Helen Chandler

A Life More Ordinary

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Author: helenlouisechandler

I am a writer and mum, living in East London with my husband, young daughters and two cats. My novels 'Two for Joy' and 'To Have and to Hold' are published by Hodder and Stoughton.
July 21, 2019 helenlouisechandler

Inside my bag

July 15, 2019 helenlouisechandler

More of Less

June 27, 2019 helenlouisechandler

Summer days

June 3, 2019 helenlouisechandler

May Half Term

May 16, 2019 helenlouisechandler

The To-Do List

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Instagram

I did an Instagram detox for Lent, and one of the real positives was that I felt much more present during the school Easter holidays. So I'm going to repeat it for the summer holidays, and I'm giving up Facebook for that period too. I just find it too easy, when the children are being fractious or irritating or boring or noisy to slide away into someone else's pretty life for a bit. As a SAHM I often really crave that connection with the adult world. It never works, though, because what the children crave is my attention, and when they sense they don't fully have it they just become more persistent and I become more frustrated and we get a vicious circle. It's my 4yo's last day in nursery today, Reception for her in September. And only another year in primary school for my eldest. They are both growing and changing so fast, and while I don't want to be too starry eyed about it all I do want to lean in and try properly connecting with them this summer. More wave jumping, less scrolling. Have a lovely day summer everyone, see you in September. #instagramdetox #summeroff #summer #summerholidays #onlyconnect #childhoodunplugged #adulthoodunpluggedtoo #jumpthewaves
I should be working, but it's feeling heavy going, so instead I'm scrolling through my phone and finding lovely photos of husband and youngest playing giant skittles at the Merton College Family Garden Party a couple of weeks ago. Husband and I met in our first week at Merton, 20 years ago and this year, and it will always be one of the most special places in the world for me, so to get to see our children playing a few yards from where we shared our first kiss is such a privilege. #merton #mertoncollegeoxford #mertongardenparty #chestnutlawn #giantskittles #beingfour #childhoodunplugged #makesmehappy
When your creative homework is to design a chocolate based drink! My daughter created a Caramel Nutella Fudge shake - whole milk blended with a spoonful of @nutella and a scoop of @haagendazs_us salted caramel ice cream, topped with squirty cream and a stick of @cadburyuk fudge. Yum! #homework #mykindofhomework #chocolatebased #being10 #caramelnutellafudgeshake
QUITTING INSTAGRAM FOR LENT. I love Instagram. I really do. Very possibly a bit too much. So I’m going to see if a little break helps me to be more mindful, more present, more connected to my own life. #givingupinstagramforlent #givingupinstaforlent #lent #mindfulness #beingpresent #thepresentisagift #seeyouateaster
This little sausage was awake half the night with ‘nasty coughes’ and had a temperature this morning, so no nursery for her today. She fell asleep on my lap mid marathon Mr Men reading session, and then I actually managed to slide her off and she actually stayed asleep! And slept for 2.5 hours solid. Miracle. #beingfour #mygirl #meganap #wishidnappedtoo
My February books post is up on the blog today. Only 4 days late, which isn’t bad, considering there has been a Very Important 10th Birthday this weekend. All non-fiction this month, which is unusual for me, but they were good ones. #myyearinbooks #februarybooks #iamreading #whatimreading #jenniferweiner #sarahlangford #martinedwards #nonfiction

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