Ep 35: Hot Coffee and Giggles (The Bit No One Told Me Was Coming)

Episode Description

I stood in my kitchen yesterday holding a hot coffee. Still hot. And both my girls were upstairs playing together. Laughing. Making up games. No one was crying. No one was pulling anyone's hair. No one was screaming "MUUUUM."

And I thought — when did this happen?

Because four years ago? School holidays nearly broke me. A baby and a toddler. Two kids who couldn't play together. Days that dragged on forever. Me on the lounge room floor being the only source of fun in the house.

But now? Now they're 4 and 6. And they actually like each other. They make up games. They giggle at stuff only they understand. They play for ages while I sit down and drink a coffee that's still warm.

The close age gap almost took me out in those early years. But this episode is me saying out loud — it's paying off. And it's really bloody good.

This one's for any mum in the thick of it right now. The mum with the toddler. The mum with two little ones who won't play together yet. I'm not here to give advice. I just want you to know — this bit is coming. And it's worth it.

Episode Summary

The school holidays hit different this year. My girls are 4 and 6 now and they actually play together. Like really play together. Made-up games. Cubby houses. Pretend vet clinics with a waiting room and everything. And I get to just… sit there. With a hot coffee. Listening to them giggle.

What I talk about:

What school holidays felt like four years ago with a baby and a toddler — the long days, the Googling activities, the being the only source of fun in the house
The close age gap (1 year and 11 months) and how it nearly broke me in those early years
How I used to feel guilty for thinking I'd got the gap wrong
The moment I realised things had shifted and the girls were actually playing together
What it feels like to hear your kids laugh together — and why it hits you right in the guts
The fact that they still fight (because I'm not pretending it's perfect)
A message for any mum in the thick of the early bit right now

Who this episode is for:

Any mum with a toddler who won't play alone. Any mum with two little ones who don't get along yet. Any mum with a close age gap who's wondering if it ever gets easier.

It does.

And this episode is me saying that out loud.