Good Reads December 2013

As we hurtle towards 2014 there is still little chance to sit and reflect on 2013 which will, I imagine, be remembered above all else as the year that the World mourned the loss and celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela.

There is nevertheless much to be cheerful about, much to be grateful for, much to look forward to in 2014. But before we cross the threshold from 2013 may I take this opportunity to thank you: for reading, for commenting, for interacting across social media platforms. Being a part of the BritMums team is a remarkable thing, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity, the camaraderie and the respect. Thank you.

And now, get comfy, pour yourself a cup of mulled wine (although if you still have a school run to do, I’d go with tea. It’s amazing how easy it is to get a ‘reputation’ in educational establishments as “that parent”. Not that I would know. Ahem.) Now, feast your eyes on the posts I have curated from across the interweb, the blogosphere, the Ninternet, with you in mind.

New blogger on the block Susan T is dealing with a new normal
Mummy From the Heart talks about the conversations you don’t want to have with your children
Primett’s Perspective looks at the dire situation the NHS is in
Mother Wife Me says some London Cyclists need to get a life
The ever acerbic Who’s The Mummy writes an Open Letter to Parents
There’s a piece on Google Authorship for those of us who are still trying to fathom out what it is and how it affects us via Technology Solved
Chocolate is Not the Only Fruit asks is blogging a white thing?
It had to happen some time: The Metro shares the video of Starbucks v Spartacus.
If you are feeling too fat to be photographed, read My Friend Teresa’s post
Inside the Broken is written by Glow in the Woods
Vegemite Vixen rages against those who would call her a Mummy Blogger
Collaborating with a 4 year old has amazing results, as this post from Busy Mockingbird demonstrates. Via Plus 2 point 4
A Modern Military Mother talks posh or pikey
The BBC website brings attention to a Campaign following the death of Natasha Scott-Falber from Toxic Shock Syndrome
An article about arrows that navigate you across America from Messy Nessy Chic had me spell-bound! Via @fussfreeflavours
Is Motherhood the most important job in the world? Read Catherine Deveny’s standpoint in The Guardian
The American Resident has news of a brilliant new site: linking location and literature.
I could not find a better way of explaining bullying to children than this post from Single Dad Laughing.
Sweet Madeleine points out the lies people tell you about infant sleep.
My Grilling Life writes a letter to Melissa Bachman after a photograph of her posing with a lion she shot went viral
I’m keen to test this amazing homemade heater from Why Don’t You Try This?
QuickMeme shares the photos of scenes parents construct with their kids toys. Great idea.
The Motherhood meets the woman who started an OpenAir Nursery.
Crystal Jigsaw writes about painting by numbers
Domestic Goddesque shares simple sweet Reindeer Treats. Perfect for the holidays.

About Kelly Innes

Kelly is the face behind the vintage silhouette at Domestic Goddesque. She eats too much cookie dough to have a waist that small. She is a thirty-something Mother of two absurdly photogenic little girls, is married her beloved DH and endures daily battles-of-will with the dog she refers to as the Wonder Hound. She likes to avoid housework as much as possible, preferring to bake, craft and drink cocktails. Sorry, did I say cocktails? I meant coffee. And nap. She likes to nap too. When not blogging, you can find her haunting Facebook for interesting snippets of gossip, or throwing her wit around the twittersphere. (She may have made that last bit up too: she's not that funny.)