RESOLUTIONS I WISH MY KIDS WOULD MAKE
- Stop squashing Babybel wax into every conceivable surface.
- Let us get some decent sleep. Surely. Surely that might happen this year.
- To move on from Thomas the Tank Engine books. We have forays into more exciting literature, like my personal fave ‘Oi Frog!’. Yet somehow we always wind up back in the tedium of the locomotives.
- Consider agreeing to wear all the nice clothes you own. All those lovely independent brands. All you want is superhero themed hoody.
- Hold back on campaigning for something to eat as soon as I walk in the door from work
- Refrain from feeding the dog when our backs are turned. Derek likes it. His waistline doesn’t.
- Stop getting your mitts on my lipstick. Never the cheap ones either.
Clemmie with Woody and Bertie
When I started writing this list I thought it would come easy. My kids often drive me mad. But actually there's SO little I want to change about them. So here are the things I'd like to keep the same:
- Though I pretend to find you fighting over me annoying ("MY Mummy" "no MY mummy”), it actually makes me delighted and feel very lucky that you love me that much.
- Keep being so different. You are like chalk and cheese. It’s challenging to parent but I love it.
- Never stop being so affectionate and sociable. It makes me proud to see the joy you bring to others.
- Being creative. Who cares that that often comes with an epic mess.
- Bertie continue being so kind, thoughtful and perceptive. Your good soul shines through your eyes and it breaks my heart.
- Woody. Woody. Hang on to that energy and unbridled optimism. They are full-on but fantastic.
- Keep making me into a better person. More patient. Less selfish. More grateful for everyday joys and more confident in my own abilities.
- For that I am forever thankful. Just please please please work on the whole sleep thing and Babybel wax situation.
Clemmie with her boys on their recent trip to Thailand
With thanks to Clemmie Telford