21st November 2011

It's that time of year again when children rush out of school, tumbling over themselves in their excitement to tell mums and dads what part they have in the Christmas play. One of my favourite scenes in a film is in Love Actually when, the character played by Emma Thompson, on being told that her daughter has the part of "second lobster" asks, "oh, there was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus?"

16th March 2012

My school report always said the same, 'could do better' and 'must try harder', so from time to time I indulge in a little fantasy of going back in time and doing it all again. I visualise a new improved twelve year old me who does all her homework, who revises for tests, listens in class and who doesn't spend whole lessons writing notes to her best friend.

10th April 2012

How many Easter eggs have your children consumed this year? Are you of the ‘Eat them all before breakfast if you must but if you make yourself sick it’s your own fault’ school of thought, or the ‘Mummy will look after them and give you a little bit each day’ way of thinking?

22nd April 2012

How do you clean a CD player ‘coloured in’ with lip salve, a bed sheet ‘coloured in’ with felt tip or a face coloured in’ with an indelible marker? I am sure it wasn’t in the adoption training anywhere and believe me I’ve checked and double checked my notes and it isn’t even in the small print!

15th May 2012

The first time I was pregnant I just couldn't wait to get down to Mothercare to stock up on all the things my precious new born would surely need; Moses basket, cot, travel cot, baby seat, car seat, play mat, changing mat, changing bag, high chair, pushchair, bouncy chair, pram, and if you're a parent you'll know that this is just the start. But whilst some of this stuff is clearly useful (if not fairly important) it makes me shudder to think how many things I bought that I really didn't need.

So, here are five  things I bought when I had my first child (and then never used) :

17th August 2012

It can be a tricky time when your tiny tot is suddenly not so tiny anymore and is about to start primary school.  Often you'll be surprised by how easily they take to it but for anyone who experiences wobbles, here are 5 tips to make it easier:

6th September 2012

My children will never know the pleasures (and freedoms) of my own 1970’s childhood, and after having just lived through a six week summer holiday, I’m beginning to realise that the 1970’s weren’t a bad time to be a parent either...

30th November 2012

There is something so extra special about reading a Christmas book to a child in the run up to the big day, so get into the festive spirit by enjoying one of these lovely books with your tiny tot...

26th February 2013

I grew up hearing the story of the night my mum nearly threw my two month old brother out of the bedroom window after a day of non-stop crying.  We both know that she didn’t really nearly do it but the memory of that long day and fractious night is as fresh as if it were yesterday, despite it being over forty years ago. My own children aren’t babies or even toddlers anymore but being at home with children, especially when they’re young, is hard work and there are just some days that never seem to end...

22nd December 2014

We all know the age-old saying that children would rather play with the cardboard box than the actual gift inside and many of us have probably experienced it too. That cardboard box could be the fastest car in the universe or the entrance to a secret underground cave and that sparkly dress in the box? Never as sparkly as the one in your imagination.