Author Archives: Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

About Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Bouncing into middle age armed with courage, ambition and a pair of tweezers (chin hairs for anyone over the age of 45 reading this) I am a writer with a mission: to redefine this midway point in my life when the last thing I want to do is hang up my high heels and become invisible. This is the end of the beginning, not the beginning of the end. A single mum to 3 fabulous girls, an author, and a fundraising consultant, both ends of my candle are on fire. As I enter this new stage of my life, I want to explore what it means for 'mid-aged' women today, who were promised they could have it all, ended up doing it all, and just do not identify with the traditional image of middle age.

Standing Up For Routine

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

There has been a lot of debate recently – in fact, there has probably been arguments since the first homo sapiens were born – on the best way to bring up a baby. Recent rantings have escalated in no small … Continue reading →

Posted in Gine Ford, mum, parenting, routine | Leave a comment

Driving me Potty

Posted on May 6, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Potty training. A mental and physical challenge that requires uber-human degrees of patience and endurance. Tested to the limits, it demands a seismic shift in perspective, and a complete overhaul of the world as it’s been known. It necessitates tireless … Continue reading →

Posted in mum, parenting, potty training | 1 Comment

Wonderful Women

Posted on April 19, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Last night I laughed until I cried. I wept and screeched like a banshee and hooted and howled. I laughed in a way that only women can make each other laugh. From the belly and from the soul. It’s so … Continue reading →

Posted in friends, women | Leave a comment

Is she demented?

Posted on April 11, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Not a good start to the day. 6.05am and Daisy’s dulcet tones rudely stir me from slumber. I don’t know about any worms, but the only thing this early bird caught was a ratty retort from her cranky mum. She … Continue reading →

Posted in mum, parenting, terrible twos | 1 Comment

A room of my own…

Posted on March 14, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Women didn’t even have the right to vote when Virginia Woolf first voiced our need to have our own piece of space in a Room of Our Own. A hundred years later and feminism has taken us beyond Virginia’s wildest … Continue reading →

Posted in parenting, women writers, writing | 1 Comment

Forget multi-tasking – we’re multi-careering!

Posted on February 28, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

The other night my husband asked me why I was tired. He knows this question is grounds for divorce but he seems unable to stop himself. I gave him a withering look and explained calmly: “I’ve been in peace negotiations … Continue reading →

Posted in multi-tasking, mum, parenting | 1 Comment

Why has no-one invented Satnav for mums??

Posted on February 18, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

After months of hint-dropping – and running empty on present ideas – against my better judgement, I bought my dearly beloved a Satnav for Christmas. Unable to cycle to work anymore, he’d bought his own car and I thought at … Continue reading →

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Deceive to Achieve!

Posted on February 13, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

When I lovingly rubbed my pregnant stomach, thoughts meandering on the beautiful relationship I was going to have with my child-to-be, birds tweeted and blossoms bloomed in my rose tinted vision of girlish giggles and hand holding happiness. I wanted … Continue reading →

Posted in parenting | 1 Comment

Are we on Speed?

Posted on February 8, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Speed is a relative notion – just ask the hare and the tortoise. Last week, when my mum came to stay, she took half an hour to make a tuna sandwich. I was incandescent with impatience. In the time it … Continue reading →

Posted in parenting, time | Leave a comment

Cherish your angels

Posted on February 6, 2008 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Yesterday a close friend of my husband’s died. Just like that. He was 39, funny, caring, outrageous, and kind. He leaves behind a shattered wife, and the two loves of his life – aged 3 and 18 months. Yesterday, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment