Our six-year-old daughter has been wearing glasses since she was a year and half old and was due to have another eye re-test. Over the years, we have had to sift through medical jargon, differing diagnoses and conflicting advice as to the best course of treatment for her eye squint. When it comes to making…

When I first left work to become a full-time parent, I recall my irritation at being labelled a ‘homemaker’ and not ‘full time mother’. I wanted acknowledgement that I hadn’t left a career to simply play house. I wasn’t choosing to shine brasses, mop floors and dance around with my feather duster, I was mothering.…

One Saturday morning, I resolved to help tidy my son’s bedroom – big mistake. Piled upon his bed I found: 12 ragged and much loved cuddly toys or ‘pets’ as he likes to call them, one toy samurai sword, three blankets, two odd socks, one cat shaped key chain, a bottle of water, one pocket…

My youngest son is one of these fortunate individuals for whom life is a bit of a doddle. He was born somewhat overdue but in a furious hurry, eyes wide open and all smiles. That set the tone for his life to come. He walked, talked and did pretty much everything sooner than was expected.…