Category Archives: parenting

the downs and downs parenting

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

There’s meant to be an ‘up’ in that phrase but i’m finding it hard to find the up these days. It seems to be downshill all the way at the moment. Depression is a bit like a coldsore. It’s there … Continue reading →

Posted in depression, parenting, Randy pausch | 1 Comment

Things I’d forgotten about toddlers

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

The human body really is an amazing thing. In the days after my three caesareans I thought I’d never feel whole again – now I can’t even remember the pain. And our brains? They have an amazing capacity to remember … Continue reading →

Posted in parenting, toddlers | 3 Comments

Party politics

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

It has begun. Party politics….. at six. Daisy’s forthcoming birthday party is turning into something akin to a CIA secret mission – we have subterfuge, secrecy, leaks, plots, diplomacy and coverups…. and that’s just the invitations. Last year it seemed … Continue reading →

Posted in birthday, parenting | 3 Comments

The Payback begins…

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

It would not be an understatement to say it hasn’t been a struggle. Six pregnancies, three children under six, and several life-changing events, untold dramas, adventures and crises. Then let’s not forget the mundane – the endless, endless, endless, endless, … Continue reading →

Posted in children, parenting | 1 Comment

Who’s the Mummy?

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

I’ve written before about that fuzzy old line that defines (or not) who is the child and who is the parent. In the last four months as my mum lies permanently entangled in her half-life post-stroke, I spoon feed her, … Continue reading →

Posted in job, parenting, stroke | 3 Comments

Snooze Button Defect

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Kids just don’t get the concept of snoozing. It’s ‘awake’ or ‘asleep’ – no warm, fuzzy, lazy lazing in bed, eyes closed, thoughts open, aware the day has begun but not quite ready to face it. That bastion of parental … Continue reading →

Posted in parenting, sleep, snoozing | 3 Comments

Fabulous Forty – Part 2

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Sorry – that was a long intermission. The nausea fog is clearing, but the clouds of exhaustion still hang low…. anyway, back to my list. My Forty Fabulous Things I Love about Life (in no particular order) Part 2: The … Continue reading →

Posted in forty, parenting | 5 Comments

Certainties of Parenting

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

It’s a new year and that means lots of reassessment, fresh ideas and approaches. Eat less, exercise more, write a lot, and watch TV less. Mmm, sounds worryingly like last year’s list… and the year before. And actually a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in new year, parenting | 7 Comments

Role Reversal

Posted on December 12, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

The girls may be responsible for most of my exhaustion (indirectly at least), but they also are my rainbow at the end of a crap day. Yesterday I hit the wall. Up again most of the night with various coughs … Continue reading →

Posted in exhaustion, parenting | 6 Comments

Accepting acceptance

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

For someone who rushes everywhere at warp speed – I’ve even been known to eat my breakfast and clean my teeth at the same time – I realised recently I’m actually a bit slow. Daisy starts school next year but … Continue reading →