I'm hesitating as I start this post. Not for the reason you're thinking (which, I'm guessing, is the sensitivity of the subject matter). Sadly, recent news events have compelled me to write on this issue, and I know these words need to be written. No. I'm hesitating because if you're a … [Read more...] about HOW CAN WE EDUCATE OUR BOYS ABOUT GENDER EQUALITY?
Parenting
Parenting is such a challenging role! And there are so many people telling us how we should do it.
I am not one of those people. But I hope that by sharing my own - often highly flawed - experiences, I can offer reassurance and empathy to others going through similar challenges.
6 WAYS THAT CHRISTIAN FAMILIES CAN CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
March 8th has become a stalwart in the calendar of festivals and holidays as International Women's Day (IWD). Growing in prominence, and with a different theme each year, it's a chance to celebrate how far we've come in gender equality, and raise awareness of situations in which women still have … [Read more...] about 6 WAYS THAT CHRISTIAN FAMILIES CAN CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
MAKING FRIENDS AS A MUM
Today I'm delighted to welcome author and mum Ruth Leigh onto THFF. I read Ruth's brilliant book The Diary of Isabella M Smugge recently, and it was un-put-downable! Any parent will recognise the hubbub of family life that Ruth so aptly observes: busyness, constant meal provision, playdates, sick … [Read more...] about MAKING FRIENDS AS A MUM
HELPING OUR CHILDREN MANAGE THEIR EMOTIONS AROUND CHRISTMAS
I know my children aren't alone in experiencing high levels of anxiety, worry and stress around Christmas. They were adopted at 14 months - but even now, at 6, there are a lot of nerves surrounding any kind of transition or change in routine. Lots of children find this time of year difficult. … [Read more...] about HELPING OUR CHILDREN MANAGE THEIR EMOTIONS AROUND CHRISTMAS
A CHRISTIAN PARENTING BOOK FOR SINGLE PARENTS
I've long had a particular admiration for those of my friends who are single parents. I even wrote about single parenting here. Let me be clear: I have a husband, and parenting STILL stretches me to the end of my resources and then some. (In fact, sometimes I say I have five children, because - … [Read more...] about A CHRISTIAN PARENTING BOOK FOR SINGLE PARENTS
HOW SHOULD I TEACH RACIAL EQUALITY TO MY KIDS? (4 BAME FAMILIES SPEAK UP)
It’s been a thought-provoking few months in terms of racial injustice and equality campaigning. Motivated by the tragic death of George Floyd, people the world over have been asking themselves how such overt examples of racism can still be happening – and discovering that systemic racism is, very … [Read more...] about HOW SHOULD I TEACH RACIAL EQUALITY TO MY KIDS? (4 BAME FAMILIES SPEAK UP)
12 CHRISTIAN HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS (WHICH DON’T CELEBRATE THE SCARY STUFF!)
Every year, Halloween rolls around sooner than I'm expecting. And every year, I feel like I've once again failed to come to any workable conclusion about whether we should or shouldn't participate as Christians, and where our boundaries lie. Last year, I expressed some of this in my post … [Read more...] about 12 CHRISTIAN HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS (WHICH DON’T CELEBRATE THE SCARY STUFF!)
DOES POCKET MONEY ‘SPOIL THE CHILD’ – OR TEACH INDEPENDENCE?
I've been wanting to write about pocket money for SO LONG! Not because it's an area I have all the answers to, but because there are so many interesting questions around it (like "Does pocket money spoil the child?" - a big one on Google!), and ideas for how to make it work beautifully. I've … [Read more...] about DOES POCKET MONEY ‘SPOIL THE CHILD’ – OR TEACH INDEPENDENCE?
WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK A SECONDARY SCHOOL?
I've been a mum for nearly 11 years. It feels like my main career - but, way back in the distant recesses of time, I was a secondary Music teacher. I taught for three years, then did another three as Head of Department in a different school. A brief experience, maybe, but enough to be pretty … [Read more...] about WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK A SECONDARY SCHOOL?