Motherload

I was interviewed recently for a wonderful and very important research project being run at LSE, entitled Parenting for a Digital Future . The interview pulled me up short, because it made me realise that I am hostile to my adolescent daughter's entry onto the digital scene, for reasons that surprised me. 1. I'm very ignorant about WHAT she looks at and WHY. 2. I know far less than she does about what's hot and what's not online. 3. I feel deeply threatened by her desire to vlog, although all she is doing is learning from online celebrities like Zoella. 4. I don't want my little girl to grow up. 5. I am terrified that she will be attacked or stalked online, even though all she is doing is learning how to use email, text and WhatsApp. I won't let her have an Instagram account, and certainly not Facebook. 6. I am terrified her love of reading, drawing, thinking and playing is being crushed by an addiction to spending time playing Sims. 7. Yet.... I write...

I had the pleasure of meeting Phillip Lopate recently, to interview him about the personal essay, a form he has made his own. Here's what happened .

We decided to have an Easter egg hunt. Despite the   predojuce   prediguice  bias that is an egg hunt, we did it anyway. We thought about having it in a nearby park. But I had a concern. Five year olds. Picture the scene... "come on Timmy, we are going to be late!" ''but mummy, its easter! we can't go to the park on easter!'' "we can and we will. pack your bags, we're going in the car..." *at the park* "mummy, i'll meet you at the playground!'' "ok, dear." *Timmy stops abruptly at a large pile of chocolate.* "errrr... i'll catch you up!" *moments later. all the eggs are gone and Timmy's mouth is covered in a brown, sweet substance* us: "get him!!!!!!" that is why we decided on an 'at home'. thank you for reading and happy easter from the family.