I believe that women hold information as a key to power.  Sounds a bit strong?  Not really when you think about it.  We seem to like to show the outside world how very together we are, combining career, homelife and everything else that gets thrown at us. 

I’ll admit to that too, but behind the scenes my home is never ‘magazine article’ tidy, my children don’t sit around reading books and wanting to do extra work to improve themselves and  I don’t believe in pushing children into clubs either unless they have a real passion to do so.

Admit it, how often have you been relieved to hear someone honestly admit to something and think "I’m like that" or "I’ve done that"?

And it’s an international feeling too.  On a holiday last year I met up with a lady from Australia who had children of similar ages to me and she was asking me about the school system over here.  We got on very well and because of that she admitted to me that she dislikes the school run more now as a parent than when she was at school. 

I knew what she meant, the cliques, the competition, the gossip.  I read the Playground Mafia by Sarah Tucker, and although some of it may be a little exaggerated for the book, it’s probably not that far off the truth.  How many people would really agree to that?

So this is what teafriendsandchocolate.com will be about when it finally reaches website status.  In a nutshell, use this site to look for inspiration, have a laugh, share your own story, give advice to others.

We may not be able to change the world but we can have a really good moan about it while we’re trying!

So come on, grab a drink, and start having a chat with your virtual friends. Until membership is sorted out please feel free to leave comments under any of the articles.  Alternatively if you have a story you think would be of interest to meleave me a message on the blog. Due to the delays in getting it up and running as a proper website, I will be adding articles to the blog of the type that will be on teafriendsandchocolate. To date I have added:

‘Articles’

These come from different writers about a variety of subjects that they wish to offload about.

‘A Little Smile’

These are little funnies I have been sent by various people.  Like ‘A Little Thought’ if I know the writer I will publish it but more often they not it comes from an anonymous source.  Credit to my friend Dawn who has supplied me with some great material.

‘A Little Thought’

These will be quotes and one-liners either from known or anonymous sources.  These have been sent to me from various people.  If I know the writer of the quote then I will publish it, if not I will leave it unamed and apologies if I miss someones details off. I will of course be happy to rectify it.

‘A Parallel Universe’

For many of us parenting can be a difficult experience, the manuals don’t always tell the full and truthful story.  But what happens when there is the added complication of your child having a health or learning problem. This is a heartwarming and funny look at life with an autistic child.

‘Emma’s Dilemmas’

A light hearted look at a mum’s passage through life, kids, hormones, relationships and everything else that steps in her way.

‘Good Service’

It’s so easy to criticise people and services, but this section is to applaud people or companies who have, quite frankly amazed me with their friendly and welcoming approach.

‘Not So Good Service’

And on the reverse, these are people and services who I think could do with a little lesson in humanity and compassion. Alright that may be a little bit strong, they probably just need a bit of coaxing, a dose of friendliness and maybe some common sense.  All to help them improve of course!

‘Book Reviews’

Okay, now I have already mentioned in the general blog that I am a chick-lit fan.  So don’t be surprised at the books I am reviewing.  If you have read anything a little more substantial, then please feel free to let me know and let me have your thoughts.

‘Recycling’

Are we as green as we’d like to be?  A look at home recycling and what we really do compared to what we should be doing.