The Top 7 of 2018

I can’t believe that January is almost over already. 2019 is flying by. The girls are all loving school and doing so well.

Sarah from Whimsical Mumblings tagged me in the Top 7 of 2018 post. Thanks Sarah, I think this is such a fun concept. Before the year completely gets away with me, let me take this opportunity to reflect on what a crazy year 2018 was for us.

My 7 Favourite Posts from 2018

In no particular order, here are my 7 favourite posts from 2018.

Are We Afraid To Let Our Kids Be Bored

The post was really special for me. A good friend of mine who regularly reads my blog, took the time to come round to my house and discuss the idea of the post with me. In this tech driven world, is it really necessary to occupy every minute of our children’s day. Can’t they just look at the window when travelling? Or even find some colouring in or lego game to do, without being instructed to do it?

I Let Her Down, and I Didn’t Even Know

This post is one that I will alway feel emotional about. I keep the difficult parenting lesson I learnt from this experience always in my mind. Sometimes we need to force ourselves to slow down and take the time to try to understand why they are doing what they’re doing. The line between independence and taking responsibility is a very fine one and if we’re not careful, we will miss it.

We’re Moving To The UK

Obviously this was my announcement post about our very difficult, but also easy decision to leave South Africa and move back to the UK. Older, wiser and parents. It was a bittersweet moment for me but an important step. It helped me to focus on our new future.

Social Media and Our Kids

I attended a talk by Emma Sadlier, one of the leading legal experts in South Africa when it comes to social media, the laws, and how it affects our children. The talk was focused more on teenagers and in helping their parents navigate these very muddy waters. I wrote this post from the perspective of a mom of two little girls.

Kids Profile Test With Tall Trees Training

My eldest daughter is a very complex person. I was offered the opportunity to do a Kids Profile Test on her, and then to write a review of the process. Wow! That’s all I can say.

Fortunately, this is something that is available online wherever in the world you are so if it’s something you’re interested in, please do take a look at it. Tall Trees Training is an amazing organisation.

The Kindness Of Strangers

We love to travel as a family. However, some of my travelling has been done with the girls, solo-parenting. It’s not an easy thing to do. This post was written to recognise the kind strangers who make solo-mom travel that much easier.

Turn Off The Noise

Okay this one was written as a bit of a rant in support of one of my dearest friends. It was a post for her and everyone else who needs to be reminded that sometimes we have to turn off the noise, to drown out the chirp and chatter that distracts us from our goals.

7 Things I Loved About 2018

This feels a bit trickier to write up because 2018 was such a long year. I know that sounds weird, but so much happened in our life with immigrating to the UK and starting a new life here that I feel like it was almost two years in one. But let me try:

• I am grateful that we had the opportunity to completely change our lives and follow the path that we believe is the right one for our family. So many people don’t have that luxury.
• I am continually amazed by the resilience of my daughters and how well they have adjusted and adapted to their new school life in the UK. They make me proud every day.
• 2018 was the year I cemented new friendships with extraordinary women who I will call ‘my friends’ for the rest of my life, no matter where we are, or how far away we may live from each other. Sonica, Maris, Chanene, Jacqui, Charlene, LeAndre’ and Nandrie. You are very special ladies to me.
• My Blog. I learnt so much in 2018 when it comes to blogging. One thing I think a lot of people don’t realise is that being a blogger means you basically have to accomplish everything you do, on your own. You can’t go to school to learn all the different elements of blogging. You have to teach yourself. I had a great blogging year, I can’t wait to see how 2019 pans out.
• I got to go home, home to my parents. Home to where I grew up and the place where my children were born. Zimbabwe. The place that is now suffering at the hands of their violent regime who are literally killing and raping anyone who dares to voice their dissatisfaction with the ruling government. Cry my beloved country. My heart is breaking.
• We got to start exploring our new home county of Yorkshire. Yorkshire is such a beautiful corner of the UK. There is so much to do, and see, and experience. I don’t think I will ever get tired of it.
• My step-daughter came to live with us on our return to the UK. She’s thriving in our care, and my husband finally has all his girls under his roof. His family is complete and this gives him peace.

7 Thing To Look Forward To In 2019

Wow, this is actually quite hard. Let’s see …

1. My children are growing up. At 5 and 7, I am not ashamed to admit that I prefer this stage of their lives far more than the toddlers and tantrums stage. Although sometimes we still experience a few tantrums, but I am getting better, I promise.
2. Our new family minibus will be arriving in the next month or so, and this will give us the ability to do a lot more long distance road trips as we continue to explore this beautiful island, and you never know, we might end up touring Europe too.
3. Family adventures with my crazy brood. We love to travel.
4. My mom is coming to visit in June! I am super excited about that.
5. My freelance business, Blue Media Edit is growing. I have some work to do on this, but it’s definitely a focus for me in 2019.
6. Dates with my husband. I’m not going to lie, having a 15 year old step-daughter / live-in babysitter does have it’s perks. It gives us an element of freedom to go out as a couple that we haven’t had for many years.
7. Blogging more about travel. This is definitely my passion and I’m excited to see where it can take me. No pun intended.

Here are my nominations for the Top 7 of 2018!

Thanks for reading this. I am now supposed to nominate 7 other bloggers to do the Top 7 of 2018 challenge, but as it’s basically the end of January, I will totally understand if none of you decide to do it.

Mom Just Saying

Tonic & Tiaras

The Mum Conundrum

Tales From Mamaville

Twins Tantrums and Cold Coffee

High Heels & Fairy Tales

One Messy Mama

… and one more for luck and because she is super awesome – Spirited Mama!