Parenting

I always thought I would never let my children watch television. Until I realised they need down-time as much as I do. I always thought I would never let my children sleep in my bed. Until sleep only came when they were lying by my side. I always thought I would never allow the kids […]

Top of my to-do list today was to find a rat-catcher. I imagined a wiry, old fellow; a moustache stained with nicotine and a length of string tied around each trouser-leg. A tweed jacket, its pockets stuffed with unidentifiable essentials, and without doubt some sort of cap. His accent would be pure Cotswolds, although words […]

When I was six months pregnant with twins, my son was coming up to a year old and on the cusp of walking unaided.  Although confident standing on his two chubby legs, he still needed a comforting steer before he would put one foot in front of the other. We were at a first birthday […]

The girls turned five today. Sort of. Without a date on which to hang celebrations, birthdays become nebulous affairs which last a week. That’s no bad thing, in my book. This time last year we were in London, preparing to celebrate their first proper birthday on the BBC Breakfast sofa, so this morning Evie asked […]

Yesterday I took four children (my own three, plus a play date) to the supermarket on our way home from school. Halfway down the bread aisle, the friend began recounting a tale from school. I had tuned out and was just examining the baguettes, when he finished his story with, ‘…and then he said, “Holy […]

Things I say too often to my children: No In a minute Later Stop that That’s enough Do you have to do that? Leave her alone Put that away I’m busy Things I don’t say enough:  You’re amazing Thank you Let’s do it now I’m so lucky to have you How clever Yes Let’s do […]