Just returned from a very convivial weekend away with a group of school families who fortunately had similar parenting methods to us. If you’ve ever been away with people who have completely different practices you’ll know what a relief it is to kick back and know no one is judging you for letting your kids run a bit wild. Read full post

Firstly, I'm a journalist, not a psychologist. I am, however, a mother and a daughter. My sons' introduction to grief, big earth-shattering loss, was also my own. On Boxing Day 2007, two days short of her 70th birthday, my mother suffered an enormous stroke and literally dropped dead. In my house. At the feet of my sons - then aged 4 & 6. Read full post

Ten minutes before we’re due to leave for school, my seven-year-old tells me, ‘I’ve got a sore tummy. I feel sick.’ Just a minute earlier she was running up and down the hallway with her little sister, giggling fit to bust. Now she’s clutching her belly and looking pale. Read full post

How do you teach a child the value of honesty? Depending on your child, their temperament, their age and the context, teaching a child about the importance of truthfulness can be challenging. But honesty is a critical lesson I think all parents need to teach. Paul Ekman, Professor of Psychology has some good ideas... Read full post

I’m not a helicopter mother. No way. I don’t trust those helicopter mothers that hover around their children getting involved in everything that they do, pretending they’re not looking and then suddenly swooping in and fussing about something or other. ...I’m more of an A380 mother. Read full post

Now the kids are all at school it’s easy to forget what it was like to have 4 aged under 6. But watching a neighbour struggle with a couple of babies reminded me of those hazy times. Hazy because I can’t actually remember too much about them. I don’t think it’s early onset dementia (although I am having keys/wallet/glasses issues!). Read full post

A wise man I know often reminds me, "Experiences matter, not things." This is, however, a wise man who has never seen the true devastation that is often wrought in our home by The Ninja aged seven, and his brother The Bird, aged 8. Very smart and funny little boys who provide me with no end of entertainment, love, cuddles, kisses, fights and farts. Not necessarily in that order. The house is a mess, constantly, because we believe in Doing Things and Going Places. Read full post