This week saw a momentous milestone in the Whittle household – Flea’s first sleepover. It didn’t start well, because one of us had completely forgotten there was a sleepover. I think you know it wasn’t the five-year-old. No...
Read MoreAs a parent, you enter – or rather re-enter – the World of Toys. One of my favourite rediscoveries has been Playmobil. For those who aren't familiar, this is a range of plastic figures and playsets that...
Read MoreAs a school Mummy, I am an abject failure. This Monday was Harvest Festival. I remembered this just as I was holding open the school's front door for another School Mummy and her three kids. Each child was holding a...
Read MoreI’m thinking about pushy parent syndrome just now. Last night, I attended a seminar (for want of a better word) at Flea’s school, where the teachers explained how the children are being taught to read. I was...
Read MoreMy ongoing campaign to win “Worst Mother Alive” continues to gather pace. This morning, I was rushing around trying to find the permanent marker to write the name in Flea’s new school coat, purchased on Friday at enormous...
Read MoreSometimes I think my greatest achievement in life might be making all the Other Mothers feel better about themselves. My excuse is that life’s manic. I have a proper job (journalism) and I’m a single parent. Somewhere in the gap...
Read MoreI’ve been asked to write a column over at the new family and lifestyle website Super Savvy Me – presumably because everything about me screams both ‘super’ and ‘savvy’. My first column, about Flea starting school is online now....
Read MoreI was just lowering the blind in Flea’s room last night after her bath and bedtime story, when Flea quietly says “Excuse me, Mummy…” I look down on her, all snuggled up in her duvet, hair smelling of Johnson’s shampoo,...
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I’ve been thinking about the issue of gender stereotyping lately. When I found out I was...
Read MoreI've been tagged by Insomniac Mummy with this award and meme. Apparently I have to answer the following questions with one word. Presumably my answers will then be analysed by a SWOT team of psychologists who will determine...
Read MoreThis whole ‘going to school’ thing is new for both of us. Since I split from The Father three years ago, it’s been me and Flea. I’ve worked part-time since she was born, and we’ve always spent loads of time together. So suddenly...
Read MoreThis Thursday, Flea will join the reception class at her school. Being an organised, professional sort of Mummy, obviously I chose today (Tuesday) to go and buy her school uniform. Fortunately, Flea attended the pre-school...
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