On the Art of Not Missing Out

Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out.. Please don’t misunderstand me when I say this but I spend so much time and energy being a mum and a wife that there rarely seems much left to put towards my future, dreams and hopes as a woman, a person, as Joni. I am absolutely in love with my kids and think I’m the luckiest girl on the planet to have snagged the man I did but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

MOPs has a new magazine!

Everyone needs support when they have young kids. It’s a difficult, fulfilling, frustrating, exciting, exhausting time of life and we all need support. I had three kids in three and a half years. Those years were busy, exhausting and honestly – hard. I was 1000 km away from my family (and their amazing support) and my husband worked shifts.

I really needed support and I found it in huge, generous, lovely portions at my local MOPs (Mothers of PreSchoolers) at Red Cliffs in Victoria. Every fortnight we were greeted by friendly smiles and the smell of coffee. My children were cared for and had loads of fun doing craft, playing games and making friends. All the while, us mums were enjoying a lavish morning tea, inspirational talks and fun craft activities. The MOPS ladies always remembered my birthday with a card and beautifully wrapped gift 🙂 I made many, many friends there and felt loved and supported. I used to arrive home after MOPs, feeling like I’d been encouraged and refreshed – ready to face the next fortnight of nappies and baby food. MOPs was a bit of a beacon during a time which can get a little monotonous… (anyone with me?)

This Is The Power Of The Girl Effect.

I first discovered The Girl Effect a few months ago when I watched the clip below. I loved it to much that I blogged about it back then too! The clip explains the positive effects education and delayed marriage have on girls in many third world countries. Take a look for yourself: