Tag Archives: Illustrator

Kid in the Middle – by cartoonist Maeve O’Keeffe

Cartoonist, Cork

What’s it like to be the Kid in the Middle?

Kid in the Middle or Second Fiddle? 

Have you similar memories or stories to share? Post to my blog or email frazzledmammy@outlook.com

Does it make a difference where you come in your family? Bossy eldest, easygoing middle or outgoing youngest? I spoke to PJ Coogan on Cork’s 96FM’s Opinion Line about this parenting topic because, for years, I’ve been bombarded by the wail “It’s not fair!” by our man in the middle.

In families where the kids are close in age, the first is allegedly the over-achiever garnering greater privileges, the baby is spoilt and gets away with murder while the middle or second child can feel neglected and left out.  Is this true?  Continue reading →

Grunter by cartoonist Maeve O’Keeffe

Cartoonist, Cork

Got a Grunter?

Got a Grunter?

Have you similar memories or stories to share? Post to my blog or email frazzledmammy@outlook.com

Have you got a grunter?  Last week I spoke to PJ Coogan on Cork’s 96FM’s Opinion Line about how the kids are coping with being back at school.  How do we know if all is well?  Will they tell us?  Are you, like me, one of those parents who ask their kids when they come in the door “How was school?” or “Howja get on today?”  I usually get a grunt – “Uh,” maybe followed by “Alright.”  I’d keel over with the shock if this pithy exchange led to a proper, actual conversation. Continue reading →

School Start by cartoonist Maeve O’Keeffe

Cartoonist, Cork

Starting school is tough on the parent too!

The School Start & taking that photo can be tough on the parent!

Have you similar memories or stories to share? Post to my blog or email frazzledmammy@outlook.com

Damn phone.  So much for its in-built camera!  Here I am, trying to take a picture for posterity of son’s first day in Secondary school, but for no apparent reason, technology fails me.  I’ve lost a batch of photos.  Among them were some of his confirmation, 6th class graduation and last day of primary school.  Continue reading →

Public Speaking by cartoonist Maeve O’Keeffe

Cartoonist, Cork

Public Speaking can be a nerve-racking experience!

Ever had to speak in public and cope with nerves?

Have you similar memories or stories to share? Post to my blog or email frazzledmammy@outlook.com 

Last Monday morning I was on the radio.  I spoke to Cork 96FM’s Deirdre O’Shaughnessy on the Opinion Line about the wastefulness of new edition schoolbooks, the weight of schoolbags and back to school costs.  Deirdre was great – so easy to talk to that I forgot my initial nervousness.

They say that one of the worst fears humans face is speaking in public.  I’m generally fine if I have something prepared, but having to make an unscheduled emergency announcement off the cuff, out of breath and in front of a crowd is another matter.  Like our Sunday morning sidewalk debacle some time ago… Continue reading →

Schoolbag by cartoonist Maeve O’Keeffe

Cartoons from www.frazzledmammy.com

Why don’t kids do tedious tasks like cleaning schoolbags?

Why do Moms do everything for their kids, even cleaning schoolbags?    Have you similar memories or stories to share? Post to my blog or email frazzledmammy@outlook.com 

With summer holidays racing by, I’m getting a small bit anxious about organising the back to school gear.  Husband got the task to bringing the boys shopping for schoolbags and trousers.  Traumatised after a horrific ordeal of Confirmation clothes shopping with our eldest son last year, I let Daddy-O deal with it.  They duly returned with the required items only to dump them in the corner of the living room with all the other clutter.

Uuh!  Sometimes it’s just easier to pick things up yourself rather than waste the time and energy nagging them to do it.  Continue reading →

Toes by cartoonist Maeve O’Keeffe

Cartoonist, Illustrator, Cork, Ireland, Maeve O'Keeffe, Parent, Mother

How to deal with torturous toes!

What do you do when torturous toes stop you in your tracks? Have you similar memories or stories to share? Post to my blog or email frazzledmammy@outlook.com 

Although they’d lain untouched in the wardrobe for over a year, the open-toed sling-backs still looked good.  I slipped them on, or tried to.  Yeeouch!  A pang of pain seared through my small toe.  I thumbed the shoe’s leather, hoping to soften it or prod a smidgen more space but that made no difference to my foot’s discomfort.

Damn!  If I couldn’t wear the shoes, I couldn’t wear the dress for an upcoming party…   Continue reading →

Togs by cartoonist Maeve O’Keeffe

Cartoons from frazzledmammy.com

What do you do when others are wearing the exact same togs?

What do you do when you see another wearing the same togs or favourite outfit? Have you similar memories or funny stories to share? Post to my blog or email frazzledmammy@outlook.com 

One of the best things about going on holiday is the anticipation and planning beforehand.  You list things to bring – T-shirts, towels and dig out summer gear that hasn’t seen the light of day for give or take 10 months.  So what if the same pedal pushers worn in Lanzarote last year appear yet again in the 2014 family photos?

But will the old togs still fit?   The boys’ sandals are too small, although Junior might make do with bigger brother’s outgrown pair.  Swimsuits usually take a battering, what with sand, sunscreen stains and material tugged out of shape from wear and tear, while pool chlorine can play havoc in the intervening winter months.  As last year’s suit was irrevocably stretched, I’d treat myself to a new one.

Continue reading →

Busy Kids by cartoonist Maeve O’Keeffe

Cartoons from www.frazzledmammy.com, illustrator, Cork,

School’s out – how do we keep the kids busy?

School’s out!   Have you similar memories or funny stories to share? Post to my blog or email frazzledmammy@outlook.com 

The school holidays are here.  Each summer I face the same challenge.  Home with three kids for two entire months – how will I keep them occupied, entertained or better still, busy?…  Teenage daughter will hang out with her friends.  The boys, though, are getting old for some of the summer camps and still too young to send off to work (damn!).

“When I was young there were no summer camps,” I chide my sons, trying to prod some gratitude for the opportunities they get.  However, there was plenty of work, but unpaid!  My mother inevitably had home decor and maintenance projects lined up like painting walls, gates, hanging wallpaper, weeding or picking blackcurrants….   Continue reading →

Toddler Tantrums by cartoonist Maeve O’Keeffe

Cartoons from www.frazzledmammy.com, Cartoonist. Illustrator, Cork, Ireland, Maeve O'Keeffe

Toddler tantrums can take place in the shower!

I’ve taken to Twitter (@frazzled_mammy) and one of the topics that cropped up from Irish radio station 96FM is “Parents. When your child is having a public tantrum, what’s the least mortifying response from strangers? Wry smile or total indifference?”

I tweeted back.  Oh, believe me, I’ve been there.  I know what it’s like to have the place wailed down and you feel every disapproving eye looking at you judgementally.  Continue reading →