‘Not me!’ says Stephanie Calman, who openly confesses the journey from nurturing babes in arms to waving them off to uni has been peppered with mummy fails
![And The Prize For Parenting Goes To…](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5364/360982/5d4437aabcdb1/Parenting-Children-Motherhood.jpg)
When you’re pregnant you think: ‘I’m having a baby!’ It doesn’t occur to you that this is a person who will eventually catch trains by themselves; share a fridge with 10 strangers; go to a festival in Croatia without succumbing to a drug overdose; and, one day, bring you a gin and tonic when your own mother is dying.
We set ourselves insanely high standards before even looking at any of the many rule books. But, ignoring them all, and having been a very – very – imperfect teenager myself, I was perfectly on course to avoid the straitjacket of perfection. Here’s how.
1 I have – quite often – yelled at my children in public
My sister-in-law had found the last available sane man in London and was getting remarried. Dressing up was required but little could I have known this would presage the first sign of adolescence in my daughter Lydia at BHS. When I pointed out a lovely plum dress, Lydia refused to even try it on. Eventually I yelled, ‘Right, that’s it! I’m going to go home without you!’ The response? ‘I’m going home without YOU!’ She was seven.
2 I have raging separation anxiety
この記事は Woman & Home の September 2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Woman & Home の September 2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
![How healthy IS YOUR GUT?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/JciNDIr561725443792484/HOW-HEALTHY-IS-YOUR-GUT.jpg)
How healthy IS YOUR GUT?
This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
!['DON'T CALL ME A HERO'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/w8FTQUymH1725443412740/DONT-CALL-ME-A-HERO.jpg)
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced
![CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/sHxc6DCyl1725443193554/CANCER-WAS-JUST-A-JOB-UNTIL-IT-HAPPENED-TO-ME.jpg)
CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me
Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
![Freewheeling in TUSCANY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/8zrehmFuM1725442652222/FREEWHEELING-IN-TUSCANY.jpg)
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track
![Nostalgic BAKES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/49HjfTeFP1725442360316/NOSTALGIC-BAKES.jpg)
Nostalgic BAKES
Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats
![A NEW NORMAL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/Oh6CsQZpm1725442072266/A-NEW-NORMAL.jpg)
A NEW NORMAL
The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
![I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/idlUtNKFq1725441891357/I-LOOK-FORWARD-TO-BEING-A-VERY-ELDERLY-ECCENTRIC-WOMAN.jpg)
I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'
Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
![Lighter DINNERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/RNEVkJXxx1725441385285/LIGHTER-DINNERS.jpg)
Lighter DINNERS
Big on flavour and easy on the calories
![Behind CLOSED DOORS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/fzOc5Dl8W1725441105744/BEHIND-CLOSED-DOORS.jpg)
Behind CLOSED DOORS
What really goes on at your local surgery, and how are decisions made? GP and practice partner Dr Helen Wall reveals all
![15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/cyCcZpmSy1725440532388/15-WAYS-TO-IMPROVE-YOUR-MEMORY.jpg)
15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY
Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks