The Gold Coast is ripe with opportunities for healthy, outdoor family fun. You’ll be bombarded with suggestions for theme parks and the like but if you’re looking for more creative things to do on the Gold Coast with toddlers, the following suggestions are bound to make for some excellent memories.
Feeding pelicans
The best bet is to head to Harley Park and Ian Dipple Lagoon (Broadwater). Charis Seafood does daily pelican feedings at about 1.30pm every day. The clever birds start massing an hour or so before (they must have watches in their massive beaks). This is an exciting and impressive activity that little kids will enjoy as they take in the wonderous size and amusing antics of these impressive water birds.
Bushwalking with toddlers
This is not an editing error! Bushwalking with a toddler in tow is possible and it can be enjoyable as well, as long as you’re prepared.
Bushwalking provides toddlers and young children with the opportunity to exercise in an entirely natural setting. It promotes an appreciation of the beautiful natural settings that we often take for granted in Australia and it’s an excellent way to spend some quality time together as a family.
The best locations for bushwalking with young children on the Gold Coast are:
Three Sisters Walking Track (1.6 km)
Purling Brook Falls Circuit (4 km)
Cougal Cascades Track (1.5 km)
Minyon Falls (4 km)
Tarrabora Reserve (2.4 km)
Heritage Park Trail (2 km)
Caves Circuit (5 km)
Federation Walk (3.5 km)
Oceanview Walk (4.6 km)
Palm Grove Circuit (2.6 km)
Animal experiences
The big theme parks have the crowd, the prices and the plastic. If that’s exactly what you’re hoping to avoid with your little ones, take heart! There are a number of fantastic family-friendly venues on the Gold Coast that promote sustainability and conservation. They provide families with animal experiences in a natural, respectful way that sets up a lifetime appreciation for the wonderful creatures we share our world with. These can make for excellent days out and really are one of the best things to do with toddlers on the Gold Coast.
Places you can take toddlers to see animals on the Gold Coast:
David Fleay Wildlife Park
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Paradise Country Farm Stay
Cedar Glen Farm Stay
Macadamia Castle
How can nature and creativity enhance your child’s learning? Contact Little Scholars today to find out how.
Dropping off your little angel at an early childhood centre for the first time can be understandably daunting. You leave your child with strangers and wonder if they will get the same amount of care and attention that you give them at home.
As a concerned and nervous parent, you can make it easier on yourself by asking an early learning centre a number of questions before you enrol your child. These questions will ensure you choose childcare that you can trust and that will go over and above to support your child’s development.
Questions to ask an early learning centre
Is the centre secure?
It’s important to know whether or not a centre has adequate security protocols such as methods to sign in and out, authorising who can sign children in and out as well as security systems to enter the centre via pin code.
At Little Scholars, safety is paramount. All centres are secure and can only be accessed using a pin. Only parents and guardians authorised on our Little Scholars App can drop and collect children. All educators pay close attention to children at all times, and all centres are fitted with security entry and exit points.
What is included in my childcare fees?
The childcare fees are just one of the factors that determine how much childcare subsidy you receive so it’s a good idea to ensure you’re getting value for money. Ask whether the childcare centre provides all meals, nappies and other extracurricular activities for the children.
At Little Scholars, childcare fees include three-course meals, snacks and beverages, nappies where required, linen and extra-curricular activities.
At Little Scholars, childcare fees include three-course meals, snacks and beverages, nappies where required, linen and extra-curricular activities.
If food is supplied, who determines the meals and are they healthy?
For little growing bodies, a healthy and varied diet is crucial. Ask to see the weekly menus and question how the menu is developed, i.e. does it follow any guidelines? If your child has an allergy or intolerance, it’s important to ask if these are catered for and if the centre has policies to ensure no cross-contamination of food.
At Little Scholars, we have a six-week rotating menu to offer the children balance and variety. The menu has been created to meet 50 per cent of the children’s dietary requirements, this is recommended by ‘Australian Dietary Guidelines, an Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood’ and the National Quality Framework (NQF). Our menu is also endorsed by Nutrition Australia.
What are your centre’s values?
It wouldn’t make sense to place a child in a centre that didn’t replicate the same values as you share with your family. Ask the centre about the values they aim to embrace and request their values statement.
At Little Scholars, we are dedicated to our philosophy which is to provide a high standard of care and education within an environment that is both trusting and homelike. You can read our philosophy here.
Do you have a stimulating curriculum for the children?
Of course, you want to make sure your child isn’t sitting around doing nothing each day and that they enjoy stimulating activities that have been planned to offer variety and the opportunity to learn and explore.
At Little Scholars, our qualified educators plan experiences that involve both indoor and outdoor play, with the outdoor area designed to be an essential part of each centre. Providing stimulating and challenging experiences is an integral part of our curriculum to help children become effective learners. Play is a massive part of our learning environment which enables children to express their creativity and emotions.
Is the centre licensed and assessed under the National Quality Framework?
Early childhood centres are required to base their programs on an approved learning framework which addresses a child’s developmental needs, interests and experiences while considering individual differences.
At Little Scholars, we aim to exceed the National Quality Framework across all of our centres. Each centre has a quality improvement plan in place to continually achieve this high level. The plan covers areas such as programs and practice, health and safety, physical environment, educator arrangements and relationships with children, families and communities.
What is the educator to child ratio?
It’s vital that educator to child ratios are met so that there is flexibility to respond to the needs of the children. The National Quality Framework (NQF) outlines required educator to child ratios here.
At Little Scholars, we take the NQF very seriously and adhere to the educator to child ratio at all times. Each centre is headed by a Centre Manager with years of experience in early childhood and who will always ensure adequate numbers or skilled educators are caring for your children.
Will my child be supported during the transition from kindergarten to Prep?
The transition from kindergarten to Prep is a huge one emotionally and academically which is why it’s essential that centres have a program in place to support children.
At Little Scholars, we have a curriculum program that is aimed at building confidence and independence. We enjoy specialised activities that help prepare a kindy child for Prep and we work with parents to develop a custom learning program. We also partner with local schools and hold regular excursions so children can become familiar with the ‘big school’ environment.
Is there room for quiet play if children need it?
Early learning centres can be a hive of activity, colour, noise and movement. This can be overwhelming for some children which is why it’s important that a centre has space for quiet play if a child needs it.
At Little Scholars, our centres have been designed with different indoor and outdoor spaces and themes, keeping in mind the diverse interests and needs of each child. These spaces include areas for quiet play that your child can access when they need it.
How much time do children spend outdoors at your centre?
There are so many benefits of outdoor nature play which is why it’s important to ask about it. For children from 1-5 years old, it’s recommended to have three hours of outdoor play spread over a day. In addition to asking about outdoor play being part of the curriculum, ask about the outdoor environment and what opportunities for play are at the centre. Lastly, outdoor play means being sun smart so don’t forget to ask about the centre’s sun protection policies too.
At Little Scholars, the outdoor environment is an essential part of the children’s learning journey; babies, toddlers and kindergarten children all enjoy the outdoor areas at our early childhood centres. Playgrounds at our centres have been specifically designed for the development of coordination, balance and strength. Mud pits, waterways, riverbeds, vegetable gardens, grassy areas and bike tracks are just a few of the inviting opportunities for children at our centre to play outdoors and reap the benefits . We also have a Bush and Beach Kinder program where we take children to the bush or beach to interact with the beautiful surrounds.
Are toys, play areas and equipment safe and not damaged?
Some centres have limited funds for the upkeep of equipment or to purchase new equipment which is why it’s always a good idea to ask and take a look. It’s also a good idea to ask if regular checks are made to ensure the equipment is safe.
At Little Scholars, our centres have the latest and brand new resources, equipment and furniture. It’s our goal to ensure that children are learning and playing with the best. But even though the equipment is new, we run thorough checks daily during set up and pack up.
Will there be structure and routine for my child?
Structure and routine are absolutely essential for young children; they thrive on it. Having structure and routine is also known to reduce the occurrence and severity of toddler tantrums. Ask to see a usual daily routine and whether or not this is maintained each day to avoid too much change.
At Little Scholars, we carefully structure each day to allow time for individual play, play in small groups and large group play. Language and literacy skills are developed during these play times as well as when the children enjoy story time, drama, poems, songs and games. We maintain the same structure and routine as much as possible because we know how much this can impact on eating and sleeping habits.
Are there health and safety procedures for when accidents occur?
Falls, scrapes, scratches, knocks to the head…they all happen when young children are finding their feet, taking risks and getting to know each other, but there still needs to be a process in place to deal with and report these incidents. In particular, if your child has an allergy, ask the centre to show you how the allergy is communicated throughout the centre and the process taken in the case of an allergic reaction, e.g. administering an EpiPen. Also, request to see evacuation procedures in the case of fire and emergency and how regularly these procedures are practised.
At Little Scholars, we have in-depth health and safety procedures for emergency and accident situations. These procedures are reviewed regularly, all educators are trained in these procedures, and emergency evacuation or lockdown drills carried out with educators and children. We are always more than happy to discuss these procedures with parents and guardians.
What extra-curricular activities are available at the centre?
Beyond play, extra-curricular activities are essential for confidence-building and to grow a child’s interests. Ask which activities are offered at the centre and whether or not they are included in the fee.
At Little Scholars, music, yoga, sport, cooking and language lessons are all included in the fee and enable children to engage in activities they may not otherwise have access to. We find these extra activities help children discover a whole lot more about themselves.
Not every early childhood centre is created equal which is why it’s a smart move to arm yourself with these questions when looking to enrol your child. You’ll feel much better about your child starting at a new centre when you’ve asked the really important questions.
Have more questions about the Little Scholars early childhood centres? Give us a call!
Juggling work and family often means that quality time goes down the drain. There is just no room for a lazy weekend with everyone giggling over pancakes when there are chores to do, classes to attend and grocery shopping to spend your hard-earned cash on. In the blink of an eye, the weekend is finished and those dreams you had all week of spending time with family are put off yet again.
Life can seem like one long to-do list with no chance to catch your breath and take stock of what’s most important – each other.
Little Scholars pride themselves on providing the most well-rounded experience your family could hope for. This promise includes a variety of services during the week that will free up your weekends for relaxing with the alarm clocks firmly switched off.
Little Scholars Lets Your Family Have Quality Time
Here’s how Little Scholars will let you make the most of the weekends and have more family time.
Food Preparation
Exhausted after a hard day’s work? Dreading dragging the children around the supermarket when you’d rather be reading them a story at home? Little Scholars provides a take home meal service for parents that will lift that weight off your shoulders. Simply order ahead and the cost of the meal will be added to your fees.
Language Lessons
Little Scholars has worked Japanese lessons into our curriculum, knowing that the acquisition of language at a young age stimulates cognition and makes learning exciting. Having cultural learning activities like this during the week will allow more time for play and relaxation on the weekend.
Health and Fitness
Saturday sports can be a drain for many families. Early starts, driving long distances, playing in miserable conditions. Little Scholars offers health and fitness, yoga and even soccer as part of our weekly curriculum. Your children will be able to participate in those team sports and fitness activities that promote a healthy lifestyle so the enjoyable movement you do with them on the weekends can be just that – enjoyable!
Cooking
Children find huge benefit in the cooking classes on offer at Little Scholars. Having a hands-on relationship with food preparation ignites a creativity in them that will carry their interest through to the quality time you spend with them at home. Fostering an appreciation of health and nutrition means fewer arguments at dinner time and more enjoyable time spent together as a family.
Bush Kinder Program
All of our Little Scholars campuses embrace the beautiful, natural environments they are housed in with a bush kinder program. This can be extended on the weekends as you travel with them on bush walks, adventures in the park and explorations of your own backyard.
Quality Time Borne Of Quality Care
The Little Scholars early learning curriculum allows children to experience the world through creative engagement – movement, play and physical activities. These sessions are conducted by specialist teachers trained in introducing children to a world of fun and learning that will make your precious time with them all the more special.
Searching for more quality time? Find out how Little Scholars can help you make the most of family time. Book a tour today!
Delaying Prep. It seems that as a parent you just cannot win, no matter what decision you make. Once your child reaches school age, it seems that everyone becomes an expert in primary education and it can make you question your own decisions.
Our decision to delay Prep for our son was an emotional one and so we decided to block out all the well-meaning advice from friends and family and instead, consider just two things – our gut instinct and the research.
When deciding to delay Prep, follow your gut instinct
We know our son better than anyone, we see him more than anyone and we know better than anyone if there’s a concern that may pose a problem. Not only is he on the young end of the spectrum, we know for a fact that he’s not mentally mature enough to deal with the challenges and structure of Prep. He’s also a little behind in his literacy and would find it challenging to keep up in class. These things alone trigger our gut instincts that delaying Prep is the right thing.
Early Childhood Teachers Association president Kim Walters told The Courier Mail that some children are just not ready for school because of the overload of content and the crowded curriculum. This is our son – he would be left feeling extremely overwhelmed. Ms Walters also said something that gave us some relief in our decision, “If the children are not ready, the best gift parents can give them is an extra year to be ready … it’s about their social and physical development.” This was reassuring.
We considered the Scandinavian way
We were amazed to read that Finnish children don’t start school until they’re seven. The decision to delay formal education is based on the belief that children are not yet ready, and instead, the focus is on creative play and staying active. There is no reading, writing or maths until they are seven either. And what shocked us the most were the tests that revealedFinnish students produced some of the world’s highest scores in maths, science and reading. This was definitely food for thought and evidence we were making the right decision.
The psychologist’s view on delaying Prep
Psychologist and education academic Dr Amanda Mergler outlined some points that we considered when making the decision to delay Prep:
How well does your child pay attention?
How does your child interact with other children?
Does your child enjoy structured activities?
Can your child follow simple and clear instructions?
Can your child communicate effectively with others?
Can your child use the toilet independently or ask for help?
It was obvious after answering these questions that our son would find Prep hard. Dr Mergler also suggested speaking with the school you intend to send your child to and discuss what they expect from your child regarding their behaviour in Prep
Not surprisingly, Dr Mergler also suggested that a parent’s gut instinct is often the best indicator of whether to delay a child or not. The expert opinions of a psychologist and an academic really allowed us to put any concerns to rest knowing we’d made the right decision.
Delaying Prep wasn’t the easiest decision we’ve ever made. We researched the issue thoroughly and though some of the information was conflicting, it really came down to us knowing our child the best. And though children are certainly very resilient, we knew that we did not want our son’s introduction to formal education to be something he would learn to ‘cope’ with. Instead, we decided to wait so that when he was truly ready for Prep, he could fly.
How Much Does Childcare Cost? Childcare Subsidy – CCS Explained
How much does childcare cost? The Child Care Subsidy (aka CCS) is proving difficult for time poor parents to calculate. We’ve prepared this useful guide to figuring out how much childcare costs using the CCS calculator to help make it simpler for busy mums and dads. Once you understand how much your childcare will cost, we’ll help you figure out if you’re getting good value for money.Just like you would with your insurance or electricity, it pays to work out just how much you’re paying for childcare and what you’re getting for it. Here’s our guide to the CCS and how it’s calculated so you can understand the rate you pay. How much does childcare cost? That’s determined by the government. What you get for your money? That’s up to you.
What is the Childcare Subsidy?
The Australian Childcare Subsidy commenced July 2, 2018 to replace the Child Care Rebate and the Child Care Benefit. The CCS is a more streamlined rebate system which is calculated by a number of factors and paid directly to the childcare provider of your choice.
How does the CCS work?
The amount that is paid directly to your childcare service provider is calculated by considering the following:1. Your activity level (Paid work, self-employment, unpaid work in a family business, training, education, volunteering, looking for work and travel to and from work.)2. Your combined family income3. The type of childcare service and their hourly rates.When calculating how much CCS you are entitled to, the result is based on the guardian/parent who has the lowest activity rate. It is important to note that both parents have to work to satisfy the activity test for CCS. If one parent does not work, they are ineligible for the subsidy. The CCS has been designed to encourage contributions to the economy.
The CCS Activity Test
The activity test is the crux of determining whether or not you are eligible to receive the child care subsidy, how many hours of care are covered and the percentage of CCS you receive off your childcare fees. Click here to check your CCS subsidy status.
1. Activity
If you work up to 8 hours a fortnight (or your family earns less than $66,958) You are eligible for max. 24 hours subsidy per fortnight
If you work 8 to 16 hours a fortnight You are eligible for max. 36 hours subsidy per fortnightIf you work 16 to 48 hours a fortnight You are eligible for max. 72 hours subsidy per fortnightIf you work more than 48 hours a fortnight You are eligible for max. 100 hours subsidy per fortnight
How much does childcare cost for 1 Child on a Single Parent Income
1 child in centre-based childcare services 10 days (120 hours) per fortnightSingle Parent 80 hours/fortnight
Annual income $70,000
CCS Rate calculated at 83.99% based on single income
Centre hourly rate $8.33* ($100 day fee divided by 12 hour session length)120 hours x $8.33 = $999.60 childcare fees per fortnight
Maximum of subsidised care is 100 hours
100 hours x $8.33 = $833
83.99% x $833.60 = $700 Childcare Subsidy
5% Withholding = $35
$665 paid to childcare provider
$334.60/ fortnight out of pocket
How to keep the childcare costs down
The reality is that the child care subsidy works for some families and not others. It’s not a scheme that will change any time soon and so the best thing to do for your family budget is your homework. When researching different childcare centres, look at the actual cost of the centre. For the hourly rate you pay, what is included? At Little Scholars, our fee is not only competitive, it includes five chef prepared, nutritious meals each day. If you’re currently having to pack meals for your child, work out just how much you could save if you sent your child to a centre with supplied meals (not to mention nappies!) The same goes for extracurricular activities. Perhaps you currently pay extra for your child to attend activities like yoga lessons or soccer. Now, work out how much you could save by sending your child to a childcare centre like Little Scholars where extracurricular activities like this are included in the fee.
The Child Care Subsidy has forced many families to ask the question, ‘How much does childcare cost?’ It certainly pays to sit down and do the maths and work out if you’re currently getting the best deal because choosing a childcare centre with all the bells and whistles is often the better choice.
Make the CCS work for your family. Contact Little Scholars today to find out how we can offer the best value in childcare.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is current as at June 2018 and may change. The case studies in this article are examples only. To determine your eligibility and entitlements, please refer to the Centrelink Estimator.
*This hourly rate is an example only.
Find Out Exactly How Much Your Little Scholars Childcare Will Cost
Talk to one of our experienced centre managers now. We can help you work exactly what your Little Scholars childcare will cost and how we can help you get the most from your child’s early education.
This is a contribution from Kerry, one of our mums. She’s recently undergone some terrible bullying in an online ‘mummy group” around her choice to go back to work after having her babies. We hear a lot of stories about discrimination against working mothers, so we thought it important to share her story.
I’m a working mother… actually that’s not entirely true, I’m a mother and I have a career. I value my career. I am passionate about it. I am good at it. I’ll take whatever labels you want to stick on me. You should know that I stick those mental labels on you too, dear Sanctimummy. Rant away in Facebook groups and share your carefully staged Insta pics with passive aggressive hashtags. I am OK with how you raise your babies. It’s your choice. Just like my career is mine.
While we’re talking labels, I am somewhat of a tiger mum too – at least, how I like to define it. I like my kids to be passionate about their interests. I want them to have access to all kinds of cultural, sporting and academic pursuits. And I want them to apply themselves and achieve their goals in the areas that interest them. For this, I am the most vilified mum on social media.
Stop assuming you know why I went back to work
“He mustn’t earn enough.”“She must have had post-natal depression.” “She’s a feminist.”
Actually, we’re fine mentally and financially and even if we weren’t, how we deal with that is our business. I will proudly wear the badge of feminism and I thank you very much to not use it as a derogatory term. Feminism is about equality between the genders. If you wouldn’t make the same assumption or judgement about my husband, don’t make it about me. It is about choices for all women. I made a choice to go back to work. You made a choice to stay at home. You have that choice because of feminism. You can choose what to do next. You have access to work, to education, to equality in the eyes of the law. It might not be perfect just yet, but you benefit from the struggles of our mothers, just as I do.
But think of the children!
I do. In fact, everything I do is for my children – I love those two little humans so much it hurts. Their needs, the human beings that they are and the humans they will become all shape my choices every day. Including my choice to go back to work. My choice to constantly feel exhausted and stressed and spread too thin. They’re the reasons I push myself so hard.
So I rise in the wee hours, do some work and then get two children up, dressed and off to childcare. Like everything I do, I scrutinised the childcare system and centres until I found one that would enrich my children, extend my children, stimulate their minds and develop their creative sides. In short, my childcare choice is an extension of my parenting choices and I feel no guilt about placing my kids in their capable hands. It’s not a sacrifice. My kids need more than “just me” to draw out their potential. It’s not about me. It’s about them. It’s about them interacting with other kids. It’s about them being excited to learn new things. It’s about their pride when they show me what they made at childcare today. I will not pretend to be crafty. I will not pretend to be an amazing cook. I don’t speak a foreign language to teach them. I don’t pretend to be as good at child enrichment as a qualified, dedicated early educator. That is their career. It’s their passion. It’s what is best for my children.
That’s not to say we don’t enjoy quality time. In fact, we adore reading together and we do it every day. We love getting out into the bush and trekking to beautiful places. We love bike rides. Most of all, we love to talk. We talk about everything, and nothing. Every day. Stop assuming I ignore my kids just because I work.
How I claw back some time makes all the difference
What I don’t do is clean my house. I don’t cook gourmet meals. I don’t iron. Not even once. My whole life I will never iron a shirt. My time is valuable and so I choose to spend it with my kids. Everything else can be done by a helpful lady (her name is Cath, she’s a working mum with her own business, for the record) or a good quality meal delivery service (and my childcare centre does this, and also provides me with my best friend – morning coffee. Sorry Alli, I know we’ve been besties since high school but you’re still not as close to my heart as coffee).
I choose my career, for my son
No, it’s not so I can keep him knee-deep in Playstation Games. Stop making assumptions about my motivations, please. I am raising a man. I wish for him to be strong, independent, confident, respectful to women, to see women as his equal and if he chooses to marry a woman, then to partner with a woman who he respects and who respects him back. If he chooses to have children, I want him to raise strong women and strong men. Equally. By excelling in my career while nurturing his mind and emotional wellbeing, I am demonstrating that I am just as capable as his father. I am empowered. I am both independent and a dedicated part of our little family.
I choose my career, for my daughter
I am raising a strong, independent and confident woman who instinctually knows that she’s equal to the boys and men around her. She gives and demands respect. She’s not fearful. She’ll never be forced into poor choices through lack of means, education or confidence. If she chooses to have children, I want her to know that she can make any choice she wishes when it comes to parenting. She can choose to stay at home with them, she can choose to further her career – my daughter will understand choice and know how to choose well. She’ll likely never learn how to iron a shirt, but I’m OK with that too.
If you’re a working mother, or thinking about returning to work, Little Scholars provides the facilities to make your life easier
Want a more supportive childcare centre?
We understand the stress and the mental load of career women. We provide a range of services to help make your life easier. It’s not just childcare, it’s parent care too.
As a freshly-minted lawyer, the 13-hour days didn’t matter that much. I was footloose and fancy-free, oblivious to the challenges having a career and a family would present down the road. Fast forward to 40 and I’m the working parent of two young children. Life has become a relentless juggling exercise as I try to emulate Lady Justice with her scales and sword. I’m always looking for that elusive lawyer work-life balance: that sweet spot where my kids are happy, the mother guilt is dialled down to a dull roar and I’m still able to meet the most critical work deadlines.
Lawyer stress is a real thing
I know all too well what lawyer stress looks like. It looks like 9:30am and a line out the door of the court building and halfway down the street. A post-it note covered bundle of files apologetically dumped on my assistant’s desk. It’s me standing up my office day to rush down to court for an urgent matter. Staying back late to finish the brief to counsel. The crumpled school notices in the bottom of the bag noticed too late. The crazy hair day I failed with a standard, run-of-the-mill plait. It’s being up half the night dealing with vomit or worms or a night terror and still being sharp enough the next day to ask the right questions in cross examination so I don’t blow my client’s only shot at bail. Lawyer stress looks heart-breakingly familiar to me. So familiar, in fact, that it’s hard to tell where I stop and it begins, but I suspect it’s lurking like a moray eel near my guts, tearing at my digestive system.
I can tell you what lawyer stress sounds like. It’s the non-stop ringing of my iPhone. The squawk of my surname over the PA as I’m paged, pinball machine-style, from one end of the court building to the other. It’s the theme song of my current existence, the worn-out soundtrack of ‘sorry I can’t make it, something urgent’s come up.’ It also sounds like my babies crying at drop off because they’re the first ones there, again. It sounds like their voices over face time, saying goodnight because this brief is due tomorrow.
I can even tell you what lawyer stress smells like. It smells like a packaged meal being microwaved at 7.30 pm at the office. It smells like overcooked, soggy broccoli because my lawyer stress causes his cooking stress. It’s my kids’ freshly washed hair fanned out over their pillows as I creep in late from work to kiss their sleeping faces goodnight.
Most of all, I can tell you what lawyer stress feels like. It’s being spread too thin. It’s being torn between being present for my kids and the crushing responsibility that comes with holding a practicing certificate and with it, the dangling Damocles sword of professional negligence. It’s a hot coal sitting in my guts, burning me out. It feels like throwing in the towel. It’s googling dog washing franchises. Crunching the numbers to see whether I can afford to go back to uni to study something else, anything else. It’s the sadness of contemplating an exit of my profession after years of study and sacrifice. Most of all, it feels like the heavy shackles of guilt pulling me under when I’m the crappy parent not at the Mother’s Day breakfast.
It’s not just OK to say no, it’s vital for your sanity
But it doesn’t have to be that way. As much as I don’t care to admit it, it is actually up to me. I’m not going to drop the ball but I am going to start playing the game differently. I’m going to start calling on the village for help. Hiring that cleaner. Learning to say the word “no” at work without tacking on an apology at the end of it. I’m going to check my entitlements and start taking advantage of any family-friendly policies on offer. I’m not going to be doing what I’ve always done; trying to be everything to everyone. But at the very least, I’ll be as much as I can to the people who matter most to me. There’ll be times when the stars don’t align and circumstances dictate that I can’t be there for my kids. When that happens, I’m going to make darn sure I find the next best thing for them and keep striving to be the best working Mum I can possibly be.
Little Scholars brings that elusive lawyer work-life balance within your grasp, without the courtroom drama. Learn more about our unique childcare program and how it’s helping busy families like yours.
Let us ease your mental load.
Your Little Scholars centre provides the little things that make your busy life simpler. Easy drop off, breakfast on the run, tasty take home meals and all those services that lighten the mental load. We’ll even organise your child’s next haircut… because no parent ever enjoyed visiting the hairdresser with a toddler!
We get it. Let us give you a hand.
Useful Tips
Separation anxiety is normal in the early weeks, so don’t worry if your child seems upset at first. While there’s no magic formula to make separation anxiety miraculously disappear, there are a few tips that can certainly help:
Take your child to visit their new centre for orientation and to meet the educators before their first day.
Talk to your child about what will happen at the centre and reassure them that you’ll be coming back.
Work together with your child’s teachers and educators – they have plenty of good ideas and reassuring advice.
Try to keep goodbyes short. It’s important to be strong, leave when you need to go and don’t linger at drop-off time.
Be calm, respond to your child’s distress and comfort them, but remain firm about leaving.
Spend extra time with them to reconnect when you come back and ask them about their day. Ask your educator for some useful questions that can help encourage your child to open up about their day’s experience.
Why you feel upset during a toddler tantrum (and what to do about it).
Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!
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Come and see the Little Scholars difference
Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!
"*" indicates required fields
Pram Pals
Fill in the form to join your local Pram Pals mums and bubs walk