The Tough Mum: Why I Chose to Be That, And Why It Mattered To Me
I was a tough mum. Not because I enjoyed being strict, but because after years of supporting teens and parents, I’d seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of parenting… and I was determined to get it right at home. So I embraced intentionality. I set non-negotiables. I insisted on respect. Hard work. Discipline. […]
“Nothing!” – The Screen Time Struggle is Real
If you’re a parent in the UK right now, chances are you’ve had this conversation at least once this week: You: “You’ve been on that phone for hours! What are you even doing?” Them: Without looking up “nothing” Ah yes, the famous “nothing” – translation: I’m deep into a TikTok rabbit hole watching people rate […]
Owen Cooper, Emmys, Homework… and the Bigger Question About School
Owen Cooper just made history as the youngest male to win an Emmy for Supporting Actor. But what really caught my attention wasn’t just the award; it was his interview with Jimmy Kimmel, where he kept joking about having to do homework. Owen even admitted he hates school, especially maths. That got me thinking… If […]
National Make Your What Day 😒?
Did you know today is National Make Your Bed Day. Cute idea, right? Except if you’re a parent, every day is already National Remind-Your-Kid-To-Make-Their-Bed Day. Because let’s be honest — kids and beds have a complicated relationship. They love sleeping in them, jumping on them, and using them as storage for half their wardrobe… but […]
Cracking the Teen Code: Turning Grunts into Real Conversations
People say communicating with teenagers is like squeezing water out of a rock. Honestly? Some days it feels easier to negotiate world peace than to get past: Parent: “How was school?” Teen: “Fine.” Trust me, I know the feeling. I have two teenagers of my own. 😂 Before you give up and accept grunts as […]
Back-to-school chaos? We’ve got you.
School has started for most, and if your house is anything like mine, the first few days have been… eventful. 😅 But don’t panic. Even if the week has been chaotic, it’s not too late to get the family back into a manageable routine. Here are some practical, sanity-saving tips to help your kids (and […]
The Summer Holiday Week 7: We Made It to the Finish Line!
We made it! Insert big sigh of relief here. Honestly, what I really want to do is put my face in a pillow and scream. The first scream would be pure joy — sheer overexcitement that the summer holidays are officially over and I did not, in fact, die. The following screams? Those are for […]
The Summer Holiday Week 6: Chaos, Camp & Countdown
Wait… could it be? Did I actually make it here… alive? Have the treacherous claws of the summer holidays scraped and scarred me? Yes. But did they finish me off? No. Here I stand, still alive enough to tell the tale of this never-ending-yet-somehow-nearly-over saga of my summer holiday survival. Honestly, I’d be a fool […]
The Summer Holiday Week 5: Snot, Screens & Survival Mode
It’s week five. I’ve checked my blood pressure, pulse, and eyelids (yes, eyelids) to make sure I’m still functioning and can finish strong(ish) as we officially begin the countdown back to school. Now, before you celebrate with me, this countdown isn’t all calm candles and hopeful Pinterest boards. No. It’s socks. It’s the great shoe […]
The Summer Holiday Week 4: Parenting on Holiday
London Holiday? (aka Parenting in a Different Postcode) Did I mention we took a “holiday” trip to London? Oh no, sorry! What I meant to say was that the kids went on holiday. Me? I simply relocated my full-time parenting duties to another postcode. Same job, different kettle of chaos. Honestly, it felt like taking […]