The Parenting Cafe
  • About
    • The Parenting Cafe Story
    • About Sonja Preston
    • Testimonials
  • Dunstan Baby Language
  • Articles
  • Contact
  • Facebook Icon
  • Instagram Icon
  • Menu Menu
  • 0Shopping Cart

Posts

Helle & Sonja – Sisters reunited after 40 years.
Sonja Preston

The Missing Sister

May 4, 2020/in Parents /by Sonja Preston

In honour of Mother’s Day this coming Sunday, I’m reprinting my personal story of a mother’s love…. my mother x x

I was born as the eldest of three girls to my parents Bill and Marie. Dad was British, Mum was Danish, and they met in Norway while they were both working there. My father then travelled to Canada with his work, and sent for my Mother to travel there to marry him. I was born there as was my next sister, and then we migrated to Australia, where another sister was born.

I had a happy childhood in that I was loved, and had two parents who wanted to provide for us, even though they were starting from scratch here. They bought a house, and we were all settling into our new homeland when tragedy struck – my Father died at age 39 from a cerebral haemorrhage. My mother was left alone in a foreign country, with no family support, three children aged 9 months, 7 yrs & 9 yrs, and at that time my mother didn’t qualify for any Govt benefits as she wasn’t an Australian citizen!

Life was tough – we lived on food parcels and clothing vouchers from charity organisations for six months, until legislation was passed in Govt allowing foreign residents to claim benefits. Even though we had so little, my Mother surrounded us with love and good home cooking. She nurtured us and included us in both fun and work activities around the house whether it was gardening or doing the dishes. People would have said we were poor – but it truly was only in the financial sense. Mum taught us how to cook and sew and do repair jobs around the house. She also made magic happen – putting our food on the plate in the shape of funny faces, or hiding little elf figures in pot plants. For birthdays she’d make a treasure hunt, with clues for us to find our gift. The neighbourhood children also loved her because she loved and nurtured them too with hugs and stories. She was the best mother!

Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/HelleandSonja.jpg 540 960 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2020-05-04 06:00:432020-04-27 15:16:06The Missing Sister

Looking for a particular topic?

Discover Articles by Age or Topic

  • 1 – 3 Years (109)
  • 3 – 5 Years (110)
  • 4 – 12 Months (82)
  • Birth – 3 Months (51)
  • Frontpage Article (1)
  • Intellectual (50)
  • Language (49)
  • Motor Developement (30)
  • News (1)
  • Parents (50)
  • Pre-Natal (11)
  • Social – Emotional (78)
  • Uncategorized (4)
Popular
  • Bright Shiny ThingsMay 18, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • little-sponges-little-earsLittle Sponges, Little Ears – How we talk in front...November 22, 2013 - 3:47 pm
  • hugging-child-by-subharnabDoes your child know you love them?November 29, 2013 - 4:30 pm
  • Kid asking questionsHow (and why) a 3 year old drives you nuts with their constant...December 6, 2013 - 4:43 pm
  • The Influence of MediaThe Influence of MediaJanuary 13, 2014 - 7:43 am
Recent
  • Bright Shiny ThingsMay 18, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • 8 ways to enjoy messy play at home8 Ways to Enjoy Messy Play at HomeMay 13, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • Helle & Sonja – Sisters reunited after 40 years.The Missing SisterMay 4, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • Go to BedGo to Bed! – How to Get Children to Stay in BedApril 27, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • Friends are the Sunshine in LifeApril 6, 2020 - 1:00 pm
Comments
Tags
anxiety behavior Behaviour books calm calm and consistent challenges communication connection consequences conversation development discipline Emotions exercise Expressive language Family frustration fun Gratitude help Language learning Love model modelling nurturing parenting Parents personality play problem solving Reading resilience share Sleep Social Emotional Development sounds speech stress support teach temperament time TV

The Parenting Cafe Logo

Get in touch

+61 (0) 412 888 052
(Business Hours Only – AEST)

sonja@theparentingcafe.com.au

Facebook Icon Instagram Icon

 

Privacy Policy

Scroll to top