Early Introductions

I’ve had more time than I normally do with my Master C, who is four, over the past couple of Summer months. We have been to many playgrounds, movies and shopping centres, where he, being a very social creature, inevitably meets new ‘shriends’ (friends). What I have found incredibly interesting is observing the manner in … Continue reading Early Introductions

The Other Type of ‘Coming Out’

I don’t remember a great deal about the birth of each of my children. It seems a common phenomenon that most of the pain and trauma of the child-birthing experience tends to fade from memory very quickly after meeting the new arrival. One shot of Cupid’s arrow and we succumb to the love bubble that is … Continue reading The Other Type of ‘Coming Out’

The Pink Sofa

What I wanted, as a young twentysomething girl, was to fall in love. I wanted romance, I wanted fun - I wanted adventure. I wanted to share these things with someone who was as 'into' me as I was into them. Like anyone my age, I wanted to experience the intense feelings so characteristic of the romantic comedies … Continue reading The Pink Sofa

Down time

This is going to sound terribly strange. I have a week’s holiday soon – my honeymoon actually – CHILDFREE – and I’m petrified. It’s been so very long since I have had time without the kids, that I have no clue how I’m going to go with so much…FREE TIME. Lis and I have had … Continue reading Down time

Growing Up

A friend yesterday confided to me that her nineteen year old daughter has come out to her as being gay. Believe it or not, I cried as she told me. I cried even more afterwards. I was stunned at how much it affected me, and it’s only just now, the day after, that I’m figuring … Continue reading Growing Up

Public Relations

As I’ve previously mentioned, my inclination to escape the family tradition of being a teacher was strong. I was young, as far as I knew, straight, and highly motivated at the age of seventeen. Such a different person to the near forty-year old mother of five I am now. I would still describe myself as … Continue reading Public Relations

Out of the Box

I feel like a coward. I keep teetering on the edge of ‘Coming Out’ at work, but then I keep finding that the opportunity doesn’t present itself. Even when it does, I sidestep it. I don’t think I’ve been ready. Over the last couple of weeks, however, I’ve started to feel differently. It’s coming, I … Continue reading Out of the Box

About a Boy

I was in London the day I learned I was expecting my first boy fifteen years ago. I was doing data entry at a dingy small scale factory style establishment near Croydon, walking distance from a hospital. Work was optional for me at this time, as my partner had been offered a contract working for … Continue reading About a Boy