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
Category: The joy of childhood
Poems and reflections on the best things about being small.
Breaking the taboo that it has to be new….
My last post was about the plethora of children's stuff. In two months time we will have the festival that sees most families make their greatest accumulation of childrens stuff in the year. I like getting presents. Through Christmas and Birthday presents, I have been introduced to my favourite authors, acquired jewellery I wear frequently, … Continue reading Breaking the taboo that it has to be new….
Desert Island Toys
Not long ago, (within my parents lifetime), we lived in a time where the acquisition of new stuff was exciting, a treat. You could go shopping for something and not be able to find it - even a trip to London to buy clothes didn't always guarantee success. Now I feel the opposite -and the … Continue reading Desert Island Toys
Poems about Childhood
Questions (or A Puzzle for Daddy) Written for my nephew's 7th birthday in celebration of some of his (and my) childhood perplexities. Available on a postcard as "A puzzle for Daddy". My head is full of questions that keep buzzing to and fro'Cos why won’t Daddy tell me what it is I want to know?It's … Continue reading Poems about Childhood
When you were a star in the sky….
As any selection of toddler stories will reveal, there is a fine line between a simple rendition of a profound truth, and sentimental twaddle. This is the story I gave Sophie on her birthday. You can be the judge of which side of the line it falls for you. When you were a star in … Continue reading When you were a star in the sky….
Beyond Peppa….my top picks for pre school telly
A five year gap between children means you can be very deliberate second time around and I certainly am with telly. There is good stuff out there but its not always widely known. As I keep promising to follow up on conversations, here are my picks. Frankly, now the school holidays have started it's ever … Continue reading Beyond Peppa….my top picks for pre school telly
We are what we think about..
Imagine your secondary school introduces a new facility. At any given moment, the school auditorium can be filled with everyone you know, and at any time you can go up on stage and say something about anything you like. Everyone in the audience is issued with cards they can hold up if they like what … Continue reading We are what we think about..
What to do when you grow up…
Next week I have the privilege of taking part in an Upper School Careers Fair, manning a table for the development and humanitarian sector. I really enjoyed it last year; it's always interesting hearing young people's plans and thoughts. It seems to me that for those tiny proportion of careers that feature in childrens books … Continue reading What to do when you grow up…
Just Imagine…
Like many children, my six year old daughter has a wonderful imagination. It can be a joy to hear her play alone or with others and to find the evidence of her detailed creativity. Yes it distracts her from the simplest of tasks, and yes perhaps it is why she isn't very methodical about reading … Continue reading Just Imagine…
The Plastic Age – Can we bear it?
This is the excerpt for your very first post.
Grain of Sand 