Happy Father’s Day, Dad

June 18, 2017June 18, 2017Leave a comment

Dad, you were the very
First man in my life.
I’m certain I’ve caused you
A fair bit of strife.

Toddler tantrums and strops
(I now understand!)
Yet my tempers soon quelled
With a hold of your hand.

Infamous Dad jokes,
Magic and games.
Swingball rally records,
Again and again.

Sports day on the sidelines,
Cheering on, looking proud.
Where your good advice rang
Through my head clear and loud:

“It’s not about winning,
It’s about taking part.”
“You know you can do it;
No such word as can’t.”

Puberty, hormones,
And teenage-angst tears.
You judged how to calm me
And banish my fears.

And then my nights out
When I didn’t come home.
In the days before texting
And fancy smartphones.

You trusted the choices
I made would be good.
Perhaps much more
Than I ever could.

I fell well and true for
The love of my life.
And you gave me away
To become his wife.

A promotion to Grandad!
Gave you more (toddler) grief.
King of bedtime stories;
Witching hour relief.

The most positive man
That I’ve ever known.
An inspiration for sure,
With a rebellious tone.

Dad, thanks for the laughter,
The hugs and the fun.
This Father’s Day,
You are my number one x

Daily Mum Struggles: Car Seat

June 6, 2017June 6, 2017Leave a comment

Twinkle, twinkle, little one.
You don’t think your car seat’s fun.
Please come here. You cannot drive.
Time to reach for biscuit bribes.
Twinkle, twinkle, little one.
Need a drink when this day’s done!

Today is the day.

May 23, 2017May 24, 2017Leave a comment

Today is the day that we woke up and cried.
Today is the day we lost innocent lives.
Again and again, acts of hate so it seems.
Does a world of pure peace just exist in our dreams?

But no, I don’t buy it, it can’t be that tough.
To choose love over hate, even when times get rough.
There’s no afterlife for killing kids, mums and dads,
I reckon that makes any God think you’re bad.

“Look for the helpers” is amazing advice.
Look for those loving, and caring and nice.
The ones that stand fighting, that don’t run away.
The everyday heroes, that will save this day.

I don’t want my kids to watch gigs on their phones,
Scared of the outside and scared to leave home.
So no, we won’t stop. We will not let hate win.
We’ll live life to the fullest. We’ll never give in.

Go to concerts, love music, dance and have pride.
Let’s be lucky and thankful. Feel truly alive.
Today is the day determination sets in.
Today is the day that we show pure love wins.

The Friends of Legend

April 25, 2017April 25, 2017Leave a comment

Not every superhero,
Wears a cape for all to see.
Some save the day and make things right,
Super stealthily.

Legend friends you can rely on.
There’ll be there through thick and thin.
A pull no punches powerhouse,
That won’t let you give in.

They swoop in armed with cups of tea,
Just in the nick of time.
With X-Ray vision;
See right through your claims “I’m doing fine”.

To the rescue!
In a flash, they combat your despair.
Superhumans, bringers of peace,
Through strength, love, hugs and care.

You marvel at your trusted circle,
Of avenger friends.
Who build you up and help you find,
Your badass self again.

Thank you to my heroes.
You standby so steadfastly.
I endeavour to be half the friend,
That you have been to me.

It’s Time The World Got On The Naughty Step

April 6, 2017April 8, 2017Leave a comment

Living day-to-day, we think we’ve got issues.
But turn on the news and there’s real need for tissues.

No child should die naked except for a nappy.
Then splashed on the news making regimes feel happy.

Kids experiencing gunfire, chemicals and war.
And really, please tell me, what on earth is this for?

My kids are so lucky, they have no idea,
What it is to be hungry, scared and feel fear.

Human beings court destruction, corruption and pain.
And we do this again, and again, and again.

No God would justify actions like these.
So, for the love of all Gods just stop it now please.

I’m not preaching here, this is more of a rant.
Mean no more to the world than a minuscule ant.

But we’ve got to start somewhere, let’s all give a stuff.
Come on, live and let live; enough is enough.

Let’s bring up our children to be kind and to share.
In the hope that as adults they’ll live with that care.

We’re one tiny planet in one huge universe.
Shouldn’t we try to do better, not worse?

The Keepsake Bag

April 4, 2017April 4, 2017Leave a comment

A bag rests in the corner,
That’s reserved for all the best.
Keepsakes, memories and mementos,
For when you’ve flown the nest.

Tops, trousers, shoes and costumes,
Some with spag bol and grass stains.
At least, when you’ve left home,
This tiny loot will still remain.

Each time I put your clothes away,
I feel a little low.
Your outgrown things look good as new;
Where did those last months go?

A vacuum pack of treasures,
Captured as we laughed and played.
Nothing much to look at,
But too precious to give away.

Despite your Dad’s “Jeeze, not more crap,
To pack into our loft”.
The contents of that bag someday,
Will make his heart go soft.

We’ll think it seems like yesterday,
Since you were oh so small.
Boom! In a flash, you’re all grown up,
And standing oh so tall.

To the world, that bag’s just full,
Of unsuspecting stuff.
Yet to me it’s simply priceless,
And it makes me feel dead chuffed.

This Is Your Mother’s Day Too

March 26, 2017Leave a comment

Not every Mum is plain to see,
You may exist with arms empty.
Broken heart and a pain so true,
Missing your little pink or blue.

If your child rests up in heaven,
Sometimes special cards aren’t given.
You are a mother nonetheless,
This day is tough; can feel a mess.

Right now, you want to scream or hide,
But please know this — you can survive.
Feel alone with no one knowing?
Thinking of you. Keep on going.

3 A.M. Again.

March 20, 2017March 21, 2017Leave a comment

Each night I clock in:
3 A.M. without fail.
Thanks to a cry,
A cough or a wail.

Up changing bed sheets,
Or making night feeds.
World’s most patient hostess,
Of V.I.P needs.

Cold air cramps my neck,
Bum numb on the floor,
Eyes shutting, head drooping,
“Please sleep” I implore.

Now expert at back rubs,
Patting and “hush”
Reminding myself,
This will pass soon enough.

One day they will sleep,
There’ll be no pitch-black cuddles.
No mopping of brows,
No cleaning up puddles.

No reaching for Calpol,
And Neurofen too.
No surprise vomits,
Or exploding poos.

Weirdly I’ll miss this,
Once home’s filled with snores.
I won’t be so needed.
And then I’ll want more!

Smiggle® Niggles

February 26, 2017February 26, 2017Leave a comment

The wondrous world of Smiggle®.
Now who created that?
Shop filled high with bright, fun things,
That act like children’s Crack.

Fluff, sparkles, neon, shimmer,
And heaps of scented stuff.
It seems that if you’re six years old,
You can never have enough.

Tubs of choke-able erasers,
Garish bags that cost the earth,
Secret-pocket pencil cases,
Longed for more than life is worth.

Impossible to walk past,
Without “ooos” and looks of awe.
“Oh Mum please, let’s go inside?”
Reluctantly I mutter “sure.”

“I really need more pencils,
And everyone loves Smiggle®.”
(Though at the till not sure I see,
The parents smile and giggle).

Still, the owner must be laughing,
In the style of James Bond villains.
Skips merrily down to the bank,
Signs cheques with pens sweet-smelling.

Hands up, I am just jealous.
This store’s a genius idea.
Stock that dazzles and delights,
And flies off the shelves no fear.

So a plea to ease our niggles,
Guaranteed win-win, you know.
I suggest an in-store offer:
Complimentary Prosecco.

What To Expect…New Motherhood

February 16, 2017February 16, 2017Leave a comment

First days at home with your baby,
The sound of alarm bells ring.
Panic sets in as you look at your bundle,
“Umm, what do I do with this thing?”

So, now you’re meant to be grown up,
Responsible, calm and together.
But faced with this Mini-Me being,
You’re suddenly not feeling clever.

Sore, cracked nipples and swollen boobs.
Yearnings for cold cabbage leaves.
Stitches, discomfort and pain sitting down.
Trepidation of each “ouchie” wee.

Tired eyes. Haven’t slept now for days.
And not likely to anytime soon.
In your own little bubble, feel jet lagged,
Tearful, exhausted, marooned.

Might fret about breast or the bottle.
Know what? A fed baby’s what matters.
A happy babe equals contentment.
Much better than feeling in tatters.

You’ll become MasterChef of fast mealtimes.
A Jedi of one-handed-skills.
Queen of box-set feeding marathons.
Can truly watch Netflix, and chill.

A blurry time full of confusion.
But it’s gone in the blink of an eye.
One day they will sleep through the night.
Some day they will talk and not cry.

Baby gazing’s your new favourite past time.
Breathe in deeply, that fresh baby smell.
Live in the moment. Forget about chores.
Fall under your gorgeous one’s spell.

Don’t overdo the advice books,
Paranoia of failure is crazy.
Trust your gut instincts, you are a great Mum,
You know what is right for your baby.

These first weeks can feel pretty daunting.
All new, and surreal, and unknown.
But, trust me, you’re doing a great job.
And, please know, you are never alone.