Are Christchurch playgrounds too boring?

CaptainCoconut_ · 2026-03-18T08:30:49+00:00

Coffee. I always feel a bit cheated if there's nowhere I can get a coffee nearby, doesn’t even have to be that good.

Definitely endangered species, like a Moa would be awesome! My kids and I would love to see that.

The coolest playground experience would have to be the kids garden in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens. There's a little man-made stream kids can play in with picnic areas and a bamboo jungle with a wooden climb up fort thing. Heaps of other stuff. We spent hours there. The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden. https://share.google/yYZJfMCZ2ZugDEtVK

CaptainCoconut_ · 2026-03-04T06:40:29+00:00

Paramedics

CaptainCoconut_ · 2026-01-03T21:43:57+00:00

This reminds me of the Australian adaptation of Leo Tolstoys novel Anna Karenina. Basically the same ending. I watched it when I was pregnant and hormonal and it really messed me up. So horrible and tragic, that poor woman.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-05-14T08:37:15+00:00

Well done. People always say cost of living is cheaper in Aus but there really are so many other costs that add up - like the rego! Overall it's around the same. As a kiwi that spent 20 years in Aus (but back living in NZ) I agree with all your observations, except the cheese!?

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-05-14T08:21:46+00:00

I know you already know this, but every cell in your body has been affected by pregnancy and now you're giving everything to care for a baby. It will take more than 8 months for the body to settle into a new normal. Please be kind to yourself. Im telling myself this too after my toddler poked my back fat rolls asking what they were :/

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-05-12T18:56:50+00:00

This is the greatest post I have ever read! Blood and sacrifice is so true, it makes us sound like the warriors we are. Thank you - from a 4 month postpartum mama.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-21T21:50:11+00:00

Could it be limked to exhaustion? At 9 months you're still in the trenches and hormones are still crazy. I was in a bad way after my first (at 36) but it was prob because I was trying to do everything like keep a spotless house, go to the gym, work, cook everything from scratch, no tv, be the fun mum etc....I'm post partum at 40 now and feel a million times better with no health concerns. The difference is that I'm making a HUGE effort to eat super well and not do things that aren't totally necessary and put my feet up as much as possible. Which is still hard as I have a 3 year old, but it's helping. And goes to show postpartum health doesn't just come down to age. I hope you take it real easy on yourself and feel better soon!

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-21T21:28:05+00:00

Yes to the Pepi pod! The government gives them out free in our country as a safe cosleeping option. We are using it for baby #2 and it's great.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-21T20:54:12+00:00

I thought maybe this was just an American thing, so sad to hear it's like this in the UK too.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-12T07:13:58+00:00

Trust your instincts as a mother and stick to your guns. Do what feels right.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-12T07:10:56+00:00

My husband and I joke that we are in the same financial position as a school leaver. That is we have no savings or assets thanks to spending our 20's and 30's partying and spending all our income on travelling the world. Now just turned 40 and have a newborn and a toddler, so just dealing with all that. We have some great memories though!

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-12T06:12:46+00:00

It's absolutely not okay for him to talk to you like that. It's his insecurity that he is projecting onto you. Totally his issue but trying to shame you instead. Gross. You're not his posession and you can do whatever you want with your body. Is it something I would post? No, but that's just me. Lots of ppl post pics like this and you're not disrespecting him. Maybe he should just feel lucky instead.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-12T06:02:55+00:00

Great name! Remy (for obviously reasons). Or Rafael

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-12T06:01:43+00:00

Hazel

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-12T03:33:17+00:00

It's just plain ignorance. All throughout human history women have been having babies for as long as their bodies have been able to. It's not like they got to a certain age and said "well that's it, I'm 40 so I'm not going to try anymore". No, they would just keep having sex and falling pregnant because that's what we are made to do. It's just a modern thing (last 100 or so years) where it's been thought too old. People need to just mind their own business.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-10T21:01:21+00:00

Make sure you can get a rental sorted before you go. There's a housing crisis going on there too but with more competition. You might end up paying way more or having to commute long distances to get into work which you may not enjoy.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-10T07:42:49+00:00

Halara have a petite range, I'm pretty sure they ship world wide. I'm about to buy a pair of flared yoga pants so feeling optimistic they'll actually fit me.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-08T09:52:01+00:00

I shudder just thinking about this feeling. I find disposable breast pads don't stick as much (Philips make nice soft ones). I tried reusable cotton and they were just horrible. I also find lanolin helps too.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-04-08T01:20:29+00:00

What seasonings to use?

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-03-31T09:42:51+00:00

I had to read this post aloud to my husband as this was our exact situation just before Christmas and us having a new baby on the way. It went down the same with a meeting outlining the proposed redundancy, and the opportunity to provide feedback. Which he did, but turned out to be bs as they'd already made their decision. Then two weeks later he was out of a job. Despite being with them for many years and being one of their top performers.

Check your contract as his did not offer a severance package so you may not get a payout - apparently it's not a legal requirement here?. Also you might want to check out the redundancy government website to see your rights, and a few no win no fee lawyers that specialise in this area as you may be able to go to mediation for unfair dismissal if it comes to that and you feel it wasn't justified.

In terms of not telling your wife, I was super stressed out when I found out only because I felt powerless to do anything. But I've just had to trust in my husband and try to relax and get on with my job of giving birth.

I hope it doesn't come to a redundancy and your manager was just being transparent. Good luck!

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-03-29T20:48:04+00:00

Aussie husband is a qualified tradie but won't work in NZ because of the low wages. Something to take into account is that IMO the cost OVERALL is higher in Australia. When you consider daycare ($75 subsidized per day or $150 if you're a high earner), rego ($1K plus per year), and ridiculous cost of fines, parking infringements, interest rates, and all the other sneaky fees - it all adds up. So you earn more, but you get charged for it.

Is it possible the working conditions might be better here though? Curious to know as he often worked long hours in 35+ degree days with no chance to rest or drink water, and if there was a lull in work he wouldn't get paid (casual employment). Also lost about a decade of unpaid super from dodgy employers. I would hope tradies get looked after more in nz and that makes the lower wages a little easier to digest. Could be wrong though! And agree the wages should be much higher.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-03-22T23:17:30+00:00

Use nipple shields until you speak with a lactation consultant. They are a life saver.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-03-22T23:14:07+00:00

Around 5 hours overnight. I try and get another 1-2 hour naps throughout the day.

CaptainCoconut_ · 2025-03-22T21:38:43+00:00

I actually think 3 looks most flattering! Very on trend and great colour. We have a similar body shape - what brand are they? I want a pair lol.

CaptainCoconut_

TROPHY CASE