By Laura Johnstone Today Amelia had her two-year review with the Health Visitor. And I won’t lie—it left me feeling frustrated. Not because of anything they did wrong in particular, but because of the weight that these appointments can carry. That feeling of being assessed. That feeling of am I doing enough? Is she doingContinue reading “The Pressure to Keep Up: Why the Two-Year Review Isn’t the Whole Story”
Author Archives: Laura Johnstone
🎙️ Introducing Our New Podcast: Distracted Diaries – Parenting on the Edge
By Laura Johnstone & Georgie Hammer Two mums. One mic. A thousand distractions. If you’ve ever tried to finish a sentence with a toddler hanging off your leg, a dinner burning in the oven, and a head full of mental tabs left open – you’re not alone. That’s the heart of our brand-new podcast: DistractedContinue reading “🎙️ Introducing Our New Podcast: Distracted Diaries – Parenting on the Edge”
Two Years Ago Today: The Start of Something Bigger Than Us
Two years ago today, I was waiting to go into surgery. I remember the weight of that moment — not just the fear, not just the unknown, but the reality that this was it. I was about to give birth, not in the gentle, serene way you often see in films, but through major abdominalContinue reading “Two Years Ago Today: The Start of Something Bigger Than Us”
Two Years Ago Today: A Reflection on Fear, Change and Hope
Two years ago today, I was picked up at 8:30 in the morning by my mum and dad. We were heading to Southampton for my hospital admission, and we fully expected the usual hassle. The roads to Southampton are often a nightmare—busy, slow-moving, and unpredictable. But somehow, that day, we made it in just overContinue reading “Two Years Ago Today: A Reflection on Fear, Change and Hope”
Pre-eclampsia in Black Women: The Warning Signs We Can’t Afford to Miss
When it comes to maternal health, there’s one truth we can’t ignore: Black women in the UK are four times more likely to die in childbirth or the postnatal period than white women. Among the causes, pre-eclampsia is one of the most silent but serious conditions — and tragically, it often gets missed. Even today,Continue reading “Pre-eclampsia in Black Women: The Warning Signs We Can’t Afford to Miss”
The First and the Last: Navigating Milestones After Birth Trauma
Yesterday, I booked Amelia into crèche for the first time as a toddler. It was such a big milestone — one of those “firsts” you imagine when you’re holding your tiny baby in the NICU and dreaming of normality. But what caught me off guard was how bittersweet it felt. You see, for us, thisContinue reading “The First and the Last: Navigating Milestones After Birth Trauma”
From Dial-Up Days to Digital Dilemmas: Parenting in the Age of the Internet
I remember the screech of the dial-up modem vividly—those painfully slow connections that meant you couldn’t use the phone and the internet at the same time. Back then, having the internet at home felt like a luxury, not a lifeline. And I often find myself wondering what parenting must have been like during those earlyContinue reading “From Dial-Up Days to Digital Dilemmas: Parenting in the Age of the Internet”
The Quiet Strength of a People Pleaser with a Voice for Justice
Over the years, people have often told me, “You have a way of putting people at ease,” and I suppose they’re right. I’m someone who can walk into a room and read the atmosphere like a book — I pick up on tone shifts, facial expressions, body language, and unspoken discomfort. But this isn’t somethingContinue reading “The Quiet Strength of a People Pleaser with a Voice for Justice”
What Does “Having It All” Really Mean?
By Laura Johnstone When you hear the phrase “having it all,” what comes to mind? For many, it conjures up images of luxurious holidays, designer handbags, perfectly curated homes, and enormous bank balances. But for me, having it all is much simpler. It’s about love, connection, safety, and joy — the kind that money can’tContinue reading “What Does “Having It All” Really Mean?”
Who I’d Like to Speak to Very Soon: A Visit of Love, Loss and Legacy
There are moments in life where the past and present gently meet—when we pause long enough to let memory, emotion and hope intertwine. One of those moments is coming up for me this July, when we head to North Wales for my dad’s 80th birthday. A milestone birthday for a man who has given usContinue reading “Who I’d Like to Speak to Very Soon: A Visit of Love, Loss and Legacy”
The bad and your parenting journey 