Food, cars, travel
I never wanted to be one of those families that didn’t go on foreign holidays because they didn’t like foreign food (or ‘foreign muck’ as it would no doubt be described in a sitcom). But that’s pretty much what we’ve become. And you can add foreign drink to the foreign food. I’d like to say it’s just the kids, but I have to admit it’s me as well. I love Indian food and Thai food....
Bathroom
We don’t often go on foreign holidays and we don’t often stay in hotels. But ever since we first went to Disneyland Paris when my eldest was 15 months old, we have developed a strong tradition of sitting in the bathroom while the kids go to sleep. With a toddler you don’t have to wait long. But with three biggish kids, you can sit in the bathroom for a really long time. While many parents keep their kids up late on...
The Calpol rollercoaster
For me, the scariest rollercoaster in the world isn’t at Alton Towers or Drayton Manor. It is the Capol rollercoaster. Anyone whose child has had a high temperature (and whose hasn’t?!) will know exactly what I mean. The Calpol rollercoaster is a term my husband and I coined many years ago. It’s the four doses in 24 hours, but only works for four hours problem. How far can you push it, how long can you wait, how high...
Green freak
I am a green freak and recycling nut and, guess what? I have VERY LITTLE time for people who don’t recycle. Because there’s just no excuse for it. I’m no expert, but as I understand it, there are some very sound environmental reasons for recycling: Burying stuff in landfill produces methane, which is damaging to the environment Landfill space is running out, so we need to bury far less rubbish Recycling means we use...
Living in the shadow
I am told it’s not easy living in an older sibling’s shadow. Constantly being compared, usually unfavourably, by parents and teachers. You’re not as good at maths as your older brother, you’re not as well-behaved as your sister… If that’s hard, imagine how much harder it must be to be living in the shadow of your younger brother. That’s what my eldest son has to deal with every day of his life...
