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?
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.
20 CARE PACKAGE IDEAS FOR A KID WITH A BROKEN ARM
Do you know what I used to say about my kids? How incredible it was that none of them had ever broken a limb. I mean, if you've ever seen my kids, you'll understand why. They are always climbing things, jumping off things, swinging on things, pushing the boundaries of what might be considered … [Read more...] about 20 CARE PACKAGE IDEAS FOR A KID WITH A BROKEN ARM
HOW DO I STOP FEELING LIKE A BAD MUM?
On a reasonably regular basis, I feel like a failure as a mum and wife. I would hazard a wild guess that you too have some days you feel like a bad mum. Maybe even a bit more regularly than 'some days'. There are days when I can't quite believe I've been put in charge of four kids - and not in … [Read more...] about HOW DO I STOP FEELING LIKE A BAD MUM?
25+ CULTURALLY DIVERSE STORIES FOR CHILDREN
If you're like me - well, firstly, please accept my sympathies. And secondly, you may have been left in a bit of a parenting whirlwind over the last few weeks. Events of racial unjustice have unfolded which, sadly, we have seen before. However, this time there's a difference. White Westerners … [Read more...] about 25+ CULTURALLY DIVERSE STORIES FOR CHILDREN
THE LONELY PARENT: COMBATING ISOLATION
Eleven weeks into lockdown (or is it eleven months? Hard to tell) it is no surprise that I'm writing now about isolation as a parent. I guess we've all experienced this, in our own ways, during lockdown season. We may have felt isolated from our friends and families, from our church and small … [Read more...] about THE LONELY PARENT: COMBATING ISOLATION
25 FAMILY GAMES (THAT EVEN GROWN-UPS WILL ENJOY)
My family loves a good game - which is just as well, really, as our entertainment options are fairly limited right now! It's a hobby my husband and I enjoy (many a date night is spent playing a game!), so I guess it's been natural to pass this down to our kids. We've been playing board games and … [Read more...] about 25 FAMILY GAMES (THAT EVEN GROWN-UPS WILL ENJOY)
YOUR TODDLER IS GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS JUST FINE. AND SO ARE YOU.
You're probably reading this in a snatched moment of peace, perhaps during naptime, after bedtime, or even on the loo - the only place you can ever get a few seconds to yourself these days. I'm going to hazard a guess that you're also feeling guilty right now, knowing that there's something more … [Read more...] about YOUR TODDLER IS GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS JUST FINE. AND SO ARE YOU.
HOW TO MAKE EASTER SPECIAL
Easter is a tricky festival to celebrate with children. On the one hand, there is so much joy - we are celebrating the ultimate pivot point of all of history! But on the other hand, there is a whole load of sadness and gory stuff which happens beforehand. For our adopted children, especially, … [Read more...] about HOW TO MAKE EASTER SPECIAL
PARENTS: DON’T ADD GUILT TO THE BURDENS YOU’RE ALREADY CARRYING
Which New Year's Resolutions did you make this year? I'm going to hazard a guess that home schooling wasn't one of them. (Unless you're a home educator. In which case I imagine the 10,000% increase in online educational resources over the last week has felt rather like all your Christmases … [Read more...] about PARENTS: DON’T ADD GUILT TO THE BURDENS YOU’RE ALREADY CARRYING