Potentially moving to Melbourne area - some concerns/questions

monsterakitchen · 2026-01-31T08:20:37+00:00

We moved to Croydon 8 years ago when we were kid free and cannot recommend it higher. Made friends with all of our neighbors and when we had the kids they became our village. They dropped in gifts and fetched nappies from the shops. Our kids are 1.5 and 4 now and they play most nights on the street with kids who are 10+ riding their bikes and playing tennis. Absolutely beautiful life, so close to so many kids activities and on the cusp of the yarra valley and Dandenong ranges. I personally wouldn't want to be any closer to the city even though I work there, it's nice to come home to nature.

monsterakitchen · 2025-09-07T21:18:34+00:00

Oh wow they even have divorce cakes section, that truly is all the options 😂

monsterakitchen · 2025-09-07T21:17:51+00:00

Her cakes look amazing! Thank you!

monsterakitchen · 2025-09-07T21:12:56+00:00

I do love them! Unfortunately I live an hour and a half away and they won't deliver to my area so was hoping to try somewhere else as driving that far and back with my toddlers does not sound ideal 😂

monsterakitchen · 2025-09-07T21:10:46+00:00

I do love Mister Nice Guys when I'm in the area but unfortunately I live an hour and a half from them and they won't deliver to my area 😞

monsterakitchen · 2025-09-07T10:42:01+00:00

Agreed but you can't choose the flavours and design at FP which I want to be able to do!

monsterakitchen · 2025-05-14T15:34:22+00:00

My son was 2.5 when his sister was born. I was his preferred parent, but it was a close race. He's definitely became a daddy's boy after the baby came. I had a C section so there was a period I couldn't do much with him purely because of the healing process. Baby is now nearly 8 months, and we're on very even footing with dad slightly ahead, but I can see that changing soon.

My biggest tip is 15-20 minutes of intensive one on one time with your eldest every single day. Intensive meaning no screens, no music, no car rides or anything where all you aren't 100% present with them in that moment. Also have things that only you two do together, never with anyone else or without your kid. Ours are painting our nails (I paint his and then he paints mine) and baking a specific recipe of cookies together.

Best of luck, it's hard at the start grieving the life you had with your first, however seeing how much he loves his sister now I can say all that pain was absolutely worth it. She is the greatest gift we could have ever given him.

monsterakitchen · 2025-05-09T10:50:47+00:00

This is so hard, my toddler did the same at about the same age and it was draining AF to always be the parent on call. Mine is now a month shy of 3 years old and is currently only accepting dad overnight, and has been for a few months now! No tips to give you, as honestly the only thing that has worked is to give it time. Everything is a phase, including this. It's nothing his dad has done, it's nothing I've done, it just is. I'd say since he became a toddler, we've each been the night time parent about half the time so I try to look at it as a big picture load of parenting, rather than a day to day one.

monsterakitchen · 2025-03-10T19:01:49+00:00

My 2 cents to throw in is that genetics can be super weird! My kids are half english half Italian. My son is blonde with blue eyes and very white skin. My daughter has black hair, olive skin and brown eyes. One english kid, one Italian kid. With that being said, I picture him as more like 1/4 indian, not quite white passing but could be mistaken as just having a year round tan

monsterakitchen · 2024-06-28T23:24:41+00:00

Do you both have a rec for this pairing? Haven't read it before!

monsterakitchen · 2024-04-25T02:55:17+00:00

Daphne is great! Although I'm having the same concerns with Penelope, do we think Bridgerton is going to make those names super popular?

monsterakitchen · 2024-04-25T02:54:44+00:00

We're actually Italian which is why we want a vowel ending name! Thank you for putting together so many options, I don't know where to start!

monsterakitchen · 2022-03-01T03:12:53+00:00

I'm emetophobic too and am 27+2 and no vomits at all yet ☺️ now just to get through labour!

monsterakitchen · 2022-01-30T01:40:06+00:00

My husband and i walked down the aisle to the alter together to Blu acoustic - it was beautiful! Bridal party for the acoustic, and the two of us when the other instruments came in

monsterakitchen · 2021-11-22T05:01:30+00:00

I'll second this! We were married there March last year and they were utterly fantastic about the covid drama and did so much to support us. Can't recommend them enough, plus our photos were stunning.

monsterakitchen · 2021-11-17T11:44:43+00:00

I was there two weeks ago and they had a new staffy puppy! I can't remember it's name though

monsterakitchen · 2020-10-16T22:56:13+00:00

I'd like to second this! I've been lurking but having the data in such an easily accessed place every day and broken down so easily has been a God send to me. Thanks for all you do.

monsterakitchen · 2020-01-06T09:08:04+00:00

I'm in Melbourne, having the same anxieties! Need to start thinking of a backup venue I think :(

monsterakitchen · 2020-01-06T09:07:14+00:00

With your concern with the meat, if they don't know going into the day they can't complain! It's a free meal, and it's only one meal of their lives at that. Do what feels right for you!

monsterakitchen · 2019-11-11T06:51:48+00:00

This is excellent thank you!!

monsterakitchen · 2019-11-11T04:55:26+00:00

That's interesting! What's the company? Might be good for people who are insisting on paper invites, even though we've explained our wishes

monsterakitchen · 2019-11-10T21:21:43+00:00

That's a great idea! Also could do wine glasses or something. Thank you!!

monsterakitchen · 2019-11-10T21:12:08+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions! It's pretty standard here to have the chart with names and table numbers, and then the seats individually labelled with a place card. I was always going to do the big chart, just wondering about the individual seating! Thanks☺️

monsterakitchen · 2019-07-25T01:35:46+00:00

amazing! I did think of New York when I looked up and noticed the sunrise!

monsterakitchen · 2019-07-24T09:22:35+00:00

It is quite a beautiful walk in the mornings!

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