School costumes - just say no

Thank God the season of festive school plays and 'activities' is finished. This term I have been mostly making a tin soldier's outfit (well actually my mother made this one), a Greek outfit (which unfortunately looked more like a Viking costume), a wonky hand-sewn star for the school Christmas tree - not to mention previous season's Tudor costume, Victorian schoolgirl, Viking sword and shield and, er, Tudor handbag. Now, I think what's going on is that the teacher - knowing my inability with handicrafts - has deliberately chosen my children for the most fiendishly difficult ensembles. Do they think I have nothing else to do in my life? Do they not realise, that like many other busy, busy mothers at the school, I have skirting boards to dust, a watch to wind, QVC to peruse and coffee mornings to attend. Not! Actually, I'm busy writing important features about shopping - check out my latest piece in the Daily Mail 'just what I never wanted' about the ghastliest presents ever. The most fun I ever had writing a feature in my entire journalistic career...

Extreme mothering

Extreme mothering

I have been sent information from the rather frightening Full Time Mothers campaigning group (FTM). Their website is filled with research justifications about why working harms your child – and why it’s best to be married. And why daycare makes your child a mentallist. Reading through it started to make me feel angry and a little nauseous - actually a lot nauseous. I don't agree with their claims about attachment disorders setting in if you're not with your child all the time. But, today, there's further reports in the press that daycare isn't that great for your child - more ammunition for the FTM campaigners which I'm sure they will use to full effect. Surely, the issue is about allowing women access to the best quality care possible and giving them the choice about how much, if at all, they want to use it. However, the thought of being a FTM, shuffling around with my babies at home all day, does not appeal.