Zookeeping

Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators. Olin Miller

“What a coincidence,” I thought. “I do like to break up my writing with a spot of alligator wrestling.”

These particular alligators are 4, 3 and 1.
Find out who is winning here.

 

 

It’s official – sons are bad for your health
The hot news in evolutionary biology is that women with sons die earlier than women with daughters. Nature reported that each son born shortens a woman’s life by 34 weeks. I have three boys, so that’s nearly TWO YEARS of me-time I’ll never get back… Read more

Boy oh boy oh boy
A celebration of life as a mother of boys. I’m besotted with my bunch, but I know that most passers-by are not thinking ‘lucky you’ as I stride past towing three trainee men. I know this because so many have taken the time to tell me… Read more

A dressing-up costume for mischief makers
I wrote a piece for the Guardian for World Book Day. Red Riding Hood and Cinderella are huddling at the bus stop. Horrid Henry is hanging around the school gates. The playground is packed with Gruffalos. It can only be World Book Day… Read more

Retro parenting advice
I’ve been reading my parents’ parenting manuals recently. It’s astonishing how much has changed in 33 years. Many 1970s child development experts advised the exact opposite to their modern equivalents… Read more