Homemade butterflies Some people are born to grandparenting. I am sure that my mother would have been great at it, had she lived that long - she was clucky for ten years before I even thought of having children -and my son -in -law's parents must come close, but I am not one of them. OK I try to be available for emergencies, new babies and the occasional mad outing, but I struggle constantly with myself. Don't get me wrong - the girls - all three of them -are lovely, but it's not a role that I would chose for myself. For a start it's not something you have control over. Like greatness, it is just sort of thrust upon you. All of a sudden you are expected be all-wise, all-knowing, ever-patient, mature, responsible, selfless and sexless, while at the same time never criticising or interfering. I am done with that. A few nappy changes and sleepless nights, fractured mealtimes, day care and school schedules and I am reduced to a gibbering wreck. I have nightmares a...
Practising Geographer - nature culture places people