I just left teaching. I started school when I was three years old. From school, to college, to university, to teacher training, to my first teaching job – I have been in education for thirty-two years. Every September, for thirty-two years, I have started a new term. Every September, for thirty-two years, I have bought… Read More
When you have a baby, milestones stretch out ahead of you. Smiling. Laughing. Rolling. Sitting up. Crawling. Talking. Walking – an endless list to mark each moment that will never be recaptured, each step on the path to becoming a person. They can be so, so bittersweet. When you are the parent of a child… Read More
You ask me “Does your eldest child have autism?” “Yes.” I reply. “I’m so sorry.” My stomach lurches. No. Please. Don’t say you are sorry. I know you mean well. I was once like you. But don’t apologise for the gift that is my boy – for any part of him. I know that the… Read More
Personal Tribute to my Grandmother, spoken at her funeral on Tuesday 12th July 2016. When I was eighteen, and studying for A-levels, my good friends Gemma and Louise came round while mum, dad and George were away. We had spent the evening having fun, eating food, listening to music, no doubt drinking Bacardi Breezers and… Read More
Sweet boy, you’re different. Not to mummy. Not to daddy. Not to Little Bean. You are our whole world and everything in it. Each eccentricity, each little quirk and trait – they are the rich and joyful substance of our lives. We know no ‘normal’ but the world we inhabit with you. And, to us,… Read More
I am sorry that, too often, the world is a confusing and frightening place. I am sorry that a word out of place can make you sob till you shake. I am sorry that every day, a million tiny things break your heart. I am sorry that sometimes, the world will not understand why something… Read More
You wear your heart on your sleeve. You need to hold back a little, develop a thicker skin. Don’t let it get to you so much. I’ve heard it so many times. Am I a natural victim? I am walking down a crowded high street pushing my little boy in his trike. He is nearly… Read More
I was recently invited by Kidloland to try their nursery rhyme app, aimed at the under-fives. Since both my children fit into that age bracket and they both love nursery rhyme videos, I jumped at the chance. Kidloland have also kindly given me some three-month subscriptions to the app to give away to five lucky readers.… Read More
The light catches your curls and the childish curve of your chin and nose – so perfect – like porcelain, but soft, alive, vibrant. You are happy on my lap, greedily drinking in the delights of the view into the garden. Sometimes, I am so tired, I feel I might break. Sometimes, all I know… Read More
Please note, this post contains affiliate links. This means if you click-through and buy anything, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our Disclosure Policy. The ins and outs of new-born and baby sleep can be pretty daunting for… Read More
You may have heard of Jimmy’s farm because it was the subject of several documentary series – also called Jimmy’s Farm – airing from 2002 until 2007. Jimmy Doherty is a childhood friend of Jamie Oliver’s and the TV programme documented the struggles of starting the new business, learning how to farm and set up… Read More
I was a teacher for over twelve years before my son was diagnosed with autism. Before he was born, I had taught countless pupils on the autistic spectrum, but it was not until my son’s diagnosis that I was able to fully appreciate the gaps in my knowledge. I hope the tips I am going… Read More