The pure despair of a child who requests an omelette for dinner but when it arrives realises she actually meant a pancake...

Linking up to #wickedwednesdays with brummymummyof2.co.uk and #bigfatlinky at thedadnetwork.co.uk

Tamzin Outhwaite, 44, has been a regular face on our TV screens since playing Mel in EastEnders back in the day. I admit I was super jealous - her character was married to Steve Owen played by Martin Kemp *swoon*. Tamzin has two daughters and I caught up with her to find out how she juggles that tricky work/life balance and what advice she has for mums.

It must be difficult when filming to juggle work and family life.  What advice do you have for busy working mums?

My advice would be to not feel guilty; we all know we’re working hard for our kids as well as for ourselves. It’s important to enjoy the time you have with them as it’s very precious. For instance, when I have time off I will hang out with the kids and make sure we do lots of different things. I also really treasure our time together in the mornings before they head off to school.

How has your diet and exercise regime changed since becoming a mum?

I don’t worry about what everybody says as much. I just do what’s right for my body, so I don’t run as much as I did as I find it can affect my knees. I do much more yoga now (particularly hot yoga) and it feels like it works better for my body.  My body has changed a lot over the years and I have been all different shapes and sizes. I was probably in the best shape ever on my 40th birthday!

How do you try and promote a healthy lifestyle to your children?

I try extremely hard to make sure we have good, healthy food in the house and marry up what they both like without having too much sugar. My fridge is quite healthy so I do allow a Friday treat because if it’s once a week it doesn’t feel so bad. When I grew up we didn’t have sweets, crisps or chocolate as they simply weren’t in the house- my lunch box was the one with the peeled carrots and cucumbers!

What three tips would you give to a new mum who wants to make healthier choices?

Don’t give yourself a hard time; we can all get very stressed as a new mum and I think when we stress ourselves out, our kids can pick up on it. Try and let it happen naturally, but if you have good food in the fridge and not too much rubbish around the house then it helps a lot.

How do you start your day? 

My kids wake at 6am and that’s always a really lovely time with them. Often, I will put on some music and the three of us will dance around the kitchen as they really love music and dancing. Then we will have some porridge and Cherry Good juice for breakfast. I like Cherry Good Light but the kids will have Cherry Good Original as it’s a little sweeter.

What advice did your mum give you when it comes to looking after yourself that you will pass on to your own children?

My mum is very good at eating non-processed, fresh food. She also juices her vegetables, which I think is a lovely thing to do and she eats a lot of pulses.  My mum also avoids eating white bread, white pasta or white rice. She’s extremely healthy and almost completely organic so I try and follow her example and adapt it to fit in with my lifestyle.

Big thanks to Cherry Good juice for organising this Q&A! cherrygood.com

Linking up to #MMWBH at superbusymum.net #binkylinky with twinmummyanddaddy.com #brilliantblogposts at honestmum.com and #SundayStars with the lovely group of bloggers tweeting @SundaysStars extraordinarychaos.com

Last year I reviewed a fantastic thriller, Falling, by debut author Emma Kavanagh. I was honoured to be part of the Blog Tour for Falling's paperback release in the Autumn and I've been invited back to host this post from Emma to celebrate the publication of her second novel, Hidden, which I'll be reviewing soon (super exciting!)

Mother and Author

I always wanted to be an author. I always wanted to be a mother. And so, here I am. Book two, Hidden, is just taking its fledgling steps into the world. And I have two small sons - a three year old and a six month old. I’m tired. A lot. Did I mention that?

In most ways, being an author is the ideal job to have whilst simultaneously parenting two small people. My time is my own. I get to decide when I work, where I work. There is, however, a downside to that. My time is my own. I do not have a boss. There is no one who will yell at me, threaten me with disciplinary procedures, if I do not work on any particular day. Which means of course, that when there is sickness, or an inset day, or a snow day, it is Mummy’s work that is put aside.

The other problem is that, despite a weirdly common belief amongst the general public, books do not write themselves. If I don’t show up to work, my book does not get written. Additionally, publishers do not tend to pay authors who do not write books. So, no work = no pay.

Now, try explaining this to the world at large, who see you as a stay at home mother with a hobby.

The early new year period was a doozy! My three year old managed to contract every childhood illness under the sun, and so every week - and I mean every week - for a period of two months, there was something, some illness, some crisis, that meant work had to be put aside. Sometimes he was ill ill (vomitting, wailing, needing cuddles) and in those moments wild horses could not have dragged me away from him. But other times he was just socially ill - a viral rash with pretty much no effects on his physical wellbeing but which meant he couldn’t go to school or daycare. Now those days…sheesh!

See, the other issue with being an author is that it is less of a job, more of a way of life. I could stop writing no more than I could stop breathing. It is who I am. So on those days when I am yanked away and the words are circling around in my head, cawing desperately to be set free, I swear I develop a twitch.

Being an author and being a parent are, in many ways, very similar. Both tasks are primal. They are not about doing your hours and checking out. They are about a basic need - to write, to wrap my arms around my 3 year old when he is sick, my baby when those pesky teeth are tormenting him. When I get that time, when no-one is sick and no-one is clinging to me and wailing, and I can sit down with my notebook, my insides unclench a little and there is relief as the words begin to flow. Right up until I think of my children, and then the relief is beaten down by guilt.

I don’t think I’m special. I don’t even think I’m that weird. I think that parenting, by its very nature, strips you bare. I think that it sets itself against every other demand, screaming for attention. Being a working parent is hard. Being any kind of parent is hard.

So…I have come to a few conclusions. Would you like to hear them? Ah, sure you would. As a mother, I am doing my absolute best. The vast majority of us are. My children are extraordinary - they are brilliant, snuggle-tastic, and fill me with more joy than I can possibly say. So, I am initiating a set of guidelines for those of you kind enough to critique me on my parenting and my life management generally - you know who you are!

I would not take medical advice from those who are not medically qualified. Therefore, I will no longer be accepting criticism from those who are not similarly qualified. By which I mean, you may criticise (sorry, help!!) me if you are raising two children. No, hang on. I’m not done. You may criticise me if you are raising two children, whilst also working as an author. Wait…still going. You must be raising two children, working as an author, with a husband with a very full time job. And a background as a police psychologist. And a cat. And you must be named Emma.

Because the conclusion I am beginning to reach is that no-one knows exactly what my life looks like. No one really knows what my struggles are, what my triumphs are. Which means that no one is truly qualified to criticise me.

Apart from me.

And my conclusion?

I am working hard. Very hard. Harder than I have ever worked in my life. I am raising my children to be bright, engaged and engaging, interested and kind. I am building a decent career for myself. I love my husband. I generally remember to feed my cat and (very occasionally) to stroke her. Okay, my house is a train wreck. But, on the whole, I am concluding that I’m doing pretty damn well.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to write.

Hidden by Emma Kavanagh is available in hardback, £12.99, published by Century books. Read an extract at http://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/index.php/extract-hidden-emma-kavanagh/

You can follow Emma on Twitter @EmmaLK and catch up with all the stops on her Blog Tour by visiting these blogs:

Linking up to #readwithme at mamamummymum.co.uk #WeekendBookClub at trainingmummy.com #sharewithme at letstalkmommy.com #brilliantblogposts at honestmum.com #allaboutyou at mama-andmore.com and #pocolo at vevivos.com

Today we journeyed up to London to watch Brother in Law R run the marathon raising money for The Brain Appeal. Two years ago R had a brain tumour (technically called an acoustic neuroma) removed successfully after 5hrs of surgery. Today he ran 26.3 miles in 4hours 25minutes and 30seconds. I am beyond proud of him and he is an inspiration.

Linking up to #mysundayphoto at onedad3girls.com #magicmoments at theoliversmadhouse.co.uk and #whatsthestory at podcastdove.com

Is you little one obsessed with Frozen? Perhaps your Mum loves Me to You bears? Or maybe that teenage Neice can't get enough Hello Kitty? Whatever character they love a brand new website has the perfect gift a click away. Character Wise only sells items with a character on, so from Peppa Pig to My Little Pony you can make sure your gift is on trend.

To celebrate the launch Character Wise have given me a rare TY Peppa Pig and a Me to You mug to giveaway to one lucky person! To enter simply complete the Rafflecopter form below.

For a limited time only Character Wise are offering a welcome discount of 10% off your first order by using the code 'CHARACTER10'. Plus they are running their own competition to win one of two My Blue Nose Friends! So it is definitely worth popping over for a visit characterwise.co.uk

Easter Weekend.

2 nights away in a posh hotel.

First night.

The baby won't sleep.

At all.

Anywhere in the room.

So baby screams.

All night.

Which means the 4yr old won't sleep.

At 3am pack bags, screaming baby and child into car (all in PJ's)

Return home.

Vow never to stay in a hotel room with children again.

Linking up to #wickedwednesday at brummymummyof2.co.uk #pocolo at vevivos.com and #binkylinky at twinmummyanddaddy.com

Sunday at the park with Mum/Nanna...

Special times.

Linking up with #mysunday photo at onedad3girls.com #magicmoments at theoliversmadhouse.co.uk and #whatsthestory at podcastdove.com

Following on from Sunday's pre accidental dip in the sea photos here are the photos taken during and after the incident.

Yeah... I know... Terrible Mother. In my defence it all happened so fast. She had to spend the rest of the afternoon dressed only in Husband's jumper in her Sister's buggy. She couldn't have been too traumatised as she then requested an ice cream.

Linking up to #wickedwednesday at brummymummyof2.co.uk #sharewithme at letstalkmommy.com and #brilliantblog posts at honestmum.com

These shots were taken 3minutes before Little E fell into the sea at Seaford beach yesterday. She was paddling in her wellies then suddenly she plonked on her bum and a wave enveloped her. I couldn't stop laughing! I'll share the 'after' photos on Wicked Wednesday.

Linking up to #mysundayphoto at onedad3girls.com

Easter Sunday was a very special day. Husband's Little Sister V got married to D in a beautiful church ceremony followed by a reception at Denbie's Vineyard in Dorking. We were all part of the special day - Husband was an Usher, the girls were Flower Girls and I was a Bridesmaid.

Little E thought she was marrying the groom, so much so she spent most of the wedding clinging to him like a limpet...

The day was the culmination of 18mths hard work and after a 6am alarm call to get us up and into wedding mode we had a fantastic day. I was in love with my hair and thought my girls looked stunning in their flower girl dresses. Here are a few family snaps of us all on the day - I can't believe we didn't get one of the 4 of us together!

And I made the cake! It was 6 tiers and my biggest challenge to date. Here's a picture, it's actually the back but you get the idea!

It had little lovebird penguins on top - the Bride is a huge penguin fan!

Linking up to #magicmoments at theoliversmadhouse.co.uk and #whatsthestory at podcastdove.com