I have a confession to make. I am a home-schooling mama of four. I write about finding joy in motherhood, parenting and – yep, you guessed it – home-schooling. But since the UK went into lock-down three weeks ago and life as we know it went all topsy turvy, I have not schooled my children. […]
12 Books that have helped me become a better parent
I have noticed that the louder life gets, the more directions I get pulled in, or the more demands that are made on my time, the stronger my urge to curl into a comfy corner and read. I find refuge in words, solace in other people’s stories, and inspiration in the narratives of those who […]
On marathon running and learning what to lean on
Sometimes a song sings through a season of life. It resonates with our circumstances and situations, echoing our emotions, drawing us into a dance of hope or fear or pain or distress, daring us to feel all the feels we sometimes push down or push away. And as we enter into the song, the lyrics […]
Home-schooling in Unusual Times
As I write, schools across the UK have been asked to shut down indefinitely. In the space of the last few days, a few friends have been in touch asking about what our home-schooling day looks like as they look to shaping their own. I imagine many more might thought have similar questions, so I thought it best to write our family rhythm up so it’s easy to point people too.
Chocolate Celebration Beetroot Brownies
We celebrated our wedding anniversary this week. It’s been nine whole years since I stood at that altar before friends, family and God, and promised all of me in exchange for all of him. Where has the time gone? (This article contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a small commission for purchases made […]
Our journey into homeschooling (Part 2) – transitioning from school into our new ‘normal’
We are currently immersed in our second year of life as a home-schooling family. The girls are now six, almost five, three years old and fourteen months as I write. Our school-run days are firmly behind us, and we have definitely settled into a happy stay-at-home rhythm. I often get questions about what that looks […]
The Unlikely Homeschooler – Why we left mainstream education for stay-at-home learning (part 1)
Two years ago we had one daughter in reception, one in nursery, and a little toddler emerging out of babyhood. Our days were filled with school runs, school engagements, playdates and little people, and that’s the way I thought it would and should be for us for a while. After all, that’s what people did […]
On big decisions and brave choices
Two years ago I put down my pen as I wrestled with big questions about our family culture and lifestyle, and what I wanted our lives to look and feel like going forwards. Since then, my husband and I made some brave choices about our family life, took some risks, and made changes big and […]
7 easy home-made swaps that are healthier, greener and cheaper than shop-bought
I find myself writing about food more lately. Possibly because feeding my family takes up such a considerable chunk of my everyday headspace and time. But mainly because, in a season of limited time to myself and fewer creative outlets than I had before babies, I find much creative release in the process of making […]
Our Go-To Snacks and Puddings (for Grown ups and Kiddies)
This is the third post in a series about how I simplified the way I meal plan for a young family of five, and the go-to meals I tend to rustle up for my crew. (My children are currently four and a half, three and a year old.) You can check out my list of main […]