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How I Survive and Thrive as a Highly Sensitive Single Parent

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Parenting solo with a sensitive nervous system? You’re not broken—you’re wired for deep care. These 9 gentle strategies have helped me go from meltdown to mindful. I didn’t know I was a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) until my son was about three years old. Suddenly, so much made sense. I’m pretty much the textbook definition of a Highly Sensitive Person—I checked every box on the self-test. Discovering what that meant was a total game-changer for me. I finally understood why those early baby years had felt like I was barely surviving—while my friends seemed to cruise through with ease. The sleepless nights, the overstimulation, the constant needs—I was truly struggling and didn’t have the words for it at the time. Now that I do, I’ve built a way of life that honors my sensitivity and my son’s needs. Is it always easy? Not at all. But there are ways to make it more manageable—and even joyful. Here’s what’s helping me survive and even thrive as a highly sensitive single parent. 1. Stick...
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Family History in Sydney, NSW

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Warringah Shire Mayor - John Frederick Duffy (1863-1950) My second great grandfather John Duffy was the mayor (then called president) and served in the first Warringhah shire council from 1906, he was re-elected in 1908, 1911, 1914 and 1917 his photo resides on the walls of the Warringah shire council building today. He married Sarah Martha Horn at Waterloo in 1894. John and Sarah had a son John Fredrick who served in WWI and a daughter Elvy Margaret Duffy (my great grandmother) (1896-1981).  Sarah Duffy (My Nan's grandmother), Jack Duffy, Elvy Duffy (My Nan's Mother) and John F Duffy (Nan's grandfather). Mona Vale Orchard He was also an orchardist at Mona Vale. Family photos of John Duffy at his orchard. Patrick Duffy - Duffy's Forest (suburb in the Northern Beaches) Paddy's Markets, Sydney City (1930s-1990s) Paddy's Market and Hay St, Haymarket in Sydney in 1929. PITT STREET AT HAYMARKET 1893 The Sydney Markets 1788 - 1988 ; by Michael Christie Elvy Byrne at h...
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First Nations Land

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I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I write this, the Turrbal and Yagera people. We recognise their continued connection to the land and waters of this place, and acknowledge that they never ceded sovereignty. I respect all Elders and Ancestors, and any First Nations people reading this. My family has been mainly living on two regions of land in Australia back to my 3rd and 4th great grandparents.  My father's family lived on  Worimi country (also spelt Warrimay) (Gloucester, NSW).  Worimi people British colonists had a perception that Worimi people were taller and stouter than those living around Sydney and were more prone to laughter than tears. The Worimi were divided into a number of nurras (local groups within a tribe, each occupying a definite locality within the tribal territory). The Worimi and Biripi tribes both spoke dialects of the Kattang language. Garigal and Caregal people My mother's family has lived in the Sydney region...
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Indigenous Perspectives in Education

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United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) In 2007, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was released, and in 2009 Australia became a signatory of the declaration. This declaration was the first official acknowledgement of human rights to Indigenous Peoples in the world and was agreed upon after 20 years of work. However, the story of reconciliation in Australia is much longer than the now 30 years since the UN commenced work on UNDRIP. Use and refer to rights and take them to meetings to ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are represented through our practice. Particularly Article 14, 15 and 17. PDF: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) . Sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples in Australia This sovereignty is a spiritual notion: the ancestral tie between the land, or ‘mother nature’, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were born therefro...
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Montessori

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PRINCIPLES OF MONTESSORI Learning begins before birth All senses are used in the learning process The child is respected The Prepared Environment is essential Role of Educator is to guide, not ‘teach’ Observation is the most important skill of the Educator Hand and mind work together Choice and freedom KEY ELEMENTS OF MONTESSORI Multi age classes – vertical grouping by stages of development Three Hour work cycle Child Led, individual programming, independent learning Self- discipline & intrinsic motivation Materials with a control of error Holistic approach to education WHAT IT AIMS TO DO Create a lifelong love of learning Concentration, persistence & coordination Normalisation & self-discipline Independence & responsibility Creative self-expression HIGHLIGHTS Respect for the dignity of each child Freedom of choice within structure and limits “Follow the lead of the child”: each unfolds at his own pace The environment is “...
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Family tree

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Hugh Wilson - Dad's side Direct ancestor (7 generations) 1762 If you're wondering why Luka looks Irish. On my Dad's fathers side comes a line of Irish men from County Down , North Ireland. A lot go by the name James or Hugh Wilson. As far back as I can see on the family tree in MyHeritage is 7 generations back born 1762. James Wilson (born 1831) was the generation that moved from Ireland to Sydney and then Booral, NSW. Patrick Duffy - Mum's side Duffy's Forest Duffys Forest is named after Patrick Duffy, who received a land grant there in 1857. He became a timber cutter and cleared a road through the bush to Cowan Creek , where he built a stone wharf for transporting timber. The wharf is still known as Duffys Wharf and the road is Duffys Track. [2] Duffys Forest is a suburb of northern Sydney , in the state of New South Wales , Australia . Duffys Forest is 28 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Nor...
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Pic of the day

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Venice
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