The politics of kids’ sport
We all know that parenting is political. It starts very young. We’re either the smug ones feeling proud of ourselves that our babies sleep through the nights, or the parents seething at someone else whose kids will eat anything. And it never stops. Whose child walks first? Is one school better than another? Is one kid on a better reading book than another? And as they get older… Is your kid the one who gets picked for the...
Marathon training: Increasing the fuel
During the winter, I tried out various different possible fuels for my marathon. I’d never had anything other than a drink with me on a run before, but 26 miles burns 2600 calories, so it was essential that I learned to eat something while running. As an IBS sufferer, I have to be extra careful (although apparently 60% of long distance runners do have some stomach/ toilet trouble) and I felt that gels weren’t the way...
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
Every few months, I go to Sainsbury’s and buy myself a small pile of books, just because they’re cheap. I have a quick read of the blurbs, but I’m not looking for particular authors or particular books I’ve heard about, I’m just looking for something to read. Which is how I came to acquire Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan. An MP’s marriage is thrust into the spotlight and a barrister thinks...
Safe space blogging: A specific learning difference
I’m pleased to welcome a fellow A-Level parent as my next safe space blogger – talking about her teenager’s diagnosis of a specific learning difference. I’d never heard of a specific learning difference before. But if you’d said the words to me, I would have assumed they would be something to do with a child with disabilities or who wasn’t very bright. Apparently that isn’t the case. My...