Parenting
-
A Story for Pride Month
Once upon a time, there was a girl. The girl lived in an affluent, middle-class town in an affluent, middle-class area, and she lived in a bubble. She went to a very nice private school, was always top of her class, and always followed the rules. Every Sunday she went to church at a very… Continue reading
-
Mother’s Day Reflections: Reality vs Perfection
Today is Mothering Sunday. A day when we think about our mothers, and mother figures, for better or for worse. A day when we are often presented with the image or idea of a perfect mum, and then feel inadequate or short-changed when our reality does not match up to that. I think that this… Continue reading
-
Learning to Let Go
Life has a habit of shifting the goal posts. Just when we think we’ve got stuff licked into shape, got into a good routine, got things under control, then everything changes again, for better or worse. These may be major life changes- a new birth, or a bereavement; changes in our health status; a new… Continue reading
-
The Glass Half-Full
Last Wednesday was a really bad day. It started off with a sobbing elder munchkin, distraught because the new hamster was gnawing his bars, which meant, according to her new Bible Hamster Book that he was stressed. And that obviously meant that she was the worst hamster mummy in the whole world and that he… Continue reading
-
Dream your own Dreams
This last couple of months have been even more of a roller coaster than usual. I stand poised to make a major life decision, and swap financial security and social standing (through ‘professional’ status) for something less finite, less certain…. and infinitely more exciting. I am aware that calling time on my veterinary career and… Continue reading
-
Good Girls (and why we shouldn’t always try to be one)
A few years ago I attended a seminar about working with teenage girls. I was hoping for some useful tips, inspiration and new ideas, and I came away with all of those. But I also came away with something a little more unexpected- a revelation about myself. This seminar introduced me to the concept… Continue reading
-
Raising Risk-Takers
A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are for. (John A Shedd) My Big Girl and I have been talking a lot about taking risks recently. As someone unused to failing or getting things wrong, this is a concept she struggles with. The issues now may be small- trying something potentially… Continue reading
-
Mother’s Day: A Bittersweet Celebration?
On the surface it sounds like a premise no-one could take issue with: a day to celebrate mums, and all they do for us. A time to thank those we often take for granted. A chance for mothers everywhere to put their feet up and enjoy some well-earned pampering. For some, it’s a happy day,… Continue reading
-
You Can’t Kid the Kids
“Mummy, why did you lie about liking Mrs Davies?” Whoa, hang on, what?! “Er… what do you mean? I do like Mrs Davies!” “Then why were you talking about her with Sarah’s mummy behind her back? It didn’t sound as if you liked her.” Oh dear. Rumbled by a 7-year-old with big ears and a… Continue reading
-
Worried about the problems our children are facing? Don’t panic!
I have read a lot of articles recently which have the apparent aim of putting the fear of God into parents everywhere. If they are to be believed, our children are in for a terrible time. They are growing up too quickly. They spend all their time in front of a screen of some sort… Continue reading
