Stretched too thinly
Sep30

Stretched too thinly

This week I’ve been stretched too thinly and it’s making me feel quite down. It’s not that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, because that would suggest I had some choice in the matter. I’ve just had a massive great load of responsibilities heaped on my plate and I’ve had no choice but to gobble it all up. For starters, there’s work. We are short-staffed and we have a lot on. It’s...

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The longest day part 5
Sep30

The longest day part 5

It’s a day like any other in the summer holidays. Except that I decided to write down every single question the kids asked me, just to prove to myself and maybe even the rest of the world, how relentless parenting three children can be. Frankly, it’s rather like being hit round the head with a big stick. We’ve made it through to lunchtime. If you want the full effect, read parts 1, 2, 3 and 4. Any names are changed...

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Chav-tastic shopping
Sep29

Chav-tastic shopping

I have two boys who play rugby. One of them also plays football. They are big boys and they just keep growing. Boys + sport + growth = need for lots of sports kit. Where I live, if you need rugby boots, football boots, trainers, gumshields, football socks etc and you don’t want to pay the earth, there’s only one place to go. Sports Direct. If you’ve never had the pleasure, try to imagine hell, re-located to the...

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More from the dark depths of B1’s mind
Sep28

More from the dark depths of B1’s mind

He might be 10 now, but that doesn’t mean my eldest son makes any more sense than he did when he was 3. Actually, I think he probably makes less sense. A little bit of knowledge about the world added to a strong set of moral values can be dangerous in the hands of a tween boy. So here’s more from the dark depths of his mind… Combining his twin interests of the royal family and law and order… If the queen killed...

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Arsenic hour
Sep26

Arsenic hour

I once heard the ‘hour’ (a term used fairly loosely, I’m sure) between teatime and bedtime described as ‘arsenic hour’. I like this term. It kind of does what it says on the tin. It is the time when mums have had enough and want to kill themselves. My arsenic hour comes slightly earlier in the day. It is the time between picking up the kids from school and teatime. As most parents, particularly working...

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