Mental health campaigns are all around us. In principle it seems like a great idea – raise awareness, lessen discrimination and increase support for those with mental health issues, right? But is that what’s happening? It might be controversial, but I don’t think so. There isn’t the equivalent campaign for ‘physical health’. Instead there are specific…
Failure
Why holidays with the family makes me so ungrateful
My son is probably the best travelled toddler I’ve ever met – in his two and a half years he’s got more air miles than should be legal and is already in double digits of countries visited! I’ve done most of these travels as a single mum so you’d think, by now, I’d be used to the whole…
Craving My Ex
I’m craving my ex. Not the ex I divorced, I don’t crave him. I mean the other ex. Everyone has one right? Maybe it was your first love from high school, college, or university. Or perhaps an ex from your more recent past. The long-term ex who you nearly made it through with, but in reality…
The 14 Emotions of a Divorced Mum
We probably all know someone who is divorced and no doubt we think it sounds sad and difficult, especially where kids are involved, but what does it actually feel like? Here is my take, as a divorced mum of a toddler. 1. I feel like a fool. How could I have made such a bad…
Life and Toddlers: It’s Just a Phase
Alongside ‘I don’t know how you cope‘, the other most annoying phrase I hear as a mum is, ‘it’s just a phase‘. What, you mean my son won’t be taking three hours to fall asleep when he’s 15 years old? What about when he’s 37? You mean he won’t be jumping on my head in the…
Missing in Action: Mental Health and My Son’s First Years
Trigger warning – this post talks quite openly about mental health and thoughts of self-harming, if you are yourself struggling with similar issues there are links to support groups at the bottom. The first two years of my son’s life have been incredibly hard. It’s not been the parenting parts per se (though they have…
Single Mum to an Only Child: Just The Two Of Us
I got overwhelmed on my way home from work today. It happens sometimes. That drowning feeling. That moment when I realise this is my life and, for the moment at least, it‘s impossible to imagine an alternative version. Growing up I believed I’d have a large family, a supportive husband and a lovely home. This…
That Moment When You See Your Ex’s Wedding Photo
I’d convinced myself that I was OK with him remarrying. That I didn’t give a shit. And I don’t, give a shit that is, in many ways. But to see how he’s moved on. To see how he has a new life. One that involves happiness, even if that’s not the only story. When I…
The Dating Game
It’s that time of year again, love and romance is all around. So I thought I’d share with you my recent dating journey. I say journey; it’s more like an old, clapped out car, stalling as it tries to get up a hill. I’m internet dating (is there any other kind of dating for single mums…
An Honest Review of ‘Make Toddler Stay in Bed’ Clocks
OK, so make toddler stay in bed clocks isn’t actually the technical name, but I don’t want to get sued for libel or something. I’m sure you know the ones I mean. The clocks that claim your little one will stay in bed until a bright sunshine pops up, at which point your little cherub will…