Annie Ridout discusses those days when motherhood stands firmly in the way of work. The extra childcare responsibilities, the mental load and the emotions…
motherhood
Essays
In this essay, Annie Ridout explores her motherhood anger. Some of it stemming from tiredness and some of it, from the fierce protectiveness that arrived with her first baby…
Essays
An essay by Annie Ridout on the reality of being a mother to three young children, in which she challenges the notion that some mothers just breeze through it…
Family
There is nothing wrong with shyness in children. In fact, shy children often do well at school, are better behaved, listen attentively to others and are easier to look after. So let’s stop trying to change them…
Features
The narrative around new motherhood and work is that a woman can only be a good mother if she forfeits her career. If she continues working, it will damage the mother-child bond. But this needs to change; motherhood and careers don’t need to be mutually exclusive…
Features
If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a woman who’s just had a baby, or is expecting one, here are 10 ideas for nourishing, useful and beautiful presents that might appeal to her during this period…
Mornings
“As an only child, I’m happy in my own company but I do miss the camaraderie with colleagues, the tea break chats and payday lunches.” Sara Vickery-Bragg, founder of Seventeen Minutes, on mornings and working-from-home…
Family
Mother-of-four Lou Jones reflects on the early days with her firstborn, postnatal depression after her second baby and the importance of self-care. She shares some tips for new mums who may be feeling a little lost…
Family
Four months after her mother died from breast cancer, Rachel Clarke found out she was expecting her first baby. In this moving piece, Rachel describes how it feels to enter motherhood without your own mother there to guide you…
Family
“Never had I contemplated the complete void that you fall into when you hear those words: “I’m sorry guys, there’s no heartbeat”. Writer Sarah Matthews writes about the deep pain of miscarriage…