Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 92
September 25, 2011
Dr Dawn Harper Needs You!
The subject of stay-at-home dads is close to my heart as you'd expect. So when Dr Dawn Harper offered to write a guest post on the subject I was only too keen to accept. Dr Dawn is a family general practitioner in Gloucestershire where she also runs specialist clinics focusing on women's health, weight management and preventative medicine.
She co-presents Channel 4's 4.2 million viewer show 'Embarrassing Bodies' and the BAFTA award winning web site. She is also a regular specialist guest on ITV's 'This Morning' and has a weekly column in 'NOW' Magazine. She writes...
There's no denying it, the role a male figure plays in the care, upbringing and development of a child has never been better understood. The number of father figures that opt to play a significant part in the day to day raising of children is, thankfully, growing every day. We also see the number of stay-at-home dads continuing to increase, like my good host Tim, which is really great to see. But what are the implications for children raised predominantly by a father figure?
Obviously a good parent is a good parent, and men and women are equally capable of being both of those things, but there are some definite advantages to having a prominent father figure in a child's everyday life, right from the start.
The social stigma around giving up work to raise a family - which applies almost exclusively to men - is fading away, and there are many more dads in evidence at playgroups and schools, dropping off and picking up in between running the family home.
The importance of a male role model in early child development:
I'm generalizing here I know and there will of course be lots of examples of parenting that don't fall into this pigeon hole but it is often the case that fathers are better at discipline. Some of this will be that in the conventional family of a Mum that stays at home and a Dad that is out to work, it is down to practicalities but some of it will also be based on fundamental differences between men and women.
Having three kids of my own I know that there are times when I have lots of energy for them and others when I don't. My husband and I certainly manage them differently and I think they benefit from having a male and a female role model.
It is easier to share the load of raising children, whether it is a stay-at-home dad with the input of a working mother or vice-versa. From the practicalities of homework to dealing with children's anxieties, it is only natural that there are certain circumstances that male role models will find easier to deal with, and others where a female will be more comfortable.
The rise of the stay-at-home dad:
Although once a rare phenomena, the number of stay-at-home dads that I see coming into my surgery is increasing at a significant rate. Some of the more recent statistics I remember seeing (from insurance firm Aviva I think) suggested that the number of stay-at-home dads had risen from about 60,000 in 2000, to more than 600,000 in 2010.
Resources for stay at home dads:
However, if there is one area that I think a stay-at home dad is slightly disadvantaged, then it is in the amount of support available.
Mothers are absolutely spoilt for choice by the number of books, and online support groups that are available to them, and it's taken a while for material of a similar quality to become widespread.
There are now some great books available to stay-at-home dads, and my good host Tim's book 'Fatherhood: The Essential Guide' is one of several that I really recommend.
Also, communities such as homedad.org.uk continue to grow in popularity. The internet is great resource for anyone who is based at home to offer support and prevent feelings of isolation. While resources such as HomeDad still have a fair way to go before they can match the size and power of behemoths like Mumsnet and Netmums, it's great to see that resources like these exist, and are becoming more popular.
But there is still room for plenty more as the stigma associated with stay-at-home dads rightfully dissipates. So come on all you stay-at-home dads – get writing, blogging and sharing. There may well be more of you than you might think!
She co-presents Channel 4's 4.2 million viewer show 'Embarrassing Bodies' and the BAFTA award winning web site. She is also a regular specialist guest on ITV's 'This Morning' and has a weekly column in 'NOW' Magazine. She writes...
There's no denying it, the role a male figure plays in the care, upbringing and development of a child has never been better understood. The number of father figures that opt to play a significant part in the day to day raising of children is, thankfully, growing every day. We also see the number of stay-at-home dads continuing to increase, like my good host Tim, which is really great to see. But what are the implications for children raised predominantly by a father figure?
Obviously a good parent is a good parent, and men and women are equally capable of being both of those things, but there are some definite advantages to having a prominent father figure in a child's everyday life, right from the start.
The social stigma around giving up work to raise a family - which applies almost exclusively to men - is fading away, and there are many more dads in evidence at playgroups and schools, dropping off and picking up in between running the family home.
The importance of a male role model in early child development:
I'm generalizing here I know and there will of course be lots of examples of parenting that don't fall into this pigeon hole but it is often the case that fathers are better at discipline. Some of this will be that in the conventional family of a Mum that stays at home and a Dad that is out to work, it is down to practicalities but some of it will also be based on fundamental differences between men and women.
Having three kids of my own I know that there are times when I have lots of energy for them and others when I don't. My husband and I certainly manage them differently and I think they benefit from having a male and a female role model.
It is easier to share the load of raising children, whether it is a stay-at-home dad with the input of a working mother or vice-versa. From the practicalities of homework to dealing with children's anxieties, it is only natural that there are certain circumstances that male role models will find easier to deal with, and others where a female will be more comfortable.
The rise of the stay-at-home dad:
Although once a rare phenomena, the number of stay-at-home dads that I see coming into my surgery is increasing at a significant rate. Some of the more recent statistics I remember seeing (from insurance firm Aviva I think) suggested that the number of stay-at-home dads had risen from about 60,000 in 2000, to more than 600,000 in 2010.
Resources for stay at home dads:
However, if there is one area that I think a stay-at home dad is slightly disadvantaged, then it is in the amount of support available.
Mothers are absolutely spoilt for choice by the number of books, and online support groups that are available to them, and it's taken a while for material of a similar quality to become widespread.
There are now some great books available to stay-at-home dads, and my good host Tim's book 'Fatherhood: The Essential Guide' is one of several that I really recommend.
Also, communities such as homedad.org.uk continue to grow in popularity. The internet is great resource for anyone who is based at home to offer support and prevent feelings of isolation. While resources such as HomeDad still have a fair way to go before they can match the size and power of behemoths like Mumsnet and Netmums, it's great to see that resources like these exist, and are becoming more popular.
But there is still room for plenty more as the stigma associated with stay-at-home dads rightfully dissipates. So come on all you stay-at-home dads – get writing, blogging and sharing. There may well be more of you than you might think!
September 23, 2011
I Want My Hat Back
I Want My Hat is the debut book of children's illustrator Jon Klasson. I say 'debut', but Jon has a long and distinguished record as a childrens' illustrator. But this is the first time he's done the words as well as the pictures.
Now words are something of a professional interest of mine. (I'm also rather keen on pictures but create them only very occasionally and strictly as an amateur.) Anyway, I was interested to find out more about the relationship between the two in the creation of a childrens' book and was fortunate enough to be able to put some questions to Jon as part of the global blog-book tour marking publication. Here's what he had to say...
Jon, you've got a long and distinguished track record as an illustrator/artist, but this is the first time you've written your own words. What took you so long?
I've always been interested in books, but I went to school for animation and spent all my time since I graduated working at studios. Those are busy places, so I didn't really consider trying to get book work for a while. Also, books were always sort of on a higher plane. Animation artwork is largely temporary, in that it's mostly made in service of the film you're working on, so the idea of what you're doing going down on paper in a book for ever and ever becomes sort of intimidating. So when even just illustrating a book is intimidating, writing one is all out scary.
As a writer, the words come before the pictures as far as I'm concerned. And in your collaborations that may well have been the case. But which came first for I Want My Hat Back - words or pictures?
The words came first, although the idea started with the combination of the title and a character on the cover not wearing a hat. I think, for picture books at least, it helps to have a mostly visual premise that you can develop in the writing.
And which do you find easiest?
If the writing works, the illustrating for sure is the easier part. Especially in the case of this book, because the writing sort of suggests that the illustrations be simple. The animals are just standing there, and there's almost no scenery. It was really fun to be able to go with a tone that called for something simple like that.
Are there plans for any more books? Will the bear be back?
I'm working on other ones involving the same animals, but I'm not sure the bear will be the main character. I do like that bear, though. There might have a story involving just him later.
Without wishing to stir up trouble, what would you say you've learnt - both in terms of what to do and what not to do - from the authors you've worked with?
My most fun experiences with illustrating other people's writing have come when there was a bit of a visual hook in the story itself, which is a real favor to get from an author. I don't think it's lost on kids when a story needs illustrations instead of when it just happens to have them. My favorite books when I was little were always books where part of the story could only be told in the pictures. It makes for better illustrations, too, because they have reasons for being what they are instead of just stylish renditions of the characters or places. So writing with that in mind, if it's writing for a picture book, is something I'll hopefully always do for my own things.
Is it easier collaborating with yourself, or with someone else?
I think that depends a lot on whether the idea you have yourself is a totally complete one and you know exactly where you want to go with it. Then it's really great to get the chance to see it through yourself. But if you have just sort of a rough thing and someone to collaborate with that you're on the same page with and can talk with, that's probably the easiest of all, or at least the most enjoyable, because the pressure is off a little and you know you're going to get something neither of you expected.
The global blog tour (which began on Monday) has stops in England, Australia, America and Canada and here are the links to the other stops on the tour. Do take a look if you can:
http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog/
http://notjustforkids.blogspot.com/
http://www.bringingupcharlie.co.uk/
http://www.mybookcorner.com.au/
http://www.wahm-bam.org/
http://www.picklemethis.com/
http://www.theresabook.com/
http://www.mylittlebookcase.com.au/
http://rettstatt.com/blog/
Now words are something of a professional interest of mine. (I'm also rather keen on pictures but create them only very occasionally and strictly as an amateur.) Anyway, I was interested to find out more about the relationship between the two in the creation of a childrens' book and was fortunate enough to be able to put some questions to Jon as part of the global blog-book tour marking publication. Here's what he had to say...
Jon, you've got a long and distinguished track record as an illustrator/artist, but this is the first time you've written your own words. What took you so long?
I've always been interested in books, but I went to school for animation and spent all my time since I graduated working at studios. Those are busy places, so I didn't really consider trying to get book work for a while. Also, books were always sort of on a higher plane. Animation artwork is largely temporary, in that it's mostly made in service of the film you're working on, so the idea of what you're doing going down on paper in a book for ever and ever becomes sort of intimidating. So when even just illustrating a book is intimidating, writing one is all out scary.
As a writer, the words come before the pictures as far as I'm concerned. And in your collaborations that may well have been the case. But which came first for I Want My Hat Back - words or pictures?
The words came first, although the idea started with the combination of the title and a character on the cover not wearing a hat. I think, for picture books at least, it helps to have a mostly visual premise that you can develop in the writing.
And which do you find easiest?
If the writing works, the illustrating for sure is the easier part. Especially in the case of this book, because the writing sort of suggests that the illustrations be simple. The animals are just standing there, and there's almost no scenery. It was really fun to be able to go with a tone that called for something simple like that.
Are there plans for any more books? Will the bear be back?
I'm working on other ones involving the same animals, but I'm not sure the bear will be the main character. I do like that bear, though. There might have a story involving just him later.
Without wishing to stir up trouble, what would you say you've learnt - both in terms of what to do and what not to do - from the authors you've worked with?
My most fun experiences with illustrating other people's writing have come when there was a bit of a visual hook in the story itself, which is a real favor to get from an author. I don't think it's lost on kids when a story needs illustrations instead of when it just happens to have them. My favorite books when I was little were always books where part of the story could only be told in the pictures. It makes for better illustrations, too, because they have reasons for being what they are instead of just stylish renditions of the characters or places. So writing with that in mind, if it's writing for a picture book, is something I'll hopefully always do for my own things.
Is it easier collaborating with yourself, or with someone else?
I think that depends a lot on whether the idea you have yourself is a totally complete one and you know exactly where you want to go with it. Then it's really great to get the chance to see it through yourself. But if you have just sort of a rough thing and someone to collaborate with that you're on the same page with and can talk with, that's probably the easiest of all, or at least the most enjoyable, because the pressure is off a little and you know you're going to get something neither of you expected.
The global blog tour (which began on Monday) has stops in England, Australia, America and Canada and here are the links to the other stops on the tour. Do take a look if you can:
http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog/
http://notjustforkids.blogspot.com/
http://www.bringingupcharlie.co.uk/
http://www.mybookcorner.com.au/
http://www.wahm-bam.org/
http://www.picklemethis.com/
http://www.theresabook.com/
http://www.mylittlebookcase.com.au/
http://rettstatt.com/blog/
September 20, 2011
The Wheels on the Bus
A PLAY WOT I WROTE
In One Act
By Me.
Cast:
A helper
A stay-at-home dad
Charlie, a three-year-old stickler for detail
Scene: toddler group singalong
Helper:
Right children, what shall we sing first today? Any suggestions?
Charlie:
I'd like to sing 'The Wheels on the Bus' please.
Helper:
The Wheels on the Bus? Of course, Charlie. Now, let's all do the actions.
The group sings.
All:
'The wheels on the bus go round,
round and round, round and round,
The wheels on the bus go...'
Charlie (interrupting):
Excuse me...
Helper:
What is it Charlie?
Charlie:
Well, the wheels on the bus go round like this. (mimes action of wheels turning).
You were doing the actions to the wheels on the train.
Helper:
I was?
Charlie:
Yes you were. The wheels on the train go round like this. (Mimes action of pistons turning.)
You were doing the wheels on the train.
Helper:
Oh well I'm very sorry Charlie. Shall we start again?
All:
'The wheels on the bus (etc.)'
Later...
...The babies on the bus go 'wah wah wah'
'wah wah wah, wah wah wah'...
Dad:
(whispering)
Charlie, why are you still doing the action for the wheels on the bus?
We've done the wipers on the bus, and the mummies on the bus; now we're doing the babies.
Charlie:
Yes, I know daddy.
But if someone doesn't keep the wheels turning the bus will stop moving
and we won't be able to sing anything.
Dad:
Ah...
THE END
In One Act
By Me.
Cast:
A helper
A stay-at-home dad
Charlie, a three-year-old stickler for detail
Scene: toddler group singalong
Helper:
Right children, what shall we sing first today? Any suggestions?
Charlie:
I'd like to sing 'The Wheels on the Bus' please.
Helper:
The Wheels on the Bus? Of course, Charlie. Now, let's all do the actions.
The group sings.
All:
'The wheels on the bus go round,
round and round, round and round,
The wheels on the bus go...'
Charlie (interrupting):
Excuse me...
Helper:
What is it Charlie?
Charlie:
Well, the wheels on the bus go round like this. (mimes action of wheels turning).
You were doing the actions to the wheels on the train.
Helper:
I was?
Charlie:
Yes you were. The wheels on the train go round like this. (Mimes action of pistons turning.)
You were doing the wheels on the train.
Helper:
Oh well I'm very sorry Charlie. Shall we start again?
All:
'The wheels on the bus (etc.)'
Later...
...The babies on the bus go 'wah wah wah'
'wah wah wah, wah wah wah'...
Dad:
(whispering)
Charlie, why are you still doing the action for the wheels on the bus?
We've done the wipers on the bus, and the mummies on the bus; now we're doing the babies.
Charlie:
Yes, I know daddy.
But if someone doesn't keep the wheels turning the bus will stop moving
and we won't be able to sing anything.
Dad:
Ah...
THE END
September 17, 2011
100 not out
I was disappointed not to be able to attend yesterday's seminar at Save the Children's London HQ. The work they've done and continue to do deserves all the help it can get, so I'm delighted to be able to do my bit thanks to Michelle's challenge. It's simple. I won't repeat what you can already read on her post but whether you've been tagged or not please spare thirty seconds to sign the petition. Children are dying needlessly because of a lack of #healthworkers and Save the Children are currently campaigning to bring an end to this crisis. They're aiming to have 60,000 signatures on their petition by Tuesday, when it'll be delivered at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
They're also trying to create a buzz by asking 100 people to write 100 words about a health professional they've encountered. In my case, that's easy. We're fortunate to have a wonderful maternity unit almost on our doorstep, and when I hear some of the horror stories from others I know how lucky we are. Some years ago ago a lovely midwife called Rowena safely ushered my eldest daughter into the world. A decade later Charlie was born under the watchful eye of the same calmly efficient and caring woman. We were almost hoping to make it a the hat-trick with Eloise, but busy midwives need their time off too - and the care we received was no less attentive. And we tend to take it for granted. And take notice only when it doesn't come up to scratch in some way. So I'm glad to have the chance to acknowledge it, and at the same time help raise awareness of the desperate need for for #healthworkers in other parts of the world.
So now, it's over to you. Will you sign the petition? Will you write a post and help raise awareness? I'm not going to tag anyone specifically, but it'd be wonderful if - by Tuesday - we could score that century. The cricket season might've finished yesterday (and congrats to Surrey on their victory) but we could all raise our bats aloft and take some well-earned applause if we're successful.
So get padded up. You're in next!
They're also trying to create a buzz by asking 100 people to write 100 words about a health professional they've encountered. In my case, that's easy. We're fortunate to have a wonderful maternity unit almost on our doorstep, and when I hear some of the horror stories from others I know how lucky we are. Some years ago ago a lovely midwife called Rowena safely ushered my eldest daughter into the world. A decade later Charlie was born under the watchful eye of the same calmly efficient and caring woman. We were almost hoping to make it a the hat-trick with Eloise, but busy midwives need their time off too - and the care we received was no less attentive. And we tend to take it for granted. And take notice only when it doesn't come up to scratch in some way. So I'm glad to have the chance to acknowledge it, and at the same time help raise awareness of the desperate need for for #healthworkers in other parts of the world.
So now, it's over to you. Will you sign the petition? Will you write a post and help raise awareness? I'm not going to tag anyone specifically, but it'd be wonderful if - by Tuesday - we could score that century. The cricket season might've finished yesterday (and congrats to Surrey on their victory) but we could all raise our bats aloft and take some well-earned applause if we're successful.
So get padded up. You're in next!
September 15, 2011
Sarah-Jane Honeywell and me - the truth!
Imagine my excitement. Me and Sarah-Jane Honeywell in the same room! Well, film set. In my head I turned over any number of scenarios - maybe she'd invite me to her trailer? We could discuss the subtle nuances of Higgledy House together! At the very least she might agree to sign my Mr Tumble bedspread or pose for a picture between takes?
Well, no. It turns out that she 'wrapped' (*cough* as we in the film industry like to say) sometime last year. In fact all the filming has long since finished and the sets dismantled. Well, I say 'sets' (yes s-e-T-s!) but in fact there was only one. Because the epic venture has been shot entirely using blue-screen technology, which cleverly means the actors can be anywhere the computer wants them to be.
Except they aren't. They're at home in bed or treading the boards of a theatre somewhere or - in Sarah-Jane's case - probably filming another episode of Mighty Mites or having a tattoo or posing for another sexy photo shoot. Meanwhile we are busily occupied in what is described as 'post production'. Which in my case means warbling a bit as fifth bass from the left in the choir recording the sound-track. Well, the recording's next week; last night was the rehearsal. But as the music hall song might have said, at least I got to 'speak with a man/who's directing a film/that features Miss Sarah-Jane.'
For the record it also stars Colin 'Dr Who' Baker, Rainbow's Bungle (or the actor who inhabited the costume) and - from the same show - Jane (as in Rod, Jane and Freddie). You can find out more about the film on the Shadows of a Stranger website. Or you can read their blog or even follow them on Twitter. It won't be out until next year, but it'll be worth the wait - a spooky twentieth-first century mystery based loosely on Dicken's 'A Christmas Carol'.
Starring Sarah-Jane 'Tikkabilla' Honeywell.
And me (*cough*)
Autographs later.
September 13, 2011
Win a year's free car insurance!
Driving lessons, tests, insuring a young driver and all that paraphernalia are a few years into the future (thank goodness) although Charlie's interest in wheels will probably see him developing an unhealthy interest in the internal combustion engine before too long. The daughter of friends recently passed her test at seventeen; pleased as he was not to be paying for driving lessons any longer, her father was less impressed by his insurance company's quote for adding her to the family car insurance policy. Solemnly undertaking never to let her drive during the hours of darkness and having a black box fitted to his car brought it down a little, but...
If only she'd celebrated like these new drivers, she might have won her dad a lot less hassle.
If only she'd celebrated like these new drivers, she might have won her dad a lot less hassle.
September 11, 2011
9/11
Terrorist atrocities don't fall within the usual remit of blogs like mine, but due to the vicissitudes of the sleep patterns of young children I happened to be awake at three a.m. this morning. Having settled Charlie back to bed I did what I often do at such small hours moments and tuned in (with headphones) to the BBC World Service. I find having someone else's thoughts pumped into my head instead of my own helps sleep return better than if I lie staring at the 'soundless dark'. But at three a.m. this morning there was a play about George W.Bush and his administration's response in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
I didn't sleep; gripping, fascinating and horrifying in equal measure, the play painted a sympathetic portrait of Bush as he struggled first to comprehend then respond to the outrage. Here was a leader at once human, decisive, commanding and also (strangely) lucid. Only as the hawks gathered and talk of 'retribution' begin to appear of the agenda did the more familiar image of the former president and his men and women emerge.
It's a powerful play. Try and catch it if you can in the next seven days on BBC iPlayer. It added a dimension to the horror that I hadn't considered. It didn't help me sleep any better, although I did drift off again eventually. When I woke it was with my family safe around me, unlike the many families affected by the 9/11 tragedy. A reason to be thankful, and to remember all those who lost loved ones ten years ago today.
I didn't sleep; gripping, fascinating and horrifying in equal measure, the play painted a sympathetic portrait of Bush as he struggled first to comprehend then respond to the outrage. Here was a leader at once human, decisive, commanding and also (strangely) lucid. Only as the hawks gathered and talk of 'retribution' begin to appear of the agenda did the more familiar image of the former president and his men and women emerge.
It's a powerful play. Try and catch it if you can in the next seven days on BBC iPlayer. It added a dimension to the horror that I hadn't considered. It didn't help me sleep any better, although I did drift off again eventually. When I woke it was with my family safe around me, unlike the many families affected by the 9/11 tragedy. A reason to be thankful, and to remember all those who lost loved ones ten years ago today.
September 8, 2011
Are you worried about your child's speech?
Language is one of the great mysteries of our species. No-one really knows quite how it works; we're the only species to have mastered it; you'd think children would learn from what they hear but (as Noam Chomsky famously discovered) far more language comes out than is ever programmed in. Conclusion? The human brain comes pre-loaded with the software for language.
One of the psychology case-studies I taught last year involved experiments done by Susan Savage-Rumbaugh into whether chimps could be taught language. The results are pretty impressive. Take a look at this clip to see for yourself. But most commentators believe that - although to an extent all animals communicate, and although some can master quite sophisticated language - their mastery of it is different to ours, which is hardly surprising when you think about it.
Earlier this week I was sent an email from the childrens' communication charity I Can asking if I'd help raise awareness of what they do. Over 1 million UK children have communication difficulties of some kind; these children find it hard to express themselves, make friends, follow instructions and integrate. But finding help isn't always easy which is where I Can comes in. The charity has launched a new enquiry service helping parents both to check their own child's communication milestones and to find out how to support a child with a known problem. Here's an extract from their press release:
"Parents and practitioners who have used the service say they have found it really useful to talk directly to a speech and language therapist and to gain information about speech, language and communication development. They have also appreciated receiving information about training, research and other organisations that can offer help and advice.
"Call 020 7843 2544 or email enquiries@ican.org.uk to book your free and confidential call-back from a speech and language therapist. If you would prefer an email response to your questions please email your enquiry to enquiries@ican.org.uk.
"Find out more about what this service can offer at www.ican.org.uk/help."
As recent events have shown, people deprived of normal means of communication often don't just shut up shop and stop trying to get through to the outside world. Sooner or later they find ways to communicate that don't involve the written or spoken word, and aren't always to the benefit of the rest of us.
Time to start listening.
One of the psychology case-studies I taught last year involved experiments done by Susan Savage-Rumbaugh into whether chimps could be taught language. The results are pretty impressive. Take a look at this clip to see for yourself. But most commentators believe that - although to an extent all animals communicate, and although some can master quite sophisticated language - their mastery of it is different to ours, which is hardly surprising when you think about it.
Earlier this week I was sent an email from the childrens' communication charity I Can asking if I'd help raise awareness of what they do. Over 1 million UK children have communication difficulties of some kind; these children find it hard to express themselves, make friends, follow instructions and integrate. But finding help isn't always easy which is where I Can comes in. The charity has launched a new enquiry service helping parents both to check their own child's communication milestones and to find out how to support a child with a known problem. Here's an extract from their press release:
"Parents and practitioners who have used the service say they have found it really useful to talk directly to a speech and language therapist and to gain information about speech, language and communication development. They have also appreciated receiving information about training, research and other organisations that can offer help and advice.
"Call 020 7843 2544 or email enquiries@ican.org.uk to book your free and confidential call-back from a speech and language therapist. If you would prefer an email response to your questions please email your enquiry to enquiries@ican.org.uk.
"Find out more about what this service can offer at www.ican.org.uk/help."
As recent events have shown, people deprived of normal means of communication often don't just shut up shop and stop trying to get through to the outside world. Sooner or later they find ways to communicate that don't involve the written or spoken word, and aren't always to the benefit of the rest of us.
Time to start listening.
September 6, 2011
Living in the past
It was back-to-school yesterday for everyone except me. After returning to the classroom last year I've now returned home - as a stay-at-home or work-at-home dad. I've enjoyed my year teaching psychology; I'd have happily carried on. But that would've meant sorting childcare for Eloise and probably moving Charlie out of his current nursery. To say nothing of the cost. As a report by Aviva pointed out only last week, the rising cost of childcare is leading to increasing numbers of parents finding that paid work outside the home is no longer a viable option. According to their survey a working mother could be up to £98 a month worse off than if she were to stay at home.
Now believe me (unless this is just my natural male incompetence talking) staying at home looking after young children ain't the easy option. I think on balance I actually found 'work' - real paid work outside the home - slightly less demanding last year. Not that there aren't joys and benefits a-plenty from staying at home looking after the kids. But the benefits certainly aren't financial.
Which brings me to the point. The markets have crashed, unemployment is rising, inflation is eating our savings and reducing the scope of the money we spend... where will it end? Many financial experts are certain that we're in for a double-dip recession. Others argue that the first dip never really went away and that - unless we crawl out from under the economic rubble pretty soon - we're headed for a full-blown world-wide depression of the 1930's kind.
It's all more than a little worrying. And there's a limit (although we harvested a handful of delicious eating apples from a tree the other day) to the amount you can gain by foraging. There are many things I don't understand about economics, not least the fact that we all (even so-called 'communist' China) seem to agree that gambling with obscene amounts of other people's money is what makes the financial world go round. But what I really don't get is how we (that is, our national economies) can realistically be expected to 'grow' all the time. It's like expecting Usain Bolt to break a world record every time he runs. He'd pretty soon be finishing the race before he'd begun, a little like last week when he jumped the gun. Maybe we'll all just have to batten down the hatches and ride out the economic storm. But it's a vicious cycle. If we can't afford to work not only aren't we spending our (tax paid) income supporting the child-care economy, we can't buy as much stuff either. Which means more people won't be paid or else be paid less, and there'll be even less cash to spend on the high street.
I don't know what the answer is. But I'm certain that - once we're out of this hole - some serious thinking needs to be done about the way we (or should I say 'they') make our money. Because when it works it's good for all of us, but better by far for them. But when it falters, we're the ones to suffer. They seem to have nests feathered well enough to ride the storm.
Until then, I'm off to do some a bit more foraging. Nature's bounty, that sort of thing. No money changes hands; no tax or national insurance gets paid. There's no pension contribution in it. But it's free... and it's tasty. And a bit like living in the past. Maybe the old rocker Ian Anderson was right all along...
Now believe me (unless this is just my natural male incompetence talking) staying at home looking after young children ain't the easy option. I think on balance I actually found 'work' - real paid work outside the home - slightly less demanding last year. Not that there aren't joys and benefits a-plenty from staying at home looking after the kids. But the benefits certainly aren't financial.
Which brings me to the point. The markets have crashed, unemployment is rising, inflation is eating our savings and reducing the scope of the money we spend... where will it end? Many financial experts are certain that we're in for a double-dip recession. Others argue that the first dip never really went away and that - unless we crawl out from under the economic rubble pretty soon - we're headed for a full-blown world-wide depression of the 1930's kind.
It's all more than a little worrying. And there's a limit (although we harvested a handful of delicious eating apples from a tree the other day) to the amount you can gain by foraging. There are many things I don't understand about economics, not least the fact that we all (even so-called 'communist' China) seem to agree that gambling with obscene amounts of other people's money is what makes the financial world go round. But what I really don't get is how we (that is, our national economies) can realistically be expected to 'grow' all the time. It's like expecting Usain Bolt to break a world record every time he runs. He'd pretty soon be finishing the race before he'd begun, a little like last week when he jumped the gun. Maybe we'll all just have to batten down the hatches and ride out the economic storm. But it's a vicious cycle. If we can't afford to work not only aren't we spending our (tax paid) income supporting the child-care economy, we can't buy as much stuff either. Which means more people won't be paid or else be paid less, and there'll be even less cash to spend on the high street.
I don't know what the answer is. But I'm certain that - once we're out of this hole - some serious thinking needs to be done about the way we (or should I say 'they') make our money. Because when it works it's good for all of us, but better by far for them. But when it falters, we're the ones to suffer. They seem to have nests feathered well enough to ride the storm.
Until then, I'm off to do some a bit more foraging. Nature's bounty, that sort of thing. No money changes hands; no tax or national insurance gets paid. There's no pension contribution in it. But it's free... and it's tasty. And a bit like living in the past. Maybe the old rocker Ian Anderson was right all along...
September 3, 2011
Celebrate in Style
Sorry to bang on about holidays, but...
If you go away with small children, you haven't room to pack an array of digital cameras, camcorders and other recording devices. Well, I haven't. Which is why almost everything I've taken this summer has been on my 'phone. And the results are pretty good, if I do say so myself. Take a look at this...
Pretty good, if I do say so myself. And shot, edited and published entirely on my 'phone. It's with me everywhere; it makes sense to use it to capture those special holiday moments and memories. And now with Samsung's Stage app and their 'Celebrate in Style' competition, you can win a grand prize of $10,000 or $3000 every month from now until November - just for uploading your own clips to YouTube. It's part of Samsung's 'Live it - Love it!' campaign and running worldwide. Take a look at this video to help get you started.
Good luck!
This is a sponsored post.
If you go away with small children, you haven't room to pack an array of digital cameras, camcorders and other recording devices. Well, I haven't. Which is why almost everything I've taken this summer has been on my 'phone. And the results are pretty good, if I do say so myself. Take a look at this...
Pretty good, if I do say so myself. And shot, edited and published entirely on my 'phone. It's with me everywhere; it makes sense to use it to capture those special holiday moments and memories. And now with Samsung's Stage app and their 'Celebrate in Style' competition, you can win a grand prize of $10,000 or $3000 every month from now until November - just for uploading your own clips to YouTube. It's part of Samsung's 'Live it - Love it!' campaign and running worldwide. Take a look at this video to help get you started.
Good luck!
This is a sponsored post.
