Laughter Clubs

Like me, you've probably seen those weird gathering in parks with people standing around laughing and thought, that's just, well weird.  But then again, we all know that fabulous feeling when your eyes are watering, your sides ache from laughing and maybe, just maybe, there's been a little LBL.

So last Tuesday I found myself saying yes to my lovely neighbours invite to join her at laughter club.  Quick rundown, it was founded back in 1995 by an Indian Physician, Dr Madan Kararia with all of five people in an Indian park and now there are over 6,000 clubs across the world.  Laughter Clubs Victoria was founded in 2002 as a not-for-profit organisation and now has 41 clubs across the state where young and old are welcome to come along and laugh - for free!

Now we all know I fancy myself as a bit of a comedian, but I wasn't sure if we were supposed to tell jokes or what the deal was. Always up to trying new things and a bit of a giggle, I went in with an open mind not really knowing what to expect. 

There I was at the East Brighton Laughter Club (meets every Tuesday 6-7pm) limbered up and ready to get giggling. The class is led by Certified Laughter Yoga leaders - yep, you can get certified to "teach" laughter. No downward dog required, just lots of clapping and laughing with a bit of breathing and mindfulness thrown in for good measure.

Turns out laughing, even if you don't feel like laughing, can trick the brain into thinking happy thoughts and releasing those feel-good endorphins.  There is some truth then in the fake it till you make it idea. And studies do show that laughter helps with depression, decreases stress, increases your resistance to disease and those endorphins can even temporarily relieve pain. Something to think about next time you're in the dentist chair.

Did it feel good?  It actually did!  Just a fun hour spent not thinking about anything and switching off.  The cheeks hurt, and the knickers were dry - win win.  Sometimes it just feels good to be silly, and lets face it, I do that on a regular basis anyway.

Checkout a local laughter club - bound to be one near you.  Because lets face it, there could never be too much laughter in our lives.

Just because I like them, doesn't mean I wanted them

"To have or not to have" that is the question.  Growing-up (working on it), I couldn't understand (OK, maybe my mum who had a vested interest in having more grand-kids) being asked when I was having kids. At 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 my answer was always "never."  Somehow, everyone seemed to know that I'd "change my mind". Approaching 40, I was often reminded the clock was ticking and time was running out (yep, thanks for that I was childless, not suffering memory loss).

And now over 50, I was asked the other day, "don't you ever regret not having kids?" WTF, give me a break.  The answer - no, never, not once.  Although I guess I have missed the chance of being a "mommy blogger." There is nothing wrong with not wanting kids.  Anyway, now that little rant is over, I love kids and kids love me! I'm good with kids. I play with them, I make them laugh, I tease them and don't baby them and we have fun! And then we part ways. Win win.

So when Jordan and Jason's 7th birthday came around (like clockwork, these birthday shenanigans), it was time to take them out on their annual birthday excursion.  Last year it was Legoland, this year we headed to the movies. Not very original I know, (thinking cap on for something fabulous next year) but that's what happens when your birthday falls in the middle of winter.  So off we went one cold wet Sunday to the Vjunior cinema to watch Hotel Transylvania 3.

Not just another cinema, Vjunior has a play area before you go into the actual cinema.  Once inside, you can go on the slide (well the kids can, I tried pushing in and having a go, but was given dirty looks so *slunked to my seat).  There is a play area under the screen and you can choose from normal seats or squishy bean bag style chairs - perfect for a little siesta if the movie is a bit dull. We chose the bean bags, but enjoyed the movie, so no siesta required.  Yep even Drac and his monster family enjoy a bit of action and nooky on the high seas.  Oh, and there is even an intermission so you don't have to leave the cinema midway through the movie with little Johnny holding his willy 'cos he needs to pee.

Lunch spot chosen by J&J - McDonald's - no judgement required. A stroll around to check out the dinosaurs that appear to have been let loose in Southlands and then home to hang out 'cos the weather was crap, so part 2 of the day was scrapped.

The boys have gone footy mad, so seemed happy enough to watch the game, eat popcorn and chase the chickens.  For good measure, we gave them some red fizzy drink just before their mum and dad stopped by to collect them.

Everyone survived. No injuries. Exhausted but happy - and that was just me.

Yep, love kids.  Especially other peoples.  As for me, no regrets that my babies have been covered in fur and occasionally lick my face after cleaning their bum. Oh and I'm lucky and have the best of both worlds with two lovely step-kids that I get to play wicked step-mother to.

*slunked - this may or may not be a real word, but I'm going with it.