'You've got your hands full'

BBC Coventry and Warwickshire radio interview about twins

A FEW weeks back I was interviewed by Mark Powlett on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire about twins.

Our chat touched on the following among other things and I hope you enjoy it:

• A unique bond between twins
• Sibling rivalry
• Do you dress twins the same?
• Should they be in the same class at school?
• How does a twin pregnancy compare to a singleton one?
• My crap maths

I know I sound a bit "eccentric" which is of course a polite way of saying well, a bit strange, but then I always do on the radio. I don't care as I've got used to it!

Press on the button below to hear the interview.

Massive thanks to producer Kate for sending me the MP3.

Rosie Scribble and LivingwithKids welcome Twins, Triplets & More blog tour

THANKS to Rosie Scribble for letting me set up my stall today where I focus on a mum of twins and her story of post natal depression. I hope by spreading the word about the new free/subsidised help on offer from Tamba, word can reach those expectant mums who could most benefit so they can learn that support is out there.

Thanks also to Liz at LivingwithKids who published a guest post from me yesterday, with some facts and figures about twins. I know when I was expecting, I had my eyes opened and a "learning curve" has continued ever since.

Coming tomorrow is another pit-stop in the "tour" and a guest post here from the brilliant Fourdownmumtogo.

Twins, Triplets and More week 2010: Guest posts, blog tour and carnival

I SET up this blog to offer information and support for parents and carers of twins, triplets and more. Years on, people searching for help with post natal depression still find us and I'm touched that I can be of help.

I've also a longstanding association with Tamba, the Twins and Multiple Births Association, being a member and former magazine editor and PR helper.

That's why when the hardworking people at the charity got in touch to tell me about their annual awareness bid, Twins, Triplets & More week, and the fact that they want to publicise free help for multiple mums, I thought it would be great to spread the word.

It runs from Monday, June 28.

Great British Days Out 2010 raising money and awareness for NACCPO

THIS post is from Have a Lovely Time.

IN the coming weeks, Have a Lovely Time will carry a number of reviews of places across Britain that welcome families. We've already lined up some great attractions to report back from, all over the country.

In some cases, complimentary tickets will have been provided by the attraction or destination reviewed. Bloggers reviewing these places are asked to donate a sum to children's cancer charity, NACCPO.

Author Blog Awards: I'm on the shortlist!

Thanks a million for voting...now please can you do it again?

YOU may remember I was nominated in the Author Blog Awards.

Weeeelll, thanks a million to everyone who also added their support, as I have now been (ta-da!) shortlisted.

As suspected there are some "big name" authors also on the list, which has reportedly been whittled down from more than 500 sites, so I'm dead chuffed to have got this far.

Because families come in all shapes and sizes...

I'VE just posted about this at Have a Lovely Time, but it's something that I also wanted to add here in case anyone who just so happens not to have a family that fits into a neat 'two by two' box is reading. I know families with triplets or one child then twins can feel the pinch so I hope this can help!

Plus I absolutely love Quentin Blake so I wanted to use the picture again!

DOES your family fit the shape of a standard family ticket?

Or perhaps it's Mum plus her four kids, Dad plus his only child, and the young cousin who lives with them.

Maybe it's grandparents and their grandchildren, for whom they care or big sister and very little sister, whom she looks after. Mum, Dad, Auntie and her daughter.

Yet what’s the shape of a typical family ticket to a museum or gallery? Two plus two.

Please help me raise money for children with cancer

I HAVE a JustGiving page here raising money for NACCPO which is a charity helping children with cancer.

I'd be really grateful if you could consider making a donation, especially now as we approach Christmas time, to help families facing the sorts of challenges we prefer to not even think about.

So far, bloggers taking part in the Great Panto Review have raised £110 and there is more to come, which is great. I know times are tight but if you can afford to make a donation, however small, it will be very much welcomed and appreciated by this charity which does such wonderful work with severely limited resources.

The very lovely Rosie Scribble gives a full rundown here of what it's all about.

And you can see the posts so far at Have a Lovely Time here.

NACCPO website.

Thank you.

The Great Panto Review 2009: Open for business

The first post in our Great Panto Review is up at Have a Lovely Time and it's a review by me of A Christmas Carol at the Birmingham Rep.

For anyone who doesn't know, this is an attempt to raise money for a charity called NACCPO, which helps provide respite and support for families with children with cancer.

I'd really appreciate any support you could give by way or donating and/or blogging about this, every penny matters for this charity that has no budget to promote its excellent work with families for whom each day brings new heartbreaking challenges.

Help find Madeleine McCann and other missing children

MUM bloggers are being asked to help publicise this video in the hunt for Madeleine McCann.

As the appeal slips further from the top of news agendas, the hope is that some momentum can be maintained.

The video is from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.

If you are interested in learning more about other missing children in the UK, and how you can help, please also check out Missingkids.co.uk.

Please support our Great Panto Review 2009

Photo by Sallycat101 on Flickr

OVER at Have a Lovely Time, I posted earlier today about a 'collaborative blogging project' which can hopefully have parent bloggers laughing their socks off, while also making a difference to a children's charity.

Please read this to understand more. Please do leave an encouraging comment on the post so that we can start to pick up more momentum.

If you'd like to request review tickets and contribute, please give me a shout.

If you'd like to support NACCPO, whether or not you'll be visiting a panto this year, please visit our Justgiving page. I have set a target for the time being which I hope is realistic. This may change, depending how we go.

Thank you!