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

Antenatal Classes

The reason I initially started writing about my sister and her wife going to antenatal classes is completely different to the story I ended up writing. That quite often happens with my blog. This time I think it was actually on purpose. Sometimes I feel like the stories I write about are too ‘heavy’. I … Continue reading Antenatal Classes

Toilet Humour

Never did I ever imagine walking into my bathroom after being hollered at, to find a four year old standing bent over with a dirty, soiled bottom and his whole 'nether region' facing up in the air unashamedly towards me. Never did I ever imagine having conversations about making sure the skin underneath the tip of the … Continue reading Toilet Humour

Tough Gig

She stood out, not just for the time of day it was, but for the location we were in. She was a young, attractive mum, probably late twenties, dressed in a dark blue sundress, matching summer hat and white Converse sneakers. The bark-covered ground was wet and boggy which I thought mustn’t have been great … Continue reading Tough Gig

The Ties that Bind

Being a parent changes your perspective in ways you can’t even imagine. It’s funny how we can be so blasé about issues until they enter our direct sphere of influence. A class discussion arose recently during a History lesson with my Year 7 students. We were studying a unit on Ancient China – and as … Continue reading The Ties that Bind

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

In the Blood

Five minutes back from holidays and it’s like I never had them. The bustling environment of a school is always busy and loud – the atmosphere one of excitement mixed with both a healthy dose of terror and loathing. Once I’m there, I love it. It’s just the coming back after a delightful two weeks … Continue reading In the Blood

Party of Five

  It’s 4am and I can’t sleep. Miss L, who is one, has had an unsettled night and is currently occupying my side of the bed. She is a terrible, restless sleeper and she has been ‘spoilt’ by being allowed to sleep against me since birth. I know, I know, I can sense the eye … Continue reading Party of Five