When we were children, I think we all had some idea in our heads of what being a Grown Up would be like. For me, aged about three, being a Grown Up involved lipstick and shoes with heels. Our expectations tend to change as we grow older and by the time I was five or […]
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End of Term Report
Last Friday marked the end of the first whole school year that the kids and I have done on our own. Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of my little gang. This time last year we were still struggling in the wake of E’s leaving and trying to get used to being a family of five […]
Fictions
Back in April, there was an interesting moment on twitter. A female user challenged women to describe themselves in the way they thought a male writer would portray them. There were some brilliant tweets. Here are a couple of my favourites: “Her breasts entered the room before her far less interesting face, decidedly maternal […]
Bad Romance
From the abduction of Helen of Troy to the betrayal of Dr Foster, the tales told by our culture – in our literature, television, theatre and film industries – have thrived on affairs since the day we started telling each other stories about ourselves. Of course, not all of these stories suggest that affairs are […]
The Secret Diary of E, aged 37 3/4 (according to J). The Early Years: Part Two
It’s been a while since we heard from E. Let’s go back to 2008 and see what he’s up to… January 2008 Meetings where I was v important: 20 (v v v good) Students who fancy me – lost count (am Love God after all) 3rd Back to work. Back to K. Have missed being […]
Work
Working full time, after 18 years out of the workplace, has been a brilliant but, at times, slightly strange experience. I know lots of women can find being at home with their children very stressful, whilst others can find it very boring and not challenging enough – but I absolutely loved it. I loved being […]
Picture Perfect
Last Friday provided two pictures that contrasted sharply, and beautifully summed up how my and E’s lives, and perspectives, have changed over the last 18 months. Friday was Youngest Daughter’s Year 11 Prom. Like Oldest Daughter’s moving into University for the first time, this was another moment that I had just assumed E and I would […]
Bad Day
I’ve had a few days this week where I’ve felt really down about everything. It’s so frustrating when these days hit – it’s bad enough what E did, but the fact that it’s still hurting and upsetting me 18 months on just feels unfair and makes me feel like I’m being self-indulgent – surely I […]
Domestic Bliss
Over the years I have developed complex relationships with my domestic appliances. Sad as it may sound, to me, they’re not just machines they’re domestic companions (to whom I’m largely grateful – I wouldn’t like to attempt the laundry for six people by hand). Whilst they’ve broken down over the years (who wouldn’t, given the […]
Body
One of the first things I did when I found out about E’s affairs was look at photographs of the woman he had been involved with and compare myself to them. I didn’t even question why I did it, it was just instinct – if I wasn’t good enough what did they have that made […]
He-total: Life without Ex 