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
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.
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?
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
