Monthly Archives: June 2012

On being a Responsible Parent

30 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Motherhood

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Advertorial

I have a confession to make. It’s not big and it’s not clever.

Neither myself, nor the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine have drawn up a will yet. I say “yet” because it’s one of those things that we keep meaning to do, but never seem to get around to.

It’s stupid really, seeing as we both know exactly what we want to happen to Frog should anything terrible befall us. What’s more stupid is that we’ve both been meaning to sort out the issue of wills and life insurance ever since our wedding in August last year. Continue reading »

An ode to the hand

28 Thursday Jun 2012

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When I think about hands, my mind immediately turns to tiny fingers, minute finger nails and chubby wrists. The hands of my daughter.

But it’s these very hands, these tiny hands, which have made my own hands what they are now.

Because, without these mini fingers in my life, my own hands would not have found their current purpose. Continue reading »

An open letter to my daughter, on her birthday

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Family, Motherhood

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Dear Frog,

My beautiful girl.

How on earth did you get so big? You’re all long and lanky now, just like your dad. Your gorgeous skinny legs – although far too flexible – remind me of a dangly scarecrow. Not much different to the day you were born, really.

This day two years ago, we looked at you as you slept in your clear plastic bed, discussing your frog-like feet and scarecrow limbs. Love hit us like a bullet. Continue reading »

Barbecues and labour pains

26 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Motherhood, Pregnancy

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It started with a hot, hot morning. The sun beat down on my swollen belly.

The tears flowed freely when I heard my mum’s voice on the end of the phone.

“Nothing’s happening,” I sniffed. “I thought it was all kicking off yesterday, but everything’s stopped. I don’t feel like it’s safe in there anymore!” Continue reading »

Oprah gives it to me straight

23 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Motherhood, Work

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Photo Credit: Alan Light

My inner Oprah Winfrey needs to be channelled. She’s sitting on the sofa today, demanding I take notice of her life coaching advice.

I can’t ignore her any longer.

She tells me to stop for a minute. Just a minute. And take a moment to recall the events of the past year. She tells me that, rather than berating myself for not achieveing the mountain of tasks on my to-do list this week, I should take stock of what I have achieved.

She tells me to look at the bigger picture.

Apparently, I need to remember where I was this time last year. I need to remember that I was yet to get married. I was in a haze of last-minute planning for said wedding. I was attempting the beginnings of a blog, a freelance career. Continue reading »

The golden second

22 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by in Work

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It’s a moment much anticipated. As I wake at 3.30am on a Monday morning, those golden seconds seem light years away. The week stretches ahead like a pair of my oldest, baggiest, non-elasticated pants.

As I’m caught up with mum duties, work duties, house duties and all the other duties that rule my life, I momentarily forget about that special moment that will soon be mine.

But then I remember, hugging the anticipation of it close, a gleeful smile spreading slowly across my face. Continue reading »

Lucky

21 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by in Charity

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I was with my daughter in the garden yesterday.

I watched her gorgeous skinny legs as she climbed on the slide. I sat with her as she “baked” some delicious (pasta flavoured) cupcakes. I chased her as she threw a ball around, squeeling with delight.

And I thought, “I’m so lucky”.

For all the early mornings, mountains of work deadlines, household duties and trying my best as a mum, life is actually pretty good. Continue reading »

Chasing freedom

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Walking

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I chased my daughter around a shop this afternoon. I watched as she let go of my hand and made a dash for the tills, running behind the counter, before playing peepo in an empty changing room.

It was beautiful.

A week tomorrow my baby girl turns two years old. And it is only now that I am beginning to see her as the toddler she has been for the past six months. The speaking, singing, mischievous toddler. The non-toddling toddler who is no longer of the non-toddling variety. Continue reading »

The brutal truth

18 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in Speech

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There’s nothing like being brought back to earth by a brutally honest three year old. This particular three year old goes by the name of Arthur and lives next door.

A week has passed, but the harsh reality of his words still rings in my ears.

Arthur: “Um. Molly? Did you know something? Did you know that when I was a baby I drank milk from my Mummy’s boobies?” Continue reading »