Tag Archives: relationships

Meltdown: I don’t know what to do

15 Wednesday Aug 2012

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I was going to write about my dad tonight.

I had it all planned. I was going to write about how emotion is in the genes; we’re born with our tendencies to cry, laugh or brood. It’s written in our DNA.

I was going to use my father as a perfect example of the genetics of emotion. I was going to say that he’s emotional to the point of hilarity. The words were going to flow onto the blank page, describing how his tears will fall freely at something tiny – a birthday card, a story on the news, a kiss from his granddaughter.

I was going to share this picture of my wedding day almost a year ago, pointing you to look at my dad’s face as he revels in the emotion of the day… Continue reading »

Equality begins at home

21 Monday May 2012

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Photo credit: Katch

This time last year I was officially still on maternity leave, but had started to build a portfolio leading to a new life as a Work At Home Mum.

Despite being busy trying to fit in 30 hours of work around looking after our baby 24/7, I was pretty much in charge of everything domestic. From cooking to washing, dishwasher unloading to the occasional dusting spree, the house was my domain. The (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine had two duties: putting the bins out and being in charge of the barbecue.

How terribly 2012. Continue reading »

You lose your friends when you become a parent

11 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Motherhood, Relationships

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Photo credit: CP Photography

When I was pregnant, I was often told that on becoming a parent I would lose three things that I had formerly taken for granted: my waist, my sleep and my friends.

My waist has slowly made a post-baby return. Sleep is our friend once again. And my friends? Well, they’re still around too. More than ever in fact.

22 months after becoming a mother, friends still form an important part of my life. Whether it’s a chat on the phone, an afternoon cup of tea or a night out dancing and drinking wine, my relationships with friends are just as strong now as they ever were before I was a mother. In some cases, they’re stronger. Continue reading »

On naming the grandparents

07 Monday May 2012

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During my lifetime, I have known three grandparents. I have never called any of them by the traditional names.

My one remaining grandmother is not known as Grandma. Neither is she Granny, Nanny or Nan. She is Nana, pronounced Nan-arr (as if she was christened by a pirate).

Nana

Nana’s husband, my grandfather, was called Dada. He was also christened by pirates, so his name was pronounced Dad-arr. Continue reading »

The one about the honeymoon

20 Monday Feb 2012

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Now the jet lag has started to pass and the first day back at work is over, Cuba seems like a distant dream away.

This time last week I had just left Havana with the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine and was trying hard to quell a large lump in my throat at the thought of being away from Frog for four more days. Continue reading »

Should all mums be of the Stay At Home variety?

03 Friday Feb 2012

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This morning I got up at 3.45am and drove to work. I worked until 1pm, drove to the childminder’s to collect my daughter and eventually arrived back at home at 2.15pm. In a fit of Mother Guilt I decided to try and cram a million and one activities into the afternoon, culminating in making homemade pizza with my 19 month old.

I’ve written about the Mother Guilt before. It tears at me every morning as I leave the house, knowing I won’t be the first person to say good morning to my baby. It tugs a little more as I put her to bed at night, wondering if I have done all I can to be a good mum to her that day. Continue reading »

One today

02 Thursday Feb 2012

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Once upon a time there was a woman.

She had a wobbly tummy, big bags under her eyes and a yummy little baby.

But, despite this woman’s attributes, she was worried.

The whole year stretched ahead of her and she didn’t know what it would hold. She didn’t know when her yummy little baby would start sleeping through the night. She didn’t know if she would return to her old pre-baby job. She didn’t know how long she could continue to pretend she had a clue what she was doing when it came to being a mum. Continue reading »

Do you ever lie on Facebook?

26 Thursday Jan 2012

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Photo Credit: "Facebook's Secret Message to Me", by Nate Bolt

 

My husband isn’t on Facebook. The (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine did have a page, but decided to close it down. “If I want to speak to someone, I’ll ring them,” he said. “I don’t even really know half the people on there anyway.”

He has a point.

Since I started the new job at the beginning of the month, I’ve spent more time on Facebook. I get into work at 5am and it’s one of the first sites I check. It says a lot about the age we live in, that often the “big” things people are talking about will be picked up by social networking sites before other forms of media. Continue reading »