Karen Coates
@karencoates.bsky.social
Journalist with quite big hair. Rarely shares an opinion. Occasionally muses on parenting a toddler, or shares pictures of pretty things.
Having kids comes with its challenges, but tonight my four year old said: “I really love learning. Learning and exercise are my favouritest things. Apart from you, you are my absolute favouritest thing mummy.”
Of course I was having to keep him company while he sat on the toilet at the time.
Of course I was having to keep him company while he sat on the toilet at the time.
January 15, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Having kids comes with its challenges, but tonight my four year old said: “I really love learning. Learning and exercise are my favouritest things. Apart from you, you are my absolute favouritest thing mummy.”
Of course I was having to keep him company while he sat on the toilet at the time.
Of course I was having to keep him company while he sat on the toilet at the time.
I am pleased to see Ian McMillan here.
First cup of tea: every journey begins with a single sup.
January 13, 2026 at 8:01 AM
I am pleased to see Ian McMillan here.
We have, once again, been a house full of illness. I’ve had a week of a flu/tonsillitis combo which has knocked me out. We’re all (I think) on the mend, but I am VERY much looking forward to being able to have a mid morning coffee instead of a mid morning herbal tea with honey.
January 11, 2026 at 12:10 PM
We have, once again, been a house full of illness. I’ve had a week of a flu/tonsillitis combo which has knocked me out. We’re all (I think) on the mend, but I am VERY much looking forward to being able to have a mid morning coffee instead of a mid morning herbal tea with honey.
To see in the new year we had a 5pm pub tea with the kids then battled them into bed.
Now time for the grown up part of the evening: some nice booze in front of some Only Connect Christmas specials. Maybe some cheese.
Happy New Year when it comes.
Now time for the grown up part of the evening: some nice booze in front of some Only Connect Christmas specials. Maybe some cheese.
Happy New Year when it comes.
December 31, 2025 at 8:59 PM
To see in the new year we had a 5pm pub tea with the kids then battled them into bed.
Now time for the grown up part of the evening: some nice booze in front of some Only Connect Christmas specials. Maybe some cheese.
Happy New Year when it comes.
Now time for the grown up part of the evening: some nice booze in front of some Only Connect Christmas specials. Maybe some cheese.
Happy New Year when it comes.
Last of the turkey gone.
December 29, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Last of the turkey gone.
Eldest wanted to make me a beautiful picture with his new glitter glue. Second picture is apparently me. Accurate depiction after a chocolate filled night shift.
December 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Eldest wanted to make me a beautiful picture with his new glitter glue. Second picture is apparently me. Accurate depiction after a chocolate filled night shift.
The bonus of a Boxing Day night shift: this afternoon I have an exceptional excuse to escape for a nice long nap.
December 26, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The bonus of a Boxing Day night shift: this afternoon I have an exceptional excuse to escape for a nice long nap.
The end of an indulgent day. Merry Christmas.
December 25, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The end of an indulgent day. Merry Christmas.
Conversation with an (excited) 4 year-old:
Me: tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, which means Santa comes tomorrow night!
Him: Will he bring presents?
Me: I think he brings presents to good boys and girls…
Him: I think sometimes I am good but maybe not all the time…
Me: tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, which means Santa comes tomorrow night!
Him: Will he bring presents?
Me: I think he brings presents to good boys and girls…
Him: I think sometimes I am good but maybe not all the time…
December 23, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Conversation with an (excited) 4 year-old:
Me: tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, which means Santa comes tomorrow night!
Him: Will he bring presents?
Me: I think he brings presents to good boys and girls…
Him: I think sometimes I am good but maybe not all the time…
Me: tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, which means Santa comes tomorrow night!
Him: Will he bring presents?
Me: I think he brings presents to good boys and girls…
Him: I think sometimes I am good but maybe not all the time…
Best to just assume this is me every evening for the next two weeks. Type of cheese may vary.
December 20, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Best to just assume this is me every evening for the next two weeks. Type of cheese may vary.
Managed to get out for a haircut and when I came back my four year old immediately said: “I love you mummy. Your hair is still long though.”
To which my husband said: “I think you meant: your hair looks lovely mummy”
To which my husband said: “I think you meant: your hair looks lovely mummy”
December 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Managed to get out for a haircut and when I came back my four year old immediately said: “I love you mummy. Your hair is still long though.”
To which my husband said: “I think you meant: your hair looks lovely mummy”
To which my husband said: “I think you meant: your hair looks lovely mummy”
Chucking it down, still a lovely twinkly evening.
December 18, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Chucking it down, still a lovely twinkly evening.
Present wrapping time.
December 17, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Present wrapping time.
@janehill.bsky.social I hope you’re watching celebrity masterchef. I’ve no one to discuss it with. Alfie Boe has consistently looked on the edge of tears throughout.
December 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
@janehill.bsky.social I hope you’re watching celebrity masterchef. I’ve no one to discuss it with. Alfie Boe has consistently looked on the edge of tears throughout.
Not a gourmet week on the meal planner this week.
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Not a gourmet week on the meal planner this week.
Allow me to be the last person in the world to realise that vinted is quite handy really.
December 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Allow me to be the last person in the world to realise that vinted is quite handy really.
In trying times, Aldi Yorkshire puds and gravy granules help.
December 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
In trying times, Aldi Yorkshire puds and gravy granules help.
I think my four year old may be part rabbit. He’s going through a very annoying picky phase, but this is what he requested for his after school snack.
December 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I think my four year old may be part rabbit. He’s going through a very annoying picky phase, but this is what he requested for his after school snack.
We’re all sleep deprived in this house at the moment, so I’m not sure it’s the best time for my four year old to have his first existential crisis. “Mum, I don’t want to die. Does everyone die?”
December 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
We’re all sleep deprived in this house at the moment, so I’m not sure it’s the best time for my four year old to have his first existential crisis. “Mum, I don’t want to die. Does everyone die?”
Turned out quite nice though. Yes we’ve gone a bit early.
November 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Turned out quite nice though. Yes we’ve gone a bit early.
Went out to buy a Christmas tree in the p*****g rain and everyone moaned. Ho ho ho.
November 29, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Went out to buy a Christmas tree in the p*****g rain and everyone moaned. Ho ho ho.
Blowing away the cobwebs and cabin fever brought by chicken pox. Big guy is nearly better, just one more day off to be certain. A beautiful morning for it.
November 26, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Blowing away the cobwebs and cabin fever brought by chicken pox. Big guy is nearly better, just one more day off to be certain. A beautiful morning for it.
We have reached the stage of toddler where my son had a full on screaming breakdown about the pack of crackers being empty, even though he was still holding a cracker, and had a cracker in his mouth. He’s not even 18 months yet.
November 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
We have reached the stage of toddler where my son had a full on screaming breakdown about the pack of crackers being empty, even though he was still holding a cracker, and had a cracker in his mouth. He’s not even 18 months yet.
We’ve had hand foot and mouth, an ear infection, a really nasty viral upper respiratory virus, and now chicken pox. Just chuck something gastric our way and I think it’s probably close to a full house? Autumn 2025 has been a right laugh.
November 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
We’ve had hand foot and mouth, an ear infection, a really nasty viral upper respiratory virus, and now chicken pox. Just chuck something gastric our way and I think it’s probably close to a full house? Autumn 2025 has been a right laugh.