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I have been doing some work with Holocaust survivors, and one of them said something to me about childhood once that just resonated so much. He said, "Parents love their children more than children love their parents." And that just sums it all up so brilliantly, the uneven see-saw of love in the parent-child-parent dynamic.

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Ooof so true

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What a great read. It seemed so easy pre-children, just don't repeat the mistakes my parents made! Simple! And then I had children and it's a real struggle not to follow the same path my parents did, plus some extra thrown in. Totally underestimated how hard it is to break away from how my subconscious has learnt to parent. Not sure why I thought I'd be the exception!

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Yes! So so true!

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Today was in my top 5 toughest parenting days, and boy did I need to read this right now ❤️

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Oh mate I’m sorry I hope tomorrow is a better day x

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Yet again you have written so beautifully the internal narrative of being a mum. This magical, wondrous, intense can I have a break but please also let it never end always trying to do better as a mum but gosh I need a rest. This strange land we inhabit that one day these little ones we want to just squeeze will be away living their own lives (as they should). It’s bonkers and blows my mind every single day. Wonderful writing as ever thank you!

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So bonkers. Thank you for the kind words.

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This. All of this. Thank you for putting it into words so eloquently 💜

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Thank you Roz ❤️

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I'm sending this to my three patenting kids. Thanks

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❤️

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Arg, everything about THIS! I love it and I hate it and it hurts and I need it and I'm trying and I want to give up and all of it. Thank you Emily for seeing us x

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❤️ it’s so much of everything all the time

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Nailed it, as always. I hope Thomas looks back on my parenting and knows that I was trying my best.

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I really think he will ❤️

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This is beautiful. Today I was on my knees cleaning up toys left scattered over the shower ranting about how soon they'll get mouldy and that'll give me another job and what was the point buying the basket for them - when I felt two wee arms around my waist and my 6-year-old gave me the biggest hug and then I couldn't stop laughing at myself. Parenting eh x

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Awww love it

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This is a beautiful read 💕

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And those pics together, you and Ham, so funny and gorgeous

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founding

your writing always hits the right spot. thank you

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Awww that’s such a nice thing to say!

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Thank you Emily xx Love this x

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Arohanui ❤️

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Oh Emily, you've nailed it again. ❤️

I still pretend to eat mine all the time and he thinks it's hilarious.

My guy is a year younger than Ham, and after a day of 'want want want, why why why, me first me first me first, mine mine mine' he tells me "I love you around the moon and the stars and back"... I reply that I love him To Infinity and Beyond.

He tells me he loves me "the most - more than you love me" and while we are laughing and joking I think "kid, you have no idea".

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June 27, 2023
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Haha it’s the weirdest thing

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