Let me set the scene. I’m currently 34 weeks pregnant with my second child, and freaking out. I’m reading a book called The Second Baby Survival Guide – and it’s doing nothing to soothe my anxieties. Everyone keeps asking how I am, if our toddler is excited (she doesn’t have a clue what’s going on) […]
If your kids are big fans of junk food and you don’t know how to change their minds, then read on. A new app, website and social media account might be the unexpected answer to your problems. Founded by Dubai dwellers Mary-Kei (a food lover and illustrator) and Elisa (a businesswoman and mum), […]
There’s no denying it; eating out as a family is expensive, but if you know where to go (and what to order) you could save some cash. Also note that I’m not afraid to take leftovers home! Here are a few of my favourites if you’re on a budget, but still want to […]
When I had Phoebe two years ago, WaterWipes were a mythical product here in the UAE; friend of friends had them brought over from the UK, a new cult classic that I’d read about online. Meanwhile, I was messing around with cooled boiled water and yards of cotton wool to wipe my baby’s bottom, […]
Can we agree that whoever designed baby clothes with buttons up the back needs a bullet? And by the same token, the man/woman/angel responsible for adding zips to sleepsuits deserves a medal and a hearty hug from parents everywhere? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t *hate* poppers (I do hate buttons though), but even […]
Little face, Soon yours will not be the littlest face in the house, as your sister comes home in a few short weeks. You’ve just turned two, and I don’t think you realise that your world is about to turn upside down, though hopefully in the most wonderful way. It’s going to take some time […]
Recently, before a prenatal pilates class, I got chatting to one of the other mums-to-be. ”How many weeks are you?” I asked, because, well, it’s the easiest starting point. “I’m 25” she replied. And without thinking I exclaimed “Oh wow! Your bump is so neat!”, which then haunted me through the next hour as we […]
As mums, we’re meant to support each other. We’re supposed to have this all-inclusive ‘Hey! We’re all doing our best!’ mentality, whether we’re working or staying at home, breast or formula feeding, co-sleeping or joyfully putting them in their own rooms, baby-led weaning or pureeing, baby wearing or stroller loving. While there are definitely tribes […]
Recently, when I posted a photo of me struggling to do the supermarket shopping with a toddler (sitting in the trolley) and a newborn (in a car seat in the trolley), I had loads of comments with one suggestion in common: babywearing. “You need a stretchy wrap!” “I couldn’t have survived the early months with […]
When the nesting started in my pregnancy, one part of the house that got hit hard was my underwear drawer. Lurking in the back were my nursing bras from two years ago, and they were very VERY sad looking. One bra, a white stretchy number, accidentally offered a peek-a-boo design, where months of applying nipple […]
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.
