It’s National Stress Awareness Day and as I glance over my Instagram feed all I can see is a barrage motivational quotes from over-achievers running marathons and climbing mountains. I just can’t seem to get away from memes telling me to ‘never give up’ or ‘you can do this’ or a personal favourite ‘you don’t… Read More Give yourself permission to rest
10 years ago after months of running on my own I decided I was ready to take the next step.On a cold February night I pulled up outside my local club, spotted the gathering of super-fit people and fled. The week after I went again, this time got out of the car. It changed my life… Read More Why everyone should join a running club
When Rowen Coleman visited Ponden Hall for a photography course some years ago she was completely seduced by the wonderfully atmospheric house with its undoubted Bronte connections. The result of the seduction became The Girl at the Window, a beautiful tale of love and loss throughout the ages. Ponden Hall is situated just outside Haworth… Read More Book Review: The Girl at the Window by Rowen Coleman
AD Basset Hounds are notorious for being extremely greedy due to the fact they are completely scent driven. This means they are prone to weight gain which in turn, because of their build, can cause them significant health problems. Our Bassets are pretty active as they are still quite young at four and five. Currently… Read More A review of Hill’s Science Plan Adult Light
Last week the American ‘journalist’ Lara Spencer kicked up a storm when she publicly mocked Prince George on national television for taking ballet classes.The television presenter hooted with laughter on Good Morning America at the notion the young royal, according to his father, ‘absolutely loved ballet’ and said to Prince William: ‘I’ve got news for you,… Read More Getting my knickers in a twist about ‘that’ comment, the Royals and raising boys
Parents across the land are pulling their hair out at the moment trying to think of activities to do with their children or having the nightmare of sorting childcare for six weeks. For those of us negotiating life in a blended family, summer holidays can mean exactly the opposite when are faced with spending long… Read More Coping when your children are away
Let’s face it, when your child reaches anywhere the near the teenage years the very last person they want to spend time with is you. Not only are you outrageously embarrassing (without actually doing very much at all) this coincides with them discovering the joys of social media so really, you’ve no chance.Teenage years can be tough,… Read More 10 ways to spend time with your teen
Happy Step Father’s Day today (yep it’s a thing I just made it up) to all the step dads doing a fine job of bringing up children and negotiated life in a blended family I met Stuart when Harry was five years old and it’s been a big old learning curve not least because five… Read More Happy Step-Dad’s Day
Having long had my own addiction to self-help books I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Marianne Power’s Help Me, which sounded like the self help book to end all self help books. Marketed as ‘one woman’s quest to find out if self-help really can change your life’ each chapter is a canter through famous… Read More Book Review: Help Me by Marianne Powers
AD The 1990s were a pretty special time for me, I left school, went to university and started my first ever job as a newspaper reporter. I have some really happy memories from the decade and look back fondly of school, leaving home and finding my independence. So I’ve put together five things that I loved most… Read More How great were the 1990s?
