Long gone are the weeks of lounging by the pool, reading for hours. These days if I want to get through a book it’s a case of grabbing 20 mins while our daughter naps, or reading myself to sleep, the Kindle falling from my hands or onto my face. This summer I’ve […]
If you believe TV and films, birth happens like this: Waters break in embarrassing scenario eg on the floor of a restaurant Labour hurts, so you do some exaggerated breathing while partner oafs about Rush to hospital, hilarity ensues as you get lost/nearly have baby in a taxi Enter comedy doctor A few pushes and […]
When it comes to travel, I’m of the mindset that there are some things you invest in (luggage, sunglasses, sun cream) and others that you just… don’t. Whether it’s a hat that you just wear for a week, or a maxi that you buy last minute for a spontaneous getaway, F&F‘s new summer collection […]
If you’re mum to a toddler here in Dubai you’ll need this handy guide… Long gone are the days of asking out-of-town guests to arrive laden down with wine (six bottles of Whispering Angel, please mum), now it’s all about Ella’s Kitchen pouches with meat, snacks from Organix and outfits from John Lewis. Extra […]
Feel a bit left out of all the online chatter about podcasts, but don’t know where to start? Dubai is the perfect city to listen to them (eg lots of time in the car…) and with literally thousands out there to try, with a bit of exploring you’ll find exactly what you need to […]
As the Holy Month draws to a close, there’s still time to enjoy Ramadan parties with family and friends. F&F‘s collection is full of gorgeous dresses to make sure you celebrate in style. And they’re all under Dhs200! Here are my favourites… Tropical dress, Dhs189 Scallop hem lace dress, Dhs189 Floral dress, Dhs189 Scallop […]
Mel Carruthers, busy mum and founder of Dubai-based website More Organised, shares her expert advice for storing, saving and, gifting your little Pollack’s pieces The end of term beckons, and all around Dubai, art folders are being brought proudly home. But add these to the paintings, crafts and drawings created at home, and you […]
It started when Phoebe was around six months old, and if we were in ancient times when popping a baby out once a year made sense for practical purposes, I’d get it, but times have moved on… I know it’s the easy conversation piece ‘Thinking about another?’ ‘When are you having number two?’ ‘Getting broody […]
Why is it that whenever I go shopping I always end up buying three times as much for my toddler than I do myself? I have a few theories… a) I know what size she is. b) Children’s clothes are adorable. F&F‘s new summer range for little ones is full of super sweet […]
A funny thing happened to the Family Farmer a couple of weeks ago. We caught up for dinner with some friends who also have children. We had some initial “how are you’s?” and then it changed. Our successes or failures, accomplishments and challenges as individuals immediately faded into insignificance. All of the conversation […]
I’m Helen Farmer, an editor and journalist, mum to 4-year-old Phoebe and 2-year-old Tabitha, wife to Nick and a mummy blogger in Dubai (even though I don’t really identify as one, but I blog, and I’m a mum, so there you go). I’ve been living in the Middle East for the last 10 years, working in books, magazines and broadcasting, shedding some light on the good and bad of life, work and motherhood in the UAE.
The Mothership is for you if you’re a busy, active mum who can’t stand small talk, bad info and twee blogs that make out that mothering is all unicorns and rose petals, instead of admitting that you can love your child so much it terrifies you – while still wanting a night in alone watching The Great British Bake Off with a double G&T or a night out pretending you don’t have children.
