painted rocks
Children, Crafts

Crafty rocks

Hell I hate crafts with the kids. Someone bought 4 a rock painting kit for his birthday. Nice book with ideas, some flat stones and paint. They've both done a shark and one free style. Large has done the first letter of his name. Small a "snapperwack" (I'll explain another time, it's a long and… Continue reading Crafty rocks

home working set up, two monitors, laptop, printer, lots of mess, water bottle and jumper
Work

The temptation of the laptop

So the hardest thing about working from home is that you're always at work. Well so long as you're in the house that is. I'm having an evening where I'm re-evaluating my relationship with my laptop and my email. I've always been proud that I don't work weekends and I never ever have, in 12… Continue reading The temptation of the laptop

Making thank you cards
Children, Crafts, Making stuff

Making stuff 1: teacher thank you cards

I'm not crafty or arty. I hate glitter and slime and play doh. However, I love teachers and TAs. They are amazing and I like to think that a home made thank you that is the result of effort helps to show how sincerely we appreciate everything they do. This year we've made cards. Last… Continue reading Making stuff 1: teacher thank you cards

Parent's manifesto
Children, Politics & Equality

Manifesto for parents: things that are ok

It's ok to not be ok It's ok to not be skinny It's ok not to wear make up It's ok to feed your kids beige freezer food It's ok to not make it to every school event It's ok to hold your children It's ok to work full time It's ok to need medication… Continue reading Manifesto for parents: things that are ok

Class of 2019 preschool graduation blackboard
Children

Nursery graduation and such like. Part 2.

Yeah so nursery graduation was today. See part 1. With graduation came reports. I always find these disconcerting - there a big long lists of things that a child might or might not be able to do. Split into general areas and age-related measures. There are always loads of things that I see at home… Continue reading Nursery graduation and such like. Part 2.

Class of 2019 preschool graduation blackboard
Children

Nursery graduation and such like. Part 1.

So small boy had nursery graduation today. It's preschool tomorrow but he's not going - it's a nursery day and what 4 year old needs to graduate twice? He's had a fab time today. He's been at the same nursery for over 3 years, since he was 8 months old. They're amazing, I've seen a… Continue reading Nursery graduation and such like. Part 1.

Unfair preconceptions
Children, Politics & Equality

Best brothers: unfair preconceptions

I've just seen this and it made me cross: Yeah yeah just a meme. Doesn't harm anyone. Blah blah. So from my point of view, these are the sort of low level, background messages that are just as harmful to children's perception of gender roles as girls/boys toy aisles and clothes and so on. What's… Continue reading Best brothers: unfair preconceptions