JJ Barnes writes about parenting, feminism, current affairs and writing
If you’ve been present on any social media platforms, I’m sure you’ve seen the meme in various forms going round that reminds you that everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so to always be kind. On the one hand, this is completely beautiful advice. I’ve been open about my own struggles with anxiety, and I know that
I have always had a very live and let live attitude towards other humans. You be who you are, live as you’re comfortable, and as long as it doesn’t intrude on me and my life, I really don’t mind. Imagine that meme of Dame Maggie Smith, but apply it to everything not just religion. Believe in what you want, be
I don’t like to use terms related to mental health issues lightly. I don’t think liking things clean should be called OCD, I don’t think being a bit glum is Depression. With this in mind, I won’t say I have a definite PHOBIA of acting, but I will say that when I was an extra in the background of one
I want doesn’t get is a standard statement used when children say “I want” something. Recently we were in a charity shop, killing a bit of time before school pick up as we were early, and we were letting our three year old explore. She was very excited by all the cheap toys, but came across an enormous fluffy pink
I don’t think of myself as being particularly prudish. I am pretty open minded. I believe we should all love who we love, express ourselves however we feel comfortable, where clothes we like regardless of who they’re targeted and, and as long as you’re happy and safe, crack on. However, recently a couple of videos on Twitter have made me
Twitter trends come and go, whether it’s sharing make-up free selfies, favourite films or books, or sharing your experiences of your abortions with anti abortion politicians. Every so often, a tweet pattern will catch on, we’ll get a flurry of people repeating it with their own variations, and then it’ll die again. And, for the most part, these are pretty
According to the 2011 census, 51% of the population of the UK is female. It’s estimated that globally around 26% of women are of reproductive age, so that means on any given day, a large number of women will be menstruating. Despite this, there is still so much misinformation around what periods are, as well as beliefs that they’re dirty
With the Jeffrey Epstein case in full swing, the way his crimes are reported is something I’m noticing more and more. If, for some reason, you are not familiar with the case, here’s a quick catch up. Jeffrey Epstein was a financier who had connections with several high profile people, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, actors such
I have a six year old daughter, a three year old daughter, and a six year old step son. I love them all fiercely, I would kill and die for these children, and I try to be the best mother I can be to them. But the big two are old enough to compare me to other mothers. And I
I love watching Strictly Come Dancing. I love the froth and the glitz, and music and the fun. And, to my shame, I love the scandal. Every year I love to guess who’s dance floor chemistry is real. I love to guess which smiling partners are actually dying inside, watching their beloved dance a passionate rumba with some stunning dancer.