Matt Calman
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About Matt Calman
Matt Calman is a work-from-home dad to two girls - toddler Miss A and preschooler Miss K. Matt shares his insights and experiences of raising two girls, with two very different personalities.
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Lapping up community spirit
Ever since we moved to Christchurch we've driven past the dilapidated, earthquake-damaged Waltham Pool. On the weekend it finally reopened.
One-on-one time
Over the holidays I've seen the benefit in stealing some one on one time with Miss A. She really responds to it, and in a good way.
The responsibility chart
Miss K was given a magnetic responsibility chart for Christmas and, rather aptly, she's taken full responsibility for it.
Fessing up to breakages
Kids break stuff. It's one of life's realities. Sometimes adults do too - and it can be hard to confess
Holiday fun
So far it's been a long hot summer filled with lots of swimming games and fun. My girls have been charging from dawn till dusk.
Best Christmas ever
Miss K and Miss A are at such a cool age that it's been my favourite Christmas ever.
Friends, family and the festive season
"The best thing about Christmas is spending time with friends and family", Miss K says dutifully. But we're not fooled.
Getting ready for school
Miss K looks like a little dot as she tries on her school uniform ahead of starting her next big adventure.
'Tis the week before Christmas...
After putting Miss K to bed strange noises can be heard coming from her room in what I have decided to call The Christmas Effect.
The little things
Much of the gold of parenting is in the little observations, the one-on-one interaction with your kids and the small things that happen in the day.
Breaking with routine
When Miss K departed from the script and told me to leave her at the kindy gate so she could put her bag up by herself it really threw me a curve ball.
Grand plans
Sometimes it's hard to manage expectations of how things work in the real world when you have a child with an active imagination.
Feeling isolated
For the first time in the four years I've been an at-home parent I'm desperately craving adult company. I'm lonely.
Visiting Santa's grotto
The visit to Santa's grotto has been ticked off the list and, while there were tears, it was relatively painless.
Shaking off the Grinch
In an effort to get into the Christmas spirit Matt helped Miss K put up our tree - and found himself getting (a little) swept up in good tidings.
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