A word of advice on reading Jay Griffiths’ Kith, The Riddle of the Childscape – suspend your rational faculties. Surrender to the lyricism. Let nostalgia woo you. Be carried on the wings of your imagination. Allow yourself to spiral into your childhood (either the one you really had or the one about which you fantasise) and go with Griffiths into a secret garden of faerie, forests, daemon and metaphor. Roam free. Continue reading “Suspend your rational faculties”
For Mother’s Day: the untold story
So far, I have spent almost seven years trying to come to terms with my experience of giving birth. I was beginning to wonder if I ever would, and then I read this, by psychologist Daniel Stern (pictured), who assured me that I wouldn’t. Continue reading “For Mother’s Day: the untold story”
How has being a mother affected my creativity?
I recently watched Who Does She Think She Is? – an award-winning film by Pamela T Boll about motherhood and creativity.
I found the film a little disappointing because so much of it was about the politics and practicalities around women as artists. These are important issues for sure, but they aren’t the questions that I’m asking at the moment. Continue reading “How has being a mother affected my creativity?”
If adults are different why should children be the same?
Last week I had the following conversation with a friend.
Friend: Are you coming on the coach-trip to Blackpool?
Me: No. I didn’t fancy it with Arch. He hates being strapped in a seat. Making him sit still for three hours there and three hours back is something I’d rather avoid. Continue reading “If adults are different why should children be the same?”
If I can’t remember it, is it still a part of me?
I went up to my study last week and screamed. For reasons, that perhaps only a five-year-old can understand, Arch had pulled every one of my books from my shelves and hurled them in a spine-bent, cover-ripped pile on the floor. Continue reading “If I can’t remember it, is it still a part of me?”
Arch says “thank you” – and makes me sad
There I was making all the preparations for Arch’s fifth birthday – cake (tick), presents (tick), balloons (tick), card (tick).
“Now darling,” I said. “There’s something you need to learn and it’s very important. Continue reading “Arch says “thank you” – and makes me sad”
Having a baby has made me want a baby even more
For me, there have been few surprises about motherhood. There have been some, for sure, but in general Arch, who is now almost five, has brought me the awe, exhaustion, love, fun and general all-round blissedoutness I had always anticipated. Continue reading “Having a baby has made me want a baby even more”
Work-life balance? That’s the least of it.
I get heartily sick of the challenge of raising a family being characterised in terms of work-life balance.
Who thought of that phrase? Continue reading “Work-life balance? That’s the least of it.”
I have a tidy house (almost) for the first time in four years
As an anal person, I never used to understand why some people lived in a mess. I just didn’t get untidiness, because I’m someone who is never happier than when everything is in its place.
Now I can explain it. It’s called living with a small goat toddler. (Motherhood) Continue reading “I have a tidy house (almost) for the first time in four years”
Can you be a feminist if you can’t think?
Are you still a feminist?’ – that was a question asked of me last week by a young woman who had read one of my books.
‘Now there’s a question,’ I thought as I stood at the bus stop tapping a reply into my Blackberry. ‘I was a feminist when I last thought about it – about four years ago – but I don’t know if I still am because what would involve thinking and I haven’t got time for that.’ Continue reading “Can you be a feminist if you can’t think?”