Exactly ten years ago, I became a parent. In real life, our celebrations this week will be focused on Mister, involving Laserquest and chocolate cake. But on the blog, I've been reflecting on how my life changed in Autumn 2009 through this mini-series ‘Plus Baby Makes Three’, offering some … [Read more...] about HOW TO ENJOY THE NEWBORN SEASON
BABY PRODUCTS YOU WON’T THINK OF (BUT WHICH MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!)
Exactly ten years ago, I became a parent. In real life, our celebrations this week will be focused on Mister, involving Laserquest and chocolate cake. But on the blog, I've been reflecting on how my life changed in Autumn 2009 through this mini-series ‘Plus Baby Makes Three’, offering some … [Read more...] about BABY PRODUCTS YOU WON’T THINK OF (BUT WHICH MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!)
IS CHURCH JUST ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FAMILY’S EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES?
Weekends are full. Especially with a family. From the word 'go' on Saturday morning, us parents can find ourselves hurriedly pushing kids out of the house to get to morning band practice, swimming lessons or sports matches. Afternoons bring parties - trying to remember which of the 39 … [Read more...] about IS CHURCH JUST ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FAMILY’S EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES?
HOW TO START MEAL PLANNING – THE WHAT, WHY AND HOW OF A MEAL PLAN
I'm going to tell you our story of how we became meal-plan converts. I don't usually take up whole blog posts with an anecdote, but so many people have expressed an interest in how to start meal planning over the last few days, since I posted a question on my Facebook page, that I thought perhaps … [Read more...] about HOW TO START MEAL PLANNING – THE WHAT, WHY AND HOW OF A MEAL PLAN
50 ALTERNATIVE PARTY BAG IDEAS (WHICH AREN’T MADE OF PLASTIC!)
As the war on plastic gains momentum, many more of us are searching for ways we can cut down on single-use plastic. I've written about 20 Zero-Waste Snacks for Children, and more widely about ethical decision-making as a family in I Want to Save the Planet...But I'm Late for the School Run. … [Read more...] about 50 ALTERNATIVE PARTY BAG IDEAS (WHICH AREN’T MADE OF PLASTIC!)
TALKING TO KIDS WITH WORDS OF GRACE
As my kids were going off to bed recently, I found myself speaking plainly to them: "I'm sorry for being grumpy today. I was really grumpy. But you were also really annoying." Find me a parent whose own kids don't irritate the hell out of them on a fairly regular basis, and I'll give them … [Read more...] about TALKING TO KIDS WITH WORDS OF GRACE
IS ADOPTION SCREWING UP MY BIRTH KIDS? (ON MIXING BIOLOGICAL AND ADOPTED CHILDREN)
Some years ago, before adoption was even really on the cards for us, and when our eldest was just one, a friend made a passing comment that she wouldn't consider adoption because she had several birth children and had read about the damaging impact of adoption on biological kids. I honestly … [Read more...] about IS ADOPTION SCREWING UP MY BIRTH KIDS? (ON MIXING BIOLOGICAL AND ADOPTED CHILDREN)
5 FUN CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Ever feel stuck for ideas on how to make cleaning fun? Whether you have one child or eight, whether you work in the home or out, whether you home educate or send your kids to school, I can pretty much guarantee one thing. Your home is harder to keep tidy now than it was pre-kids. (The Ministry … [Read more...] about 5 FUN CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
HOW TO SURVIVE SUMMER AS A PARENT (WITHOUT KILLING YOUR KIDS!)
At this point of term, I start to both look forward to and dread the summer holidays - in equal measure. I'm really looking forward to the more relaxed pace, no school runs, no frenzied uniform-washing, no scrabbling around for 50p because there's a Bun Sale (I mean, who actually uses cash … [Read more...] about HOW TO SURVIVE SUMMER AS A PARENT (WITHOUT KILLING YOUR KIDS!)