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Posted in Fast Receipes

My 1 Minute Mug Cake!

Posted on by Theworkingmum

I have heard so much about these Mug cakes but had never tried one. Tonight I was craving something sweet but easy and with nothing in the cupboard I had to be creative. So I played around and made my own 1 minute Mug Cake! Oh My goodness, it actually worked! Here’s the ingredients and the amazingly simple steps!

1 Minute Mug Cake

1 tablespoon of butter (soften a little in microwave)

2 Tablespoons of water

1/3 cup of SR Flour

1 heaped tablespoon of Cacao (or cocoa would work also)

2-3 tablespoons of sugar

Method

Mix the butter and water in a large mug.

Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. (add a little more water if its too thick)

Cook in the microwave for 1 minute!

 

Seriously it was that easy! I plan on experimenting with some flavours so stayed tuned! Perfect for a lazy Friday night on the couch. x

image

Posted in Lifestyle

Mummy Friends

Posted on by Theworkingmum

imageIt’s hard sometimes to catch up with everyone you want to. Life gets in the way. Having kids changes things totally. It’s not so bad while they are still newborns who sleep happily in their pram but once they start moving, its over! Sitting for more than 5 minutes involves a constant supply of baby chinos and sugary cookies and the conversation revolves arounds ‘sit still, won’t be long, do you want my phone?!’. I had lunch with a dear friend last week and I was telling her about my new blog and my hopes. Her immediate comments were about how friendship changes when you’re a working mum. Maybe it changes just as a mum, not only a working mum but this blog is all about working mums..!!  As a working mum we are trying to balance our careers and our families and walking the tightrope that becomes our life. My dear friend spoke of how managing her own successful law firm and her beautiful daughter made it hard to catch up and stay connected with friends that didn’t have children. It got me thinking about how I catch up with my nearest and dearest. We don’t see each other lots and it’s definitely hard to coordinate around everyone’s different commitments but we make it happen and when we do see each other it’s like no time has passed. However it takes a special person for this to happen. My friends understand that life is busy. Theirs is too, just in a different way. True friends will accomodate and understand. Those that can’t understand, truthfully aren’t worth your time. It took me a long time to realise this. Cherish your dear friends, make time ( and it may only be every few months) even if it’s just for a quick coffee just to touch base. Life is better when you have friends to share it with, cliche hey?!! But so true!!

Posted in Time Saving Tips

Washing Time

Posted on by Theworkingmum

imageWashing! It’s never ending.. Just when you think you’re on top.. It’s bath time and there’s 3 more dirty outfits! This article has some great tips on how to reduce our time washing. I’m not convinced I could try not folding some things but her organisation is fabulous! I too have the odd sock box in the laundry where all odds go to try find their friends! Take a look here and let us know what you think. What are your tips for saving time on the washing?

 

Posted in Lifestyle

The Two Headed Monster!

Posted on by Theworkingmum

Tonight’s blog was motivated by my complete lack of energy. That feeling that creeps up sometimes and other times hits you like a bus! Defined as a state of extreme mental or physical fatigue (Oxford Dictionary) exhaustion hits everyone at some point or another.

I don’t know about you but when I get seriously tired.. not just ‘I’ve had a busy day tired’.. but exhausted, I turn into a two headed cranky borderline crazy person! So in the hopes of trying to prevent the monster to come out too often.. I wanted some tips for trying to beat exhaustion, or at least handle it!

Firstly some thing all us Mums, whether working or Stay at Home, we need to go easy on ourselves. A lot of Superwoman mums really aren’t doing as perfectly as they seem to be on the surface. Surely right??

For me, getting sunshine and fresh air makes the world of difference. In the 5 minutes you may get for lunch, try eating outside! Not only will it boost Vitamin D levels, (which is great for your mood) but fresh air always gives me a little perspective on things.

I know its a cliché but eating healthy really does do you wonders (soon we will be investigating healthy and FAST recipes!) I am a sucker for chocolate though!

Orange is the New Black, will wait! Go to bed early. Key advice I need to remind myself of constantly.  I always fall into the trap  of  I’ll just watch one more episode (I’m a little addicted right now) and before I know it its 11pm! Nothing beats the feeling of a good nights sleep. I still am getting up to the little one some nights but that extra hour or two I can get by going to bed by 8:30 rather than 10:30pm is bliss. I definitely don’t do it every night, or I may not ever see my husband, but man it sure does make a difference.

Then there’s drinking more water, exercise, start yoga, meditate, the list is endless!

I really think what we need to do is listen to our bodies. Slow down if you need to. Don’t take it out on your loved ones and be kind to yourself. And when you see the Two Headed Monster, give him a high 5 because you are doing a fabulous job.

K

happy people

Posted in Uncategorized

We do what we can.

Posted on by Theworkingmum

Sometimes you have to do what you can to get through the day. It’s a huge debate screen time vs no screen time.. And don’t get me wrong I won’t plonk my 8 month old in front of the TV, however if his older brothers are watching something he’s going to be exposured. I’m of the mindset that it’s not going to kill him! There’s seriously worse that could be happening. An interesting article in the Adelaide Advertiser. I love it! A mother has recorded herself reading a story and puts it on TV so she can get things done! Fabulous! I wish I had thought of it! For those 5 minutes you need to get dinner on in Witching hour, or you really need to ring the bank/plumber/or heavens for bid the hairdresser! Everything in moderation.. Like chocolate right! Well done Mummy!

http://m.adelaidenow.com.au/rendezview/theres-nothing-wrong-with-screentime-for-babies/story-fnpug1jc-1227612947081

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Is there ever the right time?

Posted on by Theworkingmum

calendar

Timing is everything they say. But is there ever really the perfect time? In thinking about a different job, a new role, a change. There’ll always be school drop offs and pick ups, always be child care runs (until it becomes school runs!), there’ll always be washing to do.. even when I’m home full time, there’s always washing to do! When opportunity knocks, how do you know to take it? Is there ever the right time? I always figured as my kids get older it’ll get easier.. nope. It just changes. There’s school lunches, play dates, after school sport, reading, homework.. the list goes on. None of that is going to change. So, is timing really everything? The answer.. I don’t know!

Posted in Uncategorized

Kris Kringle

Posted on by Theworkingmum
Christmas Pageant
Christmas Pageant

Its that time of the year again.. Now that the pageant has been and gone, the count down begins! This year we are doing things a little differently with the extended family and organising a Kris Kringle for the kids. Im still unsure how I feel about this.. However it sure does save time! And since that is what this blog is all about I thought I’d share!  I’m sure everyone has heard of this concept before however here’s the run down… Everyone draws a name out a hat and you only buy for that person. We set a price limit for everyone and Ta da your done!! I feel like it does take away from the ‘giving’ of Christmas a little though as my children can’t choose gifts for their close cousins but I can totally see the benefits of it too… What are your thoughts?

Posted in Uncategorized

Skills in conflict resolution…

Posted on by Theworkingmum

Skills in conflict resolution.. Not entirely sure I can use this on my CV however I love the meaning behind it. I read this article and although it’s funny, there are some serious points to it. My favourite is the skills in conflict resolution! That’s my world constantly at the moment with Mr3 and Mr4!! Woah! However the author has got it right. As working mums we do have new set of skills and attributes that enable us to be the great workers that we are. It is hard to find that balance and we hope that we have an employer who recognises those skills we have… At least I hope I do! Some of us are out of the workforce for a long time, some only a short time however we don’t forget how to do our job. We may need reminding about new things that have changed but it will be all ok.  I need to remind myself of that..;)

http://www.toiletsarentforturtles.com/why-mums-returning-to-work-make-awesome-employees/

On another note I made my own yoghurt today! It was quite awesome! 🙂

Posted in Uncategorized

When the kids are ill…

Posted on by Theworkingmum

This week has been LONG!! Sick baby= very tired mumma! Which leads me to think.. What happens when I return to work and the kids are sick? I’ve been through it before but it doesn’t make it any easier. It’s the same old problem, wanting to be in two places at once. Of course our children come first but we still always feel guilty about not being at work, particularly if we only work part time. Taking a day or two off potentially means our whole working week. We just have to hope that management wherever we are working are accepting of the ‘working mum’ and understand that our children come first. We working working mums have lots of skills to contribute to the workplace and we want to do our best. Hmmm need to listen to my own advice right?! Be there for my children when they need me.. Work hard when I’m there.. Sounds obvious!! So why the guilt?!