Parenting posts
My oldest is turning 12 tomorrow; I’m not quite sure how that happened at all. Meanwhile, my smallest is ten – and in less than one month, this blog will turn ten too. A whole decade of Whinge Whinge Wine! What a ride. Back in 2015 when I started writing this blog, it was all about the kids, but it’s […]
Nine things I miss about having little kids (and nine things I don’t) Read More >>
It’s that time of year again – the last frantic day of this year’s school term is almost upon us. For my oldest, it’s the last day of primary school ever – it seems like just yesterday she was starting on this brand new school adventure; we blinked, and now it’s over. And by ‘we,’ I obviously mean ‘me,’ because
My brain is full and it’s time for the summer holidays Read More >>
I’ve breastfed twice over the festive season; once as a very new mum to a barely six-week-old baby going through their first growth spurt (isn’t that fun)!), and the other as a slightly more veteran mum to a weaning six-month-old, so I’m well aware that Christmas can bring unique challenges for breastfeeding mums. Breastfeeding during Christmas From attending Christmas parties
Pump in Style! Tips for breastfeeding during baby’s first Christmas Read More >>
This post on the benefits of imaginative play was written in collaboration with Very.co.uk, who supplied all the imaginative and role play toys featured in this post. Words and pictures are my own. What is imaginative play? Imaginative or pretend play is when a child uses their imagination to role-play scenarios in an open-ended, unstructured way, with no rules or
Eight benefits of imaginative play and how to encourage it in your children Read More >>
This post was written in conjunction with Reliant Direct, but all thoughts are my own. Earlier this week, in a feat of spectacular timing given that I was already planning to write this blog post and thinking about what I’d say, from out of the blue my almost-nine-year-old daughter asked whether she could have a television in her bedroom. She
Four reasons why my kids don’t have TVs in their bedrooms Read More >>
Congratulations! Your kid is four – or maybe even five, if you were bored between Christmas 2016 and New Year 2017 – and it’s finally time for them to start primary school. It’s a HUGE thing, both for your child and for you, and so as a veteran parent I thought I’d hand out some of that wonderful unsolicited advice
Child starting reception? Here, have ten pieces of unsolicited advice Read More >>
This post was written in collaboration with by Wicked Uncle, the home of brilliant children’s presents. I have worked with Wicked Uncle several times; to see my review posts go here. It is now November, and therefore I do decree that it’s officially acceptable to mention (not DECORATE for, MENTION) the C word. (On this occasion, I do in fact
Ten cardinal rules of buying Christmas presents for other people’s kids Read More >>
This week has given me an eerie sense of deja vu. We’ve been back to school a matter of weeks, and as is tradition, we are now welcoming various lurgies into the house – although so far though, no corona this time. Thank heavens for small mercies. As I’ve recently discussed, as my kids get older they do tend to
A rude awakening: The worst ways to wake up when you have kids Read More >>
A bit of background: I’m pretty skint this year, as always, so instead of bankrupting myself in the name of a cold British seaside holiday – or putting us all through the torture of a Pontins caravan – the kids and I stayed at a friend’s while they were away on their own family holiday. Before you get all annoyed
A short diary from a week’s staycation Read More >>
Apparently Facebook has a ‘mentorship programme’ for groups, and it’s currently inviting people to join mine (for this group, in case you weren’t aware) presumably so that old hands at this parenting lark can help the newbies navigate life with their child, from newborn to teenager, without breaking a sweat. Easy peasy. It might seem a bit silly, but the
