Thursday, 10 July 2025

clay date

My daughters are my greatest motivators. Even when I’m running on empty, they ignite the spark that keeps me going. My dear friend Hue is pure inspiration. Creative, thoughtful, generous, and optimistic, she lifts everyone around her. With their encouragement and enthusiasm, I find myself capable of more than I ever imagined.

We threw together a clay date for the girls and their school friends. I didn’t think I had the energy, but their excitement made it easy to rally. Hue led the pottery workshop with her usual calm magic, patiently guiding the kids as they shaped pieces worth keeping. Lunch was a tea party spread, served on elegant three-tiered stands with avocado maki sushi, salmon aburi, spring rolls, and egg sandwiches. I loved that these young ones are now old enough to use proper dainty porcelain tea sets.

The afternoon was a mix of quiet concentration and cheerful chaos. Our guests were kind, respectful, bright, well-mannered, and mature, exactly the sort of company every parent hopes their child keeps. I’m so grateful my little ladies have made such genuine friends. 

Monday, 7 July 2025

soft spot

Labubus have been copping a fair bit of hate lately, and while I’m not personally invested, there’s no reason to ridicule other people’s interests. That mix of rarity, the chase and reward is where the real magic of collecting lies. It’s easy to see why so many fall down the rabbit hole. Loving something that others don’t quite understand isn’t strange. It’s human. 

My version of labubus was a group of quirky plush toys. They weren’t popular or expensive, just adorable, small-eyed, big-smiled figurines that I happened to find completely charming. I didn’t mean to adopt them, but one or two turned into a growing little family. No one else really saw what made them special, yet a couple of my friends gifted some to me without any judgement. I kept them for years, simply because they made me happy. 

In my mid twenties, I redecorated my room, decided I’d outgrown soft toys, and donated the lot. 

Not long after I became a mum, those funny little faces returned to me in a wave of nostalgia. I searched online and was surprised to find them, most still new with tags, but one stood out. The hippy chick, soft and familiar, with a black stain on her dress that looked just like the one I remembered. I picked her up from a house only ten minutes from where I grew up. She looked exactly the same. Maybe it wasn’t the one I gave away, but it didn’t matter. It felt like she’d come home.





Thursday, 12 June 2025

to all the friends i’ve loved before

It took me decades to realise that some friendships are meant for chapters, not the whole book. I held on out of sentimentality or a sense of duty, even as life carried us in different directions. I once believed that shared history guaranteed loyalty. But aging teaches me that bonds can unravel, and not everyone makes it into my future.

But growth demands honesty. Not every relationship is built to last. There’s nothing more awkward than a flat conversation or one laced with subtle competition, where everything becomes a comparison. I’d take watching cement dry over forced small talk any day. I now gravitate toward friends who bring joy, encouragement and authenticity.

I used to feel responsible for everyone’s happiness, often at the cost of my own. I was overly inclusive, inviting people along and bridging social circles just to make sure no one felt left out. Secretly, I resented it. Entertaining acquaintances I wasn’t particularly fond of out of guilt was a self-inflicted burden that only fed internal conflict.

Looking back, I regret the hours spent crafting polite ways to say no just to spare feelings. Now, it only takes a few taps to disconnect: a simple unfollow on social media, a bit of silence, a shift in energy. Sometimes the quietest exit speaks the loudest intentions.

I don’t take breakups lightly. I’m nostalgic and have abandonment issues, so I tend to hold on longer than is healthy. This habit stems from past trauma, where moving on felt like losing a part of myself. When I finally step away, it means I’ve tolerated enough and reached my limit. I know it’s not ideal, but it has been my mechanism for self-preservation.

Learning to let go is not just about cutting ties; it’s about making room for healthier, more genuine relationships that benefit all parties.

Wednesday, 11 June 2025

playground politics

The past week has been an uphill climb, a steep learning curve, and a test of loyalty. But as they say, adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.

One of the clearest insights is recognising that friendship can’t be forced. If someone doesn’t share your values or have common interests, a genuine connection will never form. Sometimes, being secure in yourself unsettles those who aren’t. Instead of working through that discomfort, some resort to exclusion, gossip, or passive aggression.

It’s not an easy truth to accept, especially at a young age, but you learn there’s no need to shrink to make space for others. It’s possible to hold your ground and speak up, even when it feels awkward or unpopular.

The way you stand counts as much as what you stand for. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it. You can be firm in your opinions and kind in your words. You can call something out without tearing someone down. And you can use your voice without closing your ears. Respect isn’t silence, but having the gut to gauge when your words strike a nerve.

My message hit its mark. The culprits acknowledged their mistakes, showed remorse, and sought to reconcile. There’s satisfaction in knowing my words are sharp, and when wielded with care, they can pierce through pride and spark change. It takes humility and courage to apologise, both in writing and face to face, and to be accountable for your actions, which deserves credit. Dave remains sceptical about their sincerity, but I’m relieved there’s peace in the playground, the air has been cleared, and the tension defused. At the very least, they now know the adults are watching, not just bystanders but standing guard.

From this challenge, I’ve received strong support from fellow mama bears who share the same parenting values. It’s comforting to be in good company. In the end, moments of friction cut through the noise and show who’s really there for you.