tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26453018110785366092011-11-27T17:07:38.138-08:00our family are all about mindful living, attachment parenting, unschooling and family focused life.mamanoreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-27490022178248865412010-12-04T02:31:00.000-08:002010-12-04T02:41:39.798-08:002010-12-04T02:41:39.798-08:00

When I was pregnant with Primrose I hoped to feed her until she was six months; never did it cross my mind that 3 years down the line I’d not only still be feeding her but also feeding her little sister My girls are 17 months and 32 months and both nurse a couple of times a day.We’ve come a long way since our nervous beginnings; from the initial few days of figuring out what goes where and the

mamanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-12033017693233078042010-11-15T12:32:00.000-08:002010-11-15T12:56:14.541-08:002010-11-15T12:56:14.541-08:00

What follows is a guest blog by Ann, who has a daughter with dyscalculiaI consider myself a very lucky Mother of a beautiful 10 year old, young lady called Maryanne.For some years now, Maryanne has really ‘struggled’ with Maths. As her Mum I could personally see her difficulty with grasping Mathematical concepts, retaining & recalling what she had learnt, from a very young age. Her struggle

mamanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-68794933479527454752010-10-28T13:05:00.000-07:002010-10-28T13:11:12.469-07:002010-10-28T13:11:12.469-07:00

We used to be social butterflies, flitting from play-dates to birthday parties, from coffee mornings to toddler groups. But no more. We have become recluses, rarely venturing to mingle with the other toddlers and mums of this world. Our days sometimes include others but usually in our own house or at the beach and we are careful to avoid meal and snack times. This is life of a family living with

mamanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-60530755541775419252010-08-21T05:46:00.000-07:002010-08-21T06:45:19.873-07:002010-08-21T06:45:19.873-07:00

Primrose’s latest project is ‘toilet training’ Buttercup. ‘Now, take of your nappy and do pee pee on the potty, see like this. Mummy, take off her nappy.’I do.Buttercup performs then excitedly grabs a bit of toilet paper to finish off proceedings.There has, however, been an unwelcome development. Buttercup will now remove her nappy (if she can) just before she poos. No matter where she is. We’re

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-72972123901647476472010-07-25T04:35:00.000-07:002010-07-25T04:36:19.025-07:002010-07-25T04:36:19.025-07:00

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten the time to compose a thought much less a blog post. It’s been a while since I’ve slept properly..........but hey, life is good.So, here’s the update on Buttercup since my last post. Well we went to the allergy paediatrician and he listened to us, questioned us, looked Buttercup over and agreed she seemed to be milk protein

mamanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-34952040053863690592010-02-15T13:08:00.000-08:002010-02-15T13:13:17.129-08:002010-02-15T13:13:17.129-08:00

Well blogosphere it’s been a while and so much has been going on for the family (does that sound too mafia?) that it’s difficult to know where to start.We’ve moved west to more peaceful environs and had a busy Christmas and New Year. But by far the biggest change has been in Primrose’s quality of life. We’ve discovered the root of her discomfort, irritability and reluctance to travel or sleep.

mamanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-67340822804683394472009-12-02T04:35:00.000-08:002009-12-02T07:02:13.456-08:002009-12-02T07:02:13.456-08:00

a green and happy Christmas for you and your little elves The festive season is almost upon us. This is a time for sharing, for spending some family time together, for exchanging thoughtful gifts, for feasting and rejoicing. Christmas doesn’t have to be all about 10 foot inflatable snowmen and shopping til you drop. A simpler and greener family Christmas may just be what is needed to help

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-52591254513382527932009-11-30T13:47:00.000-08:002009-11-30T13:53:13.801-08:002009-11-30T13:53:13.801-08:00

This is just a brief post, you’ll see why.After 5 days of utter frustration the site is back up and running (kind of). Our hosting company apparently had major problems. Anyhoo, I’m not going to get stressed about it anymore. There is more important stuff going on.The tinygreenfamily are on the move. Yes we are departing suburbia this week and heading westward. Our new home is close to the beach,

mamanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-59956797173179317612009-11-24T05:10:00.000-08:002009-11-24T05:17:06.495-08:002009-11-24T05:17:06.495-08:00

Tinygreenpeople are proud to announce our chat forum, the tiny green village, is now up and running. Come join the chat and by posting this week you’ll also be in with a chance of winning a pair of Bobux shoes from www.belgiantreasures.ie

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-22878445282804542442009-11-12T05:55:00.000-08:002009-11-12T06:01:43.646-08:002009-11-12T06:01:43.646-08:00

I found myself a few months ago justifying the amount of toys we had acquired for Buttercup.‘Well, she doesn’t go to crèche, so we need to have everything here for her.’I also eagerly enquired from my friends, ‘What do your little ones do at crèche?’ As if my darling might be missing out on something. Talk about getting it arseways!!My darlings are not missing out on anything by being home with

mamanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-26345674147848389262009-11-07T07:50:00.000-08:002009-11-07T07:58:54.668-08:002009-11-07T07:58:54.668-08:00

We are continuing to spread tinygreenhappiness in the run up to Christmas.This week we’re giving you the chance to get a fab Moby Wrap (in your choice of colour) from mumandme.ie.Here’s a brief spec:* 100% breathable, all-natural cotton.* One size versatily-5.5 meters in length.* No buckles, snaps or zippers.* Triple-wrapped design ensures a safe, ergonomic hold.This is one of the

mamanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-55332155166245111332009-11-06T08:31:00.000-08:002009-11-06T08:33:25.980-08:002009-11-06T08:33:25.980-08:00

We have a winner in the Ecobrats Totsbots competition….We put everyone’s name on a little piece of paper and into a brown paper bag and headed to the farmers market. All we needed then was a random small child to make the draw.So, I’d like to say a big thank you to Niamh (age 3ish), and to her mum who helped chose the winner. I hope the packet of crayons helped Niamh get over the fright of the

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-44190281537328881092009-11-01T04:48:00.000-08:002009-11-01T04:54:18.473-08:002009-11-01T04:54:18.473-08:00

Almost 3 months into the No more Stuff Challenge and we are definitely the happier for it. It is refreshing to spend less time getting and wanting and more time being.The biggest and best thing that we’ve managed to acquire so far is time. The time that we used to spend shopping, or just browsing in shops is now spent on much more useful things, like:• Hanging out together as a family, often just

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-59023782770163903122009-10-28T13:47:00.000-07:002009-10-28T14:50:16.632-07:002009-10-28T14:50:16.632-07:00

Tinygreenpeople have teamed up with Ecobrats this week to offer some lucky person a five pack of TotsBots onesize pocket nappies. Here's the spec:If your preference is for a one piece nappy with removable absorbency and a stay dry interior layer then Pocket Tots are the perfect nappy.Shaped, one piece design with Elasticated legs & waistUnique 'cotton feel' anti wicking polyester interiorAplix

mamanoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-23499404239536833492009-10-22T05:32:00.000-07:002009-10-22T12:05:15.892-07:002009-10-22T12:05:15.892-07:00

Repeat after mummy:‘Cheese sandwiches are for mummy, daddy and Buttercup. Not for Primrose. She’s too small.’A little voice says, ‘No fo Pimwose, too mall.’Primrose is four months old and in danger of falling victim to toddler led weaning. Mummy’s intervention should ensure (fingers crossed) that she remains on a breast milk only diet until she’s at least six months. When she weans we want her to

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-33772347256608677342009-10-17T11:32:00.000-07:002009-10-17T12:19:03.756-07:002009-10-17T12:19:03.756-07:00

With the spooky season almost upon us here are a few ideas for an autumnal celebration and a Green Hallowe’en. Most are crafty and some are gruesome, so there should be something to please all the little witches, pint sized demons and their ghoulish parents.Here goes:Tell ghost stories by torchlight.Make green ooze from a playdough recipeDecorate old paper bags and fill them with goodies. Treat

mamanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-20248479618894313962009-10-13T02:23:00.000-07:002009-10-13T02:27:00.072-07:002009-10-13T02:27:00.072-07:00

It was a midwife who introduced us to co-sleeping on the night Buttercup was born. Buttercup, my giant boobs and I were having some choreography difficulty so the midwife showed me how to feed while we were both lying down (Buttercup and I as opposed to the midwife and I).When Buttercup had finished and dozed off I couldn’t see the point in moving her back to the bassinet. I didn’t want to

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-76851036158652651152009-10-07T12:29:00.000-07:002009-10-07T12:32:44.948-07:002009-10-07T12:32:44.948-07:00

Sometimes being a stay at home mum requires you to get off your butt and get out and meet new people.Yesterday I found myself pushing open an unmarked door in our local shopping centre and entering a room full of mums and babies. Mums and babies I didn’t know (deep breath, smile, they’re all here to meet people). It was a gathering held by Cuidiú, the Irish Childbirth Trust, to celebrate National

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-74090220085239084062009-09-22T05:16:00.000-07:002009-09-22T05:53:07.595-07:002009-09-22T05:53:07.595-07:00

Here are ten great reasons to wear your baby in a sling: Happy campers. Tiny people that are carried cry less, they love the comfort and security of being snuggled next to mummy or daddy. Seeing eye to eye. Being carried enables tiny people to observe and interact with older people at eye level, as opposed to knee level.Taking it all in. Tiny people that are carried spend a lot of time being

mamanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-65451364724188057032009-09-10T12:02:00.000-07:002009-09-10T12:16:14.701-07:002009-09-10T12:16:14.701-07:00

My latest mission on our journey to become a greener family is to reduce the amount of packaging we bring into the house. Our recycling bin is collected every two weeks and I want it to be at a maximum 1/3 full.It took me a while to realise that Reduce, Re-use, Recycle is written in order of priority (duh, you may well say). So I’ve moved beyond feeling all warm and fuzzy about recycling and

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-67711248985590081642009-09-06T05:59:00.000-07:002009-09-06T06:05:13.881-07:002009-09-06T06:05:13.881-07:00

Well we’re a month into the challenge and getting used to life with less stuff. As we’re not buying any stuff we spend very little time in shops and shopping centres. We spend one day a week at the farmers market, getting everything else delivered and, in general, seem to have much more family time. Impulse buying is gone from our lives and all our purchases are now thought out, planned and

mamanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-24080068259162045772009-08-21T05:36:00.001-07:002009-08-21T05:58:31.701-07:002009-08-21T05:58:31.701-07:00

I think the success of this challenge will lie not so much in our ability to get rid of stuff and cleverly source new stuff but in our realisation that we don’t actually need that much stuff anyway.Apparently a western baby uses 17 times more resources than a baby from the developing world*. While we are lucky to be comfortably well off in a wealthy country, now that I’ve begun to look more

mamanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-83838172656667080912009-08-17T05:02:00.000-07:002009-08-17T05:20:37.591-07:002009-08-17T05:20:37.591-07:00

In response to my blog post on eco cleaning I received an email from my very wise sister in-law, which she has agreed to let me share. Here goes:‘I saw your post on FB about eco-cleaning. This (and natural skincare) are one of my pet subjects/ranting fodder. I've stopped using the normal cleaning products about 4 or 5 years ago, and been on natural skincare for about 2 years.‘My general rule is -

mamanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-55277500415324108092009-08-15T12:38:00.000-07:002009-08-15T12:52:08.570-07:002009-08-15T12:52:08.570-07:00

In recent years the tinygreenfamily have been replacing our cleaning products with more eco friendly versions. We buy in bulk when we can and get our bottles refilled. Many of the products we’ve used to date are made by ecover .We’re now looking into even more natural products and are having fun experimenting with various recipes for making cleaning products.We’d love to hear any recipes you

mamanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645301811078536609.post-747441957759192662009-08-09T09:59:00.000-07:002009-08-09T10:32:28.249-07:002009-08-09T10:32:28.249-07:00

Right, progress report: no more stuff acquired and a little bit of stuff passed on.I would like to say that this challenge was well thought out but actually it was more of a spur of the moment thing.It resulted in a bout of panic after posting, in which I found myself listing stuff we would need over the next four months: vests, shoes and waterproofs for Buttercup, tights for Primrose. We were

mamanoreply@blogger.com0