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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Easter break

So, our Easter break in the Scottish Borders. First, the good bits: daffodils, teashops, time with husband and child, ruined abbeys, Easter eggs (Beanie's egg is pictured left) and cherry cake. Plus I managed to drive us there and back - a big deal for me, as I must be one of the most timid drivers in Scotland. And the bad bits? Freak weather conditions: hailstorms and snow. Va-vay and I arguing about the route. And about my driving. And - worst bit - a group of fifty 10-year-old boys invading our youth hostel on Saturday night, banging on the door of our family room, rattling the door handle and shouting at us, forcing Va-vay, Beanie and me to flee in terror to a local hotel at 9pm. Though in a way, moving to the hotel was one of the good bits, because it (unlike the hostel) had central heating, lavender toiletries, coal fires, wood panelling, good cheer, tranquillity, attentive but unobtrusive staff, ensuite bathrooms, a television and top-notch bedding. I will never take any of these for granted again. Not after Schoolboy Saturday. And yesterday, Va-vay came home bearing a new piece of geekery - a Sat Nav system for the car to avoid further map-reading arguments. He has already had hours of fun programming it and is now talking excitedly about future trips. I should have known the way to win him round to driving was via technology. I had best get back to my (paid) work to find funds to pay for it all.

Posted 25 March 2008 12:08

Activities Car Holidays

Comments

Joyfulgirl said:

Well done on the drive! The hotel sounds lovely.

Posted 25 March 2008 15:12

potty mummy said:

Schoolboy Saturday - love it. But where were their teachers?

Posted 25 March 2008 15:18

Helen said:

Hi Joyfulgirl, thank you! The hotel was a great treat.

Potty Mummy, ah yes, their teachers. They were boozing in the common room and already fairly pissed by early evening. The boys just laughed when the teachers tried to reprimand them. Bring back Mr Chips, I say.

Posted 25 March 2008 15:35

DJ Kirkby said:

Wow...seems we both had bad and good experiences on our mini holiday this weekend! I have a raging sore throat now, only to be expected after Sat night. Beanie's egg looks very pretty and I want one too.

Posted 25 March 2008 16:45

Helen said:

Oh, DJ, I was sorry to hear you got stranded without any heating. Sounds like we both need another holiday to recover from this one.

Posted 25 March 2008 19:51

iota said:

I am confused by the concept of a gold bunny egg. How can a bunny lay an egg? It is a mammal, surely? It gives birth. Just WHAT have they been teaching you at ante-natal classes this time round?

Posted 25 March 2008 22:30

Helen said:

Dear Iota, I wonder if they gave the bunny in question an epidural to help her as she laid the egg....

Posted 26 March 2008 14:50

bushra said:

another well done on the drive! i'm finally mobile yet still a bit nervous. i had the double, no triple whammy of taking my boy for a bit of nursery induction today, as well as driving my sister around bradford for shopping, all on my first solo drive! and i made it!

also, feel free to tell me off, your blog posts are very interesting and i can't believe i haven't subscribed already!

hope you are well.

Posted 26 March 2008 19:49

beta mum said:

We have sat nav, and still manage to argue about whether or not to follow Charlotte's instructions. But perhaps we just like arguing.

We too had good and bad on our Easter weekend - weather being a bad, but time away from work and everyday things a good.

Posted 26 March 2008 20:36

Helen said:

Awwwh, Bushra, I remember that first time of leaving Beanie at nursery like yesterday, the pain in my heart as I walked away from her. Well done for that (it gets easier) - and for the driving. And thanks for kind words re blog!

Hi Beta Mum, ah, you have Charlotte. We chose someone called Sarah to do the voice-over. Va-vay hankers after the John Cleese version - but we are debating the extra cost. Yes, I sort of suspected there'd still be scope for argument, but it has kept V. quiet and purposeful for a good while, so still money well spent, I think.

Posted 26 March 2008 21:22

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.