Bali is the stuff of Instagram dreams, all pools looking out over lush jungle, private villas, surfing on beautiful beaches, temples, waterfalls and sunsets. But how does that translate to a family holiday? Especially when you have a baby in tow? We visited Bali, flying from Dubai, this summer, with two-year-old Phoebe and four-month-old […]
It’s coming up to three years since we got married, and we’re yet to have a wedding album made, and until this week, my wedding gown was still hanging up in my wardrobe, complete with grass stains and drink spills. Life gets in the way, doesn’t it? But with two daughters I got thinking. […]
I’ve fallen in love. I thought it was a crush at first – some very good looks caught my eye, but the more we get to know each other, I realise that this is the real thing. Don’t worry. My husband knows. Sometimes we spend time all together. I think he’s quite smitten […]
So I had this lovely idea of documenting the last time I breastfed Tabitha. Not for sharing, just to have. We’d be gazing at each other and it would be beautiful. I realised yesterday that she hadn’t had the boob in a week, so checked I still had a little milk left when I […]
First thing’s first. I’m no expert. I was just a mum with a boarding card in her hand, two weeks with the family stretching out ahead of her, and a sense of dread that this ‘holiday’ might not be very relaxing! Acceptance that trips have changed is the first step to enjoyment. When travelling […]
I’d forgotten how hard (SO HARD – and painful) those first few weeks are after having a baby, but the big difference I’ve noticed between being a first time and second time mum is confidence. I don’t just mean deftly changing a nappy or not being scared when it’s bath time, but […]
I’m finding that having kids not only opens your heart to loving someone unconditionally – to even in the hardest, most frustrating moment knowing that you’d do anything for that little person – but to being loved unconditionally too. Toddlers don’t think logically, they throw themselves into everything, from running bare bottomed around the house, […]
How’s this for an easy way to do your bit this Ramadan? Have a clear out of your wardrobe and Uber Uae will come to your house, and pick up the used clothes (please make sure it’s all in good condition), then they’ll be washed with OMO Arabia and Comfort before being donated to families in need by Emirates […]
In the early days of breastfeeding it wasn’t unusual for me to have baby on boob for hours at a time, as she worked hard to increase my milk supply, the dreaded ‘cluster’ feeding (which no-one warned me about) dominating my day and night. I used this time to catch up on Facebook, scrolling […]
I get asked a lot about sleeping tips. Here’s my advice: you are pretty much powerless when it comes to the whim of a newborn. I had a strict bedtime routine with my first daughter (bath, massage, story, milk, leave the room while still awake) and it worked for us, but this little peach is […]
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.
