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You are here: Home / Archives for Family / Fathers

Babies, Competitions, Family, Fathers, Lifestyle, Parenting

Castrol New Dad Baby Pack Giveaway

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Castrol Magnatec is a product synonymous with protection and safety, “it is the engine oil that protects 24/7 with its intelligent molecules”.  As Castrol protects your car’s engine, so too do we as parents need to protect the ones we love!

Parenting is an amazing, magical time in your life but with your new arrival comes greater responsibility and often there are changes that need to be made, to keep your bundle of joy safe. From covering wall sockets and the pool, to strapping them in safely in the car. With this in mind Castrol has put together a wonderful “New Dads Baby Pack”, with a new dads guide giving you great tips on all the things you need to know about parenting and safety, as well as plug safety covers and a few other fun items!

One of my goals for 2013 is to have more of a spirit of giving! So you can imagine my delight when I was approached to giveaway 1000 Castrol New Dad Baby Packs but this is not just any regular giveaway, you have the opportunity to nominate a worthy cause to receive the New Dad Baby Pack. It is great to always be on the receiving end but my challenge to you is to start the new year off with a spirit of giving!

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So all you have to do is post your suggestion of a cause(it can be a hospital, a clinic) and help us reach our target of giving away 1000 to people in need! What an awesome way to start the New Year!

Once the giveaway has ended Castrol will pole the suggestions and choose who will receive these New Dad Baby Packs, based on your suggestions.

You Need To:

  • Visit the Castrol Facebook page and leave your suggestion of a worthy cause to donate the New Dad Baby Packs and remember to tag @Supermomblog in when you post your suggestion.
  • Give a shout out to tell others about this giveaway and help reach the target of giving away 1000 New Dad Baby Packs!

 

Competition Details:

  • This Giveaway will run from 14th January 2013, until the 31st January 2013.
  • Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above, along with your details in the comment section below this post (please use a valid email address).
  • By entering this giveaway you agree to all the rules and regulations stipulated on the Super Mom Lifestyle Website.

 

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Children, Family, Fathers, Mothers, Parenting, Parenting Advice

Guilt Free Parenting

 

Much to my surprise the word “guilt” seems to be largely associated with the act of parenting; I have come across a few articles recently about this very association. Strangely enough they actually should have nothing in common but still we keep hearing about how guilty parents feel about : “ not spending enough quality time with their children”, “not participating in school events or functions”, “not giving equal attention to each child”… and so the list goes on.

Firstly let us look at the dictionary definition of the word “guilt” – “an awareness of having done wrong or committed a crime, accompanied by feelings of shame and regret”.  “OMW” 🙁 this does not sound like a healthy mind-set for someone trying to parent children.

The big question is, why are we feeling so much guilt and are we passing the “Guilt Gene” onto our children? I sincerely hope not because the last thing I want is my children growing up, with such a negative outlook.

If I think back to my early days of motherhood, I can remember feeling completely overwhelmed by the responsibility I had for this young life – if you let it, this can turn into feelings of guilt, inadequacy and even depression. We might not realise it but we may harbour feelings of regret or guilt from our own childhood and this can often manifest, in a damaging way in our own parenting.

Just the other day my 8-year-old was questioning why I had not completed filling in her baby journal and yes this is true (*Blush*) but I decided that instead of feeling guilty about it I would suggest that we complete it together! The result – making the experience a positive and bonding one, instead of me feeling wracked with guilt and explaining that I am not perfect . {And honestly have just not had the time.}

So what can we do to stop this pattern from occurring in our lives? I think, essentially we need to say NO to guilt! This brings me back to an article I read many years ago. I cannot tell you who wrote it but the essence is: you need to practice “good enough parenting”. This sounds like such an easy concept but think about it – you actually need to learn how to say “no”. That means not over committing yourself – which can be hard for many of us to do, especially moms. Stop being a people pleaser – ask me, I know I am one; stop trying to be everything to everybody! This includes your children. I need to remind myself, that I do not always have to give in to everything they want and I need to say no sometimes and yes – not feel guilty about it.

Another very important part of not allowing guilt to rule your life is not being afraid to fail because if we let our fear of not being a good parent or making mistakes take over, we can never be who we were truly intended to be as people or parents! So it really comes down to “the good, the bad and the ugly” no holds barred Guilt Free Parenting.

This clearly is something I know I need to work on – so let’s say it together “I will banish the guilt!” Stop trying so hard and being so hard on yourself -stop the blame game – let it go and just be free from it!

A few books on the topic which could be helpful to read:
  • “Guilt-Free Motherhood: Parenting with Godly Wisdom”- by Julianna Slattery
  • “Mommy Guilt: Learn to Worry Less, Focus on What Matters Most, & Raise Happier Kids”- by Julie Bort, Aviva Pflock and Devra Renner MSW
  • “The Balanced Mom: Raising Your Kids Without Losing Yourself”- by Bria Simpson
  • “Motherhood Without Guilt: Being The Best Mother You Can Be and Feeling Great About It”-by Debra Rosenberg

*Please note: This is an update of a previous post.*

 

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Cape Town, Cape Town Lifestyle, Children, Family, FAR Photography, Fathers, Life, Lifestyle

The Latest Addition To Our Home

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The Latest Addition to Our Home

 

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Home Piano

The long-awaited digital piano has eventually arrived much to the delight of all! It is great to have the sound of music filling our home. We will announce concert dates soon! Thank you to all who made this dream a reality!

Photography:©FAR Photography

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Family, FAR Photography, Fathers, Parenting

Fathers Day Tribute

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Having lost my own Father, just over a year ago makes this time of celebration, bitter-sweet. It is in the memories that we are made to reflect on our own experiences and the relationship we have had, with this all important person in our life.

For my girls their Dad is an integral part of everything they do, they always look to him for acceptance and affirmation. He is always there as a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on and a comedian to make them laugh. I do not think that one can under-estimate the influence that their Dad has on their lives. That is why it is so important to always encourage a strong Father – Daughter relationship.

Whether you call him Father or Dad it is all the same, he can mean so many things to different people. Today we reflect on what makes him so wonderful:

 

What Makes A Dad

“God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad”

~ Author Unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we want to say thank you to all these strong and generous Fathers in our lives, some have more than just one. You mean so much to us and words can never do justice to all we want to convey.

 

A FATHER MEANS…

“A Father means so many things…
An understanding heart,
A source of strength and of support
Right from the very start.
A constant readiness to help
In a kind and thoughtful way.
With encouragement and forgiveness
No matter what comes your way.
A special generosity and always affection, too
A Father means so many things
When he’s a man like you…”
~Author Unknown~

A fathers love is eternal and lives on in the hope and dreams of his children. [box] Colossians 3:14 “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”[/box]

 

 

A Message To Our Special Dad:

“To Dad – thank you for loving me and caring for me! All my love Jessi”

“Dear Dad – I hope you have a great Fathers Day and may everyday be as special as today! All my love Alli”

 

 

Happy Fathers Day!

 

 

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Meet Fiona Rossiter

Hi, I am Fiona Rossiter, from Cape Town, the writer and photographer behind Inspired Living SA Blog. If you love good Food and Wine, reading amazing Travel Adventures, keeping Fit and Healthy, as well following Decor Trends – then Inspired Living SA is just the place for you! Read More…

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