Welcome to my Lifestyle Parenting Blog, where I explore topics related to chronic illnesses such as ME/CFS, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia while embracing a passion for yoga, books, and blogging.
Tiny Humans No More: The Shifting Rhythms of a Growing Household
Our home is busy, noisy, and full to the brim with love. Between my adult children (and their girlfriends) and my teenagers, there’s rarely a quiet moment, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Our Kids and AI: Watching a New Digital World Unfold
Lately, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the world our kids are growing up in. It feels like every year, sometimes every month, there’s some new leap forward in technology, something that changes how we work, learn, communicate, and even how we think. When I look at my children, I realise they’re standing right at the forefront of that change. They’re growing up side by side with artificial intelligence, with technology that’s learning, adapting, and talking back.
Listening From the Bed: Love, Laughter, and Life with Chronic Pain
It’s a bright, golden afternoon, the kind that invites the world to come alive. But I’m not part of that lively rhythm—not in the traditional sense. Instead, I’m lying in bed, my body heavy with fatigue and discomfort, the lingering effects of living with chronic pain and illness wrapping around me like a thick fog. The sun spills through the curtains, warm and gentle, a silent witness to the stillness that defines much of my daily life now.
6 Time Management Tips for Chronically Ill Mums
Being a parent is tough enough as it is, include chronic illness and chronic pain into the mix, and the difficulty level cranks up significantly. As a mum living with conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), chronic pain, and fibromyalgia, the daily juggling act of parenting duties and
Tips on how to parent with a chronic illness
Parenting is demanding at the best of times. Throw in my chronic illness, and it can seem like an uphill climb. How do I take care of my children while struggling to take care of myself? How do I balance their needs with my limitations? It's a never-ending cycle of guilt and frustration. But with my determination, adequate strategies, and a dash of self-compassion, I can not only navigate this journey but also create a wholesome environment for my children.
Embracing Shortcomings as a Mum by Celebrating Imperfections
Being a parent is no easy feat, but being an ultimate parent is even more daunting. As a mum, I always strive to be the best I can be for my children. However, let's be real - I make plenty of mistakes along the way. Despite the pain that comes with messing up, I make a point to learn from my errors and become a better mum because of them. Over my 23 years of parenting, I've learned that embracing my imperfections leads to personal growth, a stronger bond with my kids, and a more fulfilling parenting journey.
Mindful Motherhood: Why Self-Care Is Important for Both You and Your Children
Being a mum is one of the most beautiful and rewarding experiences a woman can have. It brings so much joy, fulfilment and happiness. However, it is also be incredibly challenging. As a mum, you are constantly putting your child’s needs first and trying to balance work, family, and social obligations. In the midst of all this, it can be easy to neglect your own well-being and neglect the importance of self-care.
Treasure Your Kids When They're Little - They Grow Up Fast
When you’re about to have your first child they talk about the challenges of parenting....the struggles of sleepless nights, the tantrums, the messy house, having to take time off when they don’t feel well, helping them with homework, the never-ending laundry, the cost of bringing up a child, dinner-time challenges etc.. etc....
You watch and encourage them in their passions,
We are Lucky to Live In A Place With So Much Natural Beauty
The Guardian newspaper recently published an article about my hometown, Lowestoft, and how stunning the town centre and our golden beaches are. As a resident of this beautiful town, I completely agree with their sentiment. We are lucky to live in such a stunning location, with no shortage of amazing natural surroundings.
The Trials of Mixing Kids' Laundry: A Parent's Struggle
Discover the challenges of managing kids' laundry - from never-ending stains to sorting chaos. Explore tips for making this daunting task a little easier.
Things No One Tells You About Cleaning As An Adult
With 4 children, 3 dogs, and a bearded dragon cleaning as a parent is a never-ending task, and I can feel overwhelmed at times - it’s a thankless task that can be rewarding, i.e. a labor of love.
Here are a few things that often don't get mentioned about cleaning as an parent:
Being a Mum Can Be Hard
Whether you’re a mum by birth, legal guardian, step-mum, or kinship, its bloody hard.
Yes, being a Mum is hard, but it’s also amazing. It is full of oxymorons, fear, doubt, joy, love, and so much more; it makes you feel like a failure, but then makes you feel like you are super human. It makes you feel like you are crazy. And makes you feel like the most patient person in the world, but makes you feel like the most impatient person in the world.
My Dad’s Wise Words
It’s father’s day yesterday, the 2nd year without my dad.
I lost my dad 22 months ago and it has been the most heart-wrenchingly painful, confusing time. Grief never leaves you, it is consuming and suffocating and… numbing - it changes you.
Amongst all the pain and grief, I have many fond memories, many happy ones, ones that make me smile.
My dad was always good at energising me but at the same time keeping me grounded, he did this in many ways, and one-way would be from his wise words.
Inverness The Dairy at Daviot Cottages Holiday Review
Last week I finally got to visit my dream location, Inverness, the Highlands. I'd not been this excited about going on a holiday in a long time, and what surprised me, was how excited the kids were too - even the pending 9-hour drive didn't deter their excitement - they couldn't wait to see the mountains and visit the Loch Ness.
My Son has Lymes Disease
I spotted it as soon as he walked down the steps coming out of his class room.
I was picking him up at the end of school, when he came jumping down the steps like he normally does, with a big smile on his face, not a worry in the world. I instantly spotted the red bullseye rash on the side of his neck. I knew instantly what it was.
Me and Mine: June 2018
I'm super excited to be taking part of the Me & Mine project for the first time. May this be the first of many.
June brought us joy and sorrow, as well as great memories.
My First Father's Day Without My Father
Sunday was Father's Day, the first Father's Day in my 39-years without my father.
There was no card to buy him, no gift, no visit to see him, no embrace, no kiss from him... nothing.
I have memories, lots of memories, good memories, but these memories are still coupled with the raw grief of losing him, bringing on immense sadness, aching, pain.
Dear Oven RIP
Dear oven, RIP.
Our much loved oven gave us 10 years, 10 years of family cooked meals, thousands of cooked meals (good and bad). But, its' not been smooth sailing, we've certainly had some ups and downs over the 10 years; the good and the bad, we've been through a lot!
The first time the oven broke down, it was easily fixed. It was the heating element, I watched the engineer fix it, and I remember thinking to myself, wow that was simple, I'll change it myself in future if the oven breaks down again.
2017 - The Worst Year of my Life
2017 was not only the hardest year of my life, it was the worst.
At the start of the year, we lost my brother-in-laws dad, he had passed suddenly. My husband and his brother-in-law are very close, they are best friends. We are a family, including the outer family that are very close. It was devastating.
2017 was already looking to be a rubbish year, and then...
My dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer, given just months to live.
My Son Turned 18
This month see the celebration of my sons 18th Birthday.
Eighteeeeeeeeenn......
how did that happen?!
It seems like yesterday I was bringing my first baby home from the hospital, bursting full of an array of new emotions, mostly a mix of fear and pure love. I think I spent many