Saturday, 27 August 2011

Lessons we are Learning

It's hard to take criticism - especially when you're only 9 years old.  Actually it's not any better when you're 41!  Family meetings are a forum where we can raise irritations and issues and discuss them as a group.  Sometimes its as simple as "whoever keeps putting the wet spoon in the sugar bowl - please stop it" but sometimes it's more complicated. 
I'm hoping that our confronting of issues leaves everyone intact and not feeling battered.  I'm hoping I'm giving my children a model of healthy ways to deal with conflict.  I'm hoping we are giving everyone the permission to be honest and kind at the same time.  I feel these are important life skills.

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Spring

The last of the packing boxes have gone, the housewarming is this weekend, the fruit trees are in bloom and we HAVE AN OVEN!!  It's all happening at our house.  Well, really not much is happening.  We've slipped into a routine, everyone has their own stuff to do and its all working well. 
More next week....

Monday, 8 August 2011

Ugly house, brilliant floor plan

As promised - tips on choosing a house to share.
  • ignore the decor - the floor plan is more important
  • bedroom configuration is important, but having enough living space is vital
  • do you need space for 2 dining room tables - think about entertaining people that not everyone knows
  • to avoid the overcrowded feeling, make sure there are spaces to withdraw to if you don't feel like a chat
  • the kitchen has to be big enough for more than one cook
  • are there enough bathrooms/toilets
  • are there carparking spaces for more than 2 cars
  • does everyone have access to communal rooms without having to walk through someone's bedroom/bathroom/private space
We have an ugly house - 1970s decor - but the floorplan works for the people we have living there.  As much as I can see the potential in this house in terms of renovating, we are only renting it and I have to put a lid on my inner decorator.  There are benefits to renting when you ask other people to share with you that outweigh the need to make the house look like "me".