It turns out my stepfather did know best. I was never asked to join Guns ‘n Roses to become the band’s bass guitarist. … [Continue Reading..]
Family Life and Lifestyle
I admit it, sometimes my parents did know best
It turns out my stepfather did know best. I was never asked to join Guns ‘n Roses to become the band’s bass guitarist. … [Continue Reading...]
A colourful find at Emmetts Garden
Earlier this week I decided to venture out into the wind and rain and take some pictures. It was a challenge to see what I could find to photograph in these horrible conditions and so after the school run one … [Continue Reading...]
Could Gymfinity Kids impress this fully-fledged gymnastics dad?
I had no interest in gymnastics until two years ago. Sure, I took my kids to a gymnastics club, but parents were not allowed to watch the sessions, so I had no idea what my kids were up to. It looked nice, but it … [Continue Reading...]
How difficult is it to say “I love you”?
It is very easy as a parent to focus all your attention on the younger generation. It takes a lot of effort to get young children ready for school or nursery and to ensure they are fed, not to mention ferrying them … [Continue Reading...]
Improved home security with Philips Hue lighting
A short while ago we experienced an attempted break-in. Luckily it was foiled by our secure back doors, but I think part of the reason our house looked so tempting was because we had no working security lights. With … [Continue Reading...]
Sunflower in decay
Sometimes beauty can be found in the strangest places. This image, for instance, is of a decaying sunflower. It was one of thousands of plants that made up a maze I visited with Izzy, my youngest daughter, earlier … [Continue Reading...]
Health and fitness
Could Gymfinity Kids impress this fully-fledged gymnastics dad?
I had no interest in gymnastics until two years ago. Sure, I took my kids to a gymnastics club, but parents were not allowed to watch the sessions, so I had no idea what my kids were up to. It looked nice, but it … [Continue Reading...]
Screen time, diet and their impact on a child’s behaviour #EatLikeAPro
I’ve long been an advocate of limiting the amount of screen time children have. I accept screen time is a fact of life, but I want it balanced and to my children are undertaking physical activities, ideally outside, … [Continue Reading...]
#SportForEverybody and the Domyos compact DS bodyweight rack from Decathlon
Sport can be quite a polarising subject. I find that some people love sport, while others abhor physical exercise. The #SportForEveryBody campaign from Decathlon aims to show that sport is just that, for everybody. … [Continue Reading...]
Fathers’ Issues / men’s issues
How Shared Parental Leave benefited this mum and family
There's no doubt in my mind the UK's Shared Parental Leave (SPL) system could be improved. Nonetheless, for some couples it works very well. Earlier this summer I published this article, written by dad Hamish … [Continue Reading...]
Papoosegate and why using a baby carrier is not emasculating
I shouldn’t be writing this blog post. I had to have an argument with myself about the fact it would bring further attention to Piers Morgan and his high-profile comments about Daniel Craig using a baby carrier. I … [Continue Reading...]
My experience of fatherhood is different to most
I sometimes look at my life and have to remind myself my experience of fatherhood is very different to many other menfolk. Put bluntly, my existence has gone off in a completely different direction compared to my … [Continue Reading...]
Family Finances
Hero Dad: The importance of having life insurance
Some time ago I had a meeting with a financial adviser. At the time I didn’t have life insurance and hadn’t had any in place for quite some time. … [Continue Reading...]
Can you help your children with their maths homework?
I did something a little out of the ordinary the other day. While taking part in a live television broadcast discussing maths homework, I … [Continue Reading...]
Photography
A colourful find at Emmetts Garden
Earlier this week I decided to venture out into the wind and rain and take some pictures. It was a challenge to see what I could find to photograph in these horrible conditions and so after the school run one … [Continue Reading...]
Sunflower in decay
Sometimes beauty can be found in the strangest places. This image, for instance, is of a decaying sunflower. It was one of thousands of plants that made up a maze I visited with Izzy, my youngest daughter, earlier … [Continue Reading...]
A woodland scene
In a scene replicated in many households during half-term, granny came to visit. During her all-too brief stay, we went out and visited Leith Hill, a National Trust site near Dorking in Surrey. … [Continue Reading...]
Reviews
Improved home security with Philips Hue lighting
A short while ago we experienced an attempted break-in. Luckily it was foiled by our secure back doors, but I think part of the reason our house looked so tempting was because we had no working security lights. With … [Continue Reading...]
#SportForEverybody and the Domyos compact DS bodyweight rack from Decathlon
Sport can be quite a polarising subject. I find that some people love sport, while others abhor physical exercise. The #SportForEveryBody campaign from Decathlon aims to show that sport is just that, for everybody. … [Continue Reading...]
Why pay a subscription when you can have Freesat TV?
I looked at the huge pile of ironing and wondered how I was going to take my mind off this dull task. Then I remembered a new series of Doctor Who had recently got underway with Jodie Whittaker playing the first … [Continue Reading...]
Cars and Automotive
A classic way to balance work and family life
In my latest article highlighting dads seeking to improve work / life balance, I speak to Claus Stig Christensen who runs classic car rental company BookAClassic. … [Continue Reading...]
Behind the wheel of the Dad Taxi
There are numerous signs that my children are getting older. Five-year-old Izzy no longer watches Paw Patrol and, nearing the end of her first year at school, has learned to read and write. Helen, who is nine, is … [Continue Reading...]
Roqing the school run in a Skoda
When I’m test driving cars, it’s sometimes very apparent when a manufacture has created something with massive appeal to the family market. Although I can only base this on my own anecdotal evidence, Skoda seems to … [Continue Reading...]