NORTHERN PLANNER

So I spent the day with my little girl yesterday. Evie is nearly three and not ready for nursery, while our eldest has just started school.

It was a lovely day. We only went to look at the fish and the parrots at the garden centre, saw the farm and bounced like loons on the trampoline. QWe read books and painted, along with some hardcore chasing of course. 

And just chatting. 

The kind of stuff we do most summer weekends, but this time, no older brother just her.

So it means the world.

Because it can be difficult with two, you need to divide your attention equally. No need to divide the love of course, but we're learning both need time on their own with one or both of us. Evie came second but will never be made to feel second.

And I want to hold on to every single memory of her before she goes to nursery and loses every last trace of being a toddler. It goes so quickly, with her even quicker.

Looking at some of the old pictures of Will at her age, it's painful sometimes. He's started school and the slow decay of his innocence has begun.

He's more fun than ever, and I'm enjoying seeing his mind unfold.Will has a great imagination and is proving to be really creative, like Daddy was actually. At the same time, it's difficult to see the beginnings of introversion, which will be great for hime in some ways, but I know how difficult that will be and want t help him in every way I can.

We have a great time though. 

But it's hard to look at the pictures of that chubby little mass of chestnut hair and planet sized grin, from a couple of years ago,and not miss it sometimes. 

There's no dodgy 'what this means for brands or planning' I'm afraid, it's just on my mind. All I might say is that you'll never be able to comprehend the waves of joy and sorrow that assault people with children until you have them yourself. Another reason why the worship of youth in this industry can be a bit daft. 

Anyway.