: About Me

I'm a freelance writer and communications consultant - based in Brighton in the UK.

After working for Oxfam GB (the international development charity) for ten years, I stepped out on my own a year ago to develop a business writing and working with charities and other not-for-profit organisations to help them communicate more effectively. I'm used to writing for teachers, young people, and non-specialist audiences interested in international development. I enjoy writing about things I care about, and trying to make a difference with my writing.

So I'm using Helium to keep up my writing skills when I'm in between jobs, and reading some really interesting pieces by other writers. It's great to be here!

My passion is ...

Complexity - it makes life interesting

I know too much about ...

Nothing - there's always more to learn

My parents always told me ...

Don't bite your nails. So I took up smoking

My childhood ambition ...

Walking on the moon or discovering Atlantis

My favorite memory ...

Attempting Buddhist walking meditation while smoking in a wood

Why I write ...

It's the best way to get my thoughts in order

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Sweet Thursday, Days of Heaven, The White Stripes

My first job ...

Putting crosses on hot cross buns during college holidays

My best moment ...

Meeting my partner

My inspiration ...

The possibility of change

Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Teens Teens: Lack of freedom to grow up

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With freedom comes responsibility. This seems a fair principle on which to base teenage forages into freedom. But is it? It seems clear that, usually, younger children have little freedom: clothes are picked for them, food chosen, outings taken without consultation unless parents have way too much time on their hands for negotiating with 3 year olds. As kids mature, their choices increase: what to wear, favourite meals, what to read, special trips, what to buy Dad for his birthday (my advice is that Dads should try and stock up on enough socks and underwear to see them through a decade dur...

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• Helium Charter Member