Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 98
June 13, 2011
The Fatherhood Festival: Day Two
It's Monday, and the Fatherhood #FathersDayFestival is now in full swing. If you want to know what it's all about, have a look at yesterday's post. And don't forget, you've got until the end of today to take advantage of the special 25% discount on Love2Read Books which is exclusive to this site.
Today, though, we're moving from brain food to, well... food. Chocolate, to be precise. Hotel Chocolat have a fantastic range of presentation packs for all occasions. Whatever your taste in chocolate (or your budget for presents) there'll be something here to suit your needs whether it be a box for someone's birthday or something special for dad this coming Sunday.
Each product in the celebrations range contains a wide selection of mouth-watering delights with the Birthday Range alone including almost fifty different chocolate creations. And from their Father's Day collection, they're giving away not one - but two - of these little boxes for dad to enjoy with his feet up on Father's Day:
To win one, all you have to do is write a comment on this post and you're entered. Tweet - using the hashtag #fathersdayfestival - and you get another entry. There's no limit to the number of times your name goes into the hat, but you have to make sure its done my the end of today. Because tomorrow, there'll be something else to give away.
And tomorrow, there'll also be a chance to ask some questions of tennis legend Greg Rusedski. No, not about Andy Murray's chances of winning Wimbledon. About being a dad. Yes. Here are the details.
So, there you have it. Don't forget to say something interesting (below) to be in with a chance of winning those chocolates. And I'll see you again tomorrow for some more amazing stuff from the Fatherhood Festival.
Today, though, we're moving from brain food to, well... food. Chocolate, to be precise. Hotel Chocolat have a fantastic range of presentation packs for all occasions. Whatever your taste in chocolate (or your budget for presents) there'll be something here to suit your needs whether it be a box for someone's birthday or something special for dad this coming Sunday.
Each product in the celebrations range contains a wide selection of mouth-watering delights with the Birthday Range alone including almost fifty different chocolate creations. And from their Father's Day collection, they're giving away not one - but two - of these little boxes for dad to enjoy with his feet up on Father's Day:
To win one, all you have to do is write a comment on this post and you're entered. Tweet - using the hashtag #fathersdayfestival - and you get another entry. There's no limit to the number of times your name goes into the hat, but you have to make sure its done my the end of today. Because tomorrow, there'll be something else to give away.
And tomorrow, there'll also be a chance to ask some questions of tennis legend Greg Rusedski. No, not about Andy Murray's chances of winning Wimbledon. About being a dad. Yes. Here are the details.
So, there you have it. Don't forget to say something interesting (below) to be in with a chance of winning those chocolates. And I'll see you again tomorrow for some more amazing stuff from the Fatherhood Festival.
June 11, 2011
The Fatherhood Festival: Day One
I was having a bit of a Twitter discussion a while ago about whether Sunday or Monday was the start of the week. While Sunday is most definitely part of le weekend it isn't - despite of what many people think - the seventh day 'on which God rested' and all that. That day - being the Sabbath, the one you have to 'Remember to keep holy' according to the Ten Commandments - is actually Saturday, the Jewish Shabbat. (In fact it isn't really Saturday, strictly speaking, or not all of it. The Jewish Shabbat starts at sundown on Friday and ends twenty-four hours later.) I know, dear reader, I know. That source of all wisdom CBeebies has - technically - got it wrong but Christian teaching is (usually) quite clear about the fact that Sunday is the first day of the week. New religion, new beginning and all that. Although (for any historians reading) I should point out that the practical move to Sunday was a Roman idea, and was in deference to their old favourite god Sol Invictus - the Sun.
Anyway, all that is just a long-winded attempt to justify the fact that day one of my eight-day Father's Day Festival is today. All week I'll be posting something relevant to fathers and fatherhood, being a dad and doing a better job of it. There'll also be daily prizes, giveaways, links and other goodies. You really can't afford to miss it!
And why, you're asking, is this happening? Well, if you haven't heard my latest book - Fatherhood: The Essential Guide - is now out. It's been described as:
accessible, informative and authoritative (Diary of a Dad) a parenting book for grown up men and those that really want to be present, enagaged dads and supportive understanding partners (BabyBudgeting)as well as a great Fathers' Day gift for a new dad or a soon-to-be dad, this certainly ticks all the right boxes (Madhouse Family Reviews)
Duncan Fisher, OBE, founder of The Fatherhood Institute called it an inspiration for mothers and fathers alike and I'm delighted that it seems to have struck a chord with so many people. It even secured a coveted feature slot in BertM@il - the in-house trade newsletter of book distributers Bertrams - on Friday:
It's published by Need2Know books (ISBN: 978-1-86144-122-5) and is available from their website, on Amazon or from your local bookshop. I'll be signing copies at Cybermummy in a couple of weeks time as well. And to celebrate publication I'm having an entire week's worth of fatherhood-related posts and prizes starting today. Because - on the subject of books - you can create your very own personalised gift for Father's Day on the Love2Read site and get a 25% discount on the price by entering the code CHARLIE in the coupon code box on the checkout page.
Love2Read produce a range of personalised reading books made up of your favourite photos accompanied by a simple text for your child read along with dad. And what dad wouldn't enjoy being the star of his own bedtime story? This is a Father's Day gift for the whole family to treasure forever and you can order one now with this unique discount code. But hurry! Because the final day for Father's Day orders is tomorrow. Which is, of course, Monday. The day of the Moon - the earth's lesser light - and the second day of the week.
Anyway, all that is just a long-winded attempt to justify the fact that day one of my eight-day Father's Day Festival is today. All week I'll be posting something relevant to fathers and fatherhood, being a dad and doing a better job of it. There'll also be daily prizes, giveaways, links and other goodies. You really can't afford to miss it!
And why, you're asking, is this happening? Well, if you haven't heard my latest book - Fatherhood: The Essential Guide - is now out. It's been described as:
accessible, informative and authoritative (Diary of a Dad) a parenting book for grown up men and those that really want to be present, enagaged dads and supportive understanding partners (BabyBudgeting)as well as a great Fathers' Day gift for a new dad or a soon-to-be dad, this certainly ticks all the right boxes (Madhouse Family Reviews)
Duncan Fisher, OBE, founder of The Fatherhood Institute called it an inspiration for mothers and fathers alike and I'm delighted that it seems to have struck a chord with so many people. It even secured a coveted feature slot in BertM@il - the in-house trade newsletter of book distributers Bertrams - on Friday:
It's published by Need2Know books (ISBN: 978-1-86144-122-5) and is available from their website, on Amazon or from your local bookshop. I'll be signing copies at Cybermummy in a couple of weeks time as well. And to celebrate publication I'm having an entire week's worth of fatherhood-related posts and prizes starting today. Because - on the subject of books - you can create your very own personalised gift for Father's Day on the Love2Read site and get a 25% discount on the price by entering the code CHARLIE in the coupon code box on the checkout page.
Love2Read produce a range of personalised reading books made up of your favourite photos accompanied by a simple text for your child read along with dad. And what dad wouldn't enjoy being the star of his own bedtime story? This is a Father's Day gift for the whole family to treasure forever and you can order one now with this unique discount code. But hurry! Because the final day for Father's Day orders is tomorrow. Which is, of course, Monday. The day of the Moon - the earth's lesser light - and the second day of the week.
Most Wanted Fuss Free Dining Report: Prezzo
I've not done a restaurant review before, so I was delighted when Most Wanted/Vouchercodes got in touch to ask if I'd like to do one of their 'Fuss Free Dining Reports. Basically, they want to know which restaurants are really child-friendly, which ones represent best value for money and which make for the best meal out for the entire family. And they're paying too so there's no question of getting an utterly impartial assessment. Not that there would be anyway. If you don't believe me, just look what I said about this.
Anyway, without turning all 'Winners Dinnners' on you, here's a fuss-free report on our local Prezzo. We chose this chain as there's one handy for us and we like Italian food. And as the first test, I didn't book. We just strolled in last Saturday lunchtime needing a table for three plus space for a pushchair. No problem! We were seated within minutes without so much as a second glance. There was none of the huffing and puffing you sometimes get if you appear at the door with a pushchair in tow. So far, so good.
Menus were delivered - including a neat little fold-up one for Charlie which doubles as a colouring book. Drinks were ordered; choices were made. And they weren't easy ones. The menu is varied and extensive. There are all the Italian favourites including pizzas of various provenances, a full range of pasta dishes as well as grills. To start, Sarah chose the grilled goats cheese with plum tomatoes and caramelised onions. I plumped for the tiger prawns with garlic, chilli and spinach.
Meanwhile, Charlie was entertaining himself colouring in the children's menu, which offers a choice of garlic bread or garlic bread with cheese as a starter and main courses of either pizza (with pepperoni, mushroom or pineapple topping), pasta (bolognese, tomato or carbonara sauces), spaghetti with meatballs or oven roasted chicken wings plus a scoop of ice-cream for dessert and a drink - all for just £4.95! And these are no mere 'tiddlers' portions either. Just look at Charlie's pizza:
Ok, so he may not have finished it but at least we know there's a menu here that will keep him going for a few more years. I'm not sure if there's an age limit on the Prezzo children's menu but I reckon this would satisfy most appetites right up to - and in some cases, including - the ravenous teenage years. Anyway, while he munched through his pizza, Sarah enjoyed a rather special dish of wild mushroom girasolle (below) while I had pollo gorgonzola.
By now, feeling distinctly full, Sarah and I might have called it a day but Charlie still had his ice-cream course to come and it seemed a shame to let him eat his pudding on his own, so we kept him company with a portion of milk-chocolate fudge cake (as much fudge as cake - 'for a chocoholic that's pretty good' was Sarah's judgement) and a vanilla pannacotta.
Meanwhile, Eloise slept through the whole thing. But her time will come. Because we'll certainly be back, and I can wholeheartedly recommend Prezzo as being both great value for money as well as friendly and accommodating to children. The food was good, the service excellent and the ambience perfectly suited to both family and non-family dining. The colouring pack kept Charlie entertained while we were waiting (which was never very long) and the whole experience was both 'fuss free' and extremely enjoyable.
10 out of 10.
Anyway, without turning all 'Winners Dinnners' on you, here's a fuss-free report on our local Prezzo. We chose this chain as there's one handy for us and we like Italian food. And as the first test, I didn't book. We just strolled in last Saturday lunchtime needing a table for three plus space for a pushchair. No problem! We were seated within minutes without so much as a second glance. There was none of the huffing and puffing you sometimes get if you appear at the door with a pushchair in tow. So far, so good.
Menus were delivered - including a neat little fold-up one for Charlie which doubles as a colouring book. Drinks were ordered; choices were made. And they weren't easy ones. The menu is varied and extensive. There are all the Italian favourites including pizzas of various provenances, a full range of pasta dishes as well as grills. To start, Sarah chose the grilled goats cheese with plum tomatoes and caramelised onions. I plumped for the tiger prawns with garlic, chilli and spinach.
Meanwhile, Charlie was entertaining himself colouring in the children's menu, which offers a choice of garlic bread or garlic bread with cheese as a starter and main courses of either pizza (with pepperoni, mushroom or pineapple topping), pasta (bolognese, tomato or carbonara sauces), spaghetti with meatballs or oven roasted chicken wings plus a scoop of ice-cream for dessert and a drink - all for just £4.95! And these are no mere 'tiddlers' portions either. Just look at Charlie's pizza:
Ok, so he may not have finished it but at least we know there's a menu here that will keep him going for a few more years. I'm not sure if there's an age limit on the Prezzo children's menu but I reckon this would satisfy most appetites right up to - and in some cases, including - the ravenous teenage years. Anyway, while he munched through his pizza, Sarah enjoyed a rather special dish of wild mushroom girasolle (below) while I had pollo gorgonzola.
By now, feeling distinctly full, Sarah and I might have called it a day but Charlie still had his ice-cream course to come and it seemed a shame to let him eat his pudding on his own, so we kept him company with a portion of milk-chocolate fudge cake (as much fudge as cake - 'for a chocoholic that's pretty good' was Sarah's judgement) and a vanilla pannacotta.
Meanwhile, Eloise slept through the whole thing. But her time will come. Because we'll certainly be back, and I can wholeheartedly recommend Prezzo as being both great value for money as well as friendly and accommodating to children. The food was good, the service excellent and the ambience perfectly suited to both family and non-family dining. The colouring pack kept Charlie entertained while we were waiting (which was never very long) and the whole experience was both 'fuss free' and extremely enjoyable.
10 out of 10.
June 9, 2011
Julia Donaldson: Children's Laureate
In honour of the his favourite author Julia Donaldson being named Children's Laureate a couple of days ago, Charlie's improvised his own special musical tribute to some of her most famous characters. Not only does he 'read' the book to his little sister (and you can see that video here) he now performs the story (sort of) with his own incidental music and sound effects. That boy of mine's got a career playing the piano at the picture house if he keeps on practising. (Oh, hang on a minute...)
June 6, 2011
June 5, 2011
Sunday Supplement: Lovely Lego
Well, Duplo to be precise. Charlie was sent this as part of our on-going Lego Duplo partnership and one of the questions they asked us to consider was the value of it from an educational perspective – specifically, would we say that Lego Duplo encourages educational play for pre-schoolers?
Well, I could write several posts about the creativity it encourages, the logical thinking it requires, the understanding of causes and consequences it develops as well as a host of other educational attributes. But this latest set came with letters of the alphabet on twenty-six of the blocks. And playing with letters - whether they be magnetic shapes on the fridge door or smart plastic building blocks like these - is a favourite game at the moment. So I thought I'd show, rather than tell you, of this particular aspect of Duplo's educational value. Here's what happened.
Elsewhere this week - having just taken the first tentative steps at weaning Eloise - Philips AVENT have sent what I can confidently predict will soon become our best-loved kitchen gadget. Well, 'gadget' is selling it far too short really, because the new combined steamer/blender is one of those dream products that you can only imagine someone making when you're struggling to steam, them blend and/or puree food for consumption by a hungry baby. I know; I did when I was sometimes struggling to keep up with Charlie's growing appetite! Well, dreams sometimes do come true and here's the proof:
And finally, on the subject of food, a copy of the eponymous book of Nick Coffer's excellent blog arrived this week, stuffed full of so many straightforward yet mouthwatering recipes I can't wait to get the pages spattered with some of the ingredients as Charlie and I try them out.
If I'm honest, I've had a bit of an easy ride in the kitchen for the last few months. With Sarah still on maternity leave and enjoying some time in the kitchen, my culinary prowess has been put out to grass. But the honeymoon will soon be over; Sarah is returning to work and I'll be resuming my duties in the kitchen. This time - inspired by Nick's book - with the help of Charlie. If Archie can so ably help Nick I don't see why Charlie can't be trained to act as sous to me when I resume my role as chef de cuisine. Watch this space! Because I'm going to take a leaf out of the great man's book and post a video review of one of Nick's recipes shortly. Mind you, I'll have to persuade him to turn off ASUS Transformer first.
Because the combination of Thunderbirds and easy, touch-screen technology is proving hard to resist at the moment. Honestly, I have to tempt him away with some Duplo just to have a go with it myself!
Have a lovely Sunday![image error]
Well, I could write several posts about the creativity it encourages, the logical thinking it requires, the understanding of causes and consequences it develops as well as a host of other educational attributes. But this latest set came with letters of the alphabet on twenty-six of the blocks. And playing with letters - whether they be magnetic shapes on the fridge door or smart plastic building blocks like these - is a favourite game at the moment. So I thought I'd show, rather than tell you, of this particular aspect of Duplo's educational value. Here's what happened.
Elsewhere this week - having just taken the first tentative steps at weaning Eloise - Philips AVENT have sent what I can confidently predict will soon become our best-loved kitchen gadget. Well, 'gadget' is selling it far too short really, because the new combined steamer/blender is one of those dream products that you can only imagine someone making when you're struggling to steam, them blend and/or puree food for consumption by a hungry baby. I know; I did when I was sometimes struggling to keep up with Charlie's growing appetite! Well, dreams sometimes do come true and here's the proof:
And finally, on the subject of food, a copy of the eponymous book of Nick Coffer's excellent blog arrived this week, stuffed full of so many straightforward yet mouthwatering recipes I can't wait to get the pages spattered with some of the ingredients as Charlie and I try them out.If I'm honest, I've had a bit of an easy ride in the kitchen for the last few months. With Sarah still on maternity leave and enjoying some time in the kitchen, my culinary prowess has been put out to grass. But the honeymoon will soon be over; Sarah is returning to work and I'll be resuming my duties in the kitchen. This time - inspired by Nick's book - with the help of Charlie. If Archie can so ably help Nick I don't see why Charlie can't be trained to act as sous to me when I resume my role as chef de cuisine. Watch this space! Because I'm going to take a leaf out of the great man's book and post a video review of one of Nick's recipes shortly. Mind you, I'll have to persuade him to turn off ASUS Transformer first.
Because the combination of Thunderbirds and easy, touch-screen technology is proving hard to resist at the moment. Honestly, I have to tempt him away with some Duplo just to have a go with it myself!
Have a lovely Sunday![image error]
June 1, 2011
CBeebies Bedtime Hour
So, what do you think of the new CBeebies bedtime hour? Don't tell me you didn't notice!
Starting last night, Waybaloo is no more; 64 Zoo Lane is restored to its rightful place and In the Night Garden is retained. Personally, I think it could only have been improved by the return of Story Makers and I said as much (politely) on the CBeebies website when the news was announced. But my comment was mysteriously moderated out of existence 24 hours later. I received a rather Stalin-esque email informing me I'd broken some rule or other but they didn't say which one. I didn't swear; I wasn't rude about Waybaloo (and I could have been); I didn't even include a link back to my book on Amazon, still less give it a plug. (Mind you, it is a snip at just £7.24 and the perfect gift for Father's Day!)
Anyway, in the interests of free speech I thought I'd reprise my opinion here, on my own blog, where big brother BBC can't get me. I like the new line-up. Didn't see much of that grinning fool Alex last night either, just the serene Makka-Pakka lookalike Ceri Burnell doing mystical (and clearly pre-recorded) links. And then there was Charlie Higson reading the bedtime story! And not once did he mention the drainage in the lower field. So all in all it was a great success. And as I said, in the absence of Story-Makers it probably couldn't get much better as far as we're concerned.
But what would be your ideal bedtime line-up? I'm happy kicking off with Charlie and Lola but I do think Brian Cant should be in charge of the proceedings. Which programmes would you choose? And who would you have presenting them? Be as creative and outspoken as you want. Here's your chance to be your own CBeebies fat controller. Think outside the box. So what if Thomas is currently on Milkshake? I promise I won't (unlike the BBC) delete your comments.
Unless, that is, you demand the return of that infernal nonsense Waybaloo, of course.[image error]
Starting last night, Waybaloo is no more; 64 Zoo Lane is restored to its rightful place and In the Night Garden is retained. Personally, I think it could only have been improved by the return of Story Makers and I said as much (politely) on the CBeebies website when the news was announced. But my comment was mysteriously moderated out of existence 24 hours later. I received a rather Stalin-esque email informing me I'd broken some rule or other but they didn't say which one. I didn't swear; I wasn't rude about Waybaloo (and I could have been); I didn't even include a link back to my book on Amazon, still less give it a plug. (Mind you, it is a snip at just £7.24 and the perfect gift for Father's Day!)
Anyway, in the interests of free speech I thought I'd reprise my opinion here, on my own blog, where big brother BBC can't get me. I like the new line-up. Didn't see much of that grinning fool Alex last night either, just the serene Makka-Pakka lookalike Ceri Burnell doing mystical (and clearly pre-recorded) links. And then there was Charlie Higson reading the bedtime story! And not once did he mention the drainage in the lower field. So all in all it was a great success. And as I said, in the absence of Story-Makers it probably couldn't get much better as far as we're concerned.
But what would be your ideal bedtime line-up? I'm happy kicking off with Charlie and Lola but I do think Brian Cant should be in charge of the proceedings. Which programmes would you choose? And who would you have presenting them? Be as creative and outspoken as you want. Here's your chance to be your own CBeebies fat controller. Think outside the box. So what if Thomas is currently on Milkshake? I promise I won't (unlike the BBC) delete your comments.
Unless, that is, you demand the return of that infernal nonsense Waybaloo, of course.[image error]
May 31, 2011
Dad of the Year
So, what did you make of the news that Sir Elton John and David Furnish have been nominated for the 2011 Dad of the Year Awards?
If your view of this annual dad-fest is anything like mine, it was probably utter dismay and disappointment. Because - in selecting the first gay couple - the organisers have at a stroke deprived me of my annual opportunity to moan about the presentation. I mean, last year the winner was Peter Andre. The year before, John Terry. Need I say more?
Well, I'm going to. And not because I want to rubbish the achievement of these no doubt worthy dads. But because the trials and tribulations of fatherhood are slightly different when your annual income is in the stratospheric tax bracket of these and similar nominees. When you can afford all manner of domestic staff and a team of nursery nurses to allow you both to be a great dad and to get your job done, is your achievement really that remarkable? Money might not make you happy. It won't make you a better dad. It won't - as some notable nominees have found to their cost - guarantee marital harmony and longevity. But it'll sure as hell smooth some of the rough edges of parenthood.
I know there are other awards. I know there are dads out there struggling under the most demanding circumstances to hold a family together and - occasionally - they get a little of the recognition they deserve. But the publicity, the accolades and praise that these sleb dads get rarely reaches them. And neither does the wider recognition of what so many thousands of dads up-and-down the country do day in, day out to hold down a job and support a family without the benefit of, say, a Premiership footballer's astronomic salary.
All of which sounds a bit like sour grapes or jealousy. But it's not supposed to. After all, I'm lucky; I've been able to stay at home with Charlie for the last three years and I know many dads who'd love to do the same. And the underlying message that Sir Elton's nomination carries is one I'm personally delighted to endorse. If it does some good for other gay dads, that's great. But I wish, just now and then, that all the other big-name nominees and former winners were people who stood out as dads in some way; who had overcome the odds to be both great slebs and great dads and who could be an inspiration to the rest of us.[image error]
If your view of this annual dad-fest is anything like mine, it was probably utter dismay and disappointment. Because - in selecting the first gay couple - the organisers have at a stroke deprived me of my annual opportunity to moan about the presentation. I mean, last year the winner was Peter Andre. The year before, John Terry. Need I say more?
Well, I'm going to. And not because I want to rubbish the achievement of these no doubt worthy dads. But because the trials and tribulations of fatherhood are slightly different when your annual income is in the stratospheric tax bracket of these and similar nominees. When you can afford all manner of domestic staff and a team of nursery nurses to allow you both to be a great dad and to get your job done, is your achievement really that remarkable? Money might not make you happy. It won't make you a better dad. It won't - as some notable nominees have found to their cost - guarantee marital harmony and longevity. But it'll sure as hell smooth some of the rough edges of parenthood.
I know there are other awards. I know there are dads out there struggling under the most demanding circumstances to hold a family together and - occasionally - they get a little of the recognition they deserve. But the publicity, the accolades and praise that these sleb dads get rarely reaches them. And neither does the wider recognition of what so many thousands of dads up-and-down the country do day in, day out to hold down a job and support a family without the benefit of, say, a Premiership footballer's astronomic salary.
All of which sounds a bit like sour grapes or jealousy. But it's not supposed to. After all, I'm lucky; I've been able to stay at home with Charlie for the last three years and I know many dads who'd love to do the same. And the underlying message that Sir Elton's nomination carries is one I'm personally delighted to endorse. If it does some good for other gay dads, that's great. But I wish, just now and then, that all the other big-name nominees and former winners were people who stood out as dads in some way; who had overcome the odds to be both great slebs and great dads and who could be an inspiration to the rest of us.[image error]
May 27, 2011
And the winner is...
Well, it depends on the prize. First up is the super-duper Fairy-filled toy box I was offering a couple of weeks ago. We didn't exactly play Pooh Sticks to unearth the winner. But a similarly random process of elimination unearthed... @Emmaand3 as the lucky recipient of this fantastic prize.
Ok, you're still in with a chance. Keep reading. Because if you left a comment on this post you might be in for a visit from Bear Grylls. Well, not in person, but in literary guise in the form of his autobiography Mud, Sweat and Tears. And if you're blogging name is Sara x and you blog at Livvy's Smile then it IS you!
Well done. Meanwhile I leave you with a message about a group of people who are - even as we speak - training hard to be winners in 2012. Oh, and Stella McCartney designs their kit...
[image error]
Ok, you're still in with a chance. Keep reading. Because if you left a comment on this post you might be in for a visit from Bear Grylls. Well, not in person, but in literary guise in the form of his autobiography Mud, Sweat and Tears. And if you're blogging name is Sara x and you blog at Livvy's Smile then it IS you!
Well done. Meanwhile I leave you with a message about a group of people who are - even as we speak - training hard to be winners in 2012. Oh, and Stella McCartney designs their kit...
[image error]
May 26, 2011
Identity Crisis
Ok, I admit it. I'm going through something of an identity crisis. A blogging identity crisis. I'm not entirely sure what I 'am' anymore. Parent-blogger? Product-reviewer? Badly-paid author? (My last PLR payment - that's the small sum you get for people borrowing your books from public libraries - was a mere £2.10 in case you think I'm exaggerating.)
I know I'm not alone in this. Ever since the Royal Wedding, Charlie's been labouring under the misapprehension that throwing a muslin square over his head transforms him into Kate Middleton, mid-ceremony. I then have to stand in for Prince William - vows, rings and balcony kissing - while we re-enact the occasion. (Incidentally, sir, if you're reading this and ever find you do need somebody to stand in for you, I'd be happy to add 'consort to Her Royal Loveliness the Duchess of Cambridge' to the list of my identities.)
But I digress. This blog has evolved over time from an on-line diary of doing something different (giving up work, bringing up Charlie) to a rag-bag of all sorts of things from book reviews, political rants, psychology lessons, musical interludes, Mr Maker moments and many a cri de coeur as well as the ubiquitous reflections on children and childcare.
But does what you do define who you are? Because if it does, I'm no longer sure who I am. Or what this blog is about. I need help.
But where do you turn in a moment of existential blogging crisis?
Absolutely!
You, dear reader.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. And if you do it often, may I ask you a simple question - why? What do you expect to find here? And does it meet with your expectations? And if you're new here, is this what you're looking for? Will you be back?
I hope so, of course. Because ultimately, whatever blogging pigeon-hole we might find ourselves in, it's all about engagement, isn't it? Being a parent is probably the most important thing many of us will ever do. But is it who we are?
Should a so-called parent blog be exclusively about parenting, the parent, or both?[image error]
I know I'm not alone in this. Ever since the Royal Wedding, Charlie's been labouring under the misapprehension that throwing a muslin square over his head transforms him into Kate Middleton, mid-ceremony. I then have to stand in for Prince William - vows, rings and balcony kissing - while we re-enact the occasion. (Incidentally, sir, if you're reading this and ever find you do need somebody to stand in for you, I'd be happy to add 'consort to Her Royal Loveliness the Duchess of Cambridge' to the list of my identities.)
But I digress. This blog has evolved over time from an on-line diary of doing something different (giving up work, bringing up Charlie) to a rag-bag of all sorts of things from book reviews, political rants, psychology lessons, musical interludes, Mr Maker moments and many a cri de coeur as well as the ubiquitous reflections on children and childcare.
But does what you do define who you are? Because if it does, I'm no longer sure who I am. Or what this blog is about. I need help.
But where do you turn in a moment of existential blogging crisis?
Absolutely!
You, dear reader.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. And if you do it often, may I ask you a simple question - why? What do you expect to find here? And does it meet with your expectations? And if you're new here, is this what you're looking for? Will you be back?
I hope so, of course. Because ultimately, whatever blogging pigeon-hole we might find ourselves in, it's all about engagement, isn't it? Being a parent is probably the most important thing many of us will ever do. But is it who we are?
Should a so-called parent blog be exclusively about parenting, the parent, or both?[image error]
