Glorious Britain in Spring time
Spring in Britain is definitely my favorite season. Summer is always disappointing no matter what because we expect it to be hot and it rarely ever is. Winter is just cold and damp, and Autumn marks the end of summer – most times before it even begins. So Spring is perfect because if the weather […]
The British Accent
I was talking about accents the other day with a Canadian friend who used to live here but repatriated a few years ago. She was saying how British children sound so posh and sophisticated due to their accents. I used to think that too! Until I had children who speak with a British accent….. ! […]
An eventful March – birthdays, NHS and fundraising!
Gosh this month has been full of birthdays, hospital visits, a surprise surgery and lots of work. I think I’ve re-defined my own definition of busy! Through it all, we’ve been safe in the knowledge that the National Health Service (NHS) here in Britain is here to help no matter what the hour or the […]
Understanding how to be British but still American through and through
Inspired by a blog post by Amanda van Mulligen, a British expat in the Netherlands, this post is about the fact that while being American through and through, I mostly (probably not completely just yet) understand and really get what it means to be British. And, shock horror! I sometimes really love it! From the […]
One down, one cheat, and an extra one completed from my expat bucket list
Many blog posts ago I wrote down my expat bucket list. Looking back now, I see I was very ambitious! Maybe too ambitious. However, I’m pleased to report that I’ve actually achieved one of them, I’ve sort of done another one although it’s a bit of a cheat and I’ve completed an additional one that […]
Guest lecture to University students in London
WHAT: Guest lecture on raising cross cultural children in Britain to a group of American students studying child development WHO: Students of the University of Lipscomb, Nashville, TN USA WHERE: Russell Square, London UK Dr John Conger of Lipscomb University contacted me in January explaining that he was bringing a group of American students to […]
Year 9 options in UK schools
For those who, like me, had no idea what options meant or what GCSEs were then talk to your child’s teachers – visit the school, find out all the information relevant to your child’s year 10 and 11 options. Last week I attended the parents’ options evening at my son’s school for year 9 students. […]
The middle aged parent
Did I ever think I would be a middle aged parent? Did any of us? My husband recently celebrated his 46th birthday. I think for both of us, this is significant – he’s closer to 50 now than he is to 40. He is officially middle aged. That makes me officially middle aged too although […]
Out with the old, in with the new – Goodbye BUB blog as we know it
After much MUCH discussion with friends, family, readers and supporters of Bringing Up Brits blog, I have made a monumental decision. It will take some time for me to carry out the changes I plan on making to Bringing Up Brits blog so please bear with me on this. I have absolutely loved blogging about […]
The great British tin scare
I recently had a tin scare. Yes, a tin scare. This is me admitting that I am happy to bake cakes for school events whenever required BUT I’d better damn well get my tin back! Is it just me? Is that uncharitable? After last week’s baking for school fayres (I’ll never feel right about spelling […]
Do you want Bringing Up Brits blog to continue?
I need your help please. I’m considering giving up my Bringing Up Brits blog for personal reasons (mainly because my older children protest against me writing about them and they detest having their photos on it). I’m always careful not to post things that might embarrass them, but now they are getting older and their […]
Paddington
I took my younger two kids to see Paddington yesterday and my 11 year old daughter said “predictable” and my 5 year old said “scary” (you’ll have to see the movie to find out why he said scary!). To the annoyance of my daughter, I said “So sweet. The best children’s movie”. Although this is […]
Shameless Christmas gift plug
Ok so here’s my Christmas “Buy my book” blog post, I promise it will be the ONLY one until next year at the end of November. But as it’s coming up to Christmas time I thought I’d better make an effort because I seem to be better at promoting and selling other people’s things instead […]
Pumpkin pie – pie in the sky
This question is for Americans who are living in the UK. Do you sometimes get this? So many British people have asked me if I made Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday and when I replied no I did not, they gasp and ask me why I didn’t and express their surprise at why I did not. […]
Shepherds, fayres and Christmas cakes – Oh my!
Good luck to those who have young children in UK schools! Christmas madness all starts this week and if you’re like me with three children in three different schools, then your calendar will be jam packed. My top tip for keeping track of where and when you’re supposed to be for each child at each […]