When I entered the last trimester of my first pregnancy, I finally felt ready to start gathering the essential items I knew I would need. Nappies, muslins, a Moses basket, sleepsuits vests. A pushchair, a car seat, a baby bath, cotton wool, tiny hats and tiny scratch mitts. Each item was lovingly collected and put… Read More
It is a grey, damp morning in 1993 and I am standing at a bus stop. Behind me, boys who are a few years older than me smoke cigarettes and jeer. I am covered in their saliva. I do mean covered – they have been spitting at me for over ten minutes. I have heard… Read More
Today, I have you all to myself. Your sister is at nursery and Daddy’s half-term is not until next week, so we caught the bus into town and went in search of hot chocolate and adventures. We used to do this often, when you were a baby – when you were all mine. On my… Read More
Once there was a girl who longed to travel. She dreamt of Tuscany, of azure skies against rolling hills. She dreamt of wild, star-filled deserts and great caves of ice. She longed to read the pages of far-away places and hear the murmurs of history catching in unfamiliar passageways. She ached to run her fingers… Read More
This month, the Bostik Blogger theme is, of course, Valentine’s Day. As well as the Recycled Wax Crayon Valentine’s Card craft I shared a few days ago, I have also created this clay heart bunting for Valentine’s Day. This craft works particularly well with children, as they can have lots of fun creating and cutting… Read More
It’s not enough. It’s not enough to be a dedicated parent, to give your all, to never give up, to fight tooth and nail, to bleed for every scrap of help, every ounce of support. It’s not enough. Because the paediatrician says one thing and the LEA another and the OT knows nothing about the… Read More
It is 2.54 pm. I am standing outside the school gates. Other parents are gathered around, but they seem distant, their voices muffled. A few words drift by me… “Ohhh yes, mine is just like that since turning five! Sounds like we are in the same boat…” It is hard to join in. It is… Read More
Someone’s Mum turns two years old today. It is hard to put into words the impact that those two years have had on me. I have given up my career of a decade, learned new skills, met new friends and found a new career that I am passionate about. I love almost everything about blogging… Read More
Every evening, after the children have had their baths, I read a story to my daughter. We sit on the rocking chair I nursed her in and we read by the light of her night-light. She chooses the story – sometimes Tico Tango, sometimes a story about a sweet monster. Most often we read Stick… Read More
A few weeks ago, our first Christmas card arrived. As soon as Biggest saw the brightly coloured image slide from the envelope, he was transfixed. “What is it?” he asked me, stimming excitedly. “It’s a Christmas card, Sweetheart.” The card was an image of Father Christmas, good-naturedly placing his arm on a friendly snowman, sack… Read More
Nature’s Path, the organic and gluten-free experts, are bringing their two well-loved kids’ cereals to the UK. Envirokidz Leapin’ Lemurs and Choco Chimps are delicious organic, gluten-free and dairy-free breakfast cereals that your kids will love. Nature’s Path created Envirokidz cereals in order to continue their support of eco-friendly and conservation issues. They donate 1% of sales to… Read More
Over the last few months, I have had the privilege of working with Beko to bring you some brilliant prizes. This month is my final Beko giveaway and I am thrilled to be able to offer my readers the chance to win a Beko Cordless Handheld & Upright Vacuum Cleaner Deluxe VRT6221P. Vacuuming may not… Read More