Tuesday, January 22, 2013

"Do you know what I would do if I were you?"

Don't you love it when people say this to you. They pose it like a question, so you almost have to ask for their great, unwanted advice. I love that they feel like they have insight into the situation that they know even better than you.

Well, I have decided to run with this.

So, I invite you to tell ME your situation or problem. It can be big, small, made up or anonymous, I don't mind at all. I will respond with "Do you know what I would do if I were you.......". I might even make it entire blog post responding to your question.

I might not have great advice, my response might only amuse me, it might be illegal across Australia, but I am prepared to share my knowledge and smarts with you.

Come on, give me some good ones.



On Tuesdays I link up with IBOT at Essentially Jess

63 comments:

  1. My most worrying problem right now is $$ after the dentist gave me her quote for Weasels surgery. $3700, plus hospital costs. Aaaaand solution, ready set go!
    (You know you like a challenge)

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    1. You are pretty clever, you could probably uTube it and perform the operation yourself. You know what I would do if I were you? I would see if they agree to a payment plan, if not, then offer your 'services'

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  2. haha - look forward to your responses! I'll have to start thinking of a problem to put to you as well. xx

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  3. It's a new year and the unexpected bills have hit and no where enough to cover everything. I've been thinking about robbing a bank, your thoughts?

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    1. I'm all for the bank option. I was looking at masks this morning. I'll pick one up for you too.

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  4. Worried about possible relocation half way through school term. Desperate to move but sad about uprooting my grade oner from a really good school. How would you chose the best school? (I feel like I'm writing to an Agony Aunt ;P)

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    1. I would be worried too, but children are so resilient. You know what I would do if I was you? I would ask my Mother, then across her suggestion off the list. Then ask a local taxi driver, they know everything. I would also visit the schools and see which one feels the best. I hope you find one you love :)

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  5. I love this idea! Can't wait to read some of the responses.

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  6. This one will be much more up your alley I'm sure ;-)

    I'm going to NZ in March for a wedding - staying only 3 days so am only taking cabin baggage. First of all, what should I wear to the wedding (because it's ALWAYS cold in NZ) - and what else should I pack, bearing in mind that space is at a premium?

    Ready, set, go!

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    1. You can't go past a wrap dress for comfort, ease of travel and it's ability to dress up or dress down. You know what I would do? I would wear my coat on the plane, then fill up the bag with a simple dress, strutting heels and too many accessories. You are going to have a great time. I can't wait to see your OOTD post for the wedding :)

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  7. How do I figure out what to wear/buy for my newly toned hour glass figure - and with minimal money to spend! (and Im talking minimal!)


    #teamIBOT was here :)

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    1. A belt. You definitely need to show off your new gorgeous slim waist. You know what I would do? I would throw a belt on EVERY outfit, even PJs. You need to show it off.

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  8. I hate my commute to work but can't seem to sort another job out. What should I do with my life? Lion taming, fashion designer, pro wrestler? Ideas please!!

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    1. Commuting is such a waste of time, I would hate that too. You know what I would do? I would become a stylist for the rushed mummy or a hostage negotiator. I think you would excel at both :)

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  9. At Wallace & grommit & 2 girls were hogging an activity. When I asked them to finish their go and let someone in the growing queue have a turn. One 7 yr old turned to me and said "we're sharing" and started up another turn! My question, where the hell were their parents & where did they get their attitude? (pretty, well dressed girls have way worse manners than scruffily dressed boys, I've found! Sheesh!) I'd already pulled my own kid off an activity when someone got in line behind him. I looked for the parent but not about. In the end I insisted they get off, even though my kids weren't in the line. Was that overstepping the line? (actually, I don't care if it was; I thought I behaved myself by not punching them in the face, which is what their smug attitude was asking for....good thing you know I'm a little old lady who can't punch people even if I wanted to)

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    1. *clapping* You completely did the right thing. I have no hesitation pulling other children up on their poor behaviour. I stop at physically removing them (unless I can find a way to be really sneaky about it).

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  10. My Diet Schmiet post today is a bit like this... it's about being generous and I'm citing a book I'm reading. The author recommends against 'judging' others and providing unsolicited advice re things - particularly parenting.

    She suggested that many of our statements start with, "I'm not judging, but....."

    Deb

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    1. I love that "I'm not judging but.....", it's always followed by something judgmental. Off to read your post now :)

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  11. I've been really gassy lately!

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    1. Just between us, so have I. You know what I would do? Stand close to the dog.

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  12. Great idea Rachel! How do I explain to my Highly Sensitive (medicine hater) Child that he has to get his tonsils and adenoids out next Tuesday. I am seriously anxious about his reaction.

    All he knows so far is that he will have a mask on like his spacer (for asthma). We thought we would buy him something super duper special (an Ipad Mini) for when its all done and he wakes up.

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    1. That is tough, but you know what I would do? I would not build it up into anything big. I'd take him shopping for his "hospital stay bag". Get him to pick PJs and fun things for the stay. Tell him funny air will make him go to sleep and he'll wake up and get to eat lots of ice cream. Stuff the iPad Mini, I'll take that :)

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  13. How do I make the most of the ten remaining weeks in my life before I'm a mother of two? (Bearing in mind that my feet now resemble hobbit feet, I'm carrying more than half my original body weight extra and therefore have no energy, and my energetic 2.5yo is not in care any day of the week, nor do I have family nearby who can watch her.)

    That, and what on earth do I wear when even maternity clothes are stretching to breaking point already?! This boy had better be huge when he arrives!

    Love this idea. Enjoy dispensing the 'asked for' advice. x

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    1. I know exactly how you feel. I was in a similar circumstances. You know what I would do? See if there are any friends with children you can hang out with. Children are easier to look after when they have someone else to play with. If not, see if you can hire a babysitter for an hour or two to entertain the 2.5yo while you put your feet up. You don't even have to go out. I'd help :)

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  14. Can't think of much off the top of my head, which must be a good thing.

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  15. We plan on doing extensions to our house. My husband says "later" and I say "sooner". Do you think it is advisable to wait until all children are at school (e.g. 5 years), or is it better for me to be around at home more, but having to entertain children all day while building work is being done?

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    1. I like my life to be as easy as possible but I'm also a control freak. You know what I would do? It would be hard, but I would bite the bullet and do it now. Then you can keep a closer eye on the job. The children would love to see it happening too.

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  16. My husband went off to work in the Middle East and didn't leave me a birthday pressie and didn't call on my birthday!!

    Actually I am used to it, and he did email apologetically a few days after when he realised.

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    1. This is actually good. Do you know what I would do? Don't get angry. Be charming but very disappointed. I make him feel bad enough that he buys something even bigger. Once my husband forgot our anniversary, so he bought me an expensive piece of jewellery later in the day. We both felt better.

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  17. Rach, I think you may be starting a regular column here, and I LOVE it!
    OK my turn, how do I get more than 24 hours in each day? PS, what's a good nude (not clear) coloured lipstick? xx

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    1. You know what I would do? I would stop trying to do it all. The less housework you do, then the more time you get back. You might live in a hovel but at least you will have heaps of spare time. More importantly, Nude lipsticks are different for everyone. I'm loving NARS Honolulu Honey at the moment.

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  18. This is an opportunity not to be squandered. Think about it and get back to you, K?

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  19. My problem is that I cant stop eating at wagamas. Stompy stomped here x

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  20. I also have another promlem. I have no eyebrows. stompy stomped here x

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    1. Now that is a problem! Do you know what I would do? I would embrace the no-eyebrow look and pretend it's a style choice. You could start a trend.

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  21. My problem is that I'm a MONKEY LOVE MEME!!XX

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    1. Haha, I bet you are :) You know what I would do if I was you? I would buy some bananas and embrace your monkey side x

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  22. That's a fun idea! You're off to a great start in the comments already - haha!

    Visiting from IBOT.

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  23. Dear Rachel, how do I get my son to eat anything remotely healthy? I have tried hiding vegetables in sauce, making up funky fruit skewers etc, but somehow he always knows...what should I do? BTW I absolutely LOVE this idea - you rock!

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    1. My eldest was the same. You know what I would do? I would find the one or two he does like eating and feed it regularly with lots of praise. In his ear shot, keep telling everyone how great he is at eating his healthy foods. Eventually he will want to keep proving how awesome he is. Good luck xx

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  24. I've got a problem with my noisy neighbours. I've been round to see them and to their credit they have kept the music down since. But they are still very loud. They sit in their garden and chat till late, even in our bedroom on the other side of the house we can hear them word for word. I generally have a give and take rule but they keep waking my 18mo and then I'm up for hours trying to get her back to sleep.
    What would you do, Rach? XX

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    1. THAT WOULD DRIVE ME NUTS!!! You know what I would do? I would try to keep the peace but when your 18 month old starts crying make sure you take her to their side of the house. Walk your poor little sweetie back and forth along the fence line until she calms back down. xx

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  25. hmmm how can I get more sleep with 5 kids who, due to their age range 15 - 1 burn my candle at both ends. Then get up and keep my house clean and my blog posts coming :) Your wise response is eagerly awaited!

    Stopping from IBOT

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    1. You must be exhausted.You know what I would do? I would ease up on yourself and the housework a little to give yourself time to get some rest. Easy to say, I know. If blogging seems to add to the pressure, then ease off that too. Blogging should be fun :) xx

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  26. Twins. Trying to toilet train them. One seems to get the hang of it, the other is happily weeing and pooing in his pants. GO!

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    1. Well I only had to toilet train one at a time. Twins are completely different. Lucky I have an opinion on EVERYTHING :) You know what I would do? I might be a control freak in every other aspect of my life, but I was a complete hippy chick when it came to toilet training. I would just let them sort themselves out and they will eventually get it. Just continue to praise whenever they get it right. And if they poo on the floor they have to clean it up themselves :)

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  27. What a bloody fantastic idea... my problem is that I have no idea how to put blogging stuff down the side of my blog, or how to even put say your blog post in highlighted text in one of my blogs? So my blog looks rather amateur and it's annoying the shit out of me. My other problem is that I drink too much, but if you were me you probably would too ;) Emily @ Have a laugh on me

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    1. I didn't know ANYTHING when I started blogging. I googled a lot to try to work it out. I still don't know much but I know more than when I started. I love your blog and I think it looks great as is. I drink too much too. You know what I would do? Visit me and we could do it together :)

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  28. LOVING this!!

    The problem I have is this - I am desperate to have another baby, to the point where other women announcing their pregnancies brings me to tears. My husband, on the other hand, is dead against it. So, I say to him "Okay, you're the one who's sure, go get the snip." But, he won't. He's pretty adamant he won't change his mind but has no interest in making sure it doesn't happen!

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    1. Oh that is tough. Your heart must be aching. Do you know why he doesn't want anymore? Is it that he doesn't want to share you? Financial? Perfect happy as is? I think he needs to really dig deep and talk to you. Maybe if you have a better understand of each other it'll help. I hope you sort something out, I really feel for you xx

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  29. Oh, I wish you LOTS of good luck on that one Rach! ;) xxx

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  30. Dear Rachel (This is such a fun idea!)
    There are far too many things I would "love" to have an advice on! For the moment, I just would like to ask you how can I be more organised and stick with the plan of my day. Tell me, what would you do if you were in my shoes?

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    1. I hate lists, but when I really need to get things done, they work. Make a list with a great reward at the end. Maybe something like, If complete the list, I deserve to put my feet up with a magazine and a good bottle of wine? Good luck!

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  31. I love this idea!!!

    My husband cheated on me. Do you try to get over it or do you move on?

    (Anonymous this time but normally a regular reader)

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    1. Oh, this is shitty. My glib answer would be 'Stay classy, destroy the bitch and take everything'. In reality, every situation is different. You need to talk to each other. If you need to talk it out, I am here. Please email me, I'm a good listener and I'll put it in the vault. R xx

      rachel@redcliffestyle.com

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  32. Hi Rachel,

    I'm a regular reader but anonymous for this just in case ;)

    I have a good friend. I know she regularly feeds her children out of date food. Each to their own I suppose but what bugs me is out of date yoghurt. I mean a month out of date. She buys it this way on purpose because it's cheaper. The out of date yoghurt has made its way to our house when we have playdates and i choose to simply not use it, but if my child goes to her house for a playdate it's almost certain he will be fed out of date food.

    What would you do?

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    1. Oh No, that make me feel sick thinking about it. I'll be honest, I'm not a complete germaphobe. We go by the 30 sec rule if food drops on the floor (unless the dog sits on it). But use-by-dates are for a good reason, particularly when it relates to dairy and meats. Besides causing stomach aches, what about the bacteria? If it were me, I would have a giggle with her and say in a nice way, sorry but we don't like our milk and yoghurt to taste like cheese. I'm sure she will understand because nearly the entire population agrees with YOU. If you can't do it, then tell her you are all vegan and gluten free and will always provide your own special foods. Rachel xx

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