This is republished from the blog So Totally in Love by Lorissa with her permission. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Several summers ago, during our family vacation, we took our kids to our hotel’s outdoor swimming pool for a few hours. While the kids were splashing in the water, I…
Author: Marilyn Rodrigues
I'm a journalist and married mother of five. I live in Sydney.
The changing meaning of family
One time I was reading an article by a writer whose work I enjoy reading occasionally when she referred to a book her young son was reading as picturing “one of those vanilla mummy/daddy families”. That is, it showed a married mum and dad, and the couple’s biological children. It was clear by the context…
The Best Thing You Will Do All Year For Your Children
To welcome guests to our home I keep a peace lily plant in a pot by the front door. Whenever its dark glossy green leaves lose their graceful arch and start wilting (usually when I’ve been too busy to notice it for a few weeks) I don’t just spray some water onto it and expect it to perk up. I…
Parenthood, War, and Peace
After a busy Saturday spent travelling and socialising, last Sunday was what we call a catch-up day in our household. After Mass and morning tea we got to work cooking, doing laundry, sorting out Christmas gifts, and generally tidying up for a couple of hours. The children mostly played or read books and watched…
Marilyn Rodrigues 