With three children in the house, there is always someone who needs an item of clothing. This morning, as I took the soft, old cotton pajamas of my baby, I realised (again) how grateful I am for all the clothes that have been handed down to us. Washed again and again, they are creamy soft against the children’s skin and traces of questionable ( Read more... )

Wanting to read something, but having just a few minutes on my own, I picked up the first book I found that wasn't either a novel or a children's board book: "How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk". I opened it up on a page where I had left a pencil earlier, and read a few pages on from there. The topic just there is talking ( Read more... )

It's been nearly eight years since I first became a mother, eight years where baby carriers have been important tools of the trade to me. I daresay that my parenting style had been a different one had I not picked up my first carriers. Carrying my babies close has allowed me to keep my children close while doing activities that need both hands. ( Read more... )

Ok, I'll admit it: As much as I think about throwing the telly out as I feel it steals too much time from my children's everyday life, I love that allowing the eldest to snuggle under a duvet on the couch in front of the telly on a Saturday morning allows me to drink a warm cup of tea while catching up with other 'net mamas.

It's time, I think, to revive this journal. By now, I've become a parent of three, I am currently on maternal leave with my third. As I was taking a shower today, I smiled at said third who was lying on the floor looking at me and exploring his hands. How lucky I am this time, to have a baby who actually thinks lying on a towel while I shower is an ( Read more... )

This was originally meant to be an e-mail to a friend who said she'd like some advice on parenting. Wow. Really? Am I being asked to dispense some advice, rather than stepping on toes because I can't keep my mouth shut? Again: Wow. Thanks.

So, my friend who's not named Penelope, this is largely for you. Here are some of my thoughts on attachment, ( Read more... )

 In the September issue of US Vogue, there is a feature on Gwyneth Paltrow and her upcoming cookbook. Now, I’m neither a foodie nor a particularly avid fan of Ms Paltrow, but when I treat myself to a magazine I tend to read most of it no matter the topic. As long as the writer is a good wordsmith, I’ll read just about anything.


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 Yeah. That's me. I can see it in the eyes of my five-year-old every time I wear my new "Batman" t-shirt. 

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In the November edition of the British magazine “Red”, one of the cover stories is: “Parent Taboo - 'I was happier before I had children'”. After reading it, I realise how glad I am that I didn’t have too many ideas of what mothering would be like. I honestly did not expect my children to make me happier than I was. As I discussed the article with ( Read more... )