Despatches from a mother who started late (and is running to catch up)

Blog to Book - Fashionably Late

I am writing Fashionably Late, an irreverent guide to having children later in life. Did you become a mother over 35? If so, and you'd like to tell me your story please contact me at mail@motheratlarge.com.

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In the news....

Press and radio coverage of this site from around the UK

Oops, let's do it again

Lynne Spears, mother of beleaguered pop princess Britney, is to write a book about 'her role as a showbiz family matriarch' Bit cheeky, when she and Britney weren't speaking to each other until recently. But hey, that's showbiz, or at least my limited experience of it.

Lynne's publisher specialises in Christian books, which could make it tricky when dealing with some aspects of Britney's life. But, more importantly, the news has made me wonder if I haven't missed a trick or two with Beanie's granny.

After all, if Lynne can turn out 'Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World' and there's a new publishing trend for Granny Memoirs, perhaps Beanie's granny could be prised away from her Sudoko and gently encouraged to write a book. Okay, we're not very glamorous or well-known but we could work round that, surely?

And, okay, there might be less rock 'n' roll here than in the Spears household (well, none at all) but I can see it now: "The Biscuit Memoirs: A Real Story of Confectionery and Crime in the Food Aisle at Waitrose."

There might be some shocking revelations: how Granny allows Beanie to play inside the dishwasher, in defiance of parental edicts on the subject. How she's trained Beanie to empty out the contents of every handbag within fifty paces. How the two of them have bonded over their dental problems - while Granny's new false teeth are giving her trouble, Beanie's new (real) incisors are having difficulty coming in. Oh, the possibilities are endless....

Posted 29 October 2007 17:30

Books Daughter Granny

Comments

DJ Kirkby said:

Lol, very good title for the Beanie's Granny book. Has she got over her relcutance to sleep on her own? We are ahving a dleightful time here, N3S has taken to shutting the cats in the space under his bed where his bed linen is stored...sigh. The fact that the cats don't mind a jot if they are stuck in there all day is a different matter entirely!

Posted 29 October 2007 18:23

bushra said:

ooh interesting. i can imagine what tips the grandmothers around where i live would part with. like how to get your new grandchild to bond stronger with you than with your daughter in law. no, really!

Posted 29 October 2007 19:10

IngeniousRose said:

Oops let's not do it again! Mother at Large, the Britney Spears route to fame is best avoided. A better route would be for you to wait until you achieve success and fame with Fashionably Late then get Granny to write a book about you!!

Posted 29 October 2007 19:31

Helen said:

DJ, has she got over her reluctance to sleep on her own? No, not judging by the wails coming from her room right now. All very trying.

Bushra, have to be careful what I say here - but sister, I hear you.

Ingenious Rose, yes, I might have to shave my head. And I just don't have the looks for the bald look. Mind you, neither does poor old Brits.

Posted 29 October 2007 20:05

Frog in the Field said:

A Granny advice book could be quite illuminating, I'd definitely have bought one for my Mother who was furious at the thought of becoming one. The book could suggest things like : visit your Grandchildren or perhaps moving 5 hours drive away from them isn't always the best move. Oh I could go on, I might write one myself...I could call it 'How to be a Grandmother without making your children wince!' what do you think?

I have 13 years of 'how not to' examples to pull inspiration from , after all!

Posted 29 October 2007 20:18

Helen said:

FITF, on a more serious note, Jane Fearnly Whittingstall wrote a really good and funny one - The Good Granny Guide.

Posted 29 October 2007 22:42

DJ Kirkby said:

I have posted my review of 'Gents'.

Posted 30 October 2007 06:13

Vanessa said:

Lindsey Lohan's mother is apparently taking part in her very own reality show about motherhood. Do we want advice on parenting from someone whose daughter is best known for her stints in rehab...?

Posted 30 October 2007 09:02

potty mummy said:

I've instigated handbag searches of my MIL to confiscate contraband sweets and chocolate - otherwise by the time she leaves they are more hyped up than teenagers on alco-pops. And of course I get to deal with the consequences. Of course, that could be her intention?

Posted 30 October 2007 10:42

Helen said:

DJ, not so much as a sniff of 'pop matriarchs' in Gents, methinks.

Vanessa, shameless!!!

Potty Mummy, just because they look so old, innocent and sweet doesn't mean we can trust them.

Posted 30 October 2007 11:07

Frog in the Field said:

I'm going to have a look at that, Thanks

Good idea Potty Mummy!

Posted 30 October 2007 11:23

Mother at Large

Welcome to this site. It's based on my personal experiences of becoming a mother a little later in life. If, like me, you waited a while to have children you're in good company. More and more of us are waiting until our late 30s or even 40s to become parents. Some might even say we're fashionably late.

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About me

Mother at Large dreams of crossing the Pyrenees with her young daughter. For now, getting to playgroup takes all her energy. To find out more read her full profile.