There are many kinds of mother you can be. Tiger mother, Alpha, Helicopter. I’ve never really seen myself as any of them, and certainly tried to avoid a few. If I had to classify my parenting style, I’d say that I carried stuff. To give it a festive flavour, if this were a nativity, I’d be the donkey.
A month ago today, I was sitting in Regent’s Park, reading a book, drinking coffee. I had an evening at the theatre planned. For the first time in years I felt that everything was under control. I'd spent the previous evening watching Barbra Streisand. I would never to make it to the theatre. 6 hours … Continue reading Get down from there – life with childhood leukaemia
My son’s first reaction on hearing there was going to be an election was “You don’t like elections do you Mum? You never win” And it’s true. He’s only 8 and the past 2 years have seen an obscenely swift succession of disappointing results. The day after the Brexit result we had a family outing … Continue reading Won’t someone think of the children – the election orphans.
Theresa May is considering bringing back Grammar Schools - that darling education panacea of the right. For some of us, they never went away, and this Saturday my precious first born sits his 11+. If you thought I was anxious about Son2's Year 2 SATS, brace yourself.
Lately I have been reliving my teenage years, in a way that only a woman turning 40 can. I’ve started drinking cider again for a start. I feel the need to mention that I also went to see Benedict Cumberbatch in Hamlet. Not only was this a welcome return to my life before children, it … Continue reading Do You Love Me? The 9 year old’s guide to teenage angst.
There. I've said it. There is no place for joy at Christmas. That is not to say that there is no place for happiness, of course there is, but joy is asking too much. There has been a tension in the air over the past couple of weeks that is almost visible, not so much … Continue reading Christmas is not at home to Joy
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.
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.
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
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
New Pencil Case 