Mamma Kerr

The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: Overindulgence

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On our recent holiday in Majorca, I was horrified to spot this beach ball, emblazoned with Playboy motifs, in the childrens’ pool.  Two children, aged approximately three and seven, were playing happily with this ball, advertising an adult magazine.  I later noticed a matching lilo in the pool.

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In 2007, we returned from our family holiday just in time to get caught up in the Glasgow Airport Terror Attack. 

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The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: Control freak

I am a control freak. Period.  I have difficulty in delegating work tasks to others, as I always fear that they will not do it as well as I would do myself.  I fear that I will end up having to re-do it myself!  This, of course, is ridiculous, as the tasks are never that difficult.  I just find it hard to hand over the reins and feel that I will lose control over the whole situation if I do not keep a close involvement in everything!

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My daughters are off school today, as it is an inset (AKA in-service) day, when the schools are closed to pupils to allow the teachers to participate in training workshops. These days are a major pain in the butt for working parents like me, as we have to either take the day off or arrange childcare cover.

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I *heart* Post-It Note Tuesday, as it’s a fun way of getting things of my chest!   This week, as you will see, I have a LOT to get of my chest!   You have been warned!!

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I like to take part in Jennifer Miller’s fun meme from her Twin Happy blog – Twin Tuesday.

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I love participating in this fun Friday meme by Mama M at My Little Life.

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I’ve decided to put my own spin on today’s Top 3, as I felt the topic was open to interpretation.

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I was standing at the checkout at Sainsbury's on my lunch break today, with my basketful of shopping all laid out on the conveyor belt when, out of the blue, a grey-haired old man steps in front of me and places four tins of soup in front of my groceries.

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I’ve just read an interesting BBC News article on the pros and cons of a flightless world, which has been inspired by the recent airspace restrictions over Europe, due to the volcanic ash cloud.  The article definitely provides food for thought.

Personally, the prospect of not having the option to fly off to sunnier climes for a fortnight’s holiday fills me with dread.  There’s a beautiful big world out there and I want to see as much of it as I can!  Furthermore, I have family over in Canada, who I wouldn’t get to see very often if we had to rely on travel by boat.

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I just came across this great blog called Work Wife Mom Life today, and I spotted that the author hosts a meme which is most definitely right up my street – Working Mommy Wednesday.

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It’s Twin Tuesday! 

I like to participate in Twin Happy Jen’s meme every week, though I haven’t actually done this for a couple of weeks.

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This is my fourth week taking part in the fun meme at Supah Mommy called Post-It Note Tuesday.

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This is my third week taking part in the fun meme at Supah Mommy called Post-It Note Tuesday.

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I love where I live.  My small town is situated in an ideal location.  It’s close to beautiful countryside, but has great commuter links to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Stirling.

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This is my second week taking part in the fun meme at Supah Mommy called Post-It Note Tuesday.

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 A Future of Choices

In celebration of International Women’s Day, I thought I’d write about my hopes and aspirations for my twin daughters’ future, while reflecting on my own life and that of my mother.

 At just five years old, my daughters are growing up in a world different to that of my childhood, and significantly different to that of my own mother’s childhood.  They are growing up in a fast-paced world of technology, with computers and gadgets controlling almost every aspect of our lives.  They are growing up in a world of consumerism, where we have a multitude of choices for food, clothing, household goods, toys, gadgets, and luxury items.  It is a throw-away culture, with people opting to replace items that are still in working order, just so they can upgrade to the latest model or keep up with fashion.  It is a world of celebrity, with reality stars and WAGS, who are famous without having any discernable talent. It is a world of terrorism, where travel is an ever-increasing risk.

I want my girls to enjoy their school days, and will encourage them to progress to further or higher education.  As an advocate of lifelong learning, I am teaching my girls that education is an important privilege.  They should take advantage of the educational resources available to them, because there are many girls in other countries who cannot access even the most basic education.  I firmly believe that education is never wasted.  Therefore, if they change their mind halfway through their studies, or go on to do something completely different after graduating, their time spent learning will still be a positive contribution to their lives.

My own mother reluctantly left school at fifteen to start a job.  A talented artist, she really wanted to go to Glasgow School of Art.  Unfortunately, this wasn’t an option for her.  She was expected to start earning and contribute to the household.  Although she had been a good scholar at school, my mother was never encouraged to pursue her education, simply because she was a girl.  She had no choice.  This was in 1960.  Her brother, a few years younger, went on to study at university.

My parents always offered support and encouragement to my sister and I, throughout our educational years.  I hope to offer the same level of encouragement to my daughters.  I will support them with their educational choices, such as choosing their subjects for third year, choosing which course to study after school, and what college or university to go to.  (more…)