Ordinary Lass Blog

Writer. Thinker. Mum.

Category: Relationships

New Beginnings: Stepping into a brighter future

A renewed sense of self-discovery and gratitude after family separation.
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First Day at Nursery

It’s the eve of the Full Day at Nursery. We’ve done the taster sessions with success. The first stay-and-play felt like a trip to playgroup as I watched Little Lass discover the new surroundings, her eyes lit up when she spotted the water table and dressing up boxes. As I asked her key worker some…
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Dear Little Lass: You’re turning Two!

Dear Little Lass, I’m writing this message on the eve of your second birthday. We had a party at home for you at the weekend, have a family meal planned for tomorrow night and you’ll have a playcentre party with mini people at our local play area on Thursday. You’re a very lucky lass to…
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Ordinary Mum: My War with Worry

Have you ever felt like your head is cloudy and you have a million things to do but you just don’t know where to start? When people ask if they can help but you’re not sure how to explain what you even need help with. Maybe you’re not even sure what the problem is. You…
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New Mum: Picture perfect parenting

In February 2017, our baby daughter was born and we became parents. I caught the bouquet at our friend’s wedding in May and Ordinary Lad proposed in December. I’ve announced our engagement on the ole social media on NYE and posted a photo of us in black and white (‘cus we look better with a…
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New Mum: Trusting your instincts

This last fortnight, I’ve learned the importance of trusting your own instincts as a new mum. Our Little Lass has been coughing constantly and has been off her food which developed into green watery nappies as she began to refuse milk. After two trips to doctors with our Little Lass, we are now treating a…
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Poorly Baby: Teething or Testing Us?

Why are they always more poorly at night? For days, our happy 9 month old baby has been coughing, spluttering and screaming. Poor little love; she’s got a runny nose and chesty cough, keeps tugging on her ear and crying. We’ve got stinging eyes and a dose of irritability syndrome (me & her dad that is).…
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New Mum: Why blog about ordinary life?

With a massive community of women/mummy bloggers doing their thing, there’s a world of support waiting for mums like us and yet sometimes you can still feel like you’re alone. I’m a fellow follower of so-called ‘mummy blogs’. They make me laugh at loud, they touch my heart and they all make me relate to…
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New Mum: Counting down to our First Family Holiday Abroad!

Our First Ordinary Family Holiday abroad is fast approaching. I’m so excited, given that the last time Lad and I went abroad I was pregnant and therefore sober… and a holiday is just not the same without Cocktails & Gin. And Cocktails. I keep picturing myself indulging in the all inclusive bar whilst simultaneously rocking…
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Ordinary Mum: Going back to work

The new chapter began today: Ordinary Working Mama. I’ve returned to teaching secondary English but on a part-time basis in an attempt to achieve a ‘work life balance’. I hear a roar of laughter…yeh, there probably is no such thing! Just humour me, ok? After suppressing tears before I left home this morning, I had…
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New Mum: When should you lose your baby weight?

When is the right time to lose weight after giving birth? Are you proud of your MummyTummy or are you keen on improving your post-baby body? My Little Lass is 4 months old now and maternity leave has so far involved a few baby classes, catching up with people & (you’ve guessed it) lots of…
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Manchester Attack: An open letter to my baby girl

Dear Little Lass Today, I have hugged you tighter than ever; I am devastated for the victims of a terror attack at a concert in our nearby Manchester. I feel a heightened need to keep you safe. Ordinary people were simply enjoying a night out. I am heartbroken for the victims, their families, and for…
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New Mum: The changing faces of Easter weekend!

How have you celebrated your Easter Weekends over the last few decades? For me, it goes something like this! 1990s Easter: Primary school hymns in assembly & Easter Bonnet competitions in the hall. Made chocolate cornflake nests with mini eggs on top. Proudly knew the story of Jesus – off by heart! 2000s Easter: Day…
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New Mum: 10 truths about raising a newborn baby

What are those early days really like for a first time mum? I’d read the books and spoken to friends but over the last few weeks I’ve been experiencing the reality of motherhood for myself. If you’re pregnant, a new mum or just remembering what it was like in those early days, you might relate…
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New Mum: The Fear, The Responsibility & The Love!

I’m a Mum; I’ve joined The Club! I actually have a baby daughter and it feels weird and wonderful all at the same time. As it’s Mother’s Day weekend, I’m sure that Mini Lass (her Dad) is scanning the internet for a thoughtful gift as I write. I know that my 6 week old baby…
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3 Things my Mum has taught me…

I appreciate my Mum’s guidance, whether it is intentional or just a fluke. Knowing my Mum, she’s probably just been winging parenthood for the last 30 odd years. Reflecting on Mother’s Day, had me thinking about some of the things I have learned so far, albeit accidentally. Here goes… 1. The importance of accessorising… My…
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New Mum: 5 things people ask when you’ve got a newborn

You’re never fully prepared for life with a newborn nor are you prepared for the curiosity of others. Well-meaning or plain nosey, here are some questions I’ve been asked this past month. You might recognise some; no doubt you’ve been asked them too. They appear to be the standard post-labour conversations for new mums! 1. Is…
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Pregnancy: Lady in Labour!

Inevitably, as a first time Mum-to-Be, I was becoming increasingly curious about labour. I wondered what our story would be. Specifically, how to know when it officially starts (apparently you just know. As it turns out, I did!), how long it’ll last (how long is a piece of string?) and what to expect (anything!). In an…
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Mini Lass is born!

Our Little Lass was born on 12th February 2017 weighing a healthy 7lb 1oz (why do people want to know this?) The labour was a story in its own right but she’s one week old now and I’m totally smitten. The three of us are still in our new impenetrable family bubble of kisses, cuddles…
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Pregnancy: Uneventful Due Date

When your due date passes by without incident, it can be frustrating. Your phone alerts you to a constant stream of “any signs yet?” messages and well meaning “happy due date” texts. Yeh, because this baby knows she is going to evicted this very day and should depart my uterus accordingly and in a timely…
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Pregnancy: Attending Antenatal Class

“Forewarned is forearmed as they say!” As first time parents, we were weighing up the pros and cons of attending Antenatal Class. We figured we’d learn something new so thought why not? Prior Expectations Friends of ours had told us stories about the lady leading the class who walks round leaning on furniture in mock labour moaning “ooo” and “ahhhh” at…
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Do you have an Attitude of Gratitude?

“Life is too short”. How many of us have heard that before? How many of us consider this during our everyday lives? We’re not always able to do everything we want or get everything we want because life has other plans for us and sometimes we can feel negative. In recent weeks, either myself or someone I know…
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Maternity Leave: Countdown to Due Date

As people return to work after their New Year celebrations, I’m writing the next chapter of my life. Maternity Leave. When is the right time to finish work before having your baby? Like many pregnant working women today, I didn’t want to take too much time off before the birth, preferring to have longer with…
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New Year, Same You?

Happy new year everyone! It’s time to reflect on the year that has passed; the start of a new year is a natural time to look forward to what lies ahead. There’s a sense of optimism in the air. For the last couple of days, I’ve scrolled through social media to see timelines full of…
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Should we remember, remember the 5th of November?

It’s Autumn. Time to get wrapped up in your big coat, scarf and wolly hat. Imagine yourself in a photoshoot fit for an autumnal catalogue, complete with playful smiles, kicking piles of scattered auburn leaves. In reality, the combination of hat, scarf and big coat can leave you sweating profusely because it’s actually a wee…
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Engagements & Marriage: It’ll be you next!

We’re both in our thirties. We’ve been together 7 and 1/2 years. Neither of us has ever been married. Any wedding or engagement, that we are in close proximity to, automatically evokes the same response, “It’ll be you two next!”. But in response to well-meaning comments, I tend to nod, smile politely and shoot a…
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Modern Love: Surviving the Traffic Jam

Traffic jams are beasts. We’re stuck somewhere in the Midlands and the M42 is laughing at us. Loudly. We’re bumper to bumper. We’ve got the same songs on repeat. Accelerate, brake, drive, repeat. Lad’s new work car has either radio or iPod connections but absolutely no CD player. “It’s how all the newer models are…
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Saturday: I’m doing nowt!

How about today, I just post a photo of my ass on the settee doing bugger all? I’m a cricket widow today while the other half continues his boyhood hobby and aspires to be the next Alistair Cook. I’ve spent the morning with my two year old godson. We’ve been bonding – putting the body parts onto…
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Modern Love: The Battle

Ever had that argument where it all comes out? “I told you”. He fixes a stare. “You did not” my voice gets louder. My tone is increasingly condescending. I’m convinced he didn’t tell me. Leo’s are lions apparently, whereas I’m the Libra scales, so naturally, I want to hash out both sides. I want to…
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Modern Love: Couples Spa Day?

A treat day. We all want one. Time alone away from phones, work and other people. I’ve only ever been to a spa with ordinary women so it’s a change for me and Ordinary Lad to experience some R&R while we’ve got a few days off of work. There’s a sense of optimism in our…
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Spring Cleaning: Time to declutter?

The mornings are a little lighter and the daffodils are smiling on the commute to work. They signify a new beginning. It’s the traditional time to Spring Clean but it’s hard when you’re a hoarder isn’t it? I’m sentimental and I hold onto things in the name of nostalgia. An avid fan of “picture time”, I like to…
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Modern Love: A moan about mobile phones!

Are you tired of the time your other half spends on their phone? We live under the same roof. Me, on one settee and him on the other, with mobile phones in hand scanning the newsfeeds of anonymous faces. Without looking at one another, we fail to agree on a TV planner selection as the…
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The Brave Face

“This week has been about the Brave Face and the power of female friendship”. I have worn the metaphorical mask that is the Brave Face, full frontal this week following some recurring bad news (which is deliberately generic because we have all been there – we all have ordinary problems). Concerned relatives, female friends and…
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The truth about us Fat Fighters

Biscuits are sly. On the surface they are the perfect accompaniment to a cuppa tea, for sharing at a meeting or to devour in one sitting. But they know how to get us. Covered in tempting milky chocolate, they softly whisper to us and slowly corrupt us. We are weak and they know it. I…
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