Last updated on 9 June 2026
It’s throwing me a few curveballs of late. I keep realising that so much of parenting is about how we forgive our own parents, how we forgive ourselves, and try to show up better each day as a model for teaching our children.
I also keep being reminded on a daily basis that learning is not linear. And a lot of learning happens when we are not looking.
A child visualising how they are going to climb something. A child reenacting a situation they lived through. A child playing a wooden spoon and pretending it is a violin. These are all forms of learning and integration.
Do you know what else is a curveball as a parent? Making decisions about your child’s education before you have all the facts in front of you. It is hard. It. Is. Hard.
Robyn has a new album out called Sexistential. It’s not that new now. But it’s new for me. Plus, I’m trying to make sure my Spotify Wrapped is not entirely Let It Go and Golden this year.
It is Robyn’s first album in eight years and it is so good. It’s tight, clever, lyrical with delicious musical themes throughout. The production is so neat on this. I’ve listened to the album in its entirety multiple times now - not something I do often as there’s usually only a few songs that stick out for me. But this album, oof, it’s worth the ear time.
It probably comes as no surprise from reading the first section of this page that I’ve started reading The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read…and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did by Philippa Berry. It’s an easy read in the sense of working through the words, but the reflection it brings up is heavy and at times difficult. I’m taking my time with it, often feeling like my brain has had a work out after a short reading session.
I’ve finished Amy Smilovic’s book, Almost Reckless. If you’ve never heard of Amy Smilovic, she’s the founder of independent US clothing label, Tibi. Although I’ve never bought her clothes, I’ve quickly felt a kindred spirit in ambition and entrepreneurialism in her writing…this book in particular. Those that shift our thinking and change our world tend to have something in common. The ability to zag when everyone else is zigging with such fervour that it would be almost acceptable to just fall in with the crowd. People who zag don’t usually travel a path of ease - but deep down, I don’t think they’d want it any other way. Amy’s writing is biographical while also giving you something to learn and try yourself. I really enjoy her lack of filter and willingness to communicate her conviction and ambition.
The book currently playing on my Audible is Kate Mason’s Powerfully Likeable. It’s all about communication as a woman and effective ways we can think about and implement better communication. There’s some helpful suggestions and exercises in there. The book is more practical than I anticipated it to be.
My next read/s in waiting…actually there’s three.
Parent life has taken priority the last few months but in the background, my ambition and my research has been swirling. The newsletter has had a glow up and it returns this week!
I’ve started planning Season 3 of my podcast.
I’m preparing an exciting presentation for later in the year...more to come on that.