Documenting your child’s development – a parent addiction

19 Wednesday Jun 2013

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Something happens when you become a parent. Even if you had absolutely no interest in taking photos before, your fingers become itchy for that camera button.

In the early days, you want to take note of each new milestone in your child’s development – the first bath, first smile, first tooth. Later, it’s all about capturing family memories from days out, to funny faces and mischievous moments.

When Frog was first born, I started a scrap book for her. I dilligently recorded her first six months on earth, pasting in photographs overlayed with tissue paper and buttons, making it all very pretty. I even used colouring pencils to create beautiful text and pictures. That ended when work picked up again. Continue reading »

A first family breakfast

19 Wednesday Jun 2013

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“What do you want on your toast?” I asked the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine as I buttered his bread this morning. “Whatever, something nice,” He replied. I reached for a jar of marmalade. And then it hit me. Does my husband like marmalade? Why don’t I know if my husband likes marmalade?!

Our first family breakfast brought home quite a few revelations this morning.

Having worked on a contract that saw me leave the house by 4.30am for the past 18 months, I’ve not been privy to the weekly early morning routine in our house. While my husband battled to dress a sleepy toddler and get her to nursery, before arriving at work on time, I was talking on the radio. I am clueless to the routine, or what to do. Continue reading »

House hunting with kids

18 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Family, Home

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It goes without saying, house hunting with a grumpy toddler in tow should be avoided at all costs. Obviously.

Which is why we left our two year old (one more week of calling her that *gulp*) with her grandparents on Saturday and went off in search of our ideal temporary Devon home. We found it. Tucked along a windy country path, nestled into a valley overlooking fields and a lake, with a pub within walking distance and a pretty market town less than 2 miles away.

Then we lost it. Bugger.

Apparently a couple without kids were a more attractive option to the landlord, so yesterday saw me driving across Devon with my parents and toddler, minus the husband. Continue reading »

Strawberry Fields Forever

18 Tuesday Jun 2013

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This post is brought to you in association with Leisure Cooker, by Em Buchanan…

When I was a kid I loved picking seasonal fruit. From strawberry fields in the summer time to blackberry bushes in the autumn, my mum would arm us all with plastic tubs and the vaguest of vague warnings: don’t eat them all. And eat them all we did. There’s nothing quite like the rotten gut one gets when stuffed to the eyeballs with red ripe strawberries.

Another favourite game was damson felling. We had a tree at the end of our garden and when the time was right and the damsons were just about to drop, we’d thwack the branches like a piñata. I remember rushing to gather the fallen fruits and wondering if they were in distress. Continue reading »

From Radio Mum to WAHM

13 Thursday Jun 2013

Posted by in Motherhood, Work

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Family Tomorrow morning I will present my last breakfast show on Heart Wiltshire, hang up my headphones, collect my daughter, and drive to Devon.

It’s been an incredibly fun, challenging, inspiring, exhausting 18 months – and I don’t regret one second.

Learning to juggle what is effectively two full time jobs (I’m self-employed) alongside motherhood, a relationship with my husband, seeing my friends, drinking wine and waving a wet-wipe at the dust in my house has been – at all times – eye-opening.

I’ve experienced the tiredness that can only come with getting up at 3.45am every morning, commuting 45 minutes to work, coming home, looking after a demanding toddler, working until 10.30pm and doing it all again the next day. And I’ve survived. More than survived actually – I’ve enjoyed it. Continue reading »

Last minute gifts for a dad who’s already banging on about Father’s Day

10 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by in Family, Relationships

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Not my own dad you understand – he is far too “no fuss” to mention Father’s Day. No, I’m on about my husband.

“Don’t forget I bought you a Brita Water Filter and a pair of slippers for Mother’s Day”, he reminded me last night. I pointed out that was actually for Valentine’s Day, three years ago. But still.

Seeing as he’s got his heart set on some kind of gift, I’ve been scouring my go-to source of all shopping-related inspiration, Shopcade. As an amabassador for the brand, I can sort of pretend my online shopping is work. Continue reading »

Kid rules: Learning to laugh at yourself

06 Thursday Jun 2013

Posted by in Behaviour, Motherhood

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Putting on flip-flops

The other day, my nearly-three year old put on her dad’s flip-flops, wobbled into the garden and promptly fell over. And I laughed so hard I almost wet myself.

“You NOT laugh Mummy!” Scolded my child. “It NOT funny!”

That’s when I realised I was about to teach her a big lesson. One that’s right up there with being kind to people and remembering to say “please” and “thank you”. Continue reading »

The one in which we begin a new life

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

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Light

I’ve been writing this post in my head for weeks. I kept hoping that things would fall into place to bring me to this point, right now, where I am sitting at my computer and sharing plans for an amazing new future.

These plans have been a while in the making and, right up until a couple of weeks ago, we didn’t think they would become a reality. But they have. And I keep pinching myself to believe it.

We are moving. Not just down the road either. Not even to a nearby town. No, we’re going a bit further. Continue reading »

The Sunrise Festival: a family friendly choice

04 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Family, Seasonal, Travel, Well being

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The Sunrise Festival - slideNestled into the peaceful countryside, on the Wiltshire / Somerset border, we had our first taste of a family friendly festival last weekend.

As the flags fluttered in the breeze and the sound of drums carried through the air, I immediately felt at home at The Sunrise Festival.

We’d survived the Battle of the Tent (note to self: read instructions carefully before attempting to put up a borrowed tent). We’d got through a last-minute trip to the supermarket to hastily stock up on supplies. We’d even made the entire journey without an argument.

We had arrived. And my, it felt good.

Walking into The Sunrise Festival is like stepping into another world. Continue reading »

Summer holiday playlist

02 Sunday Jun 2013

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This post is brought to you in association with Cumbrian Cottages…

We have a tradition in our house. It’s a Friday afternoon tradition that begins around 4pm and lasts for at least an hour. It’s called the Friday Disco.

Tutu collage

Dancing Queen

 

Once the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine gets home from work, we crank up Spotify, move the coffee table and start dancing. Actually, Frog and I start dancing, the NLM is usually happy to recline by his computer sipping a cold beer. Continue reading »