In the midst of global and political chaos, I have to admit, I’m quietly excited. Not – of course – because an egomanical misogynistic neo-Nazi has won the US election. I am not a nutter. Something more domestic is quietly exciting me. Tonight, tonight (can you hear the excitement?) I will be staying in a hotel room. … [Read more…]
Before EldestGirl’s first birthday, we planned meticulously. We had a garden party, complete with soft play equipment, bouncy castle and age-appropriate bouncers. We had a buffet. Which I catered myself. I researched, practised in a dummy run a week before and executed a Hungry Caterpillar cake. We had about thirty people and babies around to our … [Read more…]
“Please can we make pumpkin pie, Mummy? Pretty please?” “But EldestGirl,” I say, trying to remember that saying “yes” is positive, “I’m not sure you like pumpkins. You refuse to eat anything that looks like it’s been near a butternut squash, and that’s what we make pumpkin pie out of.” “I love it, Mummy, I do!” … [Read more…]
Much like the Man from Delmonte, today’s task was to say “yes” to as many of EldestGirl’s requests as possible. We do sometimes seem to butt heads (snigger, buttheads) occasionally on the days when she’s home from nursery, as I attempt to cajole / bribe / enforce things I would like her to do (reading, … [Read more…]
I only have both children by myself for two days a week – Tuesdays and Thursdays. The other weekdays, EldestGirl is at nursery. Tuesdays and Thursdays go one of two ways: Excellent – YoungestGirl hits some new milestones and is happy pootling around playing with her toys. EldestGirl sits down and does reading with me, … [Read more…]
It’s natural and normal that our hopes and dreams change throughout our lives. At 14 I wanted to be the Artistic Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company. At 15, I’d reined it in to English teacher. By 17, like all good 17 year-olds, of course I was going to be a poet. When I was … [Read more…]
I had a birthday recently, and only to the very-generous could I still be considered to be in my mid-30s. This is fine. But, perhaps more conscious of time passing in my life, I did happen to notice that the Oil of Olay moisturiser that I can basically never be bothered to use, tells me … [Read more…]
I first met Cookie and Boothie when I started my first graduate job at a bank. I was (and possibly remain) a massive swot. Cookie and Boothie took it as their mission to slightly corrupt the new graduate by: Making me bunk off to the pub with them after a fire alarm Making me take … [Read more…]
When we moved from London, one of the first things I noticed about our new home town was the lack of diversity. Perhaps “lack” is too strong a word, but having previously been based in East London, as a white family we were probably in the minority, and I had grown used to our neighbourhood … [Read more…]
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…]