Its Sunday night, dinner is done, the little guy is asleep (for now), its time to relax before the week begins again, which means its time for. . .

Weekly Wrap Up

This week has been a bit of a long one in the Down Under Household. What began as a lack of sleep quickly escalated when we realised our little guy had become sick with not 1, not 2, but a combination of 3 different illnesses.

After a trip to the Doctors, antibiotics and house rest was in order. For an adult that doesn’t sounds half bad, for an active toddler who loves being outside, it makes for a tough week.

How did we cope? check out the post below:

A Week with a Sick Toddler

If a lack of sleep didn’t come from a Toddler Sleep Regressions then it definitely came from having a sick toddler this week, and what’s the best way to cope without sleep? Coffee!

This week we discussed whether drinking a hot cup of Coffee everyday was simply a habit that a lot of adults partake of, or a necessity for parents.

Everyone has their own thoughts when it comes to coffee, Just like everyone has their favorite type or preferred order, depending on the time and the place.

If you missed it you can read the discussion below:

Coffee – Habit or Necessity

Finally what would a Dad Blog be without Dad Jokes.

This week rather then focusing on a standout joke for a day, we decided to visit StomperDad’s post from back in April when he did a A to Z blogging challenge.

When he got around to the letter J – J was for Joke, as in Dad Joke.

He then listed a couple of great Dad Jokes.

Reblog – J is for… #atozchallenge

It was a relatively quiet week from Down Under Dad. This week will be different though as we have a couple of major things happening:

A Short Break Away – The 3 members of the Down Under Family are taking a short 2 night break in the Hunter Valley. This will be a long over due break for both Dad and Mum, and the last time we will get away before When 3 become 4. . ..
Our little guy also turns 2 this week! – While his actual birthday occurs while we are away, when we get back we have his birthday party.

So if you don’t hear much from me at the start of the week, it will ramp up towards the end so stay tuned. If you want to keep up to date while we are away, follow me on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/downunderdadblog/. On top of this there will be probably be another Dad Joke or 2.

Thanks for tuning in.

Coffee, Cuppa, Java, Joe, Liquid Gold, Sip of Heaven, Life Saver, Jet Fuel, Mocha, Wakey Juice, Warmer Upper, Battery Acid, Morning Thunder – No matter what you call it, everyone knows what you are referring to. That steaming hot cup of roasted beans mixed with boiling water and a little bit of milk – or some variation of that.

A lot of us partake of it in some form at least once a day, sometimes more. We drink it to wake up, we drink it to warm up, sometimes to relax. That poses a question, do we drink it daily out of habit? or do we drink it out of necessity.

While I am aware that not everyone drinks coffee (crazy I know), whether you drink it or not you know about it and how big a part it plays in some peoples lives.

How I begin my Day

Being a Parent life changes every day. No Day is ever the exact same as one before it. Does this bode well for our sanity? maybe, maybe not. In an effort to maintain some routine I feel it necessary to have some constants in life. However small they are, just a few predictable things we can rely on to happen every day. One of those would be my morning Coffee.

Everyday as part of our breakfast routine, the kettle is boiled and I make myself a cup of coffee. While the kettle is boiling Ill make the little guy his breakfast along with mine. As soon as his is ready he will go sit at the table and start eating, knowing that Ill be over in a minute with my breakfast (has to be the same thing he is eating or all hell will break loose), along with my Coffee. Anyone who has raised a toddler knows that getting them to eat can be tricky, but breakfast is always, without fail, eaten in its entirety. Maybe its the routine?

cheerful close up coffee cup — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Necessary as a Parent?

You tell me!

Personally I was drinking coffee to start my day long before I became a Dad. I drank it because I enjoyed the taste, I drank it for a quick energy boost, I drank it to relax, and I drank it because I didn’t give myself enough sleep last night.

Now as a parent, I drink Coffee because I enjoy the taste, I drink it for a quick energy boost, I drink it to relax, and I drink it because I didn’t get enough sleep last night. Yes my almost 2 year old still isn’t sleeping properly Toddler Sleep Regressions

I wouldn’t say its necessary as a parent to drink coffee, Mrs Down Under can’t stand the stuff. Does having some routine that I can count on help maintain my sanity as a parent? Absolutely

How do you take yours?

Black / White ? Long / Short ? Sugar / No Sugar ? Mocha / Caramel ? Chai / Pumpkin Spice?

If its first thing in the morning? Plain old instant coffee with milk, no sugar for me. Other times of day at home see me use a modern ‘capsule’ coffee machine for more of a sophisticated style (its the little things in life). Working in a large workplace means back to the cheap and easy stuff again. One thing about coffee is that it always tastes better when someone else makes it, for that I do occasionally enjoy a ‘fancy’ coffee made by someone else who actually takes pride in their coffee, given I treat it as a special occasion, it just adds to the taste.

So many varieties exist these days its impossible to have tried them all (unless you are really obsessed). So what’s your secret? Whats your regular order that you get without fail that really hits the spot.

close up of woman holding coffee cup at cafe — Photo by Chevanon Photography on Pexels.com

Location Location

As mentioned earlier, one thing that makes a coffee great is having someone else make it for you. I have tried many places, few I would return to. One that delivers consistently without fail is Benchmark – https://www.facebook.com/benchmarknewcastle2300/

With a great owner who knows everyone and their coffee by name and is always open for a chat. Benchmark is one I will always return to.

Got a favorite place? What makes it so special? the people who work there? the setting? the coffee? I’d love to hear it, share it down below.