Reader! Hello.

A couple of weeks ago, after I'd spent h.o.u.r.s. driving my kids around to various places, I got thinking about how we could use these otherwise dead moments to move us closer to the kind of lives we want.

And I don't know about you, but unless I make a plan for this - my head is so full of the day-to-day that I find it hard to capture the opportunities right in front of me.

This email may seem out of left field, as I've been discussing friendships and community. But, isn't embedding our kids in strong communities with good friends one of the things we want the most?

We want a village.

So, I propose "the Sunday five". Five things we can think about on a Sunday night to help us grow us in the ways that really matter to us (not just getting ourselves sorted for the week's logistics)!
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​Something to:

1. Talk to our kids about during the hours we spend driving them around (or our partner/friends).
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2. Something to sing along to, and get the endorphins flowing.
   ​These are things that help us strengthen bonds with the people we are closest to.
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3. Something to listen to.
   ​This is something that stretches us and gets us thinking outside of our existing world.
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4. Something to eat.
   ​This is also going to set you up well for when I start encouraging you to invite your neighbours around (wink-wink!)
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5. Something to get home and drink.​
   ​Because honestly, after 3+ hours in the car playing taxi driver, this is a nice treat!

Will you give it a go with me?
For our first round this week...
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​Talk to your kids about Inside Out.

Let's start simple because if Box Office results mean anything, half the world has just seen this movie. If you didn't see it with your teens and tweens, then I can't recommend that enough. I believe this film is *made* for that age group and that seeing it with them can lead to some deep conversations—it certainly has in our house. Even if you don't see it with them, it's a great opportunity to talk!

If you want some ways into this conversation, try asking your kids:

Did you think any emotions were missing? (then, tell me more about that...)

Why do you think anxiety was the most prominent emotion?

What are some of your 'core memories' (tell me about one of them and the emotions connected to it)

What are your main 'personality islands'?

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​Listen to The Tradwife Rises by You're Wrong About podcast.

I found this really interesting, having seen this movement on social media a lot recently. I also just liked the banter from the hosts! They mention a bunch of other writers and podcasts I'm not keen to follow up on too - bonus!

Eat, Brisket baby! BYOB by Natasha Feldman​
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​I love this for something to slow cook on a Sunday, and then you’ve got leftovers for the week – work/school lunches sorted!) It comes from a great cookbook called The Dinner Party Project, and I never would have thought about making brisket on a weekend, but now we do it regularly. Yum!

Sing along to Florence & The Machine, King​

Get home and drink: Pepik Pinot Noir (I am deep in Pinot Noir territory at the moment, though if you're not an Aussie, this one might be hard to find - do you drink a bit of Pinot? Love to hear what your fave is!)

If you're looking for something non-alcoholic, try a peach iced tea. (This Bickfords one is great)

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Ok, so Reader what do you think - love this? hate it? Hit me up... in the meantime, let me know how the chat with your kids goes or if you have thoughts about my thoughts.

Louisa​
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​p.s. If you're all set for community and not that interested in learning more, then please unsubscribe here, no hard feelings. That said, I'd love to stay in touch Reader.

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