Parenthood

Busy Bee

In a world of multi-tasking mayhem, mother and yoga instructor Cheryl Parsons asks, have we become too busy being busy?

I bumped into a friend in Starbucks recently and together we lamented over our endless chore list. “Yes, I am just sooooo busy these days,” I cried as we swapped ‘life is too hectic’ tales across our open laptops. Both of us were trying to squeeze in a flurry of emails before we powered down and headed to my yoga class. It was barely 8.15am, but we had already gotten ourselves tied up in a tizzy of ‘to dos.’ Continue Reading

By on March 27, 2014
Yoga

Sunshiny East Meets Snowy West

As Dubai’s temperatures continue to rise, along with the notion of cranking up the AC again, the thought of freezing climates probably seem far off the radar. For Lisa, however, that’s the reality she’s been dealing with for the past few months. While in the Middle East, Dubai yogis roll out their mats on the beach or in the park, Lisa shares her insight into what winter across in the snowy Midwest has taught her about her practice… 

Spring is just around the corner. I’m sure of it. I saw a robin yesterday, and she told me so. But here in Kansas City, where I’m currently living, we’ve had a tough go of winter with big snows and near-Arctic temperatures; it snowed again just yesterday! Continue Reading

By on March 17, 2014
Yoga

Unfinished business

unfinishedBusiness-a1It’s been a LONG time! This entry has also been a long time in the making. Yes, today comes to you inspired by the half drunk cup of tea, the cold end of toast discarded in the corner, the interrupted yoga practice and the fact that I’ve not updated my blog since March. That just about sums up my crazy life right now! Full of unfinished business…

Wow. Where did the last 14 months go? Molly is now a walking, baby talking, jolly wee lady with a big personality just waiting to blossom. The sleepless nights are just (a little) more few and far between and life is slowly taking on a new ‘normal.’ Continue Reading

By on September 19, 2013
Parenthood

Topsy turvy

topsyTurvyI am thinking of banning the “T” word. If I had a pound for every time I told someone that I was TIRED then I’d be quite a rich woman. (I’d be a ridiculously rich one if that pound also counted for every time I uttered the “T” word in my head.) 

“Oh, yes, you will always be tired,” one of my students quite gleefully told me. “Welcome to parenthood. You will just get more tired from here on in,” the mother of four explained. Continue Reading

By on March 14, 2013
Parenthood

Coming full circle

5.25am. No need for an alarm clock. The morning is signaled by the sound of a raspberry being blown from Molly’s cot. A shuffle of little legs inside her sleeping bag and a string of baby babble can be heard for the next half hour as she patiently waits for her bleary eyed parents. When the light comes on at 6am, the smile and accompanying squeaks of joy are enough to start to clear the cobwebs of tiredness away. 

It has been a LONG time since I have updated my blog and boy, have things changed since my last post! Nearly six months on and I feel I am finally getting to grips with the role of being a mother. Molly is turning into a happy little lady, smiling, laughing, squealing. I won’t lie to you though, there have been many times I’ve really struggled with the challenge. I guess you are never quite prepared for how much your life turns upside down or how much your day to day existence will never just be about you anymore. Continue Reading

By on January 19, 2013
Parenthood

Gaa gaa goo google

This week I’m trying to take a break from ‘google-ing’ parenting things. Well, actually I’ve been ordered to by the husband. To dream feed or not to dream feed, swaddling, breastfeeding, pacifiers, sleep windows, crying…I’ve driven myself mad trying to find the answers from a million and one www.possibilities.com. If you looked at my search history you would be forgiven for thinking I’d gone a little gaa gaa. 

“THEY say you shouldn’t…” I begin before being quickly interrupted by the husband.

“Ah the infamous “THEY” again. Who the hell are “THEY” anyway?” he says.

He’s right. I worry that I worry too much, but this parenting caper is the hardest thing I’ve ever done! And don’t get me started on the books. Been there, read that…and ready to throw them out the window. Continue Reading

By on October 19, 2012
Yoga

What’s your yoga today?

“Pass me a yoga belt!” I cry at the husband. I’m lying on my yoga mat for the first time since giving birth to my beautiful daughter, Molly. I have snatched a few quiet moments just to touch base with my practice again. The thought process goes a little like this…

Can’t reach my toes without a belt! (Gasp!) Hamstrings screaming! (Shock horror!) Belly like jelly! (Where the hell is my core?!) Shoulders like the Tin Man (Gulp!) Back like a 90 year old (What the $%&£ happened to my wheel pose?!) Continue Reading

By on September 18, 2012
Parenthood

The tale of Molly Jean

The day I sat down to write my last blog, four days passed my due date, turned out to be the day our baby would begin to arrive. That evening, Baby Parsons seemed to sense the husband was deeply entranced in the golf Open Championship and considerably waited until Ernie Els lifted the trophy before deciding to get things moving.

At 9.30pm we headed to bed for an early night, only for me to feel a strong sensation take hold in my lower belly the moment I lay down. I knew it was different from the twinges I had had over the last week and sensed that perhaps it could be showtime. As promised, so begins my personal tale of the birth of Molly Jean Parsons and my amazing, intense journey into motherhood. Continue Reading

By on August 8, 2012