This is a regular post featuring the best of what has been distracting me each month. It could be anything that has made me think: the hidden gems of Substack, a book, a podcast or even something on the telly. I would love it if you shared what you have enjoyed this month too – come join me in the comments on the app or simply reply to this email.
March has been busy. Good busy. The kind of busy where I hide away in the bedroom and flex my design muscles every weekend and subsequently spend days away from the kids. It has made the weeks with them shorter, and we have had some nice days out when we have had time together. We don’t do anything exciting but we have had some nice weather and some delightful play dates where we have bumped into friends in the shopping centre or the park and we have played and it’s been fun. Exhausting, but fun.
I am gutted to be losing a day of childcare over Easter, though with a not so good Friday for me - but excited to get the eggs out and hide them in amongst the toys for my boys to find. Last year my partner’s sister bought them plastic eggs with diggers in. They were tiny and many have broken but the joy on their faces opening them to find “an excavator!” “Backhoe” “Dump Truck!” - all their favourites. I hope they won’t be disappointed that I’m not going to that much effort this year. Or maybe I should. I have the eggs somewhere…
Anyway, these are my finds for the month. Hope you find some gems in here too.
As ever I would love to know what has inspired you too - do feel free to let me know in the comments.
In case you missed it
Thinking of when my son will go off to school with his little backpack on his back, I questioned Did we make the most of it?
I talked about Home Sweet Home, and why where we live has taken so long to feel like home.
I talked about mum rage and honouring self care in My Kettle Blew Up
I admitted to casual tantrum-avoiding parenting in Mum Knows Best
On Substack
Why I’ll Never Tell My Daughter She is Pretty by
- On what she wishes someone would have said to her before she became a mother.
Let’s all leave Lily Allen alone - after she said her kids ruined her career.
and also this thoughtful take from in “My Kids Ruined My Career”When Imperfect Parenting is Perfect
In honour of IWD I loved Happy “Women Work Here Day” from
- on friendships after kids I loved the idea of sticking a pin in the friendship.
Books
Twelve Moons: A Year Under a Shared Sky by
I’m certain Caro will be responsible for an influx of tourists to Northumberland after writing about it so beautifully in her memoir, Twelve Moons. She writes about a year of her life with her four girls, living on the Northumberland coast, at a time in her life when she is navigating divorce, single parenting and home-schooling. She is currently doing a read-a-long in time with the full moons over on her Substack It is beautifully written and when I read it I tried to savour every word.
I loved Hope and Glory and can’t wait to read Jeni’s next story about friendship and community, described as “a powerful commentary on the city we don’t always see.”- also announced the publication date for her new book The Lifeline - in which she follows on from the story of The Lido, drawing on her own experiences of becoming a mum for the first time and seeking the community of wild swimmers in a new town. You can read the first chapter here.
Telly
Barbie (2023) Film
I finally watched it. That’s all I’m going to say because it was not the feminist film I was promised from all the excitement around its release. Also *that* line angered me a little. I don’t see Barbie as solely responsible for women’s place in society or their ability to dream, there’s lots more going on - she was just a doll - a bit of fun when you are a kid and in a way that was what the film was too, it was just a bit of fun. I’d still recommend a watch - it just isn’t what I expected.
Podcasts
“I was a Spice girl shouting about Girl Power but I was powerless” in which Mel B speaks openly about domestic abuse on How to Fail with Elizabeth Day.
Samantha Morton talks to Louis Theroux about growing up in care and not being another one of Weinstein’s victims.
“I overshare by whose standards? Not mine.” Paloma Faith talks about the balance of motherhood and work, IVF and separation on How to Fail with Elizabeth Day.
- did an Ask Me Anything on her Substack with some fab questions which you can listen to.
March’s birth stone is Aquamarine, which is associated with courage, loyalty and friendship.
Friendship feels apt this month - I met with a friend who I hadn’t seen for possibly 15 years or more, I don’t know. It’s crazy how time just disappears but I was so grateful we were able to pick up somewhere near where we left off.
I really hope you discover something new in my finds and do please share your hidden gems too. I’d love to know what has been distracting you this month.
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Ah, thanks SO much for the mention! Glad you enjoyed it, it was written in the space of about an hour as my blood gradually boiled throughout March 8th at all the performative nonsense!
Thank you for mentioning my post, Kylie-Ann! I also found 'Barbie' disappointing, but 'Oppenheimer' was good!