Family news, memories and Batman #littleloves

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Oops a little late with this week’s Little Loves as we tried to eek every last second out of half term.  We had a really nice week, I like how this half term is a more laid back holiday with none of the big celebrations of other holidays.  As Mr S was working away for the first part of the week we went to stay with my parents and then did some family things with Mr S in the second part of the week.  Mr S was really quite poorly so our planned trip to Portsmouth was postponed and replaced with local trips, a visit to the new indoor skate park which the children loved and a train journey, which is treat in itself, to another town to wander around and catch the new Lego Batman film.

READ

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I have been reading The Life Project by Helen Pearson, its a non fiction book about cohort studies of children born in a certain week and the impact the results of the simple questionnaires have consequently had on health and education in the UK.   This may sound a bit dry but its an interesting and fascinating read about what factors determine success in life.  Some of it is sadly depressing, the vicious cycle of poverty but it also highlights the positives of good parenting, good education and good health services. A thoughtful and powerful read.

WATCHED

Call the Midwife was a heart breaking watch for me this week, as someone who has lost a baby in pregnancy and adopted, the two themes of the episode I was in bits by the end and sobbing my heart out.  As is always done in the programme the issues were handled sensitively.

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We went to see the new Lego film Batman this week.  I know the reviews are good but I did find it a bit dull, there were some witty parts but its an action film, albeit in animation and its not my favourite genre.  However, Mr S and Little Man loved the film.

MADE

I know its bit of a cliché but this week was about making memories especially with my family.  With my parents, we had walks along the beach, trips to the café, swimming and a fantastic morning in Bristol at the Clifton Observatory.  Despite growing up in Bristol we had never visited it before.  It is a tower to climb to use the camera obscura, you twist the handle and a reflection of the outside is projected onto a screen inside, it doesn’t look real simply a picture until you look closely and see the cars driving across the suspension bridge. In the same building you descend over 130 steps and end up in a cave in the Avon gorge, there are two different explanations for it.  It is a Roman chapel or the home of two Bristolian giants.  The tower is a great visit and after we walked along the Suspension bridge to go to the new visitor centre, it was a great venue for the children where they got to learn all about bridges and to build them too!

WORE

The milder weather meant it was skinny jeans with fewer layers, a nice feeling that Spring may be on its way!

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My parents also bought me these slippers from their recent trip to Marrakesh, the children find them hilarious, Mummy’s pink elf shoes!  They are remarkably comfortable though.

HEARD

Staying with mum and dad I got all the news on family and old friends.  Its funny how life turns out, real life is so much better than any soap opera!

AND FINALLY

Half term is over now and its back to work this week.  I’ve enjoyed the break and its a nice time of year to be looking forward to, Springtime is coming.

Many thanks to Morgana for creating this linkie

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My Valentine Sadness

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When I was younger, Valentine’s Day filled me with dread.  I was a very shy, angst ridden teenager and the only card I ever got was from my Dad. As I got older and found myself in a relationship it was a day to celebrate but generally I felt a bit awkward  about the whole cheesiness of the day.  Mr S and I do occasionally get romantic and celebrate our special anniversaries but not so much Valentine’s Day until 2009, when the significance of the day changed.  Valentines is no longer a romantic festival for us but a day to cherish our family.

Valentine’s Day 2009 was supposed to be the best day of my life.  After years of fertility treatments I was pregnant and the due date was February 14th, as we shared our news, we were all so excited by the date, a Valentines baby, I had it all planned the little heart coming home outfit, announcement cards adorned with hearts.  At last Valentine’s Day was going to be one of my favourite days of the year.  And then tragedy struck during the pregnancy and our darling baby boy died in the womb, it was discovered that he had a condition ‘incompatible with life’  For me now, Valentine’s Day is a very sad reminder of the hope and excitement we once held for the date.

The first Valentine’s Day was horrendous coming so soon after our tragic loss.  I walked up to the beautiful place where we had scattered our baby’s ashes and it did give me some peace.  Mr S had decided that distraction was the best idea and he had booked a Valentine’s dinner in one of the most exclusive restaurants in our county, it should have been amazing but of course we were both grieving too much to appreciate the fine food and stunning venue.  I remember sitting at my dressing table and putting on my make up, it simply felt like a mask and no make up could disguise my sadness.  We both agreeed after that first Valentine’s Day that a quiet Valentine’s Day was the way forward.

Over the years, I am more at peace with Valentine’s Day, I still get a sick feeling in my stomach when I see my first Valentine’s card of the year and it is always a time of the year when I think more of our son.  However Mr S has started a new family tradition since adopting our children.  We now mark Valentine’s day as a family and often go out for lunch to a nice restaurant, it is no longer a day simply to mourn, but to celebrate the family we have because of the loss of a very special little boy.

An adopted daughter

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Last night, I was curled up on the sofa reading the latest edition of Woman and Home magazine.  The front page had enticed me to buy it, Have a Balanced Life, de stress, feel calmer, the headline promised and yet after reading what has always been a nice, inoffensive read I was angry and disappointed.  The reason for my fury was the introduction of an interview with Lisa Faulkner.  Now Lisa Faulkner always comes across as lovely person and is not the object of my frustration, rather the writers description of her ” Lisa Faulkner 44 …..has an adopted daughter ”  Its the sort of comment that makes you feel sick in the pit of your stomach.  Why is her daughter being introduced as an adopted daughter, surely Lisa Faulkner should have the respect of the writer to be seen as the mother of a daughter.  I have never introduced my children as  my adopted daughter and my adopted son, they are my son and daughter, our children, no labels.  What does the ‘adopted’ signify, abandoned, abused, neglected, traumatised, what parent would want their child to have that label?  Why should a child be described with such negative associations, they are innocent children, yet are being defined by their early lives and or the history of their birth families.

In our family adoption is not a secret, we discuss it freely and it falls naturally into conversations. Our children know of their early life, in the most appropriate way for their ages and know that we will always love and support them throughout everyday of our lives, our little family saying is love you forever and ever and ever.   I want my children to grow up bathed in unconditional love, support and a sense of belonging, a secure attachment which makes them confident and happy as adults.  Sadly it appears that our national media is quick to judge and label.  Fortunately for our family and friends they are not an adopted son and daughter, an adopted granddaughter and grandson, an adopted niece and nephew,an adopted cousin or an adopted friend they are simply two much loved children.

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Spring Wish Lists, Dawn O’Porter and Sing #littleloves

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A lovely little bonus this week was to finish for half term on Thursday courtesy of my part time hours and the children having an Inset day.  I’ve sneaked today, Friday into this week’s post as we used our bonus day to have a trip to the cinema.  It was a momentous weekend last weekend as Little Man went on his first night away from us on a Beaver camp. he loved it and came home tired and very muddy, the remainder of the week  has quietly progressed to the start of half term.

READ

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The latest Boden and Cath Kidston catalogues fell onto my door mat this week and I have been busy browsing and circling a few items in both.  I’m hoping to pop into a Cath Kidston shop next week whilst we’re away on our travels. I really liked some of their new prints so may try a few things on and may make a purchase or two.  The book print skirt I bought last autumn has been such a good buy, so easy and fun to wear.

WATCHED


Today I had to drive Mr S’ car to the garage in our county town for a recall so took the opportunity to take the children to the cinema whilst the repair was made.  We went to a stunning Art Deco independent cinema to see Sing.  I love the old fashioned cinemas, having been an usherette in one many years ago, its the fittings, history and original features which make the cinemas so special.  It was a full house today, I think it must be a county wide Inset day but it made for a great atmosphere.  I really liked the film, uplifting, full of fantastic songs and joyful.  The perfect antidote to the grey, cold day.

MADE

I’ve made very little this week, I suppose my only meal of note this week was my pick’n’mix play date tea.  I wanted to try something a bit different and thinking how mine loved the pancakes on holiday when they could create different fillings, I did baked potatoes with lots of filling options so they could be chefs and create their own special recipes.  It went better than I has expected and they all ate a healthy tea too!

WORE

Layers and layers, its freezing at the moment, when is Spring coming?

HEARD

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I’ve expanded my podcast list from Desert Island Discs and have subscribed to the Dawn O’Porter podcast.  Its a really easy listen and I would recommend it, the episodes are thoughtful, funny and honest.  I tend to listen to podcasts on the school run (the bit where I don’t have the children!) in the gym or in bed.  When I listen to music I tend to think a lot but the podcasts make me concentrate on the subject and in a busy, hectic world help me not to get too lost with my own thoughts.

AND FINALLY

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We have lots of plans for half term.  First, its a trip to my parents and then with the couple of days Mr S has off work, we’re going to Portsmouth to visit the Mary Rose, Victory and other attractions at the docks.  I remember watching the Mary Rose being lifted from the sea in the early 80s and I’m interested to learn how it has been restored.

I’m linking up with Morgana and her lovely contributors at http://www.coffeeworksleeprepeat.com

Thank you Morgana for hosting.

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Letting Go

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For me and Mr S this has been a tough weekend, whilst it has ended happily, we have both spent the weekend worried about Little Man.  The reason for our anxiety was that we agreed for him to attend Beavers camp, his first over night stay.  It was a difficult decision to make, he is 7, but because of a tough start in life, he is still trying to meet all the developmental targets of his age and he has 1:1 support at school for his learning needs.  We decided not to send Little Man last year as he didn’t seem confident enough in the setting, but this year he wanted to go.  He plays a full part in his troop and has gone climbing, hiking, kayaking etc.. so camp did seem the next step.

Mr S and I spent lots of time discussing the pros and cons, a local camp, very skilled leaders all of whom we have known for years, 24 hours only, he was familiar with the base camp after his sister did her Brownie camp there and most importantly he wanted to go.  We worried about his ability to get himself properly dressed for the weather, if he woke up and got frightened in an unfamiliar place or if his anxieties manifested in tantrums, crying etc..  We talked to Little Man and the leaders and after a lot of soul searching, decided that we would try the camp.

On Saturday morning, Little Man didn’t glance back at us as he ran into the hall and we left, mobiles clasped in our hands, where they stayed all day.  I am a pretty relaxed person but for 24 hours yesterday I was on high alert, I checked my mobile frequently and against my cardinal rule of no screens at meal times, I even allowed my phone on the table of the Indian restaurant we went out to for dinner, as Little Man hates curry it seemed the ideal opportunity for the 3 of us to enjoy an Indian meal.  I did find it difficult to sleep last night wondering if Little Man was ok in his bed, had he settled, what if he needed the toilet, would the sounds outside scare him? I slept lightly making sure I would hear the phone if it rang. This morning wasn’t too bad, as I knew it was only a short time until we picked him up at 11am and I was so excited to see him, we were at the hall early!

On picking him up, Little Man was of course very relaxed about the whole event, he had a big bag of muddy washing, was missing his socks and vest and I would have preferred an extra top for someone so prone to chest infections but he was happy (until I mentioned going home for a shower!) and was asking to go on the next camp.  It was a tough weekend but one which has shown that we can’t hold on to and protect our children forever, there are times when they need to go off with their friends and we have to let them fly sometimes, it was scary for us all but we had prepared Little Man and ourselves and he has been able to show how more confident and independent he is becoming.  It was a success but I am looking forward to a more relaxed night’s sleep tonight in the knowledge my Little Man is tucked cosily up in his bed and close to us.

Clothes Show memories, bathroom renovation and holiday plans.

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A topsy turvy week in the Sparkles household as the work on the bathroom continued, thus lots of trades people popping in at different times and a slightly different working week for me as I attended a conference for 2 days.  With these 2 events, I tried to keep things simple elsewhere to maintain my own sanity.  My head was spinning with the logistics of school runs and clubs on the conference days, everyone had notes to follow!

READ

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One article which caught my attention this week was in Simple Things magazine, an interview with Caryn Franklin.  If like me you’re of a certain age, you will remember her as the host of the Clothes Show tv programme, essential viewing late Sunday afternoons looking at all aspects of fashion.  This article was about fashion and her personal projects.  It really made me think that whilst there are many magazines to sell clothes, there is little written or discussed about fashion, history, materials, designs etc..  Its time to bring the Clothes Show back!

MADE

On Saturday, Little Miss and I made a delicious celeriac soup. I make fresh soup weekly with whatever ingredients are in my fridge or cupboards but I had read a few recipes for celeriac soup and decided to have a go.  It was so good and definitely a flavour to try again.

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On Sunday, we also made some reservations for holidays and weekends away.  We have really enjoyed going abroad in the last few years but wanted to show some of our beautiful country to the children and this year we have booked a week in Cornwall for August.  We’re staying at St Ives, home to a Poppy Treffy shop (yeah!) and a perfect base for some beach days and trips to St Michael’s Mount and the Eden project.  I’m really looking forward to the Eden project, Mr S and I visited it just after it opened so it will be great to see how it has evolved.  We also booked in a few visits to visit friends throughout the year, there are those whom you always intend to visit but time runs out but this year is different with firm dates for visits confirmed.

WORE

With my work conference, I was able to adopt a more stylish, less practical look and wear jewellery.  With the work I do, all we are allowed to wear for safety reasons is a wedding ring and watch so it was nice to wear a necklace, bracelet and pretty drop earrings.

HEARD

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I know that I often choose it as my listen of the week, but Desert Island Discs with David Beckham was very sweet with some really surprising choices, Ella Fitzgerald, The Stone Roses, Stevie Wonder and some Spanish and French songs.  Each week when I listen to it, I try to choose my 8 songs but it is an impossible task.

AND FINALLY…

This weekend we’ll be staying local as Little Man goes to a neighbouring village for a beaver camp, his first night away from us.  We don’t want to be too far away from him, so it’ll give us time to catch up on jobs at home.

I’m linking up with Morgana at http://www.coffeeworksleeprepeat.com for her Little Loves.

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Project Inspiration, colour and daily mixes #littleloves

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After a few dull weeks, I felt that this week I got a little of my sparkle and zest back, I was parenting solo again but this time it was much easier and more relaxed.  I used my time wisely this week and as well as a lovely family day on Saturday, I’ve enjoyed lunch with a friend on my day off and a trip to the hairdressers which always makes me feel a little more confident.  Our bathroom is being done this week and its all gone very smoothly so far, just a little more tiling to do and then the nice little finishing touches.  I am really looking forward to relaxing in our new bath, I’ve bought a luxury bubble bath to celebrate!

READING

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I’ve read lots this week, I finished A Boy made of Blocks and would highly recommend it, its written with strong characters whom you can easily relate to and it ends well.  As Mr S has been away I’ve been reading to both children in bed, so that’s Flat Stanley with Little Man and Harry Potter with Little Miss.  Finally I’ve been reading some magazines, a home magazine for inspiration for accessories for the bathroom and ideas for our next project our bedroom, it’ll just be a coat of paint and a few new accessories and the Simple Things magazine which is my monthly treat, its a lovely read.

WATCHED

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On Saturday I watched the footage and saw the pictures of the Womens’ March around the world. It looked inspiring and empowering and was a great peaceful and powerful response globally to Trump’s inauguration and his policies and actions.

I do enjoy Call the Midwife so was delighted with its return on Sunday evening, its the perfect way to end the weekend although I’m sure like last series I’ll end up in tears over the story lines.

MADE

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Feeling a bit low last week, I decided I needed a bit of colour in my life this week, I’ve fresh flowers in the house and bought a selection of lovely brightly coloured fruit and vegetables.  I’ve made some Mexican rice with bright peppers, casserole with the deep oranges of sweet potatoes and squash and a bright fresh fruit salad, with mangoes, kiwis and pineapple.

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As well as injecting a little colour into my menus I also tried to add a little colour to my clothes.  It was only in little ways, fancy coloured underwear, a scarf, a belt or bag but it did perk me up in these grey, foggy days.

HEARD

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Now I have Spotify I find myself listening less to radio and using Spotify in a variety of ways.  This week I have been listening to my daily mixes, they’re good and are introducing and reminding me of some really good music to match my tastes.

AND FINALLY

We have no plans again this weekend and with Mr S having been away, I’m sure he’ll want a quiet weekend locally.  This suits me fine as I have a few jobs to do around the house and in town.  I also fancy trying a new recipe and have promised a baking session for the children too.

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I’m linking up with the fantastic  Morgana at http://coffeeworksleeprepeat.com for Little Loves and am looking forward to reading hers and her fellow contributors Little Loves of this week.

My working mum dilemma

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This post is about my current work dilemma, it is not should I work or not, I enjoy working and want to continue working part time, its trying to decide what I want such a role to look like.  Late in the  last school year, I finally accepted a promotion to a senior position as a member of the leadership team in my school. I say finally, because I have been at my school for many years now and have been invited to apply for senior positions before. I never did as I was either undergoing fertility treatment, going through the adoption process or had a young family. As anyone who works in education will attest, it’s a demanding and consuming job and at these times, it was an easy decision not to apply for the promotion as I would not be able to do the senior job it as I would want to. Fortunately, I never felt the need to prove myself or climb the career ladder and was genuinely happy being a classroom teacher. When I returned to work after my adoption leave I worked 2 days a week and this has gradually increased as the children went to school and I have taken on additional duties to support the school. Over the last few years,  I have negotiated to work 22 hours a week over 4 days in school. This being teaching, I easily do another 10 hours a week at home and there is the constant thinking of work, checking emails etc.. The hours have been key to me being able to work, my employers have been very supportive and flexible and I do all the school runs except for one afternoon which Mr S does. This is so important for me, I need to have that daily contact with the children’s school as one child has a full time 1:1 TA and I need to liaise with her for feedback and to work together to provide the best support. My working hours  can make for some crazy school runs, gates open at 8.45am, I settle the children in their classrooms, run to my car, drive across town and then lead a school assembly at 9am, at the end of the day, I am always running out of work and hoping all the traffic lights are green, there is a parking space nearby and be expectantly waiting at the classroom door. I am so grateful to my employers to allow me to work as I do and one of the reasons I took on my position this year, which was negotiated on my historical working hours was to show my support to them. However, I was still unsure whether I could truly commit to a senior position and asked for a provision that all parties would  meet by Easter 2017 to discuss the situation and to mutually decide if I continue in post or return to teaching and a full time appointment made. I am conscious that this time is approaching and its nearly decision time. I genuinely don’t know what to do, there are some aspects of the job which are great, working with colleagues on their professional development, supporting a NQT, helping to design our curriculum and doing some innovative work with our SEN students, however there are frustrations, meetings, meetings and meetings, exasperation at the bureaucracy and protracted decision making prevalent in education, though I should add this is mainly external and the one which I was always worried of, the pressure of being a part time senior member of staff, the never ending to do list and my professional motivation to try and do it all. As a teacher, I will always take work home but I recognise that work is creeping into home life more and more.

At the start of this year after a pretty manic Autumn term, I began to reflect on my life and started to attempt to work out who I am and what I want to do. I am working through a self help book, I think its one of the few I’ve ever read called Designing Your Life. Rather than just reading it I am doing the tasks too and its helpful, I don’t have the answers yet but its enabling me to understand why I do what I am doing. For example, I didn’t realise the effect of my Dad’s unemployment in my teenage years and I think my strong work ethic comes from this difficult time. Mr S is self employed and I’ve always felt it important that my permanent job balances the unpredictability of his, a strange logic given in the 19 years we’ve been together he has always had plenty of work and no periods of instability, yet I think my job helps give me the security I crave. My job is not simply about stability though, I love teaching and I cannot think of another career I would like to pursue so my work design is not about finding me but finding a balance. The balance is not simply from work, aside from my little family I would like to spend more time with friends and my wider family, go to the gym, run for longer and more often, be creative etc.. but I need to create that time. I don’t think there’s a magic formula for the perfect balance, it’s what suits you and your family needs best at the time and compromises will always have to be made.

A Boy made of blocks, skinny jeans and Bruce Springsteen Little Loves

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This week is a culmination of the last two week’s Little Loves, I had nearly finished last week’s when I got a really bad migraine which meant last weekend was sleep and sickness.  As the last thing I can do is look at a computer screen when I have a migraine, the post simply waited in the drafts box to be finished.

There are some weeks which no matter how you try to tart them up, simply are hard work and a bit dull, that’s been this past fortnight.  Mr S has been working away so I’ve been parenting solo, normally  I’m fine with this and quite enjoy a little extra time to myself in the evenings but these past weeks work has been really hard, its been dark, cold and miserable, I’ve been running around making sure everyone is at the right place at the right time and most nights I’ve simply crawled into bed once everyone is asleep, exhausted.  This is so not me, here’s hoping sparkly me returns very soon.

Read

I finished Marian Keyes’ Making It Up as I Go Along.  It was just like reading a conversation with a friend and was the perfect antidote to the busyness of the first week.

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I also downloaded one of the new Richard and Judy book club books, A Boy Made of Blocks.  This is quite personal to me as I work with ASD children and young people and witness first hand the effect of the diagnosis on the family.  I am really enjoying this book and the presentation of the young son is typical of ASD, too often the child with ASD is portrayed in books or films as a savant or simply having a few quirky behaviours when the reality is more challenging and harder to understand .  I love that the book is set in Bristol where I grew up and  there’s some nice Bristolian humour and references in it,  its also the first book I’ve ever read where the main character’s surname is my maiden name which is not particularly common.    A book full of personal coincidences!

Watched

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I rarely switch the tv on when Mr S is away, I prefer music and reading in the evenings.  Our exception was on Wednesday, when after school we all cuddled up for a movie night with popcorn and a few Christmas chocolates to watch Zootopia, we have seen it before but I like the character of Judy the Rabbit, she rocks.

Made

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In the first week, I was Queen of the Lists, we are having our bathroom refurbished next week and I had a day in big town to achieve quite a few different jobs all over the town for the work.  It felt a bit like Challenge Anneka, shop, google map directions to the next stop, shop, google map etc.. all in the time deadline of the school day 9 -3pm.  When you live quite rurally you have to allow travel time for big town shopping visits, so it was very tightly organised but all completed, even if not the most exciting of trips out.

I have also made a lot of comforting food this fortnight, its been so cold and miserable so we’ve had lots of casseroles, veggie shepherd pie, homemade soups etc..  I use the slow cooker a lot and its lovely to come home to a kitchen full of delicious smells.

Wore

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George Skinny Jeans. Definitely not me as I’ve been wearing mine with thick jumpers and boots.

 

In the first week it was all about the scarves.  I do like a scarf and I had a couple for Christmas from friends (they know me well) so I was showcasing them.  This week its been about skinny jeans.  My quest in life is to find the perfect pair of jeans, I’m quite small so it has to be petite ranges but even then the leg length is difficult to get right.  I haven’t worn jeans for ages and seem to have a uniform of leggings and tunic / skirt.  However when I was in big town I went to Asda and passed a huge display of jeans, I measured some against me and when they were ok tried them on and to my surprise and delight found a pair of dark denim skinny jeans which fit beautifully.  I am so happy with them and the best thing they were a bargain £10!

Heard

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Over the past fortnight, there has been a lovely Book at bedtime on Radio 4.  Its part of their Reading Europe series and is A Death in the Family by Karl Ove Knausgaard. The title is a little misleading as its only been in the last episodes that there has been a death, its more of the author’s memories growing up in Norway.  It is a little gem of an autobiography and well worth a listen or read.

I also caught up on Bruce Springsteen’s Desert Island Discs on Wednesday morning.  Little Man woke me up at 4.30am but whilst he went back to sleep, I couldn’t and decided to put my time to good use by catching up on this recording.  Springsteen came across so well with some great music choices that it was a really entertaining listen, even at a ridiculous time of the day.

And finally

I’m not sure what are plans are for this weekend.  I was poorly and the children had a few events last weekend so its family time, but I’m just not sure what that will look like.  A lot of local places close in January so we have to be creative, beach walks and hot chocolates, a trip to the skate park or a film at the cinema. I’ll be so pleased when Spring arrives with more opportunities for things to do.

I am linking up with the lovely Morgana at  http://coffeeworksleeprepeat.com and all her marvellous bloggers to share Little Loves.

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Clubs, hobbies and interests

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Yes, if like me you’re a child of the 80s here’s the classic line and opening sequence from Why Don’t You shown every holiday week day morning.

In today’s press there has been an article about the cost of children’s clubs, in the article one mother had calculated that she was spending £550 a month on extra curricular activities.  This figure caught my attention, how could anyone spend such an amount on a child’s hobbies?  Curious I decided to work out the costs of the clubs our children do.  We have two children, Little Miss does guitar and choir at school and attends ballet, gymnastics and Brownies in the community, Little Man does football, cricket and Beavers.  That is 8 activities a week.  Whilst all are paid termly, I calculated that we are spending £20 a week in total for these 8 activities, which I think is a reasonable price especially as all clubs take place within a mile radius of our house, so there are no transport costs. In a small town like ours, clubs and societies are our entertainment particularly in the winter and equally as popular for adults as for children.   They are also a vital community activity bringing generations together, at cricket club on Saturday morning (its indoors at present) there were 6 adults supporting the Under 8s and 9s coaching session and most parents watched and chatted on the benches.  So many of our clubs are run by volunteers passionate about their interest and I hope that the children will continue to pursue their hobbies throughout their school years and into adult life,  helping as they have been helped.

I try to avoid being tiger mum and have enrolled the children only in clubs that they have asked to do, I also think that they are doing enough clubs and would not want them to do any more at present.  It is important to preserve some time for us as a family and to keep a school afternoon free for relaxing, playing and having a friend over for tea.

Despite the headlines, I think clubs and hobbies are an important part of a child’s social, physical and emotional development.  An opportunity to enjoy sport and hobbies and meet new friends in a safe and friendly environment.