#5 Grab a little exercise – Personally, I find it really difficult to stay angry when I’m walking. Try bike riding (on a safe track if you’re really angry), running, walking, or even punching a punching bag if you have one.

 #4 Gardening – Slow down and create something on a crummy day. It will be beautiful on a better day, get you back to nature, and give you something to look forward to. Try growing food-producing plants such as vegetables and herbs to be able to ‘eat your rage’ in a more literal sense.

 #3 Talk to someone – If you don’t have a trusted adult, teacher, or school councillor, call Lifeline (13 11 14) or Kids Help Line (1800 55 1800) to vent and externalise the internal maelstrom of emotion. Someone may be able to help you find your way through the tangle.

 #2 Wash away the bad day – Have a shower and visualise the horrible feelings going down the drain with the water. When you step out squeaky clean, you can picture the rest of the day to be the same.

 #1 Have a good cry – Sometimes a crummy day just can’t be helped and you need to have a good cry about it.

 “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” 

― L.M. Montgomery

Five ways to deal with your teen’s crummy days (for adults or friends)

#5 Listen actively to what is being said – Ask questions about the crummy day to let them know you’re up to speed with them.

#4 Leave them alone – Sometimes they’ll ask you to just leave them to calm down before anything can be resolved or talked about. This one always worries me personally, but as long as it isn’t a constant silence and they do eventually seek someone out to talk, it should be fine.

 #3 Offer them help – You can offer help, but remember not to try and solve the issue for the person. Working through adversity builds character and fosters resilience. If it’s a matter of helping them study, or preparing for an exam, then sure: Saddle up for the race to the finish line!

 #2 Show them you care about them – A thinking of you card, a hand written letter, or a small, thoughtful gift can lift someone’s spirits.

 #1 Give them a hug – It’s free, it feels good, and most people I know (adults and teens alike) really need one after they’ve had a crummy day. 

Book buying with heart… even if you’re on a budget.

It’s that time of the year again, when us bibliophiles gather in the masses to pick up a bargain, fill our book shelves and do it with a clear conscience because what we spend goes to help many, many people in need.

 Information (just in case you have never been to a Lifeline Bookfest)

 It will be held in 2014 from Saturday January 18 to Monday January 27 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

 Opening Hours

Opening weekend Jan 18-19: 8:30am – 8:00pm
Monday – Friday Jan 20-24: 8:30am – 6:00pm
Closing weekend Jan 25-26: 8:30am – 8:00pm
Australia Day (Sale Day): 8:30am – 4:00pm

When you get inside

 The space has been split up into 3 sections…

High Quality – prices will be as marked

$2.50 section – as the name suggests… everything in this bit is $2.50

And the $1 section… pretty self explanatory.

 To make life a little more sensible within each section there are categories such as Science Fiction, Hardback Fiction, paperback fiction, Children’s etc. 20 categories in total.

 So take you’re granny trolley, remember to pay for the books in your hand, and have them bagged, before switching sections and keep an eye out for an absolute bargain.

 **If you are on a tight, tight budget, my tip is to take public transport, and only allow yourself to buy what you can carry.**

5 steps to Surviving your first day of High School (from a woman who did it ‘back in the day’)

In Queensland, for a few more years at least, high school begins in grade 8. The leap from primary to high school can be a culture shock you may be having nightmares about, but here are a few ways to battle the nerves and get yourself through that first day with minimal fuss.

Keep in mind, you’re a young adult now and your parents don’t need to be responsible for every aspect of your preparation any more.

#1 Dress to succeed – check the uniform policy and make sure you have everything you need (if you need socks, be sure to tell someone).  Make sure everything fits, is clean and that you’ll know where it is on the first day.

#2 Sleeping beauty- sounds clichéd, I know, but eat a healthy meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour the night before, so you can wake up and be happy to start the day.

#3 Alarming – if you have to set an alarm, be sure to place it across the other side of your room so you have to physically get up to turn it off. Oh, and give yourself plenty of time to get ready, especially if you have siblings who will be getting ready for their first day at the same time.

#4 Book ‘em Danno – unless you’ve been told otherwise, your first day will be mostly about getting a feel for the school, getting your time tables, meeting your teachers and dealing with trivial things. No matter what happens, make sure you’re prepared to do some work. Pack either a binder with loose leaf pages in it or a notebook. Oh and remember a pen that works.

 #5 Munch that Lunch – pack a lunch that will be low GI, (keeps you fuller for longer) healthy, and remember your water bottle, because an dehydrated brain has to work harder to think. You can also make this ahead of time to avoid unnecessary stress on the morning of your first day.

When all is said and done it all comes down to you. Hold your head high, act and think positively. Because what you put out there, you are sure to get back.

 Good luck!!!!

Bel’s got some suggestions for freshening up your back to school look.

Try some new hair styles for the new school year.

I have combed (ha ha) through the never ending world of YouTube to find 3 hairstyles you may not have tried, to start the new school year. **Remember** to try them out at home a few times to make sure you’re not going to be stressing on your first day.

Here’s a dressed up ponytail by Kayley Melissa that looks pretty and seems pretty easy.

Cora from vintageortacky shows us how she does a sock bun *this one won’t be so ideal if you’re going to need to wear a hat at achool*

 If you’re wanting something a little more feminine and less severe this is bubzbeauty with a twisted up do that can take only 3 minutes or so.

Have fun experimenting with how you want your hair on the first day. Oh, and be sure to share any other YouTube tutorials you love for school hairdos in the comments below.

Good Luck!!!

Marianne Mentions:

Here is a sneak peek and some of Rachel Bridgen’s glorious illustrations for Marianne’s new picture book Serious Sas and Messy Magda. Serious Sas is the kind of picture book that all ages can enjoy! Click on the image to get the enlarge view!

Sas and Magda are like chalk and cheese …