A little under a year ago I wrote a candid blog post describing how I felt “emotionally confused” and “melancholy” because Izzy, our youngest daughter, was starting school. The confusion and melancholy have passed but, wow, what a year it has been as family life has changed so much for us. … [Continue Reading..]
Family Life and Lifestyle
The bittersweet taste of family life
A little under a year ago I wrote a candid blog post describing how I felt “emotionally confused” and “melancholy” because Izzy, our youngest daughter, was starting school. The confusion and melancholy have passed … [Continue Reading...]
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...]
A visit to Mayfield Lavender Farm
I fulfilled an ambition of mine this week. I paid a visit to Mayfield Lavender Farm on the London / Surrey border so I could practise my photography among the purple foliage of the lavender plants. … [Continue Reading...]
Genderation: High hopes for a more equal future?
I woke up knowing I had a big day ahead of me. I was one of keynote speakers at the Genderation conference taking place at Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC). The aim of the event was to discuss … [Continue Reading...]
Breaking my kids’ healthy eating rules in the heatwave
I’ve been doing the school run for several years. Dealing with my offspring at the end of the school day in this heatwave, however, is an entirely new experience. My kids are stumbling out of the classroom so hot … [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...]
Family Finances
House moving guilt: Where did all this stuff come from?
This moving house thing has just taken on a whole new, slightly sinister edge. I am frazzled, tired and suffering from house moving guilt. Added … [Continue Reading...]
Ice, a new kind of reward scheme
Most people are members of reward schemes of one form or another. New to the market is a reward scheme called Ice that doesn’t just enable you to … [Continue Reading...]
Fathers’ Issues / men’s issues
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...]
Genderation: High hopes for a more equal future?
I woke up knowing I had a big day ahead of me. I was one of keynote speakers at the Genderation conference taking place at Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC). The aim of the event was to discuss … [Continue Reading...]
From 9-5 burn out to freelance work. Speaking to Alex Hirst of Hoxby Collective
Since I established this blog, I’ve written a lot about how parents are attempting to balance work and family life. … [Continue Reading...]
Improved paternity pay and other workplace changes. An opportunity missed.
Just a few short months ago, it all looked so promising. In a very high-profile move, a powerful group of MPs had called for radical workplace reform following a review of working practices and how they impact on … [Continue Reading...]
Shared parental leave: One dad shares his experience
I've written a huge amount about shared parental leave over the years. I had long planned to ask someone to write something for me about their experience of taking the leave. As luck would have it, I was contacted … [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...]
Track Days: Exciting fun for all the family
While there is nothing quite like the open road, it has its limitations. You can’t really test a car’s true performance unless you take it for a spin on a track. … [Continue Reading...]
Where are all the hot hatches now?
As a dad, I confess I haven't driven a hot hatch or had any desire to own one for some time. For me it's all about space, MPG and ease of moving car seats around. … [Continue Reading...]
Reviews
Tried and tested: the Nurofen for Children FeverSmart
If I were to think of areas of my life where I’ve seen major advances in technology, checking a child’s temperature is not one that immediately springs to mind. Within my lifetime, however, things have changed … [Continue Reading...]
Dollar Shave Club; A part of my morning routine
Mornings are always a busy time in our household. I think it’s the same in most families with young children. I will, however, always take the time to ensure I am well-groomed and presentable. … [Continue Reading...]
Talking about Dadventures with Alex Gregory MBE
Over the years I've read many books that encourage children and parents to explore the outside world together. I've become quite cynical as they often require specialist equipment or assume you live in a remote … [Continue Reading...]
An exciting arrival: The Sunggler sofa from Harveys Furniture
Many things can cause young children and family members to become excited. A wedding, the arrival of a newborn baby, a birthday celebration, success in exams or something of that ilk. To my great surprise, you can … [Continue Reading...]
Now available: Dadbloguk t-shirts
Last summer I was at a barbecue and a friend asked me how things were going with my blog. As I was answering, his 10-year-old daughter interrupted and said I should produce a range of “merch.” This wasn’t the kind … [Continue Reading...]
Photography
A visit to Mayfield Lavender Farm
I fulfilled an ambition of mine this week. I paid a visit to Mayfield Lavender Farm on the London / Surrey border so I could practise my photography among the purple foliage of the lavender plants. … [Continue Reading...]
The forgotten photo
There I was, planning blog content for the next few weeks when I stumbled across this forgotten photograph in an obscure drive on my computer. It shows my eldest daughter Helen, taking a break from playing with some … [Continue Reading...]
Curvature of the Earth
It's happened! After months and months of stress, we have at long last moved house. This was the week of the move and with exchange and completion taking place very close to each other, it's been a busy time. I … [Continue Reading...]
View from Leith Hill Tower
Keen to practice my photography in different locations, I jumped in the car while the kids were at school and took myself off to a National Trust site in Surrey called Leith Hill. I was totally chancing it as I'd … [Continue Reading...]
Close up!
I've had a manic week. The lead up to Father's Day is always a manic time for us dad bloggers and there's been ongoing stress with our impending house move. It was, therefore, nice to simply take some time out for … [Continue Reading...]