Poems and reflections on the best things about being small.
"Prickle by name, Prickle by nature", his mother sighed, as yet another perceived slight from his friend Bilberry caused the little hedgehug to stomp off into the bushes. Her friend nodded sympathetically and she went on. "It worries me that he will end up just a heap of prickles. I know he's terrified of being … Continue reading ‘Prickle’ – the story of a HedgeHug
Following a fad, or reinforcing foundations? Toddler groups bring more families into contact with churches than almost anything else, except perhaps food banks. Beyond grasping gratefully at the offer, does anyone wonder why churches provide them? Are they an outlet for nostalgic public-spirited housewives? Does the church think that coffee, toys and a chat will … Continue reading Into the Woods! Church toddler groups and forest school
New term. New opportunities and challenges. New relationships to navigate. I think one of life's epiphanies is realising that that how people treat you is much more about what's going on for them than anything particularly to do with you. But as a school child it's hard to hold onto that. This story has no … Continue reading The Bimble-berries
"They can't just eat sawdust!" wailed one family member. "But it's Christmas, - they like getting lots of presents!" protested another when I baulked at the volume under the tree. It's one thing to change your own consumption habits. I can now look at reduced packets of the specialist cakes and biscuits I am restricted … Continue reading Does living simply mean simply being mean?
My 7 year old is passionate about a particular make of toy animal families. She adores everything that goes with them and can spend hours absorbed in play. Last year she joined their Fan Club; a decision I was happy to support. However, six months in, I wrote this letter to the company expressing disappointment … Continue reading Why I am not a fan of your Fan Club
Another post that came from a bedtime story. It is probably also on the line between profound truth and trite cliche. The image is in no way original - it appeared centuries ago in Psalm 1. "A little tree grew on the edge of a copse on a hillside. From where it stood it could … Continue reading “Chasing after the wind”
Sir David Attenborough made headlines at Davos last month with his interview with the Duke of Cambridge. His pitch was clear. The ecological problems we face spring from our disconnect from the natural world. "There has never been a time that more people are out of touch with the natural world than as now", he … Continue reading A Parkrun for Wildlife?
I watched Incredibles 2 over the holidays. What a great film! And how amazing that they could so perfectly capture my toddler's tantrums without ever having met her! My children might not have super powers but they certainly have different identities. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground, or average day. They are either … Continue reading The Battle for the Brownie
Recently, I have felt like a beanbag for my children. The shape I am in doesn't matter; what matters is that I can make them comfortable and provide support, regardless of how angular their elbows or how heavily they are feeling the weight of the world. You don't think about beanbags. You just need them … Continue reading Beanbag Parenting
The scale of our unintentional consumption is terrifying. I realised this recently when the school requested odd bits of plastic and recycling for an art project. I haven't dared to ask what will happen to them, but took the chance to amass some bulging bags of bits that I won't throw away and can't recycle, … Continue reading The unintended consequences of ‘free’ gifts
Grain of Sand 