Opinion Archives - The Less-Refined Mind

The Loophole That Means Preschool Can Steal Your Child’s Funding

Nov 27, 2018

I’m writing this post about two months before you’ll see it, while it’s still fresh and raw. Why am I choosing not to publish immediately? Because it’s not only a criticism of a loophole in the preschool funding system, but also of my daughter’s specific setting (her previous one, as she’s since been moved). And while I want every parent ...

Bullying, Opinion

The Label I Cannot Stand Being Thrown Around Like Confetti

Nov 6, 2018

As a rule, I try these days to spend most of my time in a bubble of positivity. I don’t want drama in my life and I’ve taken great steps to remove it where necessary. I will cut people out of my life, no matter who they are, if they bring nothing but stress or misery. That may sound harsh but it’s not something I do lightly; it’s a painful ...

Family and Parenting, Marriage, Opinion

Why I Take My Husband For Granted and Have No Plans to Change That

Oct 9, 2018

This week my husband and I celebrate ten years together. A decade – which means that when we got together that length of time was nearly half my life! It seems like quite a momentous milestone (we’re celebrating with a child-free night – the first time I’ll have left Elfin overnight!); so I thought I’d give you my tips on how to ...

Breastfeeding, Opinion

Breastfeeding Etiquette For Men: How to Support Women – Without Being Creepy

Oct 5, 2018

A few weeks ago I posted something on Facebook about breastfeeding. The post itself was less important than some of the comments. An old friend asked a question and made me consider something I’ve genuinely never thought about before: breastfeeding etiquette for men. Essentially, I’d been talking about a show the BBC broadcast about ...

Blogging, Opinion

Do You Truly Want to See Me Fail?

Sep 28, 2018

I want to start by saying this is not about me; or at least it’s not just about me. I’m writing this on behalf of many fellow bloggers who, over time, have privately, quietly – sadly – relayed similar scenarios. I’m writing this to hopefully bring some focus to an issue which impacts so many of us, yet seems to go largely ...

Lifestyle, Opinion

The One Thing All Work at Home Parents MUST Do To Be Successful

Jul 17, 2018

I recently published a post about the fact that I struggle to find the time to fundraise, and mostly it’s because I’m also trying to maintain a business behind the scenes. One of the difficulties work at home parents face is that when you work from home, people tend to forget that sometimes, you have to work. This can apply to ...

Family and Parenting, Opinion

The Relentless and Intolerable Pressure to Fundraise at Preschool

Jul 6, 2018

How do you feel about fundraising? What about when it’s not really a choice, but an expectation? Based on some conversations I’ve had, I think there are some educational settings that use unethical tactics – akin to emotional blackmail – to extract funds from parents. And the preschool pressure to fundraise is ...

Breastfeeding, Opinion

The Day Dr Chris & the BBC Failed to Advocate Breastfeeding

Jun 7, 2018

What does the BBC mean to you? For me (scandal aside, obvs) it stands for good, proper, ethical, but most of all balanced news. It does not, or it should not – to my understanding at least – be associated with bias, agenda, or ulterior motive. That’s not the point of the BBC. We all pay towards it (my thoughts on that are for ...

Breastfeeding, Opinion

Breastfeed? Why That Makes You a Martyr

May 10, 2018

I wrote this post before I became pregnant with Elfin. Of course I’m currently breastfeeding again, and I’ve also been dairy-free for nearly a year – meaning this post is now more relevant than ever. Breastfeeding is a subject close to my heart. It’s something I’ve written about many times over the last couple of years ...

Opinion, Pregnancy and Newborns

KateGate: Does She Look Too Good After Pregnancy?

Apr 25, 2018

Back in May 2015 I wrote a post following the birth of Princess Charlotte. I’m really disappointed that it remains completely relevant following the arrival of the newest Prince (as yet unnamed). So I’m re-sharing and you’re welcome to wade in with your opinions about Kate’s post-pregnancy body and whether it’s ...