It was back to school last week, and I had the strangest impression of meeting people I already knew as if it were the first time. The security guard at the school gate and the barista at the local coffee shop who had come into my life during the pandemic surprised me with their wide grins […]
As a father, I’ve taken more naturally to supporting our three young children as they look outward. I love nothing more than to adventure with them, throwing them higher into the air than their mum would ever dare, and taking them deeper into the ocean than they’ve ever been. I love to delight with them […]
How often have lovers stalled on taking the next step because they weren't sure if they were ready, “for a serious relationship”, or they were "not ready to commit", at least not until they'd fulfilled their other life-goals and dreams. The choice we seem to be confronted with is either: independence and autonomy, or relationship […]
I have a nail-biter. My 10-year old middle son is also the family’s Head of Health & Safety. We can rely on him to scan the environment for signs of potential danger, and ensure that his less risk-averse sisters land safely before launching themselves off rocks, or out of trees. For the most part, his […]
Take a good look at this picture. What feelings and sensations does it evoke? This image of a dad and baby in a playful moment is the starting point of play, according to play veteran Dr Stuart Brown, of the National Institute for Play. Take another look and above all resist the urge to compare […]
I’m sitting here with my ‘love mug’ - a cheap ceramic curio my son bought me from the school Valentine’s Day market - wondering about this thing called ‘Love’ and everything it’s teaching me. The Hollywood-Disney fantasies, 80s romcoms and Spandex pop culture give us this illusion of love that comes easily, is all-consuming and […]
The temptation for me, as a mum, is to see myself as some sort of demi-god or Christmas elf capable and willing of being and doing everything; fulfilling every dream and making everyone happy. If I just keep saying ‘yes’ to those around me, I can perhaps convince myself that I am stronger than I […]
We’re glad you’re here. Maybe you’re here because you’re curious about who we are and what we’re up to, which is great. Stay curious. You may be here because you’re a parent and that feeling of ‘what did I get myself into’ has finally washed over you. Raising humans is just not as easy as […]
For much of my young life, I believed knowledge was key to my existence . But knowledge wasn’t enough: I wanted to be ‘in the know,’ to be ‘right’. And to be honest, it’s still a temptation. But knowledge alone will not change the world. A shift from mind to heart has to happen. Knowledge […]
There’s a grief that comes with parenthood. It came the moment I snapped at my two-year old and I woke up and had this numb sensation that I was not the parent I hoped I would be. I was angry and I didn’t even know it. I have heard the self-chastising or dismissive variation of […]