I'm a child of the 70s (I know you would never guess ) I have a sister and brother roughly 15 years older than me. I grew up having everything from punk to Elvis being played in different rooms of the house. My sister was a huge Adam and the ants fan and had her room covered in pictures, my brother loved Blondie and her face hung from all his walls. Dad loved Elvis and still does but he was also a huge Simon and Garfunkel fan and I can still pretty much tell you exactly what track it will be ...
Thoughts and happenings
Preserving Memories
My Mum writes in a diary every single night. I was reminded of the diaries when I recently stayed and went into the cupboard under the stairs. On the shelves she has diaries going back to when my brother and sister were small, so she must have around 50 years worth at least. As far as I'm aware she has never missed a entry, some days the entries are short and just about the weather or what shift she worked that day but other days you have the entries about birthdays, deaths, births, first steps, ...
Wishing away milestones
Pretty much from the minute your baby arrives into this world the tests and watching for development milestones start. I have been determined with my second and last child that I will not get caught up in the statements, thoughts and concerns over what milestones she is reaching. My son walked at around 18 months, I can remember being anxious about it, feeling almost pressure into getting him walking. Then came the Potty training, all conversation seemed to be about poo and nappies. ...
Ankylosing Spondylitis and Me
It started with back pain. The mornings were the worst, the stiffness and pain in my lower back when getting out of bed. I was only in my early twenties but back pain is so common you just get on with it and little sympathy is found. I went to the doctors several times and was told to try and rest, lose weight and it should be fine. It went on for months and months, then whilst in work I started to get terrible head aches and pain in the back of my eyes. Yet again I went to the doctors and was ...
A night out. Before and after children.
Last night I had a girls night out. A actual girls night out. My first one in over 12 months. Everyone loves a girls night out. Although my love of a night out with the girls has never changed the fact I now have two children has changed the preparation and planning for it, quite dramatically. Whilst getting ready last night these differences popped into my head, Before children 1. Get some music on 2. Pour myself a nice big glass of vodka and coke. 3. ...
A message for my son (on the eve of your 7th birthday)
14 months ago your sister arrived. You have always wanted to be a big brother and you have become the very best big brother anyone could ask for. Whilst my life has been taken over with nappies, feeding and all things baby related you have grown so much. My little boy has changed in the past year, I see the man you will become in the boy in front of me. I have had moments when I have felt so guilty that I have not been able to be there for you. I remember in those first few months of Matilda ...