Pen in hand, my ten-year-old son is slowly, methodically writing out his Christmas wish list. For the uninitiated, it is a confusing read – Beyblade Burst Quadstrike, Yo Gi Oh trading cards and a pair of moon shoes from K Mart. I console myself with the thought that it could be worse; I’m not raising…
Inside Thoughts Out Loud
Confessions of a helicopter mum
Just last week Mia Freedman made the statement that the problem with helicopter parents is the helicopter children they create. Deep in my bones this resonated with me. Hello, my name is Tracey, and I am a helicopter parent. My son is many wonderful things but what he typically isn’t, is fearless. He radiates joy…
The one and only. Navigating the feelings of failure in raising an only child.
Having faced the real and agonising possibility of never having a child, the idea of having more than one child was not something I could entertain. It was inconceivable, literally and figuratively. Undergoing IVF, I made bargains with the universe. Give me one baby and I will never ask for anything ever again. I will…
My refreshingly honest and relatable friendship manifesto (revamped)
“I think I f*cked up” “Oh my god” “So sorry!!!” I read the text messages and instantly I knew. Disco club tickets. A week earlier my friend and I shared a text exchange confirming that she would be tasked with purchasing the tickets for the next Disco Club to be held in August. Tickets were…
The school mum manifesto
The day my son started school is one I recall vividly. Admittedly, it wasn’t all that long ago, though sometimes the 5 years feels like 5 minutes. Of course there were tears, but not as expected from my son, but from me. I found the first day, the first morning to be this weighted milestone…
My son gave me a performance review and I did not do well
Last week my son gave me a performance review and I don’t remember reading the bit in the parenting book that said that there would be a time in your life that your child might complain about your parenting techniques. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the receiving end of a performance…