She's known as 'our Kylie' and it was no secret of her desire to have children of her own. With her 50th birthday only weeks away, and her recent breakup, Kylie has admitted that her dream of having children may not become a reality. The age debate is a common and controversial one. So I'm asking our readers for their thoughts on this topic. Were you an 'older' mum, and what constitutes an older mum anyway?
Who is Manuel Mendez?
When you're 6 years old and the daughter of Beyonce and Jay-Z, you need to look the part. And this is where Manuel Mendez comes in. He is none other than the personal stylist of Blue Ivy. Don't worry, you can follow along Blue's fashion journey on Instagram too, search for the hashtags KidsStyle and KidsFashion.
Sick Mum staring down the barrel of a day looking after kids
Today I had lost my voice so I couldn't go to my radio job at NEW FM nor could I take my yoga class at The Ohana Room because society doesn't expect you to go to work if you're not well enough. Unfortunately the job of Motherhood never stops, even when you're tired and sick the alarm of the crying baby goes off all hours of the night and demands your attention all day. So I developed a plan, it's not a great one but maybe you could do it sometime? Because I knew there'd be no park or outside fun, I blew up the big double bed mattress of guests put it in the lounge room and witnessed my toddler jumping out all her energy. We got to nap time and she went down. The baby enjoyed rolling around on it too.
Lock your doors...
Last night a close friend rang in a panic because she heard noises outside her Lambton house. Her partner and oldest child were out at a show and she was home with her little girl. So imagine her shock when she opened the front door to see a man passed out on her verandah. First she rang the police and then she rang her partner, who was still an hour away. We stayed in contact with her while she waited. Her partner beat the police, who evidently never arrived, and he woke up the man who was hostile towards him. So thankfully this story has a happy ending but it really could have ended differently. When alcohol (or I guess drugs too) are involved, things can get unpredictable and when you're a woman on her own with a child in the house, it just makes things even more tense. Newcastle is a relatively safe place to live, but I'd urge everyone to still ensure that your doors are locked.
Aviccii found dead at 28 years of age
Wow as a Radio Announcer and a Mum this news has really saddened me this morning. Extraordinarily talented Swedish EDM star Avicii, Tim Bergling has been found dead in Muscat, Oman on Friday. He was 28. Sources went on to say "The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy".
His death comes just days after he was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for top dance/electronic album for his EP "Avicii (01)." He was nominated alongside his peers, who have taken EDM mainstream of late ” The Chainsmokers, Calvin Harris and Kygo.
In the past few years he has suffered ill health, including acute pancreatitis in part due to excessive drinking. He also had his gall bladder and appendix removed in 2014. He quit touring but told Rolling Stone that it didn't come soon enough because he was in physical pain he said "I looked at myself like, f***, you should've really stood up for yourself more there. Come on Tim!" going on to say "I needed to figure out my life. The whole thing was about success for the sake of success. I wasn't getting any happiness anymore."
RIP Aviccii and love to his family from NHM x
My tips for travelling in the car with kids
My partner and I are going away for our first little family holiday this weekend as a blended family. So we are packing the car up with bikes and scooters as well as four kids under 6. Thankfully we don't have too far to travel on our maiden voyage but it did get me thinking about tips for travelling in the car with kids. So this is what has helped me in the past. Do you have any tips?
1. Craft bag - colouring books, pencils. The best hack I've seen for a while is using a flat baking tray so they have an instant activity desk.
2. Always try to set off at sleep time if you can arrange it
3. Take baby wipes - you just never know!
4. Food! ALWAYS have snacks at hand, and bottles of water.
5. Charge up the iPad or tablets and load them up with non. wifi needing games.
Let me know some of your tried and tested tips.... lord knows I need them!
Prince William loves what?
Friday night was always 'surprise night' in the Sargeant household growing up, this meant take away. WOW as a child I was a little dumpling and couldn't get enough of the good stuff. Some of my faves? A chicken, cheese and bacon burger from Red Rooster, a Big Mac from McDonalds or fried Dim Sims from the local fish and chip shop with a swimming pool of soy source.
Surely the Royals don't partake in such take away nonsense? Apparently they do.
Price William has announced at a meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) where he met Robert Brozin, who co-founded Nandos, that he and his security staff wer "fans" of the chicken restaurant. LOL
Pointing to his police protection officer, Prince William gushed: "This man here is your biggest fan, he's introduced me to Nando's. It's very good. He should buy a stake in Nando's." A friend said he's not surprised at this because Wills and Harry are down to earth and "accessible" to the point where they can enjoy fast food.
Other Nandos fans include Oprah Winfrey, Ed Sheeran and David Beckham and Drake.
Has your mum embarrassed you?
Rutherford woman Ashley McTackett made headlines the other day when she appeared on The Voice, and it wasn't for her singing abilities. Unfortunately no chairs turned for Ashley, though we think she was great, but following her performance, her mum screamed from backstage to tell the judges to turn their chairs. I think Ashley handled everything beautifully, I personally would have wanted to crawl into a hole, but even later in all the interviews I have heard, she has laughed it off. Good for her! Her mum is obviously very passionate about the success of her daughter and Ashley appreciates it. So, a quiet word to my own mum... When I eventually make my own appearance on The Voice (this is laughable), please stay quiet or stay home.
There's a baby on the floor of the US Senate!
There’s a baby on the US Senate floor! It's 2 week old Maile Pearl Bowlsbey, the daughter of Sen. Tammy Duckworth, and the first real baby to ever set diaper on the floor of the hallowed chamber. Some older male Senators voiced their disapproval Sen. Orrin Hatch saying "But what if there are 10 babies on the floor of the Senate?" Let's not forget Senator you too were a baby once - before you became a grumpy old man.
This is great to see by the way Lillian my 4 month old is always at my business The Ohana Room and my boss Steve St John is cool with both of my babies gracing the studios of NEW FM and even his office. I had a meeting with him and the head of sales the other day with Lilly rolling around on the floor. I feel super blessed to have bosses like this. Does your boss let you take your baby to work?
Plastic surgery... the latest campaign attacking women
We've seen quite a trend lately in the amount of people talking about the physical appearance of women on the television, and namely any cosmetic procedures or plastic surgery they may have had. Think Davina and Tracey from MAFS, the latter who sadly was so bullied that she has had a reversal on what she initially had done. Also Keira from Bachelor in Paradise and most recently one of the women on MKR.
I think the saddest part about this is that obviously when someone chooses to undertake a cosmetic procedure it is because they haven't been happy with their appearance in the first place, so then to have another blow like what many of these women are experiencing, is really quite revolting.
#choosekind
Here's a tip for shopping with kids
When you were young you had nightmares of dragons and evil monsters, then you got older had kids and now you have nightmares about the milk running out and having to go shopping with the children. It doesn't matter how many little darlings you have 1? well done :) 2 wow ok now you're felling it :/ or 3 or more? Mummas how on earth do any of you manage 3 you absolutely incredible wonder women... we all DREAD shopping with them right? So many Mummas tell me they shop online but what if something runs out, or what if you're just a generally unorganised mess like me? Here's a mum hack tip for you buy or take out from home a neck cushion and place around the bubba in the trolly while you're out and about, you can even attach toys or keys to the top of this one and use the strap to keep them secure. We'd love to hear about your Mum Hack tip for shopping? Email us hello@nhmnewcastlehuntermummas.com or hit up our Facebook or Insta. One tip at a time is all it will take to drain away some of our Mumma shopping anxiety.
Oh no I think we're out of milk!
Love NHM x
How to get a flight upgrade
If you have a flight coming up, make sure you're not wearing jeans or sneakers. This is the advice of flight attendants looking to upgrade passengers. It's a fine line though, you shouldn't be head to toe in Prada but you need to look smart. Funny, this hasn't worked for me in the past... but that could be because I've also been lugging as much carry on as possible, had unruly hair... oh and I guess it could also have been the three kids trailing behind as well.
$10 to Change a Nappy
A new service has started in the UK, offering to change a nappy for you for around $10. So would you hire someone to do it for you? Personally my toddler who I'm trying to toilet train has rather gross grown up poos but my 4 month old? because its just milk it doesn't bother me. I'm happy to change hers because well it's all rather cute and proper baby poo belonging to my bubba is not a problem. Would you pay for this service?
Mother of two confirmed as only fatality on doomed flight
We were saddened to hear about the tragic Southwest Airlines Flight. One passenger was killed after an engine exploded mid flight. Shrapnel from the engine caused a window to blow out and this caused Jennifer Riordan, 43, to be sucked out before being pulled back in again.
Anzac Day in Newcastle
The traditional Anzac ideals of courage endurance and mateship are still relevant today, established on 25 April 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
It was the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in some 25,000 Australian casualties, including 8,700 killed or subsequently died of wounds or disease.
The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word ‘Anzac’ to our vocabulary and creating the notion of the Anzac spirit.
In 1916, the first anniversary of the landing was observed in Australia, New Zealand and England and by troops in Egypt. That year, 25 April was officially named ‘Anzac Day’ by the Acting Prime Minister, George Pearce.
By the 1920s, Anzac Day ceremonies were held throughout Australia. All States had designated Anzac Day as a public holiday. In the 1940s, Second World War veterans joined parades around the country. In the ensuing decades, returned servicemen and women from the conflicts in Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, plus veterans from allied countries and peacekeepers, joined the parades.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the number of people attending the ceremonies fell as Australians questioned the relevance of Anzac Day. However, in the 1990s there was a resurgence of interest in Anzac Day, with attendances, particularly by young people, increasing across Australia and with many making the pilgrimage to Gallipoli to attend the Dawn Service.
Information provided by the Australian War Memorial.
ANZAC Day Dawn Service
- Wednesday 25 April 2018
- 5am - 6am
- Camp Shortland, Newcastle Foreshore
- Toilets: Nobbys SLSC, onsite event toilets
- Parking: On-street, Bolton Street parking station, King Street parking station, Pitt Street Reserve Stockton Foreshore
- Park and Ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow 3.30am to 12.30pm
- Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/
ANZAC Day March
- Wednesday 25 April 2018
- 9am - 10am
- Hunter Street Mall and King Street
- Toilets: Corner Hunter and Perkins Streets
- Parking: On-street, Bolton Street parking station and King Street parking station
- Park and Ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow 3.30am to 12.30pm
- Public transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/ and more detail to come
United Commemoration Service
- Wednesday 25 April 2018
- 10am - 11am
- Civic Park
- Toilets: Civic Park and Cultural Centre
- Parking: On-street and Gibson Street car park
- Park and Ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow 3.30am to 12.30pm
- Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/
Fort Scratchley Firing of the Guns and Open Day
- Wednesday 25 April 2018
- 12noon - 4pm
- Gun firing: 1pm and 3pm
- Fort Scratchley
- Toilets: Within Fort Scratchley
- Parking: On-street, Horseshoe Beach car park, Nobbys car park 1 and 2
- Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/
Anzac Field of Remembrance
- Wednesday 25 April 2018
- 5am - 5pm
- Newcastle Museum
- Toilets: Within Newcastle Museum
- Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/
Shadows of Sacrifice
- Time: 10am to 5pm
- Location: Newcastle Museum
- Toilets: Within Newcastle Museum
- Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/
Local services Wednesday April 25
Hamilton Anzac march and dawn service - Gregson Park
- 5am - March forms up near Gregson Park cannons
- 5.20am - March steps off proceeds along Steel St side of park before turning right near corner of Tudor Street
- 5.30am - Dawn service begins at Gregson Park
- 6.15am - Breakfast is available at Hamilton Public School across Tudor Street from Gregson Park. Provided by Hamilton Public School P&C Association.
Merewether Dawn Service and sub-branch brekkie - Townson Oval (Mitchell Park)
- 6.30am - Service begins at World War One memorial gates on the corner of Robert and Mitchell streets
- 7.30am - RSL Sub-Branch Members only breakfast at South Newcastle Leagues Club, Llewellyn Street Merewether, open to the general public from 7.30am
Wallsend: March to Federal Park and dawn service
5am - March commences in front of Wallsend Diggers, then into Nelson and Boscawen streets to Federal Park No. 1 Cenotaph, where the service and wreath laying will be held.
- 6.15am - March back to Wallsend Diggers.
Stockton Dawn Service, march and main service
- 5am - Service personnel and veterans marching to the Cenotaph will meet at the Stockton RSL and Citizens Club. The march will start forming up from 5.15am, set off at 5.30am for the dawn service at the Cenotaph.
- 8.30am - Main march: All marchers should assemble in the area surrounding the General Washington Hotel at the corner of Hunter and Mitchell streets from 8am.
- The march will proceed along Mitchell Street to the Cenotaph. On arrival the Catafalque Party will form up on the Cenotaph, and the official Anzac service will begin at 8.45am, after which the contingent will return to Stockton RSL Club for the traditional get together and refreshments.
Lambton-New Lambton services and March
- 7am-7.30am - Short service and wreath laying at the New Lambton war memorial gates, corner Tauranga Road and Hobart Road
- 8.45-9.15am - Short service and wreath laying at Lambton Park memorial gates, Morehead Street
- 9.45am - Wreath laying and Last Post service at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre, Durham Road
- 10.15am - March, forming up on Durham Road and proceeding via Karoola Road to the Lambton Bowls, Sport and Recreation Club. It is intended to halt the march 'off road' in the Club car park
- 11am - Main service at Lambton Bowls, Sport and Recreation Club, Karoola Road, Lambton.
Beresfield Chapter of Maitland RSL Sub-Branch Anzac Day Memorial Service
- 5.30am - Form up at the Beresfield Community War Memorial at the corner of Anderson Drive and Allandale Street Beresfield.
- March to the War Memorial is approximately 200 metres.
- 5.40am - Dawn Service. In the event of inclement weather. the Service will take place at the Beresfield Crematorium on Anderson Drive. After the Service, Breakfast will be held at Beresfield Bowling Club.
- 9am - Traditional Anzac Day entertainment commences. For further information please call 0249 336 90
Shortland RSL Sub-Branch Anzac Day Service and brekkie
- 5.50am - Anzac Day Service in our Memorial Garden 3 Conmurra Circuit Shortland
- Breakfast after the Service for a gold coin donation.
[Article from Newcastle City Council]
How to Lose 19 Kilos in 12 weeks
After Bub bomber 2, 4 months ago I've started trying to lose the baby weight. That pouch ain't going anywhere at the moment but it's probably my fault, after a day of darting around after a 2 year old and carrying a 4 month old and running a business and working in another business by about 8pm, the call of wine is strong and I mostly give in and have a glass. But check out this guy from the States Hunter Hobbs he lost - 19 kilograms in 12 weeks. This is how he did it.
He worked out five or six days a week, lifting weights and incorporating 20-30 minute cardio sessions into his routine, either in the morning or after a weights session.He told The Daily Mail he mostly ate “chicken, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, salads, almonds and whey protein shakes,” “I also cooked all of my meals, brought my lunch to work everyday and rarely ate out.“I drank tons of water, no sugary drinks like soda, and apart from a few drinks on special occasions didn’t drink any alcohol.”
He said he'll continue to be healthy but now he's going to go out with his mates and drink beer and eat pizza sometimes. Well done! Hunter Hobbs you are now my motivation, I think I'll stick you on my fridge. Wonder what my partner will say.
Government fails local victims of domestic violence
Nova Women CEO Kelly Hansen and executive assistant Fiona Edwards Photo Credit - Newcastle Herald's Simon McCarthy
The Newcastle Herald reported today that a local organisation whose job it is to help women and children in domestic violence situations Nova Women and Children had been failing those that needed it most lately. They've left upto 50 calls a day and 10 emails unanswered due to poor service in a struggle to get their NBN sorted out. CEO Ms Hansen said it's been a nightmare “We would say this date, and we would know it was happening, and it would be solved, (but then) we would find new information that suggested that it wasn't solved, or they would just not show up.” The article then went on to discuss who had pointed the finger at who but the whole thing just annoys me to be honest and I believe it just comes down to bad organisation.
As mums we know about how important it is to have a plan because if you don't, everything just falls apart. That's what has happened here.
Governments do things like the NBN and NDIS to be seen to be doing the right thing and gain popularity with the electorate for being forward thinking and addressing problems but none of it is thought through or implemented properly. NDIS is a great idea but whisperings of it being a massive expensive mess are common as is the case with the NBN. It's not just about putting your mug in front of a TV camera and announcing how fab you are and blowing your horn's people. When you stuff up the big operations such as these people suffer and both of those policies are the prime example of this.
Shocking footage of a bear being used at a Russian football game
A Russian football team has been blasted by animal rights activists for using a grizzly bear to deliver a pre-match ball. 'Tim' the circus bear was trained to hand the ball to the referee before the match. Obviously this has sparked a massive back lash, and we were pretty shocked ourselves!
Public temper tantrums
Thanks to the dreaded school holidays, I found myself yesterday doing the weekly grocery shop with three kids in tow. I told myself that bribery would work and we would get through the next half hour with the least possible fuss. Boy was I wrong. We didn't even last past the fruit and veg before hair was being pulled and the screaming had started. By the milk section, I was close to calling it and dumping the half full trolley and leaving, with or without the kids. We got to the checkouts and they had obviously missed their chances on the kinder surprise eggs that would have been rewards for semi decent behaviour. I pulled my sunglasses down over my eyes and tried to load up the shopping as quick as possible and avoid making eye contact with other shoppers. Suddenly a lady around my mums age, leans over and said, 'Excuse me dear, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but good on you for standing your ground, you're a great mum.' Wow! This was all I needed to hear to make me feel instantly better. So this made me think, is a toddler tantrum so much worse when you don't feel supported by others around you or are they just unbearable altogether?
OMG Big Little Lies
I started to watch last season of Big Little Lies and like, whatever, for about 2 episodes then something changed in me and I had backside ache from watching too many episodes in a row. You know that bottom ache you get in a really long uni lecture? I had that, for the rest of the season. So you could imagine the fear I felt for the condition of my backside when it was revealed that Meryl Streep was entering the cast for Season 2 as Nicole Kidman's mother in law.. oh my gawwdd oh my gawwddd.. Now it's been revealed that Kieth Urban, that cute eyeline wearing, country singer sweetheart of Nicole's could also be entering stage right. Nicole revealed in a recent interview 'He might do a cameo, wouldn't you?' I would for sure, while I was on set I'd also get Meryl to sign my boobs. Love you Meryl.