Cynthia Lawrence

But just when I thought I’d finally conquered the next hurdle of Corey starting pre-school, I was faced with yet a new one. Other mothers.

Growing up, I'd been taught to never think, breathe, or even utter this F-word.

Now, I’m no qualified medic, but surely this was no coincidence.

You suddenly spot someone from across the room, on a train to work, or a gas station, and your heart instantly skips a beat, palms get sweaty and you just know that person is ‘the one’, (without even muttering a word to them.) Rubbish! You simply fancy the pants off that person and know they are “the one” who you wouldn’t mind taking to bed in a hurry! Lust is the basis for instant physical attraction, not love

"1. The staff at all four branches of Starbucks around your office know you on a first name basis, and have your “usual” ready for you the minute you arrive."

2. Searching for an anti-allergen birthday cake. Back in the day, there was only one birthday cake (usually homemade). All the kids would eat it problem-free, and the only emergency would be little Jack vomiting on a chair. But with today’s abundance of nut, gluten, wheat, egg and you-name-it allergies, vomiting is the least of your worries. Now, your mission is to find a cake (or several) that will not require antihistamines afterwards.

I crave it 24/7 and it follows me everywhere I go...even to the bathroom!

4. Bring sexy back — Your underwear drawer is starting to resemble your gran's. What happened to the sexy lingerie you used to enjoy buying (a long time ago)?

I guess we are all guilty of gender-typing to some degree. It’s ingrained deep in our subconscious and culture. Everywhere we go: shopping malls, in the media, play groups, schools, public bathrooms — and the list goes on. But is it possible to shift the dialogue when it comes to teaching masculinity to boys?

Before we’ve even had time to digest the festive season (and the last of the mulled wine), the overwhelming abundance of red hearts, teddy bears, and all things contrived come out to taunt us. They’re everywhere. From the zillion greeting cards, custom chocolates, gift ideas, sex toys, you name it — all in the name of a dude called Cupid.