30 Thursday Aug 2012
Posted in Behaviour
I’m handing over the blog today to author and mum of two, Hollie Smith.
Hollie’s written no less than ten best-selling parenting books, the latest of which – First Time Mum – was recently published. I was on a panel of mums to bare their soul offer pearls of wisdom shared in this book so, obviously, it’s very good. Continue reading »
31 Tuesday Jul 2012
Posted in Behaviour
I can look away from the problem no longer. The signs have been appearing quietly for a couple of months now; a push here, a swatted hand there. Each sign was explained away as bad temper, tiredness or a toddler being playful.
But now… now I’m not so sure.
She looks at me so innocently. Occasionally I’ll even get a kiss or a rushed cuddle. But underneath that sweet exterior, lies a dark secret.
My daughter is thrilled by dishing out violence. Continue reading »
30 Wednesday May 2012
Posted in Play
It’s 3 o’clock in the afternoon and I’ve hit a wall. I’ve done an eight hour radio shift, almost two hours of commuting and my toddler is running me ragged.
During the last hour I’ve already become victim to at least four violent, stormy tantrums. The Terrible Twos are taking their toll.
Having sought some cool in the kitchen I move myself and my angry 23 month old into the garden. She is hot and bothered. Grumpy.
But she spies her second favourite thing in the world. Her hat. And I bask in the radiance of her smile, snapping the moment on my phone to remind myself of this happiness when the next tantrum arrives. Continue reading »