parenting – CREATIVE NOTES

In Case of Emergency.

Sitting in the garden on a sunny Sunday with the family, burger and beer in hand, I, a child of the 80s, have come to the realisation that for all the “back in my day…” stick I give the generation that came after mine, have, in fact, become more reliant on technology than I recognised.Continue reading “In Case of Emergency.”

Up Top.

The morning after the night before, I stop at my local petrol station for yet another chore on my boring adult list of things to do and get. I am over-tired and under-hydrated. If only my friends weren’t so damn fun- maybe I’d have some self-discipline to leave before last orders on a school night.Continue reading “Up Top.”

5am (Till I Stop).

Over the years, friends of mine swore down that their most inspired work was often created between the hours of 3am-6am. Naturally, I laughed and pointed and told them they were sociopaths. Not only for being productive at those kinds of hours but awake in the first place. In my mind, those hours are reservedContinue reading “5am (Till I Stop).”

Unsentimental.

“Mama, why is my artwork in the bin?”Erm… What’s that now?“The Easter egg painting and basket I brought home today are in the bin”. “It’s not in the bin, baby. It’s in the recycling. Those are two very different kinds of bins. The recycling bin is where I keep all my favourite art”. Mini-Me collectsContinue reading “Unsentimental.”

Community.

“Mama, I am curious, what is community?” Firstly, I have actual no idea how and when my kid got to be so eloquent. It’s almost certainly nothing to do with growing up in my house. Can’t be. I’m a foreigner whose English was largely learnt on the mean streets of Plaistow. Those who have heardContinue reading “Community.”

The Bad Guy.

My main takeaway from being a single parent is that you’re always the bad guy. Even when you’re the good guy, you’re still the bad guy. You’re always the one nagging on about brushing teeth and trying to reason with them when they want to wear shorts and sandals in winter. You’re the one thatContinue reading “The Bad Guy.”

Thoughts I’ve Had While Listening To Heart 70s.

Allow me to set the scene. The year is 2021 and I have been driving my daughter to and from pre-school every day for the past 5 months. The journey takes a total of 4 minutes each way. Unless of course, any of the Mayor’s commissioned road works are being implemented, then that same journeyContinue reading “Thoughts I’ve Had While Listening To Heart 70s.”