A parenting toolbox is something that we can draw upon to help us in our mission to raise our children successfully. In my case I am particularly interested in the emotional and psychological development of my children so I am filling my toolbox with skills that help me and them in that respect. Some of…
Tag: children
The mental health price of academic focus
I am worried about the education we provide to the children in this country. I am worried because two of my daughters are going through it already and I don’t like what I see. I am worried because of my own negative experiences of secondary education. And I am worried because of the apathy some…
What’s the worst that could happen?
When I was growing up my mum used to play what she called the ‘what if…’ game with me (what would you do if … happens?). It was her version of trying to teach me how to react to potential dangers in a multitude of situations. She wanted to keep me safe. The trouble with…
Love on Mother’s Day
Three years ago on Mother’s Day, my third daughter was born. And now it will always be a special day to me. Because that was a day when I got to be close to my new arrival, when I was awash with love for my family. What an amazing present. Unfortunately I think Mother’s Day…
Making a difference
After I recently published my post introducing my concept of empowered parenting and what it meant to me, I had a conversation with one of my friends. She asked me what I wanted to achieve by my cause, and I realised that whilst I wrote about the what, and some of the why, I thought…
Empowered Parenting – A Manifesto
So here I am at last to tell you all about my new plans, to lift the suspense! What led to this path? My emotional journey through life became especially significant when I became a parent. Before I hadn’t always been the happiest person but I muddled along; sometimes coping, sometimes not. All of a…
The chicken and egg of positive parenting
There has been a news story this past weekend about the Government wanting parents to take classes in child-rearing skills. Apparently the aim of this is to keep families together, because those that do are less likely to be in poverty. However I am not quite clear on how teaching parenting skills keeps parents together…
Cheesy gratitude biscuits
I thought that I wouldn’t be writing my gratitude journal every week, and last week I did do a little creative writing instead. But it appears that I can’t help myself from being a little bit grateful for the good things that have happened! It’s all about the fun activities I shared with my children…
The good enough mother
My first venture into creative writing for many years, a little flash fiction… Rebecca woke with a jolt, from her uneasy slumber. She had a sensation of heaviness on her chest, which she recognised from the days when Clem had been a toddler, as if that had been just a moment ago. She had fallen…
Gratitude Journal #10
This was the week of the #latergram. This was the busiest, craziest week of the year. But also this was the week in which I have had some of the most enjoyable days this year. I have so much to be grateful for, and this is my first moment really to sit and document it,…