A semblance of normality: An ex- lawyer/ stay at home mum/disabled mums view

After my brain haemorrhage in 2013 I don't work, so I have all this free time to come up with and try new parenting ideas. Here’s an incredibly simple idea: create a Little Jar of Awesomeness Shhhh, It is just a jam jar!! BUT, It looks good, you don’t forget everyday memories and it's easy storage. Even better, its great for building children's self esteem and feelings of self worth. I got this idea from a radio show (although I can't remember the name) and thought what a great/easy thing to do! I got the children to design a label each to say "x 's Jar of Awesomeness " - well that's a 20 minute activity on its own! I have plastic jars because I am completely paranoid about glass jam jars after a rather traumatic experience. Basically, I spent/wasted an hour of my life clearing one up. If it  took me over an hour pre - brain haemorrhage, just imagine how long it would take me  now!! The idea is whenever they do anything awesome,...

Just thinking I hadnt put this on here as its second nature to me now (apologies if this is really  obvious but a friend was interested and that got me thinking...) my top tip for now is be organised. I make our lunches in advance, whenever I have the children alone (not just now I have been doing  this for YEARS). My husband refers to these as my prison trays, I love them but a lunchbox would  do just as well. Don't judge the contents, my kids are very picky eaters...

Today is going to be a technology day and quizzes day because I am tired! I knew those  talking pens would eventually be useful. Educational time which didn't leave me stressed- yay

This is an old blog but I think it is really important and relevant now. This is the bit where I admit to being one of those weird people who loved revision and exam  time at school. This was mainly because I knew how to revise, at least what worked for me and I would put in  the time. This ‘putting in the time’ was mainly thanks to Buffy the Vampire Slayer until my post graduate  exams when I watched the West Wing. It might sound strange but I would start on episode 1,  season 1 and work my way through, sometimes twice but there were quite a few episodes! This was totally normal to me: my mum was a teacher and used to mark with Buffy or a mindless  film on in the background. I know a lot of people used to get really stressed and lock themselves  in the library but that wasn't me and I did alright! At the end of the day, I would count up the hours of revision I’d done by counting the number of episodes I’d watched in the b...

These are unprecedented times. So I have decided to share with you my secret weapon. As I have said previously, 'Since my brain haemorrhage in 2013 I haven’t been able to return to  work......I hate being bored. As a result I have always spent my time coming up with educational activities for my children.' This is a bit scary for me because I love my YouTube playlists and I never ever thought I would  share them with anyone! However, these have been keeping my children entertained in an educational manner at home  for 6.5 whole years! So they must be OK. My children do attend school (I do not homeschool them!) but I do like to keep them entertained in  somewhat of an educational manner when they are at home and I have talked before about how I use my YouTube playlists connected to a bluetooth speaker . I think they are great and these work for me and my children (aged 8 and 10). So, when so many parents are homeschooling their kids, ...

My children at 'creative time'. We tend to use the structure with a big bit of 'ish' in the timings. I  know it is early days and it could all change tomorrow but so far so good. I think a lot of the things I did already, like quizzes and having created loads of playlists on  YouTube, have really helped!! Having a kind-of-but-not-too-strict structure is definitely the way forward. I found myself longing  for my structure at the weekend!!   I am a mean mummy I make my children wear school uniform - in the same way we feel more ' in the zone'  if we are suited and booted so do they. Plus it is less change for them and makes it so much simpler for me  (I'm disabled so I have to make it easier when I can!)

I do love an educational game - you’ve seen my clipboards (I haven't done an indoor one  since we have been off school but I will!)… this time it’s general knowledge quizzes. Particularly at the current time, having an educational type game 'up your sleeve' can be  an absolute lifesaver. I know, I used it this morning and counted it towards the children's school work for the day! You just work with what you have - the sun was shinning this morning so we sat in the garden. Normally, I use spots because I have big button rugs in my Playroom. The kids choose a category  of English, History or Science (not maths because I am unashamedly mathematically challenged). It is a very simple idea if they get the question right they can take a step forward to the next spot.  If wrong, they stay put until their next go. It means I have a reason to put on all my Youtube playlists of horrible history etc and I feel like I  am increasing their...

Several primary school teachers have suggested similar schedules, this is my take... I think they'd rather be at school. Have I mentioned I love this stuff. When I was little I used to force my cousins and  brother to play 'The Richards Club' which was basically school, for literally hours - this  is right up my street!!

I am freaking out (as most people with children probably are) at the thought of them being  home, indefinitely. I think I am going to be drinking an awful lot of coffee (and wine after  6pm - that's a socially acceptable time, right?!) These are pretty worrying times. I am taking the pressure right off myself so I can 'enjoy' time with my children. Although I  might post the odd mummy tips (if any arise - God, I hope so!!) but I won't be posting any  big blog posts until we have  gotten slightly back to normal. Keep safe (and good luck to any parent- we have got this!!) xxx

I have been to the British Museum lots before and I was desperate to take my Ancient-Egyptian-loving-children around it. However, I was certain it would be awful because of my post brain haemorrhage  mobility so we didn't go. Then this summer I had a Walker carrier made for my scooter by this great charity called Remap, so I didn’t have any more excuses. We decided to go for it. I am so glad we did. The whole experience was 100% easier than I expected. Having a Walker carrier made all the difference because I hated being stuck on the scooter. Once  I realized it was far easier to use the scooter to get places, then park it and use my Walker I was off and really enjoyed myself. Cost Entry to the museum is FREE however if you do eat or have coffee here expect London prices!! Parking “Is this where the Queen parks?’ asked my 9-year-old and I had to say 'yes, it probably is.' Honestly the parking was amazing! We parked right on the fore...