I'm the parent stood at the school gate in yesterday's clothes, clutching coffee like a lifeline, wondering if anyone noticed I sent my kid to school with odd socks. Again. .
Parenting By The Numbers
Nine kids. Two stepdaughters. One problematic ex-wife who makes family life interesting in ways I never asked for. One brilliant current wife who somehow keeps us all sane. We've got autism, ADHD, and anxiety covered - basically the full set of special needs parenting challenges.
One house that's never quite clean, no matter how hard I try. Multiple guinea pigs who sit in judgment of my life choices from their pristine cage while my kitchen looks like a bomb went off. A dog who thinks the school run is his personal adventure time.
Currently living with a 12-year-old and 10-year-old who generate enough drama to power a small soap opera, a three-year-old boy who believes pants are purely optional, and a 20-month-old girl who has discovered the pure joy of throwing food with Olympic-level precision.
Disclaimer - This is accurate as of 2025, but because life is chaotic and kids have a habit of growing older year on year, there’s a strong chance this won’t be updated to match … or ever…
The Reality Check
I used to try.
God, did I try.
Perfect packed lunches with little notes. Handmade Halloween costumes that took weeks. Volunteering for every school event like some sort of parenting martyr. Nearly killed me, and definitely made me a miserable parent to be around.
Then I realized something revolutionary that changed everything about my approach to family life - good enough is actually good enough.
In fact, I’d go further than that and say sometimes good enough is bloody brilliant.
What Changed Everything
The moment I stopped apologizing for being human. When I realized my children needed a real parent, not a perfect one. When custard creams for breakfast stopped being a parenting crisis and just became a Tuesday.
I discovered that my kids don't need me to have it all figured out. They need me to show up, mess up occasionally, and demonstrate that there is nothing wrong with that. To teach them the value of dusting off, standing up and trying again.
Kids need parents that model resilience, not perfection.
What I've Learned About Raising Children
Kids are incredibly resilient. They don't need perfect Instagram moments or Pinterest-worthy birthday parties. They need present parents not parents with presennts. Role models who are honest about the chaos of family life. They need someone who shows them it's okay to mess up spectacularly and try again tomorrow.
Parenting children with special needs taught me that traditional parenting advice often doesn't work. Especially when you're dealing with ADHD meltdowns or autism sensory overload.
You learn to adapt, survive, and find humor in the strangest places.
Most importantly, I learned that comparing yourself to other parents is the fastest way to feel like you're failing. Every family is fighting their own battles, usually while trying to look like they've got it together. I decided that honesty is a far better approach, so if I look bedraggled, tired, overstimulated, undercaffeinated or just downright confused, don’t worry. I am.
Why This Parenting Blog Exists
Because someone needs to say it out loud. Parenting is hard enough without pretending it's all sunshine and developmental milestones. You're not failing if your house looks like a tornado hit it or if your kids watch too much CBeebies … sometimes/when awake.
This blog exists for overwhelmed parents who need to hear that fish fingers three nights running is fine. For parents dealing with homework battles, school run disasters, and children who think bedtime is merely a suggestion.
It's for anyone who's ever hidden in the bathroom for five minutes of peace, served cereal for dinner, or wondered if other parents are secretly struggling too. Spoiler alert: we all are.
The Promise
No judgment here. No perfect solutions or miracle parenting tips that work for everyone. Just real talk from someone deep in the trenches with you, sharing honest stories about the beautiful mess that is raising children.
You'll find practical advice that actually works when you're running on coffee and determination. Real parenting support for real family situations. And permission to be gloriously imperfect while still being a brilliant parent.