The Secret to Toddler Sleep: Nursery

Sleep.  I used to love sleep.  I could sleep all day.  A friend of mine actually gave me the nickname “sloth.”  Sadly, it does not appear that my son has inherited my great love of slumber. At nursery however, my son is a very different beast.  He is apparently quite content to lie down in…

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Why I Am Lucky

The other day, on the train on the way home from work, I spotted a link in my Twitter newsfeed for a photo gallery of women’s birthing experiences in countries that would probably be described in that classic Western imperialist terminology as “developing.” Countries where medical care was, at best, patchy, and where, for a…

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A Very Big Parenting Challenge

This post first appeared on The Butterfly Mother as part of her guest blogging series on parenting challenges. The biggest parenting challenge that I faced was my very first one. Let’s take it right back to the beginning here. Let’s take it right back to…. Conception. I know, TOTES INAPPROPES, right? Well no, actually. See my child…

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Who’s afraid of the bogeyman?

When I was a child I had a plan. The plan was, if a nuclear war should break out, I would take cover underneath the bed.  The bed, a cabin bed no less, with a fitted wardrobe underneath and a desk so tiny I couldn’t use it without banging my head on the bed above,…

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My Favourite Bloggers

Recently it has come to my attention that there are blogging awards doing the rounds.  I know, I know. Pipe down at the back there.  What do you mean I RIPPED THIS POST OFF EVERY OTHER BLOGGER EVER? I have my own opinions, you know. And here they are. These ladies (and they are all…

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Romeo and Juliet in the Night Garden

It was a beautiful day in the Night Garden.  It’s always a beautiful day.  The sun shines brightly, the temperature remains at a perfectly balmy, but not swelteringly hot, twenty-five degrees.  Makka Pakka’s stones are warm to the touch, but his cavern under the bridge remains refreshingly cool, as the mighty Ha-hoos keep watch over…

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When I Had Mummy Friends

This weekend Piglet and I went to the park. Basic, I know.  Everyone goes to the park.  I am basic.  Don’t hate me. The park is both fascinating and terrifying in equal measure.  Mainly terrifying.  How much helicopter parenting is acceptable in the face of the overwhelming fear that one’s child will be attacked by…

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What are my Goals?

Today I had to have the phrase “goals” explained to me. In case you were wondering, apparently there are now a whole host of expressions which include this word, which have absolutely nothing to do with football. I put a picture of Wembley Stadium on this post anyway.  Good ol’ Wembers.  A tenuous link to…

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Giving Myself a Mummy Makeover

It’s Mother’s Day!  Yay!  The one day of the year when we are allowed to lie in bed all day being fanned with giant feathery fans by our children, while they behave perfectly, bring us an endless selection of dainty morsels on silver trays and present us with giant homemade cards Pinterest would be jealous of. Or…

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Five Reasons Why I Am Living My Teenage Years All Over Again

This weekend I was a bit depressed.  Piglet was ill, we couldn’t go swimming, and although I was briefly delighted about this as it meant I wouldn’t have to get up at 7am and sit on some godforsaken bus for half an hour, my dreams of a cosy lie-in remained just that, as Piglet was…

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