2-5 Years

How To Be A Thriving Dad In A World Of Zombies. “My father didn’t tell me how to live. He lived and let me watch him do it.” – Clarence Budington Kelland My Story So, there I was, a mentally stretched rubber band about to snap, confined to a small room that smelled of Latex and rubbing alcohol, waiting for the doctor to release the emotional tension. I could tell he saw the desperation in my face like it was a rat in the corner of my eye. Fear shot from my pores like bullets… Read More »How to be a Thriving Dad in a World of Zombies – Guest Blog Post

I spy with my little eye… Phonics Fun. ‘I spy with my little eye… something beginning with s!’ ‘Sky?’ ‘No.’ ‘Sun?’ ‘No.’ ‘Sock?’ ‘No.’ ‘Sunglasses?’ ‘No.’ ‘Oooh sweetheart you have really been thinking hard… I wonder what it could be!’ ‘You’ll never guess mummy, you’ll never guess!’ ‘Ok then tell me… you clever little sausage, you!’ ‘Car!!’ ‘Sorry?’ ‘Car mummy car!’ ‘Oh… you’re right sweetheart, I never would have guessed.’ Does this sound familiar? I spy is almost a right of passage through childhood isn’t it. A well-loved classic but my word those early days… Read More »I spy with my little eye… Phonics Fun – Guest Blog Post

Stay at home dad. So, this is it. My time to take over the reins and become the main carer to my daughter is nearly upon me. My wife returns to full time teaching in a few days’ time after nine months of maternity leave. I took the decision to resign from my job a few months back after we did some research into possible childcare options and discovered that a nursery place would, for our 8-month-old in central London, be more than our rent! This would leave us with only a little bit of… Read More »Stay at home dad – Guest Blog Post

Power of positivity for children. Now life is difficult, we all have our own issues and problems which mount up and suck happiness/positivity out of us. Bills, work, health, cars, friends, partners and yes even our children. These are sources of friction, day after day, week after week they can grind us down. We can take frustrations out on those close to us. I remember a time quite vividly where my boy Ethan was following me around the house, after a long day in the office, he was excited about a toy he wanted. I… Read More »Power of positivity for children – Guest Blog Post

My Open Letter To All Dads Who Are Suffering. A lot of people ask me if I could give dads out there some advice, what would I say? What advice would I give? Well, what if I could talk to all dads at once. So here goes. Dear suffering Dad, First of all, I would like to say well done for coming this far to even have found my blog post. You have made the first few steps. The first few steps are hardest, trust me I’ve been there. I can’t tell you how you are… Read More »My Open Letter To All Dads Who Are Suffering – Guest Blog Post

Mini Mathmagicians. It’s a number two, it’s a number two! I smiled smugly at the sink of washing up like something from a fairy advert, glowing with pride as my little darling, just three at the time was clearly engaging with the number line I’d so lovingly created that morning. ‘Is it sweetheart!’ I shouted proudly – ‘you are so clever!’ ‘Mummy, mummy can I have a sweet, I didn’t do it in the potty because I couldn’t find it so I’ve just done it on the floor there.’ Lovely. Add this to my loooong… Read More »Mini Mathmagicians

Breastfeeding mum? Here’s a gift idea for her. I started my business Boobie Beads when I was breastfeeding my third daughter Sophia. At five months old while feeding, she would pull my hair and scratch my chest. I needed something she could hold onto and play with, instead of me! I asked my Mum for one of her necklaces and she gave me a big chunky one, with different sized beads. Sophia instantly began playing with it, in between feeding. She stopped pulling my hair and scratching, instant hit! I had a ‘lightbulb’ idea and… Read More »Gift for her

Time To Trust. For the last 7 years a local charity, MAN&BOY has been supporting boys who are struggling with life by providing opportunities for the ‘man’ in their life to develop and stronger relationship with them, in the hope that this with build confidence and self-esteem. Below is the story of one man who came to a MAN&BOY adventure camp. “I live apart from my son and his mother and only see him at weekends and because of my son’s autism and the conflict between myself and his mother about how to parent him… Read More »Time To Trust

Why the NHS needs to get ready for the dads. “The current health service is failing to recognise dad’s needs, enough”. It’s our most controversial statement yet. Is it really that important? After all pregnancy and new-borns are mum’s domain. You sound like another controversial dad group attempting to not relinquish the slowly departing power of hegemonic masculinity or a petty dad, feeling left out… Frankly, yes. It’s time to recognise dad is a patient too. We know health is more than physical, it’s mental too and mental health subsequently impacts your physical health. More… Read More »Why the NHS needs to get ready for the dads

They cost how much! Let’s face it, having more mouths to feed costs money. Rather than get drawn into striving and panic, take a second to see what help is available. “Having a child has a major financial impact. I was pretty bad with money before I had my daughter, but I want her to have the things she wants.” Idris Elba. So if you’re not sure how to claim paternity leave, what benefits are available for new parents or you’ve heard about shared parental leave, but not sure if it’s for you, look no… Read More »They cost how much!