When you are a new parent, there are a great many things you look forward to fondly: a first smile perhaps; a trip with baby to the park on a sunny day; or a perfect morning moment as the little one wakes from their deep slumber in their cosy cot.
Expectations change by the time a second child comes along, and you know that the best you can hope for is the occasional, brief respite from their bawling, desultory swings in the drizzle and being greeted at 5am by a glint in baby’s eye and a steaming turd that baby’s nappy has failed to contain.
Sometimes, expectations become self-fulfilling, however. When our daughter was tiny, we had plenty of energy, and she seemed to have plenty of get-up-and-go. She liked always to be on the move, scampering about, and we responded in kind. As soon as we could, we signed her up for baby swimming: another activity to add to the list, we thought; and it’s never too early to learn an important life skill.
この記事は The Independent の December 10, 2023 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 The Independent の December 10, 2023 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
'I didn't think I'd make it'
Adam Smith, the commentator with a voice synonymous with boxing’, tells Alex Pattle about his enforced absence from the sport and his agonising battle with cancer
England charge back after early Australian fireworks
England weathered some early fireworks from Travis Head to restrict Australia to 179 in their series-opening T20 against Australia.
Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth
Not many people are inclined to feel much sympathy for Rachel Reeves at the moment the cut to winter fuel payments could hardly have gone down worse but she’s been dealt a dismal hand. And now the economy has stalled on her.
Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.
Defender eyes century of caps as young Lions add energy’
‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'
Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall are co-writers, co-stars, and married. They tell Ellie Harrison what it’s like to work together on their hit comedy series Colin from Accounts’
How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears
Mark Beaumont talks to members of the band about how the seminal album was shaped by death, near-fatal live shows and the Montreal music scene, 20 years since its initial release
'I realised he could kill me
After James Barr’s ex became abusive, the comedian ended up living in fear of his partner. He believes we need to talk more about domestic violence in the queer community
'I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'
As the backlash grows over the decision to cut the benefit for some pensioners, Zoe Beaty heads to Harrogate in Yorkshire where she nears two very different takes on Labour’s policy
Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?
A Brexit really does keep on giving, doesn’t it? The decision to leave the European Union was followed by the UK securing its status as a “third country”, alongside Paraguay and East Timor, thereby making British travellers subject to all kinds of red tape.
The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever
Ben Macintyre’s unputdownable new book The Siege’ tells the story of an SAS op like no other, writes Robert McCrum
