Meet Australian Mom Kalima living in Melbourne

Today Melbourne based photographer Kalima Mohamed is telling us a bit more about her family, her life as a mom of a beautiful boy and girl and being married to a photographer husband.

What kind of house do you live in, are you and the kids happy here or is there anything you all terribly miss …?

We live in a small two story townhouse in Northcote, Melbourne.  It is great.  The kids are small, so cosy is still fun.  I think they would love more of a back yard to explore and mess about in but they find an adequate amount insects to investigate and games to play. 

Do you like to spend time on decorating your home and the children’s room?
I have enjoyed it very much. And still oohh and aahh when I see things for them that would be beautiful in their room.

Where do you look for interior inspiration, favorite magazines, websites, blogs?

I have a subscription to Inside Out.  And I look at your blog and other clever, craft, home made blogs like loobylu and threepotatofour.  I found "lmnop" and signed up immediately.  It stands for Laugh, Make, Nuture, Organise and Play.  Soon after I had the good fortune to meet Jenny and Ian, the couple behind the online magazine.  They are both lovely and talented people.

What are your children’s favorite items in your house?

Our bed. They love cuddles.  And it is great for jumping.

What places in your new neighborhood do you like to go to for shopping?

High Street in Northcote is filled with interesting places.

What's it like to raise a child in your town?

Our neighbourhood is very family friendly.  There are plenty of local activities for kids and a great sense of social networking amongst families.  We are also fortunate that both my husbands' family and mine live close by.  So we feel connected and would love to spend even more time with them.

Who do you consider is a good example for your children?

We try to be.

What is your idea of a perfect day with your children?

One absent of chores or time restraints.  Being able to play at any pace.  Be that cooking, pretending, dancing or pottering around together.  Or if they wanted to be with family and we can all casually gather and enjoy each others company.  Put a camera in my hands to take some photos and that would be wonderful too.

Can you tell us a funny story, quote or remark one of your children recently made or happened?

Our daughter Lola recently had her first "performance" with her local dance class.  Our son has watched his big sister and decided she is wonderful.  Naturally he wants to do all that she is doing.  So he has taken to asking to wear lipstick as she did on this day.  Only he calls it "lip stuck".  Which is a better name I think.  Now that is what we all call it.  Mind you it is only lip gloss we give him.

Are their any books you can recommend for parents and how to raise your children?

None.  I have learnt more from friends sharing their day to day issues and ideas of what works.  I count both my mums (mine & my husbands) and my two sister-in-laws as my friends.

Can you mention some of your ‘how-to-raise-your-kid’ values?

Remembering to have a sense of humour is much kinder on your spirit as a parent, and also your children's self esteem and happiness.  Sometimes we feel compelled to always correct them or "teach" them what they shouldn't be doing and forget to laugh.  I don't mean to undermine the important values like safety or treating other people with respect. Just that sometimes to look at the lighter side can make for a happier outcome. 


What kind of DIY projects do you like to do with your children?

Lola(5) loves to make jewelry and  Akira(2) occassionally draws.

Any tips for keeping the house clean when crafting?

That is tough. When I try to keep it clean and organised I kind of destroy the fun of doing it.

Are you a crafter or DIY person?

I am learning to be.

Books, websites, local shops you can recommend to get tips and ideas for kids crafting?

TheRedThread Blog...I could keep going as I love finding beautiful blogs - that is how I discovered yours Irene.  Just looking and admiring.  And thinking one day I would like to try that.  It is so wonderful that people share ideas and "how to do" information.

What do you do with all the projects your children made at home or in school?

A large box under our bed holds Lola's paintings and such.  We will need to do better as she grows and her brother starts to contribute to the stash of goodies.

Any nice decoration ideas how to hang them, keep them or use them as presents?

We cover every inch of wall space in our home office with their scribbles and artwork.  That way they know even when we are busy and not really with them we still choose to surround ourselves with their "decorations".

How do you like to celebrate birthdays and other special days in your house?

It really depends on whose birthday we are celebrating.  If it is a grown up then a sleep in is followed with their favorite breakfast and a family gathering that night.   If it is one of our children then it is presents first and then everything else later on.  Even warm milk which is normally the first demand of every day!

What are favorite games in your home?

"Hot and cold", hide and seek, jumping on the couch - or better still throwing down the cushions from the couch and jumping into them!  Lola is interested in card games and her version of chess.  Akira loves his trains and his father's remote controlled cars.

What kind of sports do your children like to do and are you very involved?

We are exploring circus skills and swimming at the moment.  Both are left to teachers who know more than I do!

Are there musical instruments in your house?

Yes, both toys and real ones.

What are all time favorite books for the children?

The hungry caterpillar and Hairy Maclary for Akira and the Disney Princesses for Lola.  Sleeping Beauty is the favorite at the moment.

What are nice activities you can do with children in your place and what could you recommend when people are visiting?

The kids love putting on little performances.  It can be very sweet.  And most visitors are kind enough to watch.

What movies do your children like to watch, is there one from your childhood you would love to show them too?

They love the Pixar animations.  The Incredibles is a current favorite.  And also Peter Pan.

How do they prefer to spend their leisure time?

With us.  They love it when we are all four together.  Which fortunately happens often.

Are you a ‘cook’ or ‘food’ lover or both?

I struggle.  And wish I were more proficient.

What do your children like to eat?

Their favorite dish of mine is spinach and cheese crepes.  Followed by more crepes drizzled in maple syrup.

What are absolutely forbidden candy or drinks in your house?

We used to be strict when it was just Lola;  but have since relaxed and allowed them both to enjoy most things when around friends and other children.  It was too sad to deny them when all their little friends were eating and drinking things we would rather not offer them.

What kind of books or information do you use for cooking?

Tessa Kuros and Stephanie Alexander cook books.  And any recipe my husband's mother shows me.  She is a fabulous cook.

Thank you Kalima!

..Kalima Mohamed..