Category: Home


Apr
2016

10 helpful reads for adoptive parents

categories: Home

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Whenever I read a great adoption-themed article online, I share it over on the Heart Mama Blog Facebook page as a reference for myself and to share it with others who might be interested too. It’s easy to lose track of these articles on the newsfeed and so I’ve put together a list of ten of my favourite most recent reads that have helped me refine my views on adoption (I’ve been sneaky and popped in two of my own posts too). I hope you find this list helpful!

  1. 5 reasons a new adoptive mom goes MIA
  2. Helping your preschooler feel good about race
  3. Do you have a reluctant spouse?
  4. For this child I prayed
  5. I thought I was gorgeous until I learned that I was just pretty for a black girl
  6. When the road is long and you’d like to forget about adoption
  7. Bonding with your baby at each developmental stage
  8. My friend’s adoption story inspired me
  9. What white parents should know about adopting black children
  10. About the adoption option

Have you read any helpful articles lately? Please share the link with us in the comments below.


Mar
2016

Q: Why did the tofu cross the road? A: To prove he wasn’t chicken

categories: Explore, Home

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Last week I took my vegetarian self (and a lovely vegetarian-friendly friend) to the Fry’s Vegetarian Cooking evening at Ginger & Lime Food Studio – an interactive cooking school that hosts evening courses in a beautiful home in the heart of Fresnaye. After fighting the traffic in Strand Street to get there (almost) on time, we were welcomed into the dining room with a glass of wine and some vegan sushi platters. It felt as though we’d stepped into a close friend’s dinner party, except that we didn’t know a soul. The place was filled with excited chattering of guests eagerly anticipating an evening of fine dining.

After our sushi starter we stepped into a bright modern kitchen and took our seats centered around the large kitchen counter. Denise, our host for the evening kick started the evening describing her passion for food and then we had the chance to introduce ourselves to each other. As per usual I felt in the minority confessing that I was a vegetarian, although this time it was because I was only vegetarian and not an all-the-way-vegan like the majority of the other guests. (Did you know that you can make vegan bacon? Apparently it tastes just like the real thing…) Continue Reading


Feb
2016

WIN: An online voucher from Bright Owl Paper Goods worth R550

categories: Home, Review I Giveaway

Hand-illustrated foxes and zebras dash across pages alongside landrovers and bicycles, sparking imagination in young hearts and minds with a hint of adventure and a touch of whimsy, while carefully chosen words tell little ones that they’re loved and valued.” – Bright Owl

Today I’d like to introduce this beautiful little company – Bright Owl Paper Goods to you! It was created by fellow Heart Mama, Elke Dunaiski, who used her graphic design skills to start her paper goods business in anticipation of being able to work from home when she became a Mom.

Fast forward a few short years and not only has Elke’s business and family grown with the arrival of her daughter in July last year, but the Bright Owl team has also expanded to include prospective adoptive Mama, Celeste, who is paper pregnant and waiting to be matched with her little one.

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I love how Heart Mamas flock together and love the fresh creativity of these two ladies – scroll down to see for yourself: Continue Reading


Feb
2016

When the road is long and you’d like to forget about adoption

categories: Home

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I love my kids and I love adoption but I don’t think I’m alone when I say that there are some days when I wish I could just forget about adoption. There are some days where I just want to be a Mom without the ‘adoptive’ part attached to it. There are some days when I wish attachment and bonding were automatically thrown into the mix the minute you signed on the dotted line. There are other days when I’m tired of coming up against a rigid Home Affairs and using all my energy and time to get seemingly nowhere. Some days when I long for sameness because if we’re honest here, it’s just easier – different usually equals hard. Sometimes adoption just feels like a long, hard slog and you can’t imagine coming through the other side. Continue Reading


Feb
2016

Meet the AfroDaddy – Terence Mentor: The Dad with big hair & a bigger heart

categories: Home, Meet the Mama

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So, I know this blog is called ‘Heart Mama Blog’ and this series usually posts adoption stories from a Mom’s perspective but today we get to hear from a Dad, an ‘AfroDaddy’ to be specific! Terence is a blogger with his own Youtube channel – I’ve loaded some of my favourite videos of his at the  bottom of this post, so take a look. Terence and his wife Julie live down the road from us and we’ve met through mutual friends – if you ever find yourself in Rosmead Spar, keep one eye open for this Dad with a fro (and perhaps a kid or two!) and give him a hello and a pat on the back.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family.

I’m a dad who is a little bit odd – in looks, taste and personality (but not too odd, I hope!). I’m married to beautiful, gracious, smart and wonderful Julie. (I say all this about her because it’s true, but also because it makes her SUPER uncomfortable)

We are the happy parents of 2 year old Liam, who we formally adopted in 2014, and 6 month old Eli, who was born last year. They are our sources of incredible joy and exhaustion. Continue Reading