Top 10 Midlife Parenting blogs in 2018

Awarded Top 10 Midlife Parenting Blog

MomAgain@40 has been named as one of the Top 10 Midlife Parenting Blogs by Feedspot. That is such a honour. Thanks you so much!

What makes it more special is that the ranking is based on search and social metrics:

Blogs that are actively working to educate, inspire, and empower their readers with frequent updates and high-quality information.

These blogs are ranked based on following criteria

    Google reputation and Google search ranking
    Influence and popularity on Facebook, twitter and other social media sites
    Quality and consistency of posts.
    Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review

Is Midlife Parenting still a thing? You tend to forget when you are in the midst of parenting. Because parenting at any age is still parenting. But yes, some of our peers are in different life stages than we are, and some are even taking the plunge as we are making ready for a next life phase. Midlife parenting comes with it's own set of challenges.

Here we have just had the wedding of our eldest daughter, and this afternoon I have to run around for the youngest. The school choir have to be at a different school at 15:45. Don't the teachers think of the working parents? Rant over. It was a choice to be a midlife parent. So here we go... We are doing this! :-)

Check out all the cool Midlife Parenting blogs, such as:
- Motherhood Later / Midlife Parenting
- Over 40 and Mum to One
- MidlifeMamma

Thanks so much for the award. 

Jozi Meetup at Cafe Zing - Score!

It is always a "score" to attend a bloggers' meetup. And I am not only talking about the goody bags. Thanks to Laura and Heather for organizing this via SA Mom Blogs!

It is always great to meet other bloggers and to reconnect with the bloggers we read on a regular basis. We are more than virtual friends, and some people I have know from the beginning of my own blog.

Roxy Hutton (CGS Creative) gave us lots to think about blog branding and Salome Nourse (Yellow Lab) had great tips about photographing. I learnt a great deal!

Here are my shares on social media this weekend.

Cool product @EntertainerZA #jozimeetup pic.twitter.com/rGmSmTgvXT

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) August 6, 2016

.@roxyhutton about how to make your blog more beautiful #jozimeetup pic.twitter.com/mTAtxb6fcn

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) August 6, 2016

Products from @Dischem #jozimeetup @autograph_pr @cafezingsa TX! #bloggers https://t.co/lizNwNAKRb pic.twitter.com/8MsoczdOEF

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) August 6, 2016

Salome @yellowlab_studio about how to take better photographs #jozimeetup #bloggers https://t.co/ZW7pjdkXUJ pic.twitter.com/gaqxpUQIs7

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) August 6, 2016

Thanks so much @heatherss3 @harassedmom for #jozimeetup today! @safricanmomblogs https://t.co/sqwSHHdShE pic.twitter.com/4FkhIdGfAe

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) August 6, 2016

All the spoils #jozimeetup #swag #goodiebag TX!!! @safricanmomblogs

A photo posted by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on Aug 6, 2016 at 6:54am PDT

2016 - a few notes on the start of the year!

This is the week that everything goes back to reality!
I have been back at work since last week, so it does not feel as alien, and I don't have the millions of emails to sort through!

Little Miss asked me this morning if school is going to start tomorrow. She was very relieved to hear that she has two whole days left of holidays!

Little Miss in 2016

- She is not as excited about Grade 2 as she was about Grade 1.
- She is also worried about bullies in her class this year. I told her that we would sort them as soon as they start with bullying. We have already asked that she not be placed in the same class as two kids who made her life miserable the previous years. (I hope so, but I trust the school will honour our request!)
- We bought a new school case, but I recycled most of her stationary from the previous years. She was upset at first, because it's "old"! Luckily the complaints stopped when we put everything in a new stationary box for school. You can't see the difference, and we saved a lot of money!
- She is getting big and I love all the conversations we are starting to have. Real existential questions and remarks. I was in awe last night about the depth of her understanding about spirituality!
- I will try to write it down and share it here! (If she allows me!)


MomAgain@40

- This little blog has only a year left before the 40 won't ring true anymore! (Heavens!!)
- Little Miss is also getting bigger, and I am starting to censor more about what is being put here!
- I have a year to decide what I am going to do with this blog, but I think I will re-purpose or start a new blog with a new theme! I still love blogging, the community of bloggers and what I have learnt while blogging!
(There is sooo much I have gained from my experience here!)


Me, Myself and I

Yes

- My word and my motto for this year is Yes! I already had the opportunity to say yes without thinking twice this year because of this!
- I have never regretted saying yes to new opportunities, and this year is going to be better and bolder!
- I still need to work on a Vision Board for 2016. It really works! (Does any one knows about a good Vision Board app? Off to search...)
- On the second of January of this year I became a vegetarian. I have always said that the moment I have to kill for my own food, is the moment I would stop to eat living things! I have been a hypocrite for most of my life! I am taking it day by day, but it is not as difficult to make other choices!
I still eat eggs and dairy which makes me a ovo-lacto vegetarian! (Little Miss tells me that I should stop eating eggs as well! For now I am feeling proud of myself for getting 10 days into the new year without eating any meat!) My family supports me, but it is difficult as we love to braai (barbeque)! My go-to food now for a braai is a mushroom! (Sorry Hubby!!)


The Student

- I feel unsettled about The Student as this is her year to start with a new job and finish the final studies.
- Everything is uncertain, and we don't know yet what is going to happen...


The Hubby

- I am extremely grateful for Hubby who keeps us together and fed!
- I am sorry for upsetting the equilibrium by becoming a vegetarian. (Thank you for taking it in your stride!)
- This year is going to be a better year for you as well! I know it and I feel it!


2016 is starting with new things, new challenges and lots of uncertainty!
BUT I have good feelings about 2016!


May 2016 be good to you as well!
What new things are in the pipeline that is worth sharing?

SA Mom Blogs relaunched #SAMomBlogsRelaunch

Heather (One Step at at Time) and Laura (Harassed Mom) are doing an amazing job with SA Mom Blogs.

The Lot Restaurant

The relaunch happened this past Saturday on a cloudy and rainy day at the Free Range Lifestyle Centre in Fourways. The weather did not dampen any of the spirits and it was great to meet up with fellow bloggers.

Heather did a good write-up of the event: Celebrations at #SAMomBlogRelaunch

Here are some of my photos:

Fresh Culture Café at The Lot Restaurant

Inside The Lot Restaurant with bloggers and PR invitees 

SA Mom Blogs relaunch 

Cupcake made by Laura

The Beauty Stop representative

Goodie Bag from The Beauty Stop at Free Range Lifestyle Centre

The Beauty Stop

Aptly named cookies for the SA Mom Blogs Relaunch event

Luckily the sun came out for a while on Saturday and the children could enjoy themselves!
We will definitely be coming back as a family. The cappuccinos are great, and the play area with arts entertainment for the little ones makes the Free Range Lifestyle Centre a winner!

The play area at Free Range Lifestyle Centre

Thanks to these two lovely ladies for organising and managing SA Mom Blogs!

Laura and Heather

SA Mom Blogs can be found here:
Facebook
Twitter
Web: SAMomBlogs

5 Questions to the Featured Blogger: Juggling Act of Life

Just before July slips into oblivion, here's 5 questions I asked the Featured Blogger of the Month, Cat at Juggling Act of Life!

- What was the best thing that happened to you in your life?

Meeting my wonderful hubby - he was the start of everything that I hold dear in my life right now. 

- What is the worst thing that happened to you?

My dad passed away when I was 7. I so wish I actually knew him as a person.

- What is the funniest thing that happened to you?

Oh my word, there are plenty! One that will always stay with me was the day a colleague at work accidentally poured some carefully pumped out breastmilk into his coffee. I noticed the bottle empty in the basin and immediately realized what happened when he complained that his coffee tasted weird. I never told him what he actually did.

- What is your best me-time activity? 

Reading without a doubt.

- What music starts playing on your phone when pressing the play button? 

Toe vind ek jou by Francois van Coke and Karen Zoid.

Featured blog of the month: Juggling Act of Life

We are back with the Featured Blog of the Month.
Carla from Mommy & Baby Wellness Blog did the pairing for the month of July!

I got Cat whom I have been following since I started this blog. I had the pleasure in meeting her in person at a blog function this year, and it felt like we knew each other like old friends!

Cat at Juggling Act of Life is mom of a primary school girl AND fraternal twin school boys AND Labradors. She calls herself the wife of a wonderful man, daughter and architect. She is juggling the craziness of life in Pretoria. On the blog she captures their daily lives with photography and Project Life.

She always takes the most beautiful photos, and has the most creative ideas with regards arts, crafts and school projects!


I will be following up with a couple of questions on the blog.

Featured blog: Chasing Dreams

I am taking part in the South African Mom Blogs who features a new blog each month.

Let me introduce Fazila Cariem of Chasing Dreams. Fazila is a first time mom , who is currently on maternity leave. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant, however her true passion lies in health and fitness and her site is aimed at assisting working moms with tips on getting fit, running and planning healthy meals for families . She is currently studying towards becoming a qualified gym instructor so her tips and hints are quite informed!

I am very impressed by the fact that she recently ran the Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon, while her baby is only 6 months old. Respect!
She also has a post up about a roadtrip holiday ... with a six month old baby without a husband.

She can also be found here: Instagram and Facebook

Wordless Wednesday #236 - 5th Blogaversary!

Eat Tweet Blog and some more #JoziMeetUp

The first Blogger and Tweeter networking event #JoziMeetUp in Gauteng was hosted this past Saturday at Sunnyside Park Hotel in Parktown.

I am extremely pleased that I was there because it was lovely meeting some of the people behind the blogs and the tweets, and to also get that wonderful goodie bag.
AND I've got a few more people to stalk follow! I am inspired to do some more blogging and tweeting after this!

Thanks to Laura-Kim (Harassed Mom), Sharon (The Blessed Barrenness) and Wenchy (The Nocturnal Wenchy) who organised the event, and of course to all the sponsors responsible for the spoils!

Here are some of the photos.

The beautiful Sunnyside Park Hotel interior

Laura-Kim with a toy donation for The Grace Factory

Louisa (123 Blog Myself)

Wenchy & Laura-Kim handing out the goodie bags

Sam & Sandy looking good!

Chicken Ruby 

The personalised Macaroon bag

Naartjie Kids boots which was immediately worn

Le Creuset cappuccino cups

Rain body cream (divine!)

L'Oreal lip gloss

Bio-Oil (always welcome!)

Swani Spa voucher (can't wait!)

Killarney Mall voucher

Selfie with the Wakaberry sunglasses yesterday with Little Missy on
Mother's Day

It’s fairly easy to get your hands on information about parenting

Caring for Your Child blog

Tamsin Haley from Caring for Your Child is responsible for today's guest post:

There are often times during our lifetimes that we look for information. Whether it’s about tertiary education options, to buying our first car, to looking for somewhere to live, or even just to find out what celebrities may be up to, we constantly want more information. This never changes, though maybe the topics we search do change. From the moment we find out about being pregnant, there is so much more information that we may need. And this doesn’t change as our children grow up. Sometimes it’s just great to get a second opinion, or to find other mothers that think the same way that you do.

This is where Caring For Your Child comes in. We are focused on becoming your one-stop-blog for information regarding parenting. Our easy to search through categories cover the different stages that children go through as they grow up. Different articles are placed under the different categories so you can find what you are looking for. To gain access to the main body of our site, you do need to sign up as a member – this sign up process is free and always will be.

However, we realise that we cannot cover all the topics you could wish to know about. But we have a solution to this. Our discussion forums are available to all members of our site, and you are more than welcome to start new topics or join in the current conversations. If you would like information for a topic that we have not covered, please ask us here, and we can see what we can find to help you.

We also know that mothers are busy people, and sometimes you don’t have the time to go searching for answers to your questions. So we bring the information to you. We send out a newsletter every two weeks, covering topics that are relevant to the busy mom right to your inbox!

Visit our site to sign up at www.caringforyourchild.com and join us on Twitter @Caring4UrChild!

Happy belated birthday, Dear Blog!

I passed the four year Blogoversary mark of this blog, without even giving it a thought!
It was on the 13th of August already!

Happy belated birthday, Dear Blog! You have brought me so much joy!

In blogging years this blog is aged, but it keeps on going...
I am not yet ready to let it go, especially since we have a Little Missy keeping us on our toes with all her sayings and doings.

I also have so much to learn about the ages and the phases that they are going through.
Although we have The Student, and we are supposed to have some Experience or Parenting skills, but we can't fall back on it!
Parenting and children and The Times they are a-changing, all the time!
And we forget so very easily...
And no children are the same!
We can't say that we know how to raise a little one.
It does not come naturally or instinctively!

I get a lot of feedback and wise words and information in the blogosphere! I would not have learnt so much had it not been for this little blog.
Thank you, Dear Blog!

I started as a mom blogging, and I am still on my quest for juggling being a mom, working full-time, trying to continue with my studies, and finding balance at home with a reconstructed family.
One day we will get there!


I am surprised at some of the posts that reached all-time highest stats:

1. Mountain climbing at the Botanical Gardens

2. 5 Tips on how to survive Stork Parties

3. Infant dyschezia translates into not sleeping

4. Tips picked up while camping with the toddler

5. Stuff you allow your toddler to do


Blogging on!

(Photo: Patrick Pretorius)

Flashback Friday - unearthing the photos that were not stolen

I am still reeling after the robbery the previous week at our house. We thought we were safe, until we found out that we were not!

We are still discovering precious keepsakes that were stolen, and won't be replaced.

But I am still so hit-over-the-head upset with myself for not backing up the photos from my computer. I had everything filed and sorted in the "Library", and was regularly uploading from my camera, phone and iPad. But I did not back it up from there. WHY?

I haven't looked at what is still backed-up on our hard drive, but I am sure it is nothing from this year.
It is times like these I am grateful for Facebook and my blog for some of the photos that I have uploaded. But I had tons more...

I saw a post by Laura of Harassed Mom today of Flashback Friday, and decided it was a good time to see what is still left on my work computer. Although I haven't uploaded private photos here in quite a while...

I found this photo of 10 years back. The Pre-Teen was 10 years at that stage.

She turns 20 in a week's time! 

One of the photos that would have been lost,
taken in 2013

A few photos from Debbie's camera in December 2009.

Just a few days after the little one was born.

We were dead tired at that stage,
but looking at the photo it does not reflect it at all!

A kiss from my big sister.

 She must be over 6 months old, but I do not see a date on the photo.

Playing with an old doll at Grandma's house

And the most dated "photos" of our Little One.

The little one at 30 weeks
(all my scans are here)

I am of the opinion that you can't have too many photos of your little ones!

I hope you are backing up your photos and videos now?

Blog directory of healing through storytelling

Kristin Brumm over at Wanderlust is busy compiling a directory of blogs that addresses issues of struggle and trauma.
It is a directory of blogs by people healing through sharing their stories through blogging.

I have written before about her haunting of words as she deals with her own struggle through writing, after a divorce and domestic violence led to the discovery of child pornography in her home, and the subsequent fleeing of her family home to keep her children safe.

Healing through storytelling - Blog Directory

The issues that are being addressed:
- Addiction
- Grief and loss
- General Medical
- Mental Health
- Trauma and abuse

The compilation of these was inspired by the following post:
The healing power of storytelling.

I still sometimes get out my soapbox to raise issues with regards domestic violence, emotional abuse and unfathers, but it is so much part of previous life, that I feel as if it happened to somebody else...

Time and change do make a difference!

I wish I had something like this to consult when I had to go through tough times, but it is nice to know that these are available.

It is always good to know that you are not alone!
Somebody else has dealt with the same issues already!

If you know of  any blogs that can add to this directory, please notify Kristin so that she can add it to the list!

Thanks Kristin!

Reasons why I consider Honest Toddler to be mandatory reading

If you have not heard of Honest Toddler by know, you should do yourself a favour and go and check out the Twitter feed as well as the blog.

I see it as as mandatory to follow him on his daily perspectives and utterances on life as a toddler.

It is mandatory as a survival technique for parents of toddlers.

If not recognising most of the Honest Toddler's take on life in your own child, it is also a sneak peak in the life of the parents of Honest Toddler.

They have their quirks and "addictions" while trying to parent a whimsical psychopath personality trying to get into the "big bed". Which is usually the big score! Or "cake"! Whichever comes first!


Some funnies:

- The blog post about fruit and how it should be presented to a toddler. Apparently not all fruit are equal, and fruit with any discolourings or bad spots are regarded with disapproval.
I love the bananas part! Yes, we should not expect them to eat the whole thing when it has been peeled. And, most importantly, always ask first before doing anything with a fruit!

- The toilet playing adventures on Twitter are a rich source of fun for the toddler, and I love the parents' reaction: "Mama is supervising with her special juice"

- The big bed as the ultimate goal each night. "Woke up in the big bed. Dreams can come true."

- The blog post about the animals. Not as funny, because it seems that the poor fish had died under mysterious circumstances and that the cat had jumped out of the window.

- At the office: "Did a quiet pee. Shhhhhh"
                          "Changed into emergency pants in the hallway. Stranger saw my bum bum LOL"

- And of course the potty training adventures... It's hilarious. The Twitter bio says it all: "Not potty trained. Not trying."

Honest Toddler on Twitter: @honesttoddler
Honest Toddler blog: Honest Toddler


Thanks, Honest Toddler! You help me understand my own toddler much better!

How cute is this placemat?

We got the personalised placemat by Bellabagheera yesterday through the post.
I had won it through a Rattle and Mum giveway.

It  was extremely easy to customize and order through the website.
Astrid followed up personally to let me know that the placemat is on its way, and that it has arrived at the post office.

The placemat is bigger than expected, which I like!
It is only much sturdier, and I think it will easily double up as a creative work mat for arts and crafts like painting with the toddler.

Bellabagheera also has customised stationary and other creations for kids. I am definitely going back there again.

Thanks to Tanya and Astrid for the great win!
Mieka loves recognising her name and face on it!

Pass the MeMe tag

Cat at Juggling Act of Life tagged me.

I always feel guilty when I do not respond to these, and today was a bit of a muse-less day...

So I am happily playing/tagging along.

The (bendable) rules:
"You must post these rules.
Each person must post 11 things about herself on his/her blog. (I am skipping this - as she did and you can too)
Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
You must choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.
Go to each blogger’s page and mention that you have tagged
him/her."

The 11 questions by Cat at Juggling Act of Life:

Name the one product in your kitchen you can not function without.

The kettle – for my daily coffee!

If you can change your career decision, what would you like to be (disregard training, money etc- this is a dream job)

A computer programmer – I would love to be more techie savvy!

What is your favorite toy (as in gadget, craft item, etc)

Kindle

What is your favorite book of all times? (or just choose one for now)

Neale Donald Walsch – Conversations with God (1-3)

If you could give your 16 year old self one bit of advice only, what would it be?

Relax!

Chocolate or vanilla cake? And specifically what type.

Chocolate, Any Type!

Meat, fish or chicken?

Fish every time

On what would you spend R300 or 40US$ or the equivalent thereof as a spoil for yourself?

Book/s

Which building in the whole wide world do you think is beautiful or have captured your attention?

The Sydney Opera House

If you could go on a dream holiday right now, no costs spared, to which one destination will you go and who will you take along? (no world tours allowed - one destination)

I just checked out Spier specials this morning, but any Cape destination will do for me…

If you were a flower, which one will you be. And why?

Sunflower! It’s bright and useful and rugged!

I am tagging the last 11 commentors on my blog as well:

Cat at Juggling Act of Life

Kat in Africa 

Maxabella at Maxabella Loves

Jen R at Let it go 

Lynette at A work in progress 

Laura at http://www.harassedmom.co.za/

Tasneem at MumDrum 

Vanessa at The Meiring Meanderings 

TJ at 2 Half Pints, a Keg & The Manager 

Jamie at Beyond the Kitchen Window 

Margot at Jou Ma se Blerrie Blog 

My questions:

Name a pet peeve

What would you do over?

Are you happy now?

Why/why not?

What book are you reading now?

How do you take a breather?

What is your job title?

When is your next holiday?

Which do you prefer: Beach or bush holiday?

How much sleep do you get each night? (Vs. How much sleep does your body need?)

Do you listen to Talk Radio or Music Radio?

Anyone else can also answer these and pass the tag on.

I love reading the answers.

Thanks Cat!