If I Wanted Your Opinion...

Since becoming a mother, I’ve noticed that a lot of people have opinions about parenting. Not just how they parent, but how I parent. And how everyone else parents I suppose.

I’ll be honest, I have opinions too. I’m sure every parent does, because you need to believe you are doing the right thing for your child. But I keep my opinions to myself, I would never question the way someone else raises their child because it’s none of my business. What fits in with my life may not necessarily fit into someone else’s.

The Curse of the Homemade Gondola

It was my first ever Mother’s Day on Sunday and I had a really special day. Because Ebony is a baby, I got a proper present (chosen by Laurie) as opposed to a homemade ‘calendar’, or a box covered in glittery pasta, or whatever other crap I used to present my poor mother with each year. I’m sure when Ebony does start bringing back homemade presents from nursery I will love them a lot, think they are amazing and display them proudly in my home for visitors to admire. But until then I can honestly say I have no need for a pencil topper made from a plastic cotton reel, even if it does have googly eyes.

The First Ten Weeks of Motherhood

I have now been a Mum for nine weeks and six days - an impressive amount of time I’m sure you’ll agree. In that time I think I have done a pretty good job. I’ve fed my baby on demand whenever she has been hungry; in cafes, restaurants, car parks, during her hearing test and on a park bench. I’ve stayed awake cuddling her when she hasn’t wanted to be put down, no matter how tired I’ve been. I’ve let countless (but at an estimate I’d say definitely over one hundred) cups of tea go cold next to me because I’ve been busy looking after her. I’ve changed nappies, I’ve bathed her, I’ve sung to her (she probably wouldn’t thank me for this if she could talk, I don’t have the greatest of voices), I’ve read her stories and I’ve told her all kind of things about all kinds of things.

Are You Part of The Pro-Choice Majority?

It seems there are a lot of bored people in London at the moment. High unemployment rates, low disposable incomes and an overwhelming desire to use religion to oppress women has led to a campaign called 40 Days for Life.

The basic premise of the campaign is to bully, intimidate and guilt vulnerable women in the hope of preventing them from having abortions. Or “pray for life” as the campaign tactic is more positively called by the group. 

Why Ingrid Newkirk is not an Inspiration to this Woman

Thursday was International Women’s Day; a day to raise awareness of issues facing women across the world. For over 100 years, 8 March has been used as a campaigning opportunity for women’s groups calling for equality, and this year was no difference. My twitter feed was filled with disturbing statistics of crimes against women including rape, domestic violence, trafficking and genital mutilation.

Breastfeeding: Stop Staring at Me

This morning I took my daughter for her eight week check. The waiting room at my Doctor's is adorned with signs explaining it is a breastfeeding friendly space, and there are cartoon images of breastfeeding women on the walls. This is all simply to make women feel comfortable breastfeeding, because the waiting room has no choice whether women breastfeed or not, their right to is protected by law.

Recipe: Spicy Tomato & Lentil Soup

This is a rich hearty tomato soup with a bit of a kick. You can add more or less chili flakes as you wish, I like my food to be hot so I tend to go overboard with the spice. I made this soup for the first time yesterday and was pleased with the results so thought I'd share the recipe.

Critic's review:
"It's really tasty." - my husband.