Motherhood

Jan 18, 2022 07:42pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Post-partum, Partners, Parenting & Motherhood

2 min read

Start Early: Why Waiting To Be The "Fun One" Falls Flat

If you’re tempted to leave the baby duties to your partner and come back for the “fun part” when they’re old enough to play, I have news for you! Unfortunately... it just doesn’t work that way.

Yes, baby care is hard, because all the skills are new and baby communication is a new language.

Think of it this way. You wouldn’t head off to a new country without doing any language training and expect to cruise through. You’d likely do some reading up, and spend a few weeks on a language app so you co…

Jan 18, 2022 07:42pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Post-partum, Partners, Parenting & Motherhood

2 min read

Jan 12, 2022 06:29pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Motherhood, Birth, Parenting, Breastfeeding, Sleep, Post-partum & feminism

2 min read

Mothers And Birth Parents Are Not Doormats. It's Time We Stopped Trampling Them.

“I’ll schedule your induction for Wednesday”

“I’ll check your cervix now”

“This will make the placenta come faster”

“They’re latching fine, you’ll get used to it”

“It’s policy to place them back in the crib”

“Just let them cry, they’ll soothe themselves”

“Tongue ties aren’t real”

“Start topping up with formula after each feed”

“It’s normal to feel low/anxious/exhausted”

“You should be grateful you had any leave at all”

“Mayb…

Jan 12, 2022 06:29pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Motherhood, Birth, Parenting, Breastfeeding, Sleep, Post-partum & feminism

2 min read

Jan 12, 2022 05:11pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Motherhood

3 min read

Losing The Plot? Unfortunately, It's On Us.

In the process of eating this bowl of pasta, I was interrupted to read to a toddler on the potty and wipe them.

I took the potty outside to rinse it and shut the barking dog up, because even though there was a full bucket of water right next to it, they wanted to drink from the empty one.

On my way past the laundry I put the wet washing into the basket and carried it to the back step.

Feeling very organised I re-entered am eerily quiet lounge room to find green crayon be…

Jan 12, 2022 05:11pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Motherhood

3 min read

Jan 12, 2022 05:08pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Motherhood

2 min read

Running Yourself Ragged? Why We Matyr Ourselves Even When We'd Rather Not

What would you say if I told you that mothers benefit from matyring themselves?

I know it sounds cracked.

Mothers, birth parents and parents socialised as women are absolutely conditioned to give, give, give until there is nothing left - to martyr themselves “for the good of others”.

This isn’t about the excessive load mothers (especially single or solo mothers) must carry in order for their family to be ok, I’m opening a discussion about the reasons behind us “going above and beyond”.

Humans (at le…

Jan 12, 2022 05:08pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Motherhood

2 min read

Jan 12, 2022 05:08pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Motherhood, Covid, lockdown, Pandemic, parenthood, isolation & village

2 min read

Pandemic Motherhood Getting You Down? It's Not Just You.

“Dad worked such long hours... how did you do it alone for so long?”

Mum tilted her head and thought a while.

“We had an excursion each day. We did the groceries or met someone at a park, went to playgroup and swimming. And we had excellent neighbours.”

I thought of the weeks and months we’ve spent staying home. The parks we visit early before the crowds. Play dates postponed for the slightest of sniffles. The groceries done by click and collect because babies don’t wear m…

Jan 12, 2022 05:08pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Motherhood, Covid, lockdown, Pandemic, parenthood, isolation & village

2 min read

Dec 16, 2021 04:56pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Parenting & Motherhood

3 min read

If you're buying me a Christmas present...

“What’s on your bedside table?” the interviewer asked me.

I wracked my brains and eventually remembered.

On my table was a book by an author I loved. Despite my good intentions, it had sat unmoved, dust-covered and guilt-inducing for many months.

“Read me,” it had whispered every night. Eventually, when many nights had passed lying beside but not touching, it had fallen silent like a jilted lover and become part of the furniture.

I am in the season of motherhood whe…

Dec 16, 2021 04:56pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Parenting & Motherhood

3 min read

Dec 16, 2021 04:52pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Sleep, Parenting, Motherhood & gentle parenting

2 min read

I tried so hard to get my child to take a comforter

I tried so hard to get my child to take a comforter. It was a square piece of fleece blue fabric with white stars and a satin yellow underside, with a toy head sewn to the centre that may have been a giraffe or perhaps a spotted horse or maybe even a cow depending on who was looking at it.

I wore it inside my shirt, held it between us as we breastfed, all the things you’re told to do to make a “lovey” loved by association.

I took it on holidays and lamented that I was the one des…

Dec 16, 2021 04:52pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Sleep, Parenting, Motherhood & gentle parenting

2 min read

Dec 9, 2021 02:30pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Parenting, Motherhood, Children & gentle parenting

2 min read

Parents, when you don't know what to say, try this.

Sometimes parents ask me “What do I say when my child does xyz?” They don’t want to yell but don’t know what to say instead and get stuck in old patterns.

To those people I say “How can you know what to say before you’ve listened?”

Every behaviour is an attempt at communication and connection, however misguided or seemingly irrational.

Turn your feet and body towards them. Soften your stomach. Uncross your arms. Crouch down to their eye level, maybe sit on the floor with t…

Dec 9, 2021 02:30pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Parenting, Motherhood, Children & gentle parenting

2 min read

Dec 1, 2021 03:46pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Parenting, Motherhood & feminism

5 min read

I 100 per cent get how tired you are right now

“Oh, the sleep deprivation. I 100 per cent get how tired you are right now.”

So says the bearded tradie I’ve never met before, who is currently in my kitchen attempting to fix our under-sink plumbing.

It’s just after 8am and I am on the couch nearby in my pyjamas, bleary-eyed, feeding my squirming toddler.

We’ve been up together since 4am, except for the not-sure-if-it-was-worth-it nap I wrangled between 7.15am when hubby got up to get ready for work and 8am when…

Dec 1, 2021 03:46pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Parenting, Motherhood & feminism

5 min read

Dec 1, 2021 03:38pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Parenting, Motherhood & gentle parenting

1 min read

Seven Minute Bluey Parenting Challenge

Every episode of Bluey is seven minutes.

When you think cartoon dogs are doing better at parenting than you, remember you are only seeing them parenting for seven minutes across a day.

Sometimes being “fun” is the last thing we want to do, but we can totally do seven minutes.

Set a timer to be totally child-led and phone-free for seven minutes.

Maybe 14 if 7 was too easy, or 21 if you’re feeling brave.

When you know there’s an end point, it’s easier than you’d think.

Give it a go - Chilli and Bandit g…

Dec 1, 2021 03:38pm

By Anna Cusack

Under Parenting, Motherhood & gentle parenting

1 min read

Blog

Motherhood

Start Early: Why Waiting To Be The "Fun One" Falls Flat

Mothers And Birth Parents Are Not Doormats. It's Time We Stopped Trampling Them.

Losing The Plot? Unfortunately, It's On Us.

Running Yourself Ragged? Why We Matyr Ourselves Even When We'd Rather Not

Pandemic Motherhood Getting You Down? It's Not Just You.

If you're buying me a Christmas present...

I tried so hard to get my child to take a comforter

Parents, when you don't know what to say, try this.

I 100 per cent get how tired you are right now

Seven Minute Bluey Parenting Challenge

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