Welcome...

...Come In. Fancy a Cuppa?

This is my welcome note to you. One of two things have happened here… you’ve either just stumbled across my page and are wondering what this is all going to be about; whether it’s worth sticking around for (I really do hope you’ll stay for a little while) and what to expect from me (I’ve got the answers right HERE).

Or, you’ve trusted me enough and followed me from Instagram – where you’ve watched our family blend and grow for over a decade.

You’ve allowed me to share the troughs of motherhood when neurodiversity made things harder than they should be; when teenagers have pushed ALL the buttons; or, when lockdown broke us as a family and we all lived apart for 17 months.

The parenting highs when things work out (still haven’t nailed the formula for that one) – when one, against the odds, went off to college; another made his professional footballing debut; when the little one wins his cross countries; as they learn to drive, fly the nest and hopefully become decent human beings (that’s the goal, right?!).

Or, maybe, you just stuck around for the pretty things - the ever-evolving interiors, as I attempt to polish the proverbial turd of our ex-local authority semi-detached; the preloved outfits; the hair that’s always too long or too short; the chats over a cuppa; beach hut days or Russ (I’d stick around for him too!).

Whatever it is that’s meant you’ve ended up here with me, THANK YOU (and let me know in the comments so I can do more of it!).

---

So, why Substack?

Quite simply, I love Instagram and that’s not changing. However, over the last 10 years, it’s gone from being a quaint village to the Wild West. It once felt safe and supportive – I would freely and candidly (some might even say ‘mindlessly’) share whatever came to mind or my mouth; whereas now, it’s noisy, full and someone’s always lurking in the bushes to shoot you down – which all makes me want to shy away and not dig deep into the things I love to chat about. Y’know, the real things that ignite conversations amongst women; the things that can make us feel alone, until someone pipes up and we realise it’s pretty normal; the things that we nod along to, making us feel seen and understood. The things that create human connection and make great, meaningful conversations.

My ‘little monsters’ have become adults and young men, they’re understandably more wary of what they’re happy for me to share and not. As am I. So, for now, this space feels ‘safe’ and new, something we can explore and grow together.

I have no idea how it all works yet - there’s chats (like whatsapp groups) where I hope to share timely links for preloved buys I can’t justify to Russ, so you can enjoy them; there’s podcasts where I hope to quiz my teens, chat with Russ and rope in a few interesting people who don’t live in our house; there’s videos (and hopefully live ones soon) where I can answer all your questions; notes (like Twitter, ahem, I mean X) so you can catch up on the goings on. And the best bit, you can get it all to your inbox - so you don’t have to go searching for it!

I’m learning and I hope you’ll come along for the, what I should imagine, will be an interesting learning curve filled with good chats, good food and good company.