50 days of River

Fifty days of River: Connection, isolation and everything in between.

life

  • Day 34: Dino Parks, Soft Plays and Party Invitations

    Morning Wake-Up Bank Holiday Monday and I had my friend come to visit with her daughter. Long-time readers might remember her – my friend from Day 9, the one who met me for drinks in ‘Big London.’ I had my usual 6.30am wake-up call from River. He still hasn’t realised he can just climb out… Read more

  • Day 31: Mummy Bed, Blue iPad

    A Late Night, A Lazy Morning Last night ended up being a late one for everyone. River had a late nap so there was zero point trying for his usual bedtime. Instead, we discovered Fortune Hotel on ITV and all watched that until just after 10pm before putting the kids to bed. It’s lovely when… Read more

  • Day 28: Balloons, Beige Snacks and Social Media Pressure

    Morning Calm The day started slowly, Summer asking for new games to be downloaded on her iPad. River was content with his usual. At 9.30am the mood became more energetic, the iPad had died! Suddenly, it was lots of ‘Monkey on the Bed’ and acrobatics. I split my head open when I was little doing… Read more

  • Day 26: Taking the break when it comes

    Kike got up with River this morning. We’re all still groggy after the holiday. We didn’t make it to Summer’s 9am swimming lesson, but honestly, I feel like she’s done plenty of swimming over the last week. Last night we folded the clean clothes and today I managed to put everything away as if we’d… Read more

  • Day 25: Home

    The Morning After River slept through and woke at 6.30am. I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. My arms ached, I know I should actually lift weights like Kike. I honestly think I’m going to have to. River isn’t getting any smaller and I don’t see ‘keeping him safe’ being something… Read more

  • Day 24: The Final Push

    A Quiet Last Night Our last morning began with River stirring in the night, but I managed to soothe him back to sleep.Kike and I had our long-planned dinner together. It was nice enough, no children demanding snacks, no Halloween hum in the background but honestly, we were both so tired and not even that… Read more

  • Day 22: Sand, Dinosaurs, and the Unbreakable Plan

    Last Night’s Recon Mission Kike and I went on our reconnaissance trip to the beach last night, just the two of us. It’s about a ten minute walk from the hotel, down a little winding path that opens out to a boardwalk leading right to the sea. There are signs claiming “disabled access” and to… Read more

  • Day 21: The Fine Line Between Helicopter Parenting and Chaos

    Morning Mood: Realising I’m Doing Too Much I woke up grumpy today. Not “wrong side of the bed” grumpy, more “why am I packing everyone’s emotional and physical suitcases all the time” grumpy. Even on holiday, I’m making sure everyone has what they need for breakfast, that iPads are charged, that Summer’s at her swimming… Read more

  • Day 19: The Plan Actually Worked

    A Night of Mr Worldwide River actually enjoyed some of the entertainment last night. He found a little circular planting area and walked round and round in time to the music like it was his personal racetrack. Summer, meanwhile, was at the front making friends and getting very involved in the quiz. Our room is… Read more

  • Day 13: Mondays Are the Hardest

    The Stillness After the Storm These are the days I don’t do so well. The weekend was full: family, friends, little errands. Then Monday rolls around. Summer’s lunch is made and she’s off with Kike at 9am. Just River and me now. No plans, no structure. The house is filthy but I don’t know where… Read more