This week we received a letter from our local health trust. On top of our excitement about receiving some post that wasn’t a utility bill, this letter gave us another reason to celebrate: it contained written ‘evidence’ that our son is not fat. This came as a surprise for two reasons. Firstly, anyone who has tried to pick Eric up will confirm he’s rather heavy. … Continue reading Why skinny genes are easier to find than school trousers
Your child has been invited to a birthday party, and you want to buy a gift to impress. So far so good. Now ask yourself: ‘Do I want to impress the child or the parent?’ Because in my opinion, you can’t have it both ways. Scientists have discovered* there’s a direct correlation between how much a child loves a present and how much their parents hate … Continue reading The best worst presents to buy a preschooler
There’s something rather calming about avocados. They’re a soothing shade of green, bland in a tasty kind of a way, and generally inoffensive. At least that’s what I thought until yesterday, when a throwaway remark about this humble fruit sent me into a blind rage. I was on the phone to Brother Dave, who happened to mention he’d had smashed avocado for breakfast. “You mean … Continue reading The parent’s guide to posh food
I genuinely believe in the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EI). Encouraging children to understand their emotions, talk about them and work with them should be encouraged – something we always strive for with our sons. But I can’t help feeling Bing bunny takes it to the extreme. For those of you not up to speed with Bing, let me help you out: he’s … Continue reading Am I the only person who thinks Bing bunny needs to chill out?
If you or someone close to you suffers from an egg allergy then I shan’t patronise you by pointing out eggs can be found in many cakes, biscuits and puddings, And I definitely wont alert you to the fact egg on toast contains egg. Because that would be stupid. But sometimes allergens pop up in seemingly unlikely places. Even after years of scouring ingredients … Continue reading 6 foods you might not realise contain egg
It seems like only yesterday I was trying to teach my toddler to use his potty. After a few false starts, at two-and-a-half years old he finally mastered the art of going to the toilet. This morning, he went one better and crapped in his cereal cup. The look on his face suggests he was proud as punch. I was less so. My initial … Continue reading Eric’s just pooped in a cup
Why is it that as soon as we become parents, our conversations start revolving around baby dance classes, sleep (or lack of it) and poo? Before I had kids dancing was an activity confined to a Saturday night after copious amounts of fizzy wine. Now I think nothing of dragging my arse out of bed for a 10am Funky Feet class where I’ll sing … Continue reading Why there’s no such thing as the ‘right’ nappy
When I was a nipper, school dinners received their fair share of criticism – often well deserved. But even the most ardent school dinner hater invariably did a little dance inside when this was served up. Whether you called it chocolate rock, chocolate concrete or simply referred to it as chocolate pudding, if you ate lunch at any UK school during the 1980s or 1990s I … Continue reading Old Skool Chocolate Concrete
Where: The Balk, Pocklington. Follow brown signs from the A1079 or for Sat Nav use postcode YO42 2QF. Open: 10am to 5.30pm (closes at 4pm during the winter) Prices: Adults £5, Seniors £4.30, Children £2.80, under 5s go free Website: http://www.burnbyhallgardens.com Coming up with days out that will keep two boisterous kids amused can be tough. Finding something that does not cost the price of … Continue reading Burnby Hall Gardens and Museum
Before I had kids I asked my friends what I needed to stock up on, and nappies, muslin cloths, changing mats and a Jumparoo featured highly. While such tips helped ensure my offspring had a comfortable existence, they did nothing to prepare my partner and I for the chaos that ensued once baby arrived. Here is a list of the purchases I found invaluable in … Continue reading Best non-baby baby buys
Egg Free Eric 