“Go away!”, the writhing banshee screeches in my face. I back off and continue to watch the futile struggle to push her head through a sleeve. I reach forward once again, open my mouth to say something and then think better of it. Walk away. Just as I am ensconced in my chair with the …
Continue reading The Taming Of The Shrew
It’s just before 3pm in the afternoon. I am sitting at my desk when my mobile goes off. It’s the childminder. My heart immediately starts beating a thousand times a minute and my mind can’t even focus in on imaginable disasters. Within two rings I have flicked the answer button and breathlessly, hesitantly, utter, “Hello?” …
A loud squeal drags me from the story in which I am deeply engrossed. I look over at my child but to my relief it is a squeal of laughter and not an altercation which I am required to referee. My gaze lingers for a moment as I pause briefly to consider if I should …
The heatwave is melting my mind and I can barely function, let alone write coherent sentences. But there have been a few times I’ve actually been grateful to be a parent to a two-and-a-half-year-old as we’ve watched the mercury soar over the last few weeks. Here are a few things about parenting that have been …
Once upon a time there was a little girl who had just gone to bed. She had had a bath and brushed her teeth. She had been read two stories, said her prayers and kissed all her favourite toys goodnight. Her mother had sat on the chair beside her bed and snuggled her on her …
Continue reading The Girl Who Cried Wee – A True Story of Bedtime
Uncomfortable, time restricting, irrespective of personal space - parents have to tolerate a lot. Pity then the poor commuting parent, who must spend hours crushed into hot and sweaty commuter trains, which are frequently and inexplicably delayed rendering them late for their childcare pick-up. The torture only doubles when they must take back responsibility for …
Continue reading Commuting Vs Parenting – Which is more gruelling?
Once again my daughter has introduced me to a strange new underworld. The last few weeks have seen me browsing the profiles of strangers on the internet, judging them on their photos and arranging to meet them alone in their homes. Not internet dating. Not booking an escort. But looking for a childminder. Various third …
Continue reading Would Like To Meet – Choosing Childcare Online
“No, really, I want to do the washing up, you go and play with your child.” This may sound like playing the martyr, but it really is true. I want to stand staring out of the window with my hands plunged in a bowl of warm, soapy water, scrubbing cemented cereal off bowls. While occupied …
"Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled "And paced upon the mountains overhead "And hid his face amid a crowd of stars." W.B. Yeats
I have been jilted. We walked to the park together merrily, holding hands and chatting about what we would do when we got here. But now I find myself standing on my own against the fence, while my daughter and her new BFF (whose name we have not yet established) whisper conspiratorially under the slide. …
