In a bun dance

If I'm going to get something, I usually get it in spades - luck (both kinds), children, clutter, dirty laundry, bright ideas, daft ideas...

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No regrets on Mother’s Day… or any day

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As Mother’s Day looms again – I thought it was time to give this post another airing. How did your mothering go? Are you still in the midst of it, or is it mostly behind you? Were you a success today?   How did you do? Were you any good?    Clearly a successful parenting […]

Shitty-gritty: The bottom line on parenting

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I wrote this a couple of years ago and, mercifully, it’s not so much a part of everyday life. Though it can, erm, bob up occasionally. However, I thought it worth another airing if for no other reason than to reassure those of you with crap under your nails that it does get better. Poo […]

Tips for pain-free homework

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Back to school, back to uniform and routine. Back to sitting at the kitchen table for hour after painful hour getting the homework done. There is likely to be begging, cajoling, patient explanations, stern instructions, negotiation, tears and pleading. That was the scene here for many, many school nights. One evening, exasperated by long division […]

How to have a productive weekend

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It was Friday again. That sweet spot in the week when the toil is done and anything is possible. Heading home to treat the kids to a pizza and me to a night off making the supper. I didn’t even get annoyed by the people on the train with the bags. You know the ones, […]

Keep St Valentine out of our schools, for the kids’ sake

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“I’m very sad, mummy,” said Boy Three from his seat in the back of the car.    We were on the way home last night – the night before St Valentine’s Day.    “What’s the matter, honey bun?” I asked.      This isn’t an unusual exchange. Often it’s the Worst Day in the World. […]