Hurray! It’s September and it’s new pencil cases for everyone. I would love to say that I’ve spent the summer having epic adventures of enlightenment and discovery but in reality, I’ve sat in a variety of adventure playgrounds with a rum & raisin cornet. A few castles, the odd zoo, but mainly picnic blanket. The … Continue reading What I learnt at school.
Author: Louise Dillon Bennett
We Need To Talk About Nigella
Nigella and I go back a long way. By way of explanation, my Dad bore a striking resemblance to Nigel Lawson and my Mum decided that Nigella, back when she wasn’t that famous, was a good role model for me. She used to ring me at University to tell me when she was doing the … Continue reading We Need To Talk About Nigella
Girls, you only have yourselves to blame. For everything.
Must try harder. It’s no secret that there aren’t enough women in the boardroom, or politics, or on TV. The reason is, we just not putting the effort in. We lack drive, confidence and ambition. What would Margaret Thatcher say? The Government are planning to send information packs to parents of teenage girls to set … Continue reading Girls, you only have yourselves to blame. For everything.
The Couple That Breaks Down Together
It is not an exaggeration to say that I am a car widow. My husband loves cars, all of them. On our first date he let slip that he could tell the model of a car by the sound of its engine (arguably I should have run then). The current, and most longstanding, love of … Continue reading The Couple That Breaks Down Together
Time, which is all we have
Life has been busy recently and there has been little time for writing. There has been a wealth of material ….. Thatcher, Katie Hopkins, Michael Gove. All the usual suspects. However something has happened this week which has stopped me in my tracks. A friend of mine died. We were not close, and indeed hadn’t … Continue reading Time, which is all we have
Philpott – Why we’re still looking in the wrong place
Mick Philpott is a nasty little man. An idiot, but a nasty idiot nonetheless. One who will be spending the next 15 years, at least, in prison. I have watched enough crime documentaries in my time to realise that this is no criminal mastermind. And yet the story has received more coverage than any crime … Continue reading Philpott – Why we’re still looking in the wrong place
Childcare again – because it still makes no sense
Today was another day for shouting at the radio, and then shouting on the radio. At last the Government has unveiled its plans for financial help for working parents. It has been months in the planning and the subject of bitter negotiation (apparently). All are delighted an agreement has been reached. I shall dig out … Continue reading Childcare again – because it still makes no sense
Now We Are Four – party like you mean it
My youngest son is now 4. In the words of Vinnie Jones, ‘It’s been emotional’. On reflection, this momentous occasion seemed to propel me into some sort of maniacal frenzy which almost led to my unravelling. I have no idea why. I would love to think it was born out of the overwhelming desire to … Continue reading Now We Are Four – party like you mean it
Childcare: No parent is asking for less attention, however good at fractions.
***Update*** In the months since writing this post, following the announcement of the reforms to childcare ratios, there has been almost universal opposition to the proposals. It has even caused the online parenting sworn enemies Mumsnet and Netmums to join forces. Mumsnet invited Childcare Minister Liz Truss to take part in a webchat. Due … Continue reading Childcare: No parent is asking for less attention, however good at fractions.
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions. I make the usual stab at the traditional stocking fillers of losing weight, saving money and drinking more water and with them come their inevitable companions of failure, disappointment and resentment. This year, following on from my fallow 2012 (see previous post), I’ve decided to bother. It’s inspiration … Continue reading Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
New Pencil Case 