The Adult You're Quietly Helping to Build
Over the last few weeks, I've spent a lot of time thinking about childhood. About confidence. Belonging. Resilience. Comparison. Curiosity. Identity. The ordinary moments that quietly shape extraordinary adults. At first glance, they might seem like separate conversations. But the more I've reflected, the more I've realised they've all been pointing towards the same idea. The adult you're quietly helping to build. Over the last fifteen years, I've had the privilege of walking
The Childhood We Can't Timetable
I sometimes wonder if we've become so focused on giving children the best possible childhood that we've forgotten what childhood is for. Please don't misunderstand me. I don't mean that children shouldn't have opportunities. Far from it. Clubs, sports, music lessons, family days out and organised activities can all be wonderful experiences. They introduce children to new skills, new people and new passions. But I do wonder whether, in our efforts to give children everything,
Why Childhood Was Never Meant to Be a Competition
From the moment children are born, somebody is measuring something. Their weight. Their height. When they smiled. When they rolled over. When they took their first steps. As they grow older, the measuring continues. Reading levels. Times tables. Sporting ability. Exam results. Friendship groups. University places. Careers. Houses. Relationships. Somewhere along the way, comparison quietly becomes part of the background noise of life. In many ways, that's understandable. As hu
