Britmums Live - Was it worth it?

I spent the past weekend at Britmums Live in London. Was it worth it?

Well, was it worth what?

The £50 ticket?

The air fare?

The hotel costs?

The stress of leaving the husband in charge?

The being away from my kids?

The leaving my comfort zone?

The minor anxiety attacks?

And lets not forget the humdinger of a hangover?

Well the conference itself was well run, interesting and engaging. But the real benefit was, as suspected, in the people that were there. Cementing old friendships, making new ones, meeting idols, and the changing status of certain 'online' friends to 'real life' ones. You know who you are.

And everywhere I turned there was yet another creative and inspiring woman encouraging me to be more.

The weekend away also gave me the opportunity to gain some head space from the daily grind and reflect on the big blogging picture - and what that 'more' actually was.

The conclusion I came to was that I love to write - and whilst it may not feed the kids, it does feed the soul and I think every one of us could do with a little more of that in our lives.

So I'm going to start trying to organise my time a little better. Focus more on learning the art of creative writing, do some short stories and maybe even begin the long road of writing that book one day.

So was it worth it?

Absolutely.

Though lets skip the hangover next time shall we?

See how pissed I was? I totally deserved that hangover hell.

(*Thanks to the ever so lovely Penny for the photo and for generally being the best roomie ever)

Lego Duplo - My First Farm Review

As members of the Lego Duplo Blogger Panel we're lucky enough to receive little surprises through the post every so often.

This week an unexpected parcel arrived containing Lego Duplo's My First Farm set.

As you can see someone was particularly pleased.

He was soon head first in the box removing all the pieces...

I think this was the moment he discovered the tractor:

(he usually saves that face for ice cream).

With the pieces all ready to go we set to work building My First Farm

He thoroughly enjoyed finding all the pieces and letting Mum help with the tricky bits. Mum thoroughly enjoyed a bit of quality time with her boy.

The My First Farm set includes animals, a farmer, fencing, buildings, trees, flowers and of course the star of the show for my son - a tractor.

The set is recommended for 2 - 5 year olds but when the older two got home from school they got stuck into it straight away too. It is currently on special offer on Amazon for £15 but usually retails at £19.99.

So what's the verdict?

Disclosure: The Lego Duplo My First Farm set was provided to us free of charge for the purpose of this review. No money was received for this post. My son does not know that and besides, the pure joy on his face could not be bought :) 

Sickbeds and Suitcases

The husband is sick. Again.

I must say I'm not the most caring of carers. The thing is - I sort of resent the fact that he's lying in bed (albeit in pain).

Why?

Because he's allowed to be sick.

He makes a phone call to work and that's it. He lies in bed until he gets better whilst I stomp around the house throwing (not literally mind) a cup of tea his way every now and then.

Being a 'part-time working from home' Mother I'm not allowed to get sick. And if I do it's not worth the begging phone calls and calling in favours to everyone I've ever met to try to offload the kids for a few hours. So I might as well just get on with it.

Same goes for trips away. Whilst the other half can skip out the door for his weekend of fun and frolics without even a look over his shoulder, I face a very different story.

As chance would have it I have an unheard of, never-before-never-to-be-repeated two weekends away in a row coming up. And let me tell you- I have lists of lists coming out my ass.

Phone calls to be made for school drop offs, phone calls to be made for school tour drop offs, play dates to be arranged, pick ups to be agreed, times or arrival and departure of child 1, 2 and 3 on each day, summer camps to be paid for, names to be put on lists, food to be shopped for, lunches to be sorted, favours to be called in. The list goes on and on and on...

And that doesn't include the things I need to do for me! (Bank, shops, packing, book parking, hair, maps...haven't had much time to work on this particular list).

If I manage to get everything done then I can leave the house, gingerly checking for the 20 millionth time that it's ok with everyone and everyone will be ok. And then I will guiltily check my phone every 15 minutes waiting for the text to say child 1 is sick or child 2 is missing or child 3 fell down the stairs.

That is if 'child' 4 is better by then of course...

So - is it just me? How does it roll in your house?

Playing Video Games.

I watch you from my corner of the sofa.

Hunched over your controller, fingers zapping and eyes shining. Golden strands of hair fall across your eyes and your jaw juts out to blow them away. Your hands otherwise engaged.

My gorgeous boy.

I wonder to myself how many lost hours you have spent running, jumping, shooting from your fingertips.  Should I be encouraging you to engage in more worthwhile pursuits?

But you love it so.

The screen darkens and you turn your head to me.

‘Alright babe? Your turn.’


This piece of flash fiction was written in response to the wonderful Caroline Smailes, author extraordinaire, who issued an online challenge for people to write a story in 100 words inspired by songs on You Tube. I chose Lana Del Rey, Video Games and this is the result. 


I was beyond thrilled when it was chosen as one of the stories featured in this wonderful book compiled by Caroline and introduced by none other than Nik Kershaw!

Other bands songs that are featured include The Beatles, The Cure, The Smiths, Kings of Leon, Kate Bush and David Bowie. Each story is a little gem that will encourage you to keep reading until you turn the final page.

All money earned from sales will go to the charity One in Four (a registered charity which provides support and resources to people who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual violence). Every penny raised will make a difference to lives. 

It's also cheap as chips to no excuses - go buy it!

The downside of private schooling

I have a friend whose nearly teenage daughter just started in private school last September.

She's the first member of the family to go to private school and her mother only finally succumbed to it after a long mental debate about the pros, the cons, the ethics and the cost.

Anyway, after almost a year in the posh school with the posh girls, the daughter is very slowly changing. She has adopted the mannerisms of the rest of the class and the accent is subtlety becoming a little more Sloane Street - much to my friends discomfort.

The latest and most hard to accept change has been in the young girls use of bad language. The other evening as she sat quietly doing her homework at the kitchen table she made a mistake on the page.

Image Source

'Oh fudge!' she exclaimed.

'Excuse me?' replied her mother at the other end of the room.

'I said - 'Oh fudge' '

'Oh fudge? Oh fudge???' the mother declared aghast. 'It's 'Oh fuck' Alison'


Oh dear. I think this may be the final straw.

How to deal with Sibling Rivalry: Ask the Oracle

Last week I threw an idea out there called 'Ask the Oracle' whereby people send in their parenting problems and then I, along with other parent bloggers tried to answer them. The response was fantastic and I now have a bank of 'Oracle Experts' lined up to answer any question you may throw at us (well - maybe not any question - we're not going to be able to tell you where you left your keys or what the meaning of life is, but you get the idea).


This week we're tacking Potty Training with Lisa on Mama.ie and Night Terrors with Kylie on Not Even a Bag of Sugar as well as two issues related to sibling rivalry below.

First up is Rachel who says:

There is a 4 and a half year gap between my 2 eldest (aged 8 and 3) my 3 year old is hard work and likes her own way but my 8 year old has always been chilled . Recently however she has become completely intolerant of her younger sister, she says some hateful comments and bites at every comment. She uses this horrible shouty voice and strops if anyone stands up for her sister. Her younger sister on the other hand is desperate for attention from her sister and just wants to do what her big sister does. She hates being alone and always behaves best when she is given lots of attention. She has started saying that she wishes I only had one child, this is my worst day ever and I wish I wasn't here anymore. 
I know my 8 year old wants time to herself and I try to make this happen but at the moment she is struggling to be in the same room as her sister, it's like living in a war zone and it's driving me crazy.

Phew.

Reading this brought back memories of me and my younger sister who was born ten years after me - robbing me of my beloved 'baby' place in the family. What a bitch. Anyway, as I remember it I wasn't put out in the least by her arrival - I adored having a little sister to dote on and even pushed her round the town in her pram hoping people would think I was her Mum. (Ten year old single mother - nice aspirations).

However....after a few years I tired of the arrangement and became an utter cow towards the poor girl. I would order her to get my book from my room and when she came back with the wrong one I would roll my eyes at her and hiss 'not THAT one for Gods sake' before making her run back up the stairs to find the right one. There was even one occasion when I poured boiling hot tea all over her bare legs. On purpose. I know.

Anyway, my point is, siblings will always have periods of getting on and not getting on so it's impossible to 'stamp it out' as it were.

What I would suggest in this case is allowing the 8 year old a certain flexibility in being the horrible big sister - but sit her down and explain what absolutely isn't tolerated and what she should try harder on. So for example shouting at her little sister just for being in the same room is totally not ok, but having a strop because someone is siding with the little one is something she could try harder on.

Then make a reward scheme so that every time she behaves in a good way in a difficult situation she gets a token, and after maybe five tokens she gets to have a treat - such as some time alone with her Mum or a friend round for a sleepover.

You could also try the guilt trip of how her little sister must be feeling etc. Anything goes if you're desperate..

The other sibling rivalry issue that came up is from Anne:

"The thing that's getting me down the most (this week) is trying to deal with the both of them talking at the same time and the rivalry that goes with it. They could argue about who was talking first for the next 30 minutes! Arrgghhh! (I've got a 7.5 girl and 5.5 boy (don't forget the half))."


Hmm. I'd go the simple route with this one I think. Have something like a 'coin of power' in your pocket at all times - give the coin to the one you think should be going first and let them speak. Then hand the 'coin of power' to the other one. No coin - no talky.

Now I realise this is just one mother's suggestion to another mother so I would love anyone with any other ideas or experience to wade in and give their tuppence worth too.


(Update - Kiddy Charts has just put up this very detailed and informative post. Be sure to take a look (it's much better than mine!) 

Don't forget that Ask the Oracle is also tackling (i) Problems with Potty Training over at Mama.ie and (ii) Dealing with Night Terrors at Not Even a Bag of Sugar so be sure to pop over there as well.

So now it's time to hand over to you guys - if you have any suggestions or answers please pop them in the comments or even write your own blog post and put a link in the comment section.

And if you have a parenting problem you'd like the Oracle experts to tackle then email me at katetakes5@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

Until next week....

A Birthday Graduation - with a little help from Party Pieces

The daughter turned eight this weekend.

Out go the Disney princesses and in swaggers One Direction, badly applied nail varnish and a whole heap of attitude. How did this happen?

Fortunately there are pluses to this situation. Gone also are the parties of twenty screaming girls on a sugar high playing pin the tail on the three year old.

This year we have graduated to a far more grown up affair. Two friends, a cinema trip, and a small tea party.

Bliss.

When I posted this picture of some party treats on Friday it got a ridiculous amount of attention. What have you been feeding your birthday children all these years if not these?

Pin it!

For anyone who had asked - they are indeed marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate and topped with a smartie. It don't get simpler than that my friends.

The table was festooned with a Vintage Rose Tea Party kit from Party Pieces who were kind enough to send us everything we needed and much more. 

 I especially loved the gorgeous bunting (that may never come down) and the little fairy cake flags. The birthday girl adored the tea party cake stand.

 So that's it for another year...

(Oh - did I mention the *cough* homemade cake?)

Disclosure: Party Pieces sent me the party kit as mentioned in this post. No payment was received and all words and opinions are my own.

NO!

Hello? Is there anybody left out there?

You may or may not have noticed that over the past couple of weeks my blog has been taken over by extraterrestrial review posts. If you are no longer here reading this I'll understand why*.

I'm not entirely sure how this happened but I blame the 'yes' key on my keyboard getting jammed. Or possibly those darn aliens drugged me up, scrambled my brain and had a free for all in my inbox.

Aaaanyways...

I'd just like to say that I believe all backed up review posts have now been cleared and hopefully normal blogging action containing hopeless mothering and tantruming toddlers can now resume.

Apologies for the break in transmission.

 (*TMR: Too Many Reviews - it's an affliction suffered by even the best of bloggers sometimes).

Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro

A few months ago I had the pleasure of reviewing my first ever car seat from Kiddy. 


The 3 year old has been well happy with it ever since. As have I.


The only problem has been that the 5 year old moans and groans about his 'boring' seat every time we get into the car. And spends more time than is healthy thinking of bribes to offer his brother so that he can swap seats.


I haven't had the heart to break it to him that it aint gonna happen.


But being the wonderful people that they are Kiddy have sent him his very own car seat to review!

The Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro is in part of the 2 - 3 group stage and is ideal for children aged 4 - 12 years.


I can honestly say that I love these seats. They are ridiculously easy to set up and use, and their safety features are better than any car seat I have used in the past. They are lightweight, easy to swap between cars and really simple to adjust the size of. They also come with isofix connection and an extensive range of colours. 


There is nothing about this seat that I could fault. 


And as for the 5 year old - here's what he had to say...







Kiddy can also be found on Twitter @kiddycarseats and Facebook. Kiddy is now available in Ireland via Bluebear Nursery.


Disclosure: The Cruiserfix Pro was provided to me free of charge by Kiddy. All words and opinions are my own.

Carlton Hotel Mini Explorers Kids Club - A (rather long) review

When the Carlton Hotel Group asked me and my family if we would like to come to one of their hotels to review their 'Mini Explorers Club', which included a day out at Dublin Zoo, I was instantly interested. 

Having not heard of the Mini Explorers Club before I popped over to their website to have a look. 

The blurb read:
"Here at Carlton, we look after your children as if they're our own, encouraging them to play outside and get dirty in our safe and very experienced hands. They will enjoy the healthiest of foods, fueling their minds and bodies and allowing Mum and Dad some precious guilt free 'me time' to relax in one of our exclusive Spa's or simply enjoy an uninterrupted romantic meal together."

and then went on

"With our exclusive Mini Explorers Kids Club, fuelled with healthy food & ready for outdoor fun, you can expect;

• On check-in each child will receive a Mini Explorer pack including a Carlton Children's Passport, a Swim Bag and Note Book

• Kids Club open up to 9 hours daily, some evenings until 10pm

• All meals are healthy & tasty leaving your kids bursting with energy

• Electronic  games are against our ethos

• Relax during Meal Times or enjoy our Spa or Leisure clubs knowing your  little ones are having the time of their lives

• Mini Explorers play outside and go on Healthy fun adventures

• Friendly, fun & helpful Mini Explorer staff

• A wide variety of games & competitions to take part in using their imagination and further developing their social skills including Hopscotch, Laughter Yoga, Talent Show, Arts & Crafts, Face Painting, Treasure Hunt, Movie Nights, Make & Bake and many more."

Well that certainly sounded too good to miss, so we keenly agreed to come along. We joined them on Saturday 2nd June for an overnight stay including a visit to the Zoo on the Sunday.

Reception:
Check-in was busy when we arrived, and with a wedding party gathering in the lobby and only one girl on reception we felt it best to check ourselves in and leave the kids special check in until later when things had calmed down. 
Unfortunately there remained a constant queue at reception over the afternoon so we ended up joining it in order to get their explorer pack. The kids seemed pretty pleased with them (except the grumpy one on the left..)

Rooms:
In the meantime we had gone up to our room to settle in. Being a family of five we had expected either one very large family room or two interconnecting rooms that were being advertised around the lobby. Unfortunately we got neither. 
We had been given two rooms opposite each other at the end of a long corridor. Not ideal when you have one suitcase between you, and three children who constantly want to switch rooms. The rooms were both spacious and very comfortable but the constant knocking of doors and swapping of clothes and toiletries between the rooms took away from that somewhat. We ended up wedging both doors open with a bin, but not before the three year old got trapped in the corridor in his pants...
We also obviously had to split up for the night with one adult in each room. 

When I queried the choice of room at reception I was told that unfortunately there were no more interconnecting rooms available. Strange since they had arranged the date of our stay themselves.

Mini Explorers Kids Club and Hotel Restaurant:
We also asked different staff on a number of occasions what the 'kids club' was all about and what we could expect. Unfortunately nobody really seemed to have an answer, although we were assured each time that the  children would get their dinner there.  Eventually we were told that it would run from 7.30 - 8.30 that evening whilst myself and my husband enjoyed dinner in the restaurant. Lovely.
When we arrived back to reception at 7.30pm there still seemed to be confusion about what was actually happening. A very lovely girl was taken from working behind the bar and it was announced that she would be running the kids club - in a conference room down the hall. With the childrens usual dinner time being 6 o'clock they were getting hungry so I checked once again that they would be getting dinner and was assured they would.

So off they went. 

And into the restaurant we went to make the most of our hour of peace. 

Except that they weren't expecting us. The restaurant manager was called and asked us if we could come back at 8pm because 'there's a coach tour in - and it's all about the coach tour right now...'. 
Right.
After our brief explanation that the kids club was only on for an hour (he didn't seem to know anything about it) he agreed to seat us at the 7.30 time that we had been told by the hotel to arrive at. Another miscommunication it would seem.

Twenty minutes then passed before a drink arrived. Like reception the restaurant seemed understaffed. 
My husband had pate to start and it was 8.30 when our dinner finally arrived. We checked that the children could be left where they were and continued with our meal. Both the starter and the steaks that we both ordered were exceptional, with my husband stating it was the best steak he had eaten in years. High praise indeed. 

Although why the clearly talented chef allowed this to go out as the accompaniment is anyone's guess. 

At 9.15 I went to collect the children. There were about five or six other children (as well as our three) between the ages of about 3 and 10 being minded by the one young member of staff. I have no idea if she held any qualifications in this area but she was sweet and kind and had done her best to entertain a gang of other peoples children in one room. There was colouring, some games, hoola hoops, a football and a telly in the room, but it was chaotic to say the least.

The conference room - 'Before' pic.

When I arrived my seven year old clung to my leg and pleaded desperately that they could leave now. The three year old was crying and another young girl was getting upset.  


Shockingly I was told that they hadn't yet been fed but 'it was on it's way'. It was 9.30pm now.


We went up to the bedroom asking for the food to be sent up but after another 5 minutes of all three of them crying because they were so hungry I went down to reception to ask for some bread and butter whilst they were waiting. We went to the restaurant and as I stood waiting I was told it would be out in a moment.
Another 5 minutes passed and with it my patience. I marched to the kitchens to be told the 'rolls had just come out of the freezer and were just going in the oven'. Arrghhhh!

After stern words I left with a small plate of brown soda bread and returned to the room where thankfully their dinner had arrived. It was 9.45pm. 

And what was this 'healthiest of foods, fuelling their minds and bodies' that they had finally been given?

Well chicken nuggets and chips of course.

I was beyond furious with the shambolic nature of how the kids club had been organised and that all those children were left until almost 10 o'clock at night to get their dinner. Completely unacceptable.

The Zoo and the Mini Explorer Team:
The next morning was a fresh start and after a nice breakfast we were to head off to the Zoo to meet the Mini Explorer Team and Mascot, pick up our lunch and enjoy the animals. 
Unfortunately the day was rainy and blustery. As we arrived we saw the Carlton team trying to set up their gazebo, so I introduced myself and said we would come back to them later when they were ready. 
We did a quick trip the whole way around the zoo and despite the conditions thoroughly enjoyed it all.

Having made our way around we went back up to the Explorers Team to see what was occuring and pick up our packed lunches. Other than the mascot roaming about I'm still not really sure what they were there for.

I had a brief chat and told them about some of the problems before I took my leave - asking for the lunch bags before I went.

You'll never guess what.

No lunches.

It seems the Carlton Group were determined not to feed my children! 

The instructions had clearly stated that the lunches would be available from the team at the Zoo, but the team at the Zoo said that the Hotel was supposed to supply them.
Another example of a lack of communication between different teams within the Carlton group. If this was how it was set up for someone they knew was coming to review the hotel and it's kids club I dread to think what others might experience.

As it stands we did have a good time, despite - but certainly not because of - the Mini Explorers Club. 
From my experience there is no way I could recommend the club to another parent and no way I would entrust my children to the Carlton Group again. 
If Carlton Group are serious about what they are offering on their website they need to make some big and rapid changes - because as it stands at the moment it smacks of false advertising :

• On check-in each child will receive a Mini Explorer pack including a Carlton Children's Passport, a Swim Bag and Note Book -
YES

• Kids Club open up to 9 hours daily, some evenings until 10pm -
NO

• All meals are healthy & tasty leaving your kids bursting with energy -
NO

• Electronic  games are against our ethos -
?

• Relax during Meal Times or enjoy our Spa or Leisure clubs knowing your  little ones are having the time of their lives -
NO

• Mini Explorers play outside and go on Healthy fun adventures
NO - no information given about this.

• Friendly, fun & helpful Mini Explorer staff -
YES, but only one member of staff who also had to supervise toilet visits during which the other children were left alone.

• A wide variety of games & competitions to take part in using their imagination and further developing their social skills including Hopscotch, Laughter Yoga, Talent Show, Arts & Crafts, Face Painting, Treasure Hunt, Movie Nights, Make & Bake and many more -
NO

It gives me no joy to publish such a negative review but unfortunately there were far too many issues during our stay to overlook.

Disclosure: The Carlton Group provided me and my family with accommodation at The Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown, meals and Zoo passes. All opinions are my own based on my experience.  

Update (06/06/12): 
The Head of Sales and Marketing at Carlton has been in contact to assure me that they are taking this matter very seriously and a full investigation will follow. 
Here is their initial response:

"Thank you for taking my call this morning and your time involved in regards to your recent visit to Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown. As explained I am completely shocked at your review and I have scheduled an immediate meeting today with the General Manager and the Operations Director to investigate the situation fully. All our Mini Explorers  Staff and Management have been fully trained on the Mini Explorers Standard Operating Procedures including customer care, safety & security, all operational duties and we run regular audits to ensure that all aspects are fully adhered to.

We will revert to you again after our full investigation and immediate action plan and thank you again for taking the time to give us your feedback."

Jean O Connell

Director of Sales & Marketing

Further Update (07/06/12):

From Carlton Hotels:

"Following a full investigation yesterday, I can acknowledge that last weekend there was a severe internal breakdown in communications with this unit in regards to implementing our Mini Explorer Club . After further and thorough  investigations, we can confirm this was the only hotel that this happened in. All of the other Mini Explorers Clubs took place as per our Mini Explorers standards and procedures as advertised. An immediate and extensive Operational plan is currently being reintroduced to this hotel as well as increased mystery audits checks across the group.

I can only again sincerely apologise to you and your family for last weekend. As discussed I would like to have you and your family return to this hotel, or any other Carlton Hotel that runs the Mini Explorer Club, at a time that is convenient to you, so that your family can fully experience what our Mini Explorer Club is all about as it is quite exciting and unique to the Irish market place.  

We appreciate and Thank you and your family again for your time and detailed constructive feedback."

Jean O Connell

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D

Those lovely people at Warner Brothers have just sent us a fabulous new package of goodies to celebrate the arrival of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D on Blu-ray.

Our package included the movie, hologram jigsaws, a mysterious dinosaur egg, light up pens, tattoos and lots and lots of bugs!

The five year old was so excited he went running around the house screaming 'Mysterious Island! Mysterious Island!' about two hundred times before collapsing into a smiling heap in front of the telly.

But whilst he was obviously a big fan I have to admit I hadn't heard of it myself. Here's what Warner had to say about it...

JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND follows the adventures of Sean Anderson after he receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious location where no island should exist. It’s a place of giant creatures, mountains of gold, deadly volcanoes and more than one astonishing secret.

Unable to stop him from going, Sean’s new stepfather, Hank, joins the quest. Together with a helicopter pilot and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter they set out to find the island, rescue its lone inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island under the sea and bury its treasures forever.
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the island and jump into the action to escape a giant eel and soar through the air on giant bees with the stunning high definition Blu-ray 3D release, which puts you at the heart of the thrilling adventure.

We put it on almost straight away and settled down with our 3D glasses to watch it on our funky Toshiba 3D TV.

I have to say it is a really good family movie. The kids all loved it and have scheduled it in for another viewing already. The 3D version is superb and whilst not all movies benefit from the 3D versions this one certainly does.

If you're lucky enough to have a 3D home entertainment system I would fully recommend the 3D version, and if not - well you certainly won't be disappointed with the 2D version either.

So if your kids are into jam packed action adventures, jungles, volcanos, bugs and giant lizards then this is the film for them!

Disclosure: Warner Brothers supplied this movie to me free of charge for the purposes of this review. All words and opinions are my own.

Will you look away?

On Twitter the other evening I saw a compelling tweet from @thepottydiaries stating:


"You don't have to find words - just read, & pass on the link. Everybody should read this piece. #syria"
(with a link to this Times article)


Coincidentally I had just moments before hastily turned the page on a story in the paper about Syria because (a) I wasn't really sure what was going on there but knew it was bad and (b) I was absolutely sure that it would upset me. 


However I felt compelled to click the link to the Times article and read it. And read it I did. All of it. Though it made my stomach sick and my eyes weep.


The article detailed the Houla massacre that took place in Syria last Friday in which 108 men, women and children were murdered.


The Times article began:


"The children of Houla were not killed by random shelling. The UN yesterday revealed that they were murdered one by one. The militia came in the night armed with knives and guns, and the young victims were executed with a bullet to the head or a knife to the throat. One photograph shows a cherubic baby girl, no older than 2, with a tiny gold ear-stud. She is wrapped in a white shroud. Half her skull has been hacked or blown away." 


It described a number of the photos of the murdered children in graphic detail. Too graphic for me to reproduce but reading it you can feel the emotions of the journalist who had to look at those images and use his voice to tell of the atrocities.


'But what can we do?' we all ask.


Well we can bury our heads in the sand, as I often do, knowing it is too terrible to dwell on and too hopeless to take on - or we can do what we would want other people around the world to do if these were our children.


We can read and feel and share and be outraged and shout with whatever voice we have. We can add those voices together to become a roar and we can hope that those more powerful than us will listen and do something, anything, to stop the massacre of these innocents.  


Today, Friday 1st June, is the day to make our roar heard. 


All day today bloggers from Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Syria and other parts of the world will be writing posts, tweeting, retweeting and sharing their thoughts on Houla.


To help make our voices even louder there are two petitions that we can sign that call on world leaders to step in and stop the killing:


Save the Children
and
Avaaz.org

Yesterday morning we started off with one tweet and four people who had made the decision not to look away. By 1pm we had reached 50,000 people and made 91,000 impressions. By 3.30pm it was 77,000 and 117,000, and Syrians journalists and bloggers were getting involved. If one person tweeting a link to an article can snowball to this then just think what 77,000 can do.


There comes a tipping point in everything and it must not take another Houla for it to arrive in Syria. 


Please tweet or share this post in whatever way you can to spread the message. 


If you are a blogger who would like to participate please write a post and use the hashtags #tippingpoint #Syria #Stopthekilling to promote it.