This year, for the first time since she was a baby, we attempted to have Christmas at a relative’s house. This was not a decision we took lightly, or with any sense of ease. In fact, had my father not died in the summer, we would not have done it at all. But leaving myContinue reading “Well thank crunchy that’s over.”
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Shh! It’s a surprise!
As it’s the season for giving presents and generally worshipping the Gods of consumerism, we have indulged with the masses. This year, following the success of the halloween party, we decided to host a Christmas party. I don’t know why I do this to myself: I stress for a week beforehand over food; the stateContinue reading “Shh! It’s a surprise!”
Choochoo Santa
During the October half term, I attempted to fulfil a promise – made to my fae in August by her childminder – of taking her on a train. I hoped to make it an exciting day out, as my mother, who was recently widowed, was up to see us for the first time since theContinue reading “Choochoo Santa”
Parenting in easy mode
There is a “joke” that regularly makes the rounds online: you don’t know tired unless you’re ’parent tired’. Every time he sees this, my husband grits his teeth and tries not to snap that the people posting this (and it is always parents of neuro-typical children, as the rest of us don’t have the time)Continue reading “Parenting in easy mode”
‘‘Tis the season for miracles
Ever since Halloween ended, houses on our estate have been gleefully assembling their Christmas displays. I’m no humbug (at least not anymore, I used to be, but that’s a story for another post) but November 1st does seem ridiculously early to put up enough lights to drain the Eastern seaboard and cause seizures in theContinue reading “‘‘Tis the season for miracles”
Reading in the dark
Our daughter caught a virus at school. I think she has a respiratory infection; my husband is firmly in the ‘just a cold’ camp. Either way she has a cough; bunged-up nose; and, most, recently, a sudden aversion to any light in her bedroom when settling at night. She started by trying to hide underContinue reading “Reading in the dark”
Something wicked this way went
Why don’t we have a unified half term in England anymore? Letting each local authority set their own term times is moronic. If you have children who go to schools in different authorities it can mean that they never see each other in their half terms; teachers can have different weeks off from their kids;Continue reading “Something wicked this way went”
Flight of the butterfly part 2
So, I meant to write this update some time ago, but life happened and got in the way. Somehow, my daughter has got it in her head that being a human is a dull existence (she’s not entirely wrong) and is trying out being different species. She tried being a lizard but was unimpressed thatContinue reading “Flight of the butterfly part 2”
Wilful Ignorance
I recently found something that really got my goat. In fact after several days I am still wound up enough that my blood pressure is still in the red, and it is something I feel I will share so it can wind you up as well. Or not – maybe I’m on my own withContinue reading “Wilful Ignorance”
Being Good
We have rules in our house. I’m sure everyone does. Importantly, they apply to us as well as our daughter. The most sacred of them is ‘if you say it, do it’. This goes for consequences, as well as rewards. We never promise anything that we are not sure we can deliver on. This meansContinue reading “Being Good”
Raising the Modern Fae 