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Now that school is back in full flow and evening activities are too, our days are packed with car journeys, clubs and homework. As predicted in our house, study and commitments have escalated this year to such a degree that I am struggling to do my motherly duties and cram it all in!   However, my latest purchase for Martha has proved a winning idea. No, it isn’t a personal tutor, or a nanny or a maid (although I could do with all three). It is a simple bedside table.       I am amazed at what a difference this small, unassuming piece of children’s furniture has made to o..

  It’s all over folks. The last lazy day has drawn to a close and we are now being dragged, kicking and screaming, into the autumn term.   I hope the rain didn’t stop you from enjoying yourselves over the holidays. It certainly didn’t stop me. But as a result of all those wet afternoons I am about to launch into the mother of all clean up operations.   That’s not to say I haven’t been keeping on top of the mess. On the contrary. I have happily tidied up at the end of each day and cheerily wiped the paint off the floor. I have gleefully unblocked the sink of chalk sticks and..

  If you’re anything like me, most of the summer holidays are spent turning a blind eye to the whirlwind going on around you. Children whizzing in and out, along with all manner of grass and muddy footprints no doubt. It’s a killer for a neat freak like me but I have trained myself to let it go...counting one, two, three...3,963 etc.   But once you’ve jetted back from your hols, exhausted Netflix and found yourself on first name terms with all the animals at the zoo - and there’s STILL three weeks to go before the start of term - you might just decide to throw in the towel and declare..

It’s the little things that let us know when our children are growing up. The way they will happily give a once-worshipped toy to the tombola stall at the school fair. They way they might close their bedroom door and demand to be left alone - or else. And the way they suddenly produce a protective arm whenever little ones are around. A welcome but eerie change from all that relentless tormenting!   They may also decide to get rid of all those cuddly toys and hint at an upgrade to their bedroom accessories. Now that particular day is a very sad one indeed, but you must sigh and accept ..