Narelle Hunter RURAL LIFESTYLE

I don't enjoy the HSC I am sorry to say, it is the one thing I still get nervous about for my daughters, although I try not to show it. It is not about the mark they are aiming for but the impact this whole experience is having on their well being, that I worry about. Three hour writing exams where you come out with blisters, pressure, pressure, pressure; comparisons, fears, constant study, more pressure. You have to wonder why we have set up such an extreme challenge for these gorgeous young adults in the name of education. What are we trying to prove? Well one big positive that can come out of the HSC is that you learn how to handle pressure. (oh and getting an education is a privilege of course!) Life has a way of occasionally throwing up some tricky situations that test us. The ability to handle a challenge proactively is key. As parents there probably isn't a lot we can do by the time the exam starts to ease the pressure, aside from gentle encouragement, lots of complime

Well hello, how are you? My last post included lots of fabulous advise about starting a detox just as the school holidays where about to start. I am sorry to say I failed dismally! Diets have never worked for me. As soon as I tell myself I cant have coffee, chocolate, less carbs etc. its all I think about. The approach that works best for me is to take a healthy balanced approach while getting active. I did manage to have decaf coffee and I have no trouble with detoxing my thoughts but 'treating myself' with fatty or sugary food is a weakness Id like to work on. Now that the warmer weather has arrived we pull out the BBQ and buy lots of salad and fresh fruit. It is the snacking that I need to look at, as this often happens when I sit down to write or late in the afternoon when we sit on the front verandah with friends. Its funny these habits we have that are wrapped up in emotion and memory. Food becomes comfort, a reward, a celebration, a craving, often a want