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Last night I watched the film Juno with two friends, and it was outstanding.
Juno is a brilliantly written and acted film about a Juno MacGuff (Played by Ellen Page) a confidently frank Canadian/American teenager with a cool and no nonsense approach to life and an effortless attitude to her unplanned pregnancy at the age of 16. After deciding against an abortion at the last minute Juno plans to allow a wealthy suburban couple adopt her baby. She is supported by her dad and step-mother. Throughout her pregnancy Juno wrestles with the emotions she feels for her baby's father. She is indifferent towards him until she becomes hurt when she hears he is taking another girl to the prom.
The film is funny in parts and highly emotional in others. It provides an interesting look at the prejudice associated with teenage pregnancy although Juno seems to cope with the pregnancy better than any teenager in reality, and the overwhelming support she gets from her dad and step-mother seems too-good-to-be true. Nevertheless it’s a coming-of-age story well worth watching.
But don't take my word for it - read what The Critics had to say!
Nominated for 4 Academy Awards - Best Picture, Best Director - Jason Reitman, Best Original Screenplay - Diablo Cody, and Best Actress Ellen Page.
This post is also posted on my Parenting Issues UK site - do come and visit!
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Some time ago I was stopped in the street by a market researcher (male, smartly dressed, a mere 20-something-just-out-of-univ ersity). I had tried to avoid him as he marched towards me with his clipboard but failed as I had a child in a pushchair - and those things never manoeuvre the way you want them to.
As a result I spent a long five minutes in the cold answering questions about brands of toothpaste. At the end of the interrogation interview the researcher asked me what my occupation was.
I said I was a mother.
He then said "So you don't do anything then," and scribbled something on his clipboard. It wasn't a question. And if I hadn't been so bloody angry annoyed I would have said something, but there was no time - I had a child who needed feeding, laundry to collect and several bills that could be only paid at the post office which was about to shut.
I was reminded of that incident again today when I asked my delightful (at times) four-year-old daughter if mummy worked. Her reply without hesitation was a definite NO!
So now I'm on strike.
For the rest of the day there will be no cooking, cleaning, washing-up, ironing, hoovering, story-telling, entertainment, or games of any description. I am no longer on 24-hour call (at least not until my daughter returns from her grandparents!)
And I will be sticking a copy of this picture on my front door due to complete exhaustion and reduced mental capacity:
Flickr photo by 14-2-1.
I am now off to read the newspapers in total and peace and quiet. Bliss.
This post also appears in my Parenting Issues UK site - come over and visit!
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Until I read the article Mummy's little helpers in the March edition of Junior Magazine I have to admit I had never heard of a Baby Concierge. Although the article is mainly about the various roles of the Parent Concierge it does mention the concept of a Baby Concierge so I decided to investigate exactly what they were. I was amazed, and also impressed, with what I discovered.
The main job of a Baby Concierge, it would seem, is to help parents select and source everything they will need for their newborn baby. This doesn't just involve services such as creating a baby registry detailing the best products to fit your lifestyle, needs and budget, sourcing these products for you, and drawing up a monthly to-do list so everything is carefully planned and nothing is forgotten - some also provide maternity-wear consultations, researching pediatrician services, babyproofing your home, meal delivery after baby is born and even sending out birth announcements.
It is like having an expert wedding planner but for the birth of your child instead.
In addition there are Baby Conciege services who will check your nursery to ensure nothing has been overlooked, secure a childcare space, attend childbirth classes and prepare your pet for the forthcoming arrival. Educational classes are available on a one-to-one basis including information such as nutrition during pregnancy, hospital preparation, breastfeeding and weaning, returning to work as well as life insuarnce and savings planning. The service covers everything an expectant parent could think of and more!
They serve a range of clients including professionals with time constraints, first time parents with lots of questions, mums on bedrest and grandparents preparing their home for a visit.
Ever found yourself advising expectant friends of the best products on the market to buy for their baby? Maybe a career as a Baby Concierge could be for you!
Hang on? Prepare your pet? Surely not!
External Links:
Babyconcierge.co.uk
Premier Baby Concierge.com
Is there a particular type of person who becomes a bully?
Why do bullies behave like they do?
How can we interpret and understand bullying within relationships?
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A campaign by mothers on the internet site Raising Kids.co.uk has resulted in a girls’ bedroom set named Lolita being withdrawn from sale. The reason? - "Lolita" is a novel by Vladimir Nabokov about a man who developed a sexual obsession with his 12-year-old stepdaughter. As a result the word "Lolita" has become slang for a sexually precocious young girl.
Woolworth's Lolita Bed - now withdrawn from sale
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It is extremely concerning to hear in the news this week that a 13-year-old boy has been charged after stabbing a 14 year old classmate three times in the chest and stomach. The attack took place at Allerton Grange School, in Moortown, Leeds.
Knife. Flickr Photo by JKonig
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According to Hello Magazine it is bad news for Spice Girls fans (are there that many I wonder) - they have announced they are to go their separate ways once more due to personal and family commitments.
Spice Girls Reunion Tour. Image: Fametastic.co.uk
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Heath Ledger began his acting career in Home and Away where he played the role of surfer Scott Irwin in 1997. He went on to make his film debut in Blackrock later that year. He landed his first Hollywood role in 1999, starring in the teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You.
Heath Ledger. Image: ivillage.co.uk
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At last an intelligent article on the family that recognises the importance of happy contented parents raising happy contented children. Significantly the point is made that two parents are not necessarily needed for the family unit to be a happy one - a happy single parent is definately better than two miserable ones.
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The family of Madeleine McCann have released sketches of a man they believe may have abducted the four-year-old. An artist drew two likenesses of the man from a witness statement made by a holidaymaker who stayed in the same Portuguese resort as the McCanns.
Madeleine McCann
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Comment by Rose
on NIGELLA WON’T GIVE MONEY…BUT WILL SHE GIVE COOKING TIPS?
I think Nigella's attitude is a good one. It might be easy foe her children not to achieve their potential and work hard in life if they know they are going to inherit millions. It's good for them to grow up learning the value of money and earning their own.
It seems sensible for her to spend her money on them now by sending them to the top schools. If I was in a position to do that I would. A good education and other priviledges in life also increase the chance that in the future they would not need her money anyway!