When to expand a family

We love having children and would welcome more babies in the future. But when is the best time to move from the nuclear family. When you are still within coowee of babyhood? Or is it better to have school aged children? Secondary? Or primary?
I caught myself watching the dynamics of a 10 year old girl with her new born sister the other day. I enjoyed seeing the sisterhood and connection between mother and daughter. It would be nice to have the contrasting parenting responsibilities older child and new born needs so different. What I imagine a great aspect is the mothers ability to share motherhood with a daughter who will hopefully find motherhood easier for herself when the time comes.
Families are wonderful in all shapes and forms, I live my family the way we are at the moment and look forward to our future as an expanded or nuclear family.

Christmas 2008

We spent almost 24 hours celebrating Christmas. Starting at the 5:30 church service on Christmas eve in Nerrium East and ending with a skype call to Poland at 5:30 on Christmas day. Felix was particularly excited and overwelmed by it all. Matilda was generally more interested in eating chocolate than unwrapping gifts. Some highlights included: Felix and cousin Sabina running outside to see Santa disapearing towards the setting sun, Matilda meeting a life sized Chloe (doll) from great-grandmother Winty with such gentleness and affection, Felix wanting to show everyone his remote controlled car from Chris. Felix managed to keep all his gifts to other people a surprise and seemed to enjoy giving as much as receiving. Merry Christmas.

Tantrums

We are living with a sprited two year old and the ups and downs can be really tiring at times. Matilda is asserting her independance which is what we want for her but in doing so she is becoming frustrated and hence tantruming. The "experts" in a range of mainstream parenting books prescribe ignoring not letting the child manipulate you. Can i ask why would anyone make themselves feel this way I know Matilda is note doing these tantrums to prove a point but rather she has not got the emotional maturity to contain and express herself. Come to think of it I know several adults who have this issue too. The least i can do is just let Matilda know I love her mo matter what her behaviour and by empowering her and building her self asteam she will hopefully be able to grow through this phase.

Parenting

Being a parent is like walking through a maze without a map or a lookout. Each stage and age brings another in a series of challenges and development for me as a parent. Felix is proudly 4 and becoming extremely self aware. A sence of independance but still a need for dependance is upon us. As a mother I too feel I need to have children as much as they need me. While I might think I know what is best for a four year old I am remindered that Felix really is the best person to decide which path to take. I feel at times that we are alone in our parenting philosophy unlike anyone in our family or close friends yet we feel so at ease so it must be ok. I meet more like minded parents who don't control but work with their children and this empowers and liberates me.

The pigs

We travelled to our beloved Collingwood Children's Farm to our delight the paddocks are filled with kids (baby goats). Felix feeds them confidently as Tilda watches on a little unsure. We visit the pig pen to be greeted by a large pig rooting around in the mud. We offer a apple core which is greedly munch and swallowed. Sitting under a large tree we enjoy our popcorn, homemade yogurt and rice cakes as well as the company of a goose, a cat and a chook. We finish the morning sitting for 30 minutes cuddling Guine pigs.

Bus to get fish

I am sitting at the bus stop it is hot we are on our way to get fish for dinner the kids are have a great time running around on the grass