Tag: parenting

Lifestyle, Parenting

She Gets Me Tissues And Wipes My Tears

Morning Mum, ‘Morning Love, are you feeling any better?’ I’m feeling more myself but we’re all under the weather, Jen’s been off work this week and has had to take to her bed and now Frankie’s got Covid. I’m run down physically and I think when a wave of grief comes crashing, everything becomes magnified. …

Education, Parenting

School Has Never Been An Easy Ride

School has never been an easy ride for Frankie.  She’s always had to try hard to navigate the National Curriculum in her own unique way.  With a diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder last year, the education system is finally catching up.  Yesterday Frankie called me from school to say she had taken a test in …

Adoption, Education, Parenting

A White Adoptive Mum

Dear Frankie, Do you know one of the reasons our adoption profiles were matched? Because of the colour of our skin! When I began the adoption process I thought I would be able to adopt any baby born in this country that needed a forever Mum. The truth is it wasn’t quite as simple as …

Lifestyle, Parenting

I Can Remember Every Single Line On Your Face

Dear Mum, I can remember every single line on your face, did you know that? If I close my eyes and picture your skin, it’s like a little map of our lives together. When you were alive you said you had always struggled with your skin. You told me it started in adolescence. You not …

Lifestyle, Parenting

Mum, I Don’t Need You Anymore

Dear Mum, I don’t need you any more. I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting you however and I know I need to learn to live with that. I’m here in the world without you now and it feels so weird. Some days I forget you’ve gone and will set a place at the dinner …

Lifestyle, Parenting

You Said “It’s Ok Mum.”

Dear Frankie, Thank you for believing in me. I sold our home and gave away our things. You said…….’It’s ok Mum.’ I moved you from one school to another.  Twice. You said……..’It’s ok Mum.’ I put extending our family on hold. You said………’It’s ok Mum.’ I asked you to share me with another love. You …

Adoption, Lifestyle, Parenting

Where Had My Baby Gone?

Dear Frankie, Thirteen years ago I was about to embark on the biggest adventure of my life to date. PARENTING. I was incredibly excited and nervous in equal measure.  I didn’t sleep very well in the run up to meeting you, I tried to, but as you know, I can have an over active imagination …

Education, Parenting

At My Best And At My Worst

Dear Frankie, It’s been almost ten weeks in lockdown together and when I say together, I mean we have been inseparable haven’t we? It’s not been easy for both of us though has it? It’s not all been fun and games, it’s challenging and difficult at times, it’s testing for us both. A 46 year …

Education, Lifestyle, Parenting

I know I Can Be A Pushy Mum Sometimes

Dear Frankie, I know I can be a ‘Pushy Mum’ sometimes, I think it just comes naturally to most mothers.  We have an innate burning desire to see our children succeed and achieve.  I like to think I encourage you to have a go at lots of different things and to try your best, to …

Adoption, LGBT, Parenting

If You Have Gay Parents Does That Mean You Will Be Gay?

Dear Frankie, Being adopted by a single Mum doesn’t mean that you will automatically grow up and become a single adopter like me.  Being raised by a single Mum who fell in love with another kind, caring and committed woman doesn’t automatically mean you will do the same. I didn’t choose to be gay Frankie …