One minute she has her hand on my shoulder to steady herself as she steps into her little, navy leggings. The next minute she’s driving on a country road towards a semi-trailer; the lives of the truck driver and the 420 lambs he’s transporting hang in the balance with my life and her own. Four … Continue reading Do you want to drive?
Another one down
The night before is hard. And Mother’s Day morning. They’re the times when the rubbing it in feels the worst and I can't tell whether I'm going to celebrate Mother's Day or endure it. I don't suppose I hate Mother's Day. I know I said I did on the floor in the shower that morning. … Continue reading Another one down
Eleven years ago this happened
I was used to pregnancies ending early. At six or twelve weeks. And if they lasted longer than that, I was used to delivering early. At 18 weeks. Or at 24. So when Maeve was born after 40 weeks, big and round and full-term, I could hardly believe the size of her. She weighed eight … Continue reading Eleven years ago this happened
An apple for the teacher
It was going swimmingly. Our first day. Actually it wasn't their first day of home learning; it was my first being home with them. Elsie was kneeling in front of the fire balancing her computer on her knees. Maeve had set herself up at the kitchen table. Perhaps tomorrow we could set up something a … Continue reading An apple for the teacher
It was a fun party after all
It feels a bit like musical chairs at a birthday party. All the kids run and squeal and when the music stops they plonk down on a chair and hold the seat of it with both hands, joy and pride clear on their safe little faces. And the one kid who misses out smiles weakly … Continue reading It was a fun party after all
Mother duck said ‘Quack, quack, quack, quack.’ But none of the five little ducks came back
Maeve has waited her whole life for this day. Today she started school. Last night she set out her things. A new bag, new knickers, new socks, new shoes, a new hair clip and a hand-me-down dress (that has seen a few years of school already, and quite a few kinder sessions last year too … Continue reading Mother duck said ‘Quack, quack, quack, quack.’ But none of the five little ducks came back
Getting up earlier? It works.
When I went to put Elsie’s lunchbox in her backpack yesterday morning, I found in there her reading diary from last year, a few sheets of colouring in with Indonesian words and phrases written on them and lots of worksheets, mostly unfinished. (No lunchbox though, thank heavens. I have taught her to do that much.) Things … Continue reading Getting up earlier? It works.
A letter to the woman who drove our children to town this morning
Dear Nasty Lady, How are you? I’m fine. Actually, I take back the ‘how are you?’ because you’d have answered with some sort of pained statement containing an expletive about socks or something about needing a stubby. We really enjoyed the school holidays. It was all very relaxed and fun. I’m sorry you missed it … Continue reading A letter to the woman who drove our children to town this morning
I did up her buttons. Apparently I just ruined our child.
We’re late. We need to be out the door. But you’re doing up your buttons. There’s three of them. So we’re going to be at least 30 more seconds late. And I still have to strap you into your carseat and unstrap you when we get there. That’s another 8 seconds. I’ll carry you to … Continue reading I did up her buttons. Apparently I just ruined our child.
Writing by Larissa Patton 