look at my kids (in that ah you’re so sweet quietly picking your nose over there way) we play a special “where were you at my age mom” game?

It’s a lovely game to get a piece of my mom’s life and I think I value it more so. I have a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old. At the same age my mom had an 18-year-old and a 12-year-old. So different, here I am starting school life with Miss K and my mom’s oldest child (that’s me) was leaving on a jet plane to the USA.

I challenge you to ask someone older and who you are close with where they were in life at your current age?

After celebrating Shrove Tuesday, Lent sets in and everyone around me shows such amazing will power and here I am just trying to give up on shouting and possibly being able to tame my fringe once and for all.

The next thing we look forward to is Easter. Religious or not, Easter is celebrated whether going to Church or an Easter Brunch with family but it is guaranteed there will always be the obligatory Easter egg hunt.

I have memories of when we had Miss K – she was about 9 months old, well around there. It was the crawling stage, not quite walking but definitely not sitting.

We woke up one Saturday morning with a twinkle in our eyes and the hubster suggested we go to our local coffee shop for a breakfast.  Thinking it was a fabulous idea, I imagined us sitting at the table chatting and laughing while sipping elegantly on our Americano’s with not a drop of food on my top.

Having a 5 year old going onto 19, I have been in some situations and the most recent was the please can I have a sleepover…

What to do, what to do? For me it is easy. My husband and I (still not sure how much I can involve him in my thoughts here) have come to a conclusion. Quite simply, we do not do sleepovers full stop. (See what I did there to focus on my “point”)

I try not tempting the Birthday Gods when it comes to celebrating the day that I was dropped by the stork into my loving moms arms. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it; I have a 2.9 year old and a 5.2 year old.

Oh how every year these Birthday Gods find me and put me to some sort of test. Whilst this may sound dramatic please bear in mind that this is my birthday after all and I can whinge and cry if I want to and I am closer to 40 than I have ever wanted to be.

I survived the party weekend. Minimal drama and tantrums and that was just from my husband. Go me!

As the first party ended a few kids went up to the party mom and asked where their party packs were. This mom has taken a stand and is starting a trend of no party packs. Her reasoning is sound – there are sweeties, cake, food and fun – right. I then went to another party where there were limited amounts of sweets and drinks available during the party but we went home with a party pack that was full of sweeties. The idea – send them home to get a sugar high and no screaming kids at her house. Well played mom, well played.

So the party pack conundrum begins… to party pack or not to party pack… that is the question…