“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”;“Little children little worries, big children big worries”;“Give with a warm heart rather than a cold hand”. My grandma was full of wise sayings that still often spring to mind. And one of which I particularly recall is, “All I want (my darling) is your presence not presents”....
Having this boy by my side at work as a therapy dog, and at play as my family’s four-legged best friend, brings so much fun, companionship, and unconditional love. This past week with my son being sick, I have watched how Woody (known as ‘Doggo’ to my eldest) intuitively knows when and how to comfort,...
More than a decade ago when my own children were tiny, I recall staying up the entire night and writing a mission statement and a business plan (if you can even call it that) on scraps of paper.Of course, back then, I had no clue how to even get started. And the next day, the...
To many of the young people I see: 1. When you are thinking outside the box, it makes sense that you will not fit neatly into the boxes that exist. 2. Although this may not always feel easy when you are younger, and fitting in may feel so important, this difference in thinking will in fact, turn...
Do you have a book that has changed your life? As an avid reader, there have been so many books that have meant such a lot to me over the course of my life thus far. From the ‘Malory Towers’ and ‘St Clare’s’ boarding school series, and anything pony-related growing up, to ‘The Bridges of...
I am often asked for advice on training a dog to work alongside you, and how to work towards the PAT therapy dog standards. And I have learnt so much along the way! Here are my top ten tips: 1. Remember this is always about training you, the human first. And this is a relationship...
Lately, conversations with friends have taken a different and unexpected turn. It seemed like not so long ago that we were talking about boyfriends, PhDs, babies, and the next big work plans. But now there is often talk of the next move being scaling back and even retirement (who knew?!). But I’m just not in that space....
Returning to Clare, as we do most summers, always feels deeply special. And although yesterday much of the College was under renovation, and the weather wasn’t as glorious as normal, it was still good to be back. Cambridge is always where I feel most myself and at home. And it is no exaggeration to say...
Whilst these words were uttered in ‘Downton Abbey’, rather than in real life, there is such poignancy to them. For the truth is that our siblings may be our longest companions in life. As our first friends and often first rivals, sibling bonds can be full of love yet complicated too. This is something I...
It has been such a busy week but finally my children got the bubalas they have been waiting for. The word ‘bubala’ has various meanings. My favourite is ‘a term of endearment for someone you care for and keep close to your heart’. And it is often used by grandparents when referring to their grandchildren...
