Many times over many years it has been debated who has it easier – the parent on maternity leave (pyjama days, coffee with friends, free time when the baby sleeps) or the parent who goes to the office (adult conversation, cup of hot tea, eating biscuits without your head in the cupboard). What I have … [Read more…]
I promise this isn’t going to be one of those dull blogs where people show you their amazing food in their immaculate kitchen. Honestly, I promise. Firstly, my kitchen is far from immaculate. Most of our recipes inadvertently contain more than your daily recommended amount of cat hair, and if I wipe the kitchen sides … [Read more…]
I promised EldestGirl pancakes for breakfast this morning. They’re something of a family speciality, and if you hide grated pear in them, I like to fool myself they’re not a totally unhealthy breakfast choice. (Though by the time I’ve drowned mine in maple syrup – “No, sorry, EldestGirl, this is just for grown-ups, it’s alcohol” – … [Read more…]
For those of you who were worried about my hurty finger, I’m pleased to tell you it has greatly improved today. I do have a small paper cut, but I’m going to try not to go on about it. Yesterday I met my friend Mel for coffee in a local town. EldestGirl was at nursery, … [Read more…]
I’m the first to admit I’m a hypochondriac. Not a lives-at-the-doctor’s-surgery, eating-as-many-pills-as-I-can-find hypochondriac, but usually have something a bit wrong. I am a big fan of Googling symptoms, and feeling smug when I get myself a diagnosis without even having to trouble the GP. Usually just the diagnosis itself is enough to stop me dwelling on it, … [Read more…]
At 6.03 this morning, it was clear we were all up for the day. YoungestGirl has slept through the night once or twice, but this is rare. She normally wakes maybe once at about 10 p.m., then again at 4 a.m. and then will go back to sleep until 7 after a breastfeed, but we … [Read more…]
No good deed goes unpunished, so they say. I recently advertised our old buggy on a local selling site. The “local” area is really local – covers about a quarter of a square mile. As the buggy’s brakes were a bit sticky, and it had seen better days, I advertised it for free, thinking I could … [Read more…]
EldestGirl had a birthday recently. She turned four years old. Whilst she is normally a polite and thoughtful child, she has not yet learned the niceties of receiving presents. In her world, anything with a My Little Pony on is an acceptable present. Any type of clothing and/or book (much though she loves being read … [Read more…]
There are certain items that every household with children possesses. Some of these, unquestionably, are valuable. Without the Jumperoo, for example, I wouldn’t be able to neglect my children effectively in front of Iggle Piggle and the Ninky Nonk. Everyone I know owns a Sophie Giraffe, and generally babies do enjoy chewing on them. All … [Read more…]
Hearing EldestGirl pad to the toilet all by herself this morning, whilst YoungestGirl gurgled in her cot, TheBloke™ and I smiled at each other, curled up under the warm duvet. Parenting is cool. “MUMMY!” came the not-terribly dulcet tones of EldestGirl. “I did a wee in my knickers. I didn’t get there in time.” YoungestGirl … [Read more…]
