When we moved to our new house, I had a concern about my family’s ability to lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle. In many respects it would be easier as we were moving from a property that was almost 100 years old to a very modern house with a very high energy rating. When it came to water … [Continue Reading..]
Family Life and Lifestyle
Starting school: One year on, how family life has changed
I’ve spent quite a bit of time on Pinterest recently, updating various boards. While doing so, I came across a blog post I wrote last October about the impact on my life of Izzy, our youngest daughter, starting … [Continue Reading...]
Falling in love with Pinterest again
This isn’t so much a blog post as a public service announcement. Dearest reader, I’d Like to point you in the direction of the Dadbloguk Pinterest site, which has just been given a revamp. … [Continue Reading...]
The Audi A6 Avant: A different experience
Over the past couple of years, I’ve driven many different Audi SUVs; the Q2, Q5 and the Q7 among them. The Audi A6 Avant was going to be a different experience. I hoped it would be a much more practical family … [Continue Reading...]
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...]
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
Water conservation: A further way to save money and the environment
When we moved to our new house, I had a concern about my family’s ability to lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle. In many respects it … [Continue Reading...]
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...]
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
The Audi A6 Avant: A different experience
Over the past couple of years, I’ve driven many different Audi SUVs; the Q2, Q5 and the Q7 among them. The Audi A6 Avant was going to be a different experience. I hoped it would be a much more practical family … [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...]
#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...]
Cars and Automotive
The Audi A6 Avant: A different experience
Over the past couple of years, I’ve driven many different Audi SUVs; the Q2, Q5 and the Q7 among them. The Audi A6 Avant was going to be a different experience. I hoped it would be a much more practical family … [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...]
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...]