Family Archives - Page 2 of 3

Sep 23, 2015

The End of The Age of Innocence

“Lucy said she doesn’t believe in Father Christmas any more” said the 9-year-old. Bugger. Thus it begins. The unravelling of an idea, festive fibbing, that’s been pedalled in order to keep the children in check. Leaving out whisky and a mince pie, and a carrot for Rudolph, floured footsteps in the kitchen and living room up to the Christmas tree to show someone came in and left the gifts, the concept of behaving yourself because otherwise Father Christmas won’t bring you any presents if you’re naughty… all this, this beautiful period of innocence and unquestioned parental authority, is now coming…

Sep 21, 2015

Guest Post: Is It Too Late To Have A Dad?

A wonderfully honest guest post from Katy, who is estranged from her father, and wonders if there is any point in reconciliation. The last time I saw my dad plays like home movie footage in my head. I was about 20. My hair was longer and brighter and everything about me was generally perkier. Well, physically at least. Mentally I was in the midst of unravelling, except I didn’t know it at the time. My dad was in a pub around the corner from a wedding I was at and I was told he was there if I wanted to…

Sep 10, 2015

Back to Life, Back to Reality and Back to School

The school holidays are over and the children are back to school. Six weeks passed without any grievous injuries, maiming, fratricide, sororicide or GBH. Everyone’s still talking to one another and the children haven’t forgotten how to count, read or spell their name. Well done. You’re getting good at this parenting mullarky. The holidays are over, the new uniforms bought and the obligatory photos of the children in their new uniforms standing by the front door have been posted on Facebook. Don’t feel too bad for doing it despite what those ‘too cool for school’ types on social media say.…

Aug 10, 2015

When Should Parents Remove The Dummy?

Following on from the controversy surrounding David and Victoria Beckhams daughter Harper and her dummy usage at the age of 4, I had a little ponder on the issue myself … My first 3 children refused the dummy as babies – Like a lot of parents, I tried and tried it with each of them during moments of newborn despair, but to no avail. Good, I thought … even though there were times when I reeeally could have done with all the help I could find with soothing them to sleep! Still, if they didn’t want to take it, then…

Jun 30, 2015

How Competitive is Your Relationship?

In answer to the question above – mine is very competitive. But I like that, Its fun that way. We are competitive when we are playing with the children – I like to really smash him at badminton during our annual summer tournament in France (That’s another give away to our competitive spirit: we call everything a ‘tournament’) We are competitive with cooking and other domestic tasks. (No. I’M BETTER AT CLEANING A BATHROOM) and, we have been known to have the odd physical rufty-tufty. I like to show him that this girl can pack a punch (when the children…

Jun 23, 2015

Are you Broody or Nostalgic?

Pregnant woman on the beach touching her belly with love

If you are a regular reader or a personal friend, you will know that I have 4 children. I am almost 35 years old and I have no intentions of having any more children what-so-ever. No babies. Ever again. Nada. I am so dead set on my child rearing days being drawn to a satisfactory close, that I would gladly draw a line under things surgically. Not that I actually will, but I would. I’ve really enjoyed my family journey so far, it’s been utterly amazing, and filled with enough love to blow even the biggest of hearts wide open. But…

Apr 30, 2015

What Happens As Your Children Grow Older. According To Me.

This post is prompted by a wonderful post I read a while back by Mr & Mrs T Plus 3 which set the old thinking wheels in motion. It’s also a little bit triggererd by the post I wrote yesterday about parent blogging. Whilst this site isn’t meant to be dominated by parenting stuff, I guess its a pretty natural and easy subject for me to touch upon. I put ‘According to me’ in the title, simply because it is, according to me. I am not the parenting oracle or anything, but I can happily let my fingers type up…

Apr 29, 2015

Is Brutal Honesty In Parent Blogging Always Warranted?

like message on keyboard button, social media concepts

“Honest parent blogging” – is it always useful and helpful to read? Or is it just a cheap shot at our offsprings expense dressed up as brilliant writing? This is the question I’ve just been pondering in the shower. Let me explain … For years now, I have been following some pretty amazing parent bloggers. Bloggers who have an amazing literary ability to highlight all aspects of parenting; the great times, the funny bits (a few rude bits thrown in for good measure) and a sprinkling of the darker times too. It’s those bloggers who, whilst immersing themselves in the beauty…

Feb 26, 2015

Long-Haul Travel with Children

If you are considering your first big long-haul trip with your family – I hope this might help a little. I know that the thought of travel with a young family can be daunting one, but it needn’t be. We travel with our 4 children a lot. I can honestly say that with a little careful planning, travelling with little ones can actually be so much fun. I am personally truly addicted to holidays and wouldn’t miss the opportunity for adventurous family time for all the tea in china! So, does a long-haul flight and change in time-zones really have…

Feb 19, 2015

Don’t look now : Your family is changing fast.

Happy family in colorful socks on white bed.

Yesterday, something profound occurred : Something slightly painful and sad actually. And you know, I’m really glad it did. Whilst looking for an old contact number, I fished my old Blackberry from the depths of our ‘device graveyard’ as it’s referred to around here. It’s been in there for around 3 years, waiting for me to download its important contents. Suffice to say that so far, I haven’t bothered. No spare time for such efficient luxury. So I plug in the charger and fire up what seems like an old dinosaur, with its tiny buttons and even tinier screen. And its…

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