Around this time of year, I start to think about Christmas presents and, in particular, stockings. I do love the fun of picking out small treats that my children will enjoy - but I also feel the pressure of needing enough to deem their stockings well and truly 'stuffed', whilst also not wanting … [Read more...] about 10 STOCKING FILLERS TO NURTURE FAITH FOR 5-8s
Seasons
10 STOCKING FILLERS TO NURTURE FAITH FOR UNDER 5s
Around this time of year, I start to think about Christmas presents and, in particular, stockings. I do love the fun of picking out small treats that my children will enjoy - but I also feel the pressure of needing enough to deem their stockings well and truly 'stuffed', whilst also not wanting … [Read more...] about 10 STOCKING FILLERS TO NURTURE FAITH FOR UNDER 5s
CHRISTIANS AND HALLOWEEN: HOW CAN FAMILIES APPROACH HALLOWEEN WITH INTEGRITY?
Around this time of year, I start to get fidgety. Just as I'm starting to think about Christmas, Halloween goes and plonks itself right in the middle of autumn - something I'd rather ignore, but know that I can't. My kids start getting excited, then realise I'm not, then start to ask difficult … [Read more...] about CHRISTIANS AND HALLOWEEN: HOW CAN FAMILIES APPROACH HALLOWEEN WITH INTEGRITY?
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!)
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!)
10 IDEAS FOR SURVIVING SUMMER WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
Back in the days when I had two small, preschool-aged children, I used to dread the long summer. Throughout term-time we enjoyed a range of toddler groups and classes (like our wonderful Suzuki Music group), but when it came to the summer holidays, these all closed down. The friends who I'd … [Read more...] about 10 IDEAS FOR SURVIVING SUMMER WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
100 FREE OR CHEAP SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Summer's here, and the holidays are looming - which, if you're a parent of school-aged kids, means kiddoes everywhere, all the time - argh! Someone pass me the gin. Before you start with the sand and the shovel, though, I have good news for you: here are 100 free or cheap summer activities for … [Read more...] about 100 FREE OR CHEAP SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
A FATHER’S ROAD TO ADOPTION
Is anyone else scrabbling about, the day before Fathers' Day, trying to think of a suitable gift for their kids' dad? Or is it just me? DesertDad is incredibly difficult to buy for. He doesn't really want anything, bar a decent whisky, and then I'm caught between whether it's appropriate for … [Read more...] about A FATHER’S ROAD TO ADOPTION
MOTHERS’ DAY AND BABY LOSS
Approximately 1 in 8 pregnancies end in miscarriage. It's a startlingly high figure, and I count myself as guiltily fortunate to be excluded from it. But so many of my friends have experienced miscarriage in a variety of ways, at a variety of stages, that despite being daily driven up the wall by … [Read more...] about MOTHERS’ DAY AND BABY LOSS