Claire Smith

Will I ever stop feeling like I have to work extra hard to prove I can do the job, despite my (light) accent?

It's 2026. I've worked in publishing for nearly 20 years, freelance for the last ten. When I am required to attend an online meeting and people I've been working with hear my voice for the first time, there is always a note of surprise that I am from The North. Is it really that 'exotic'?

My son made a Valentine's card for the cat. I got zilch.

I have done this activity with my Girlguiding Rainbows group (ages 4-7) and they LOVED it!

Thank you, @pierrenovellie.bsky.social - after overhearing your set about being unfashionable on BBC Sounds, my 8YO ND son has really taken to the phrase "Marks and Spencers, the dense boy's friend," and now I have to hear that 400 times a day 😆

Already circled in the Christmas TV guide!

Square cake decorated with Feathers McGraw from Wallace and Gromit, with the words 'Good Grief; It's Yule!' around the image. Completed with star sugar sprinkles.

8YO and I have decided to go non-traditional with our Christmas cake decoration this year!

Ah that's a nice worst kept secret in publishing you have there, sure would be a shame if it was revealed just before Christmas

This government needs urgently to rectify the situation before more beloved charities and national institutions are forced into applying discriminatory policies which go against their values. This is harming Britain's institutions greatly at a time when they are already stretched to breaking point.

This government needs urgently to rectify the situation before more beloved charities and national institutions are forced into applying discriminatory policies which go against their values. This is harming Britain's institutions greatly at a time when they're already stretched to breaking point.

Statement on new membership policies from WI and Girl Guiding. This Government must be held responsible for the long-lasting damage they are doing to a generation of LGBTQ+ people. This is mere cruelty to exclude trans people from doing the things they love with the people who love them. This is the outcome of the EHRC's decision to propose a blanket ban on trans inclusion in private as well as public organisations.

This is mere cruelty to exclude trans people from doing the things they love with the people who love them. This is the outcome of the EHRC's decision to propose a blanket ban on trans inclusion in private as well as public organisations.

It's devastating. And the numbers of Guide Leaders talking about resigning their posts in the wake of this decision (myself included) makes me think that Girlguiding will fold now. That safe space will be gone.

Devastating. My understanding is that Girlguiding had very little choice, following the Supreme Court ruling in April and the threat of legal action from people determined to discriminate. I don't think I can continue with my Rainbows group after this, but then that safe space is gone for all of us.

I searched online for ideas for gifts for my 11YO girl. It's all about skincare and hair at that age, apparently. Like, seriously expensive stuff, for intensive skincare routines.

I asked my 11YO what she would like for Christmas and she's requested a marble run set and a skateboard.

Had coffee this morning with a mum I often see on the school run, but don't know well. I did not expect our conversation to turn to a full rundown of Margaret Atwood's greatest works, but I'm so pleased it did! I'm now thinking about setting up a school run book club!

All schools in England to be given AI-generated pupil attendance targets Unions decry move, saying it will put more pressure on headteachers without tackling absence from classrooms

Is there a school in this land that isn't already working incredibly hard on attendance? How is an AI target going to help the child who can't get to school because they're caring for a sick parent? Or the child whose anxiety prevents them leaving the house? www.theguardian.com/education/20...

The book 'The Red House Mystery' by AA Milne, with cup of tea next to it.

Hands up if you didn't know AA Milne wrote books for grownups too! (Obviously, Winnie the Pooh is great for grownups, but you know what I mean.) Found 'The Red House Mystery" in Oxfam and it's really rather enjoyable #mysterylit #oxfam

Birthday cake with 'Birthday Most Unladylike' iced on it, with a magnifying glass, footprints and blood splatter.

Ready for 10YO to become 11YO! #murdermostunladylike @redbreastedbird.bsky.social

Not an expert in the field but I suspect teachers and schools already KNOW which students are struggling with reading. What they need are solutions. Such as funding for libraries with librarians.

So tempted to jump in with a note about allergies, dietary requirements, promoting healthy lifestyles, etc. but the class WhatsApp group is like a nest of vipers. Have emailed school with positive feedback instead - let schools know you're on their side!

School have sent out a message asking people to stop sending tons of sweets in to school for birthdays. Class WhatsApp group is going mad. 'What is the world coming to?', they ask. 'This is really sad'. 'But school will still allow cake sales - how is that fair?'

Diorama of a London underground station being used as shelter during the Blitz.

10YO is learning about WWII this term, so we're reading 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' by Judith Kerr together. Handily, this month's Aquila magazine (which I generally highly recommend) is on WWII, so we knocked up a little diorama at the weekend.

#aquilamagazine #TheBlitz #schoolhistory

10YO is in Year 6 now, and finally free of book bands! She was so excited to show me the Year 6 library. Why she hasn't been allowed near it in the previous five years at the school is a mystery to me 🙄

They say never meet your heroes, but 7YO was beside himself to meet Orinoco today #wombles #heightsofabraham

Tabby cat looks at a birthday candle stuck on a tin of tuna, with party hat and birthday card in the background.

Four months ago, my friend tearfully asked if we'd give one of her cats a home - she'd adopted a pair of kittens who just didn't get on once they'd reached maturity. We'd never had a pet before. We had to learn quickly.

Today, we celebrated Cat's 2nd birthday. We're all besotted.

#birthdaycat

Happy ‘it’s a bank holiday that’s why they’re not replying to your emails’ Day to all the freelancers! 🥳

Well, I wasn't expecting the latest Grimwood to lead to discussions with 7YO and 10YO about politics, but very glad it did! Another excellent story.

We've finally decided we're ready for Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' now. Just read the bit about how to recognise a witch. Both kids absolutely gripped 😊

A Box Full of Murders The first children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey. When Ava and Luke discover a mysterious box o...

Friend asked 10YO what type of books she likes best: "Mainly murder books. And books with a map in the front."

She's currently reading 'A Boxful of Murders' by Janice Hallett, which I'm definitely going to be reading after her!

www.penguin.co.uk/books/455649...

#kidlituk #mysterybooks

"Here's an incredibly wordy brief containing eleventy billion links to Teams folders I have not given you access to. I'm now out of office for a fortnight and I need all work completed for the day of my return."

Children are staying with grandparents, so it's remote bedtime story over video calling this week. Which means Grandma and Grandad are also getting to hear the new Grimwood and ALL the silly voices. 7YO is bringing them up to speed: "And then there's Sharon ..." 😆 #kidlituk #bedtimestory #awooga

SQUEEEE! New Grimwood is out! We're very excited - AWOOOOGA!! #grimwood #tedandnancy @nadiashireen.bsky.social