Test Run

Coffee - Office Mum

Not on purpose, one day two weeks ago, I had a test run of what's ahead as a work-at-home freelancer self-employed type person. And it left me pretty worried. By 10.30am, I was phoning my husband to tell him it wasn't going to work, and that I needed to start talking to recruitment agencies again IMMEDIATELY. He talked ...

That Boy in the Playground

Boy in playground - Office Mum

I saw a little boy in a restaurant today. He was in his mother's arms as she tried to order bagels at the till. He wanted cake, and tried squirming out of her arms to get it. When she said no, he shrieked and howled. She was embarrassed, but ploughed firmly on with her order, raising ...

If toddlers ruled the world

Office Mum - Toddler Ruler

I asked my three-year-old recently how he would do things if he ruled the world. Because he can't fully articulate this just yet, I observed him in everyday life and wrote it down for him - I think this is pretty much what he'd decree if he was in charge: Playtime at 5am is permitted seven days a week, and singing ...

I Can’t Take my Eyes Off You

toddler - office mum

We're in a coffee shop, I'm talking to a friend. Another friend across the table catches my eye and nods towards you. You're perched on my knee, engrossed in something. I look down. You've unscrewed the pepper lid and tipped the contents onto the table.  That's the signal - coffee time is over, we should ...

Bringing your toddler to the cinema in 28 easy steps

Office Mum - toddler

1. Look out the window, see that it's raining, and announce a cinema trip. 2. Consider spending two minutes booking online, but decide to wing it instead. Who'd want to forfeit the adrenaline buzz that goes with rushing in to the cinema at the last minute, risking that it's booked out. 3. Bundle everyone into the car ...

How to get your child to sleep through the night in just two-and-a-half years

The sleep through the night child Office Mum

I’m afraid to say it out loud, so I’ll whisper it: My baby is sleeping through the night. It’s been happening for a few months now, but saying it, or even thinking it, could tempt fate, so I’ve told myself it’s just a phase. But this morning I realised that I couldn’t remember the last time he’d woken ...

The light at the end of the (toddler) tunnel

Office Mum: Toddler

Down you come, bump, bump, bump, step by step, laughing hysterically each time you crash into me. Then back up the stairs to do it again. I make a slight move towards leaving my half-way-down-step, and am told "No mummy! You stay!" Then down you come again, stair by stair. Crash. Burst of laughter. I ...

Third child syndrome and how it’s really a good thing

Office Mum photo of third child

My third child is experiencing quite a relaxed toddlerhood, compared to that of my second and especially my first. He has fewer toys, fewer clothes, and hand-me-down everything possible - so a lot of pink. But he's the happiest, most chilled out kid of our bunch, so we must be doing something right - finally.... In ...

A sleep through the night spell (from the toddler’s floor)

office mum photo of Sam

I'm writing this intro from the floor of my toddler's bedroom. He's sort of asleep, but not quite. I'm safe to have my phone switched on, but it's not yet time to sneak out of the room. I know this because I have been doing it every night for the last three months. Since we ...