Author: 7 Reasons

Guest Post: 7 Reasons You Should Be Thinking About Long Term Memory Loss Now

Are you thinking about your long term memory today? You should be. A mind is a terrible thing to waste, and if you wait too long you won’t have any mind left to waste. Here’s why you shouldn’t go another instant without thinking about it.

1. You Won’t Be Able to Do it Later. Once your long term memory starts to go, you will no longer have the option of thinking about your long term memory. In fact, you’ll have difficulty thinking about anything at all. Once your memory starts to go, it’s awful hard to commit to thinking about anything in particular, least of all what you can do to improve your long term memory issues.

2. Your Brain is Falling Apart. Sorry, but as soon as you hit your mid twenties your brain is already on its way out. You know how as you get older you stop caring so much about what other people think? How you march to your own beat and feel comfortable with being an oddball? You might be telling yourself that it’s because you’re not a member of the pack, that you think for yourself. In reality, it’s the brain damage. Your frontal lobe, which gives you the ability to control your actions and reign in your impulses, starts to deteriorate. Better do everything you can to slow this process down.

3. You’ll Have Trouble Using Facebook. Imagine when you are older and you try to check your Facebook status. It’s going to become really difficult because you won’t remember your password, your email address, or who your friends are. You’ll try to contact the Facebook support team but you’ll discover that they don’t exist anymore because Facebook went extinct decades ago. Oh, and that the internet is now an amorphous cloud that people navigate using their scent glands.

4. It will be 2051 Tomorrow. If you don’t start thinking about your long term memory today, you might end up a few decades in the future tomorrow. It’ll be exciting to take a trip to the future at first, but you won’t actually have the option of coming back home, and you’ll be a lot older than you are now. Everybody will keep telling you what a great person you used to be and how wise you once were, but all that knowledge will be gone and they’ll be talking about some stranger that you’ve never met. At least you’ll be able to take the credit.

5. You Won’t Be Able to Hit On Anybody Anymore. You’ll discover that most of the people you are attracted to are now several orders of magnitude younger than you are, which will make it very difficult to date them. The only upside is that you won’t be able to remember all of the rejections you face. Sadly, you may also find yourself asking somebody out on a date only to discover with horror that they are related to you.

6. You’ll Forget to Water Your Plants. And that you had them in the first place. It won’t take long before your plants start to shrivel up and die, depositing themselves on the floor. You’ll look at the mess on your floor and wonder who put it there, and why. Then you will become self conscious and wonder if you did it. Pretty soon you’ll start condemning yourself for being such a lazy slob, or worse, you’ll blame somebody else who wasn’t responsible. Then you’ll tell yourself you need to hire a maid, and forget to call them.

7. You Will Forget How to Make Bacon. Can you imagine a world without bacon? Well you won’t have trouble imagining it after you lose your long term memory, because you will be incapable of fixing it for yourself. And don’t start saying that you’ll just go to a Denny’s and ask them for bacon, because you’ll forget what bacon is. That’s right, you’ll never know the joy of having a slice of thick cut, crispy, peppered bacon. It will be gone from your memory.

Now stop, and imagine eating a piece of bacon. Notice how your mouth starts watering in anticipation. Now imagine how much you would judge somebody who saw a piece of bacon and didn’t want to eat it. That person will be you, if you don’t start thinking about long term memory issues, today.

Author bio: Brenda Ankley is an avid blogger and contributes to a number of publications, including Assisted Living Today, a leading provider of information on a variety of elder care topics such as assisted living in Iowa.

February 15, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Add A Second Bathroom To Your Home

Of all the fun things you probably want to add to your home (hot tub, bar, air hockey table) a second wash room is probably fairly low on the list. But they’re easy to add using cloakroom suites and could end up making your life better:

1. Free Up Your Main Bathroom. How many of us, especially in the morning when the adults are getting ready for work and the kids for school, wish we had more than one bathroom? You’re stood outside, waiting patiently to use the toilet or basin, and someone sprints in while you’re dancing around trying to hold in your wee. And you’re back to waiting another 20 minutes as they do their make up or take an overlong shower.

2. Add Value To Your House. While your neighbours spend their time and money creating feng shui gardens and hiring expensive interior designers in an effort to make their home more fashionable and try to sell it, the age-old technique of actually adding something practical will see your home become more attractive to potential buyers.

3. For Workmen. If you have someone working in your garden or doing some decorating, they’re probably going to be coated in a layer of grime and gunk and the last thing you want is them walking through your house and making it all dirty. If you have a washroom downstairs that they can use you will be able to keep your upstairs clean.

4. For Visitors. Similarly, if you have a guest around then it is much easier to direct them to a downstairs washroom should they need to use the loo and it means not wondering what they are up to when they wander round your private space upstairs. You probably don’t invite thieves into your home, but it will help you remove temptation from anyone.

5. To Make Cleaning Easier. If you’re cleaning downstairs, then having an additional sink to get water from and toilet to dispose of dirty water in would make life easier. Although jogging back and forth up the stairs will keep you fitter.

6. To Keep The Home Smelling Fresh. Having a toilet that someone can use rather than stinking out the room that has your shower in will make the home smell nicer and make bathing more pleasurable. Particularly if anyone in the house is keen on their spicy food.

7. To Prevent Mold. This is an odd one, but if you use the same bathroom a lot you will find that it tends to stay damper and you may end up with something resembling a furry mushroom patch growing in a corner. However, if you split the use across two (or more) bathrooms then they won’t be as damp and you won’t have mold growing in them. This works best if you have the space to consider a shower, or even one of the many shower bath suites available.

February 10, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Why Planning Your Wedding Needn’t Be Stressful

You’ve got engaged and feel on top of the world. The birds are singing in the trees, you have a spring in your step and your day is going swimmingly. But then it hits you; the thought of planning your wedding and knowing that you have every minute detail to consider before the big day arrives. Some feel prepared for this challenge; others feel drained.

So how do you overcome the stress of planning your wedding? Is there anything you can do to reduce the time-consuming nature of the whole affair? Actually there is. Here are seven reasons why planning your wedding needn’t be stressful:

1. Planning Ahead Is Key. It’s just like when you were at school and your mum used to tell you to do your homework as soon as you got home, rather than leaving it to the last minute and rushing it. Funny how the same principle can be applied throughout your life as you grow up, with your wedding being the big one. As soon as you get engaged, talk to your partner about the best way to go about things and schedule it by month of what you plan to do. Don’t feel like everything needs to be done straight away, just take the next few months after your engagement as the planning stage and it will set you in good stead for later on.

2. Mum Knows Best. It’s a bit clichéd, but if you’re the bride and you’re panicking about where to start with planning your wedding, have a chat with your mum or soon-to-be mother-in-law and get their thoughts on the best way of doing things. They’ve been there and got the t-shirt, hence they’ll be able to point you in the right direction with those all-important do’s and don’ts. They’ll also be able to ease your mind with any worries you might have.

3. Prioritise The Key Things. Make a comprehensive list of all the things that need doing before your wedding and number these in priority order, 1 being “must do ASAP” and so on. You’ll find this helps to give you some structure for the months leading up to the event. For example, you might not need wedding invitations arranging straight away, so you can factor this in much later on your priority list.

4. Make it Fun. Of course there are some elements of planning your wedding that may seem boring, but interlace these more laborious jobs with the fun ones, like choosing the wedding dress, for example…a great opportunity to meet up with your friends and family and have a girly dressing up day.

5. Make Room For Error. The biggest cause of a stressful wedding is thinking that everything has to be “perfect”. Accept the fact there will be times when things don’t always go to plan, but its okay, honestly! If you obsess or dwell on every detail you’ll find it difficult to even enjoy your big day.

6. Budget Accordingly. Most wedding stresses are caused when people don’t budget properly right from the start. Know your limits, and don’t be too extravagant with your spend. If you’ve been offered some help from parents to pay for the wedding, don’t see this as an opportunity to over-spend. Keep everything in budget and be realistic with your expectations, from your choice of wedding venue right through to your choice of wedding invitations.

7. It Only Happens Once…Enjoy It. For most, the wedding day is the final “seal of the deal” and it should be special no matter what. The problems start when you’re stressing too much that you forget why you even agreed to get married in the first place. Take a step back from everything and look at it objectively. Love conquers all; enjoy the thrill of the ride and living happily ever after.

February 9, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Why The Internet Can Save You Money

1. At Your Fingertips. If you need car or house insurance, or even a credit card or a loan, there are now lots of comparison sites out there that can help you find the cheapest option for you. So instead of having to call or even visit these places, you can now find the best options at the click of a button. You’ll save immediately. And not just money. Think of the time you’ve just saved. That can be put to good use straight away. There’s bound to be something good on ITV 3.

2. Free Delivery. Before the internet age, if you wanted something to eat, you’d usually have to cook it yourself. And although that probably is the cheapest option, it’s incredibly tiresome. It also makes a mess out of those pans. Which is why ordering your chicken jalfrezzi online seems like the perfect solution. No petrol costs to get you to the takeaway and no eating it on the bus on the way home before it gets cold.

3. Smaller Is Better. Internet and mobile technology has advanced. And so have coupons. You no longer need to stuff your bag full of paper when you’re shopping for a bargain. You can just use an internet code. If you’re a big coupon hunter, just think of all the space you’ll save. Fewer coupons, smaller handbag*. Smaller handbag**, cheaper price.

4. Get Social. More and more businesses are starting to take notice of social media. And with so many of us using the likes of Twitter and Facebook, so they should. A simple click of the ‘follow’ or ‘like’ button will open your feed up to discount codes, exclusive sales and ‘behind-the-scenes’ videos that no one wants to see. Well worth it then for a freebie. And if you don’t want your friends to know you ‘Like’ Lidl, BHS and Kerry Katona, well, just open up a new account.

5. Keeping The Love Alive. If you’re someone who likes a date or two, or if you’re newly single and ready to mingle, you can have dinner (or even drink) dates over the internet. Get a webcam, get some food, and enjoy each other’s company over Skype. You don’t have to worry about getting a taxi home and the food will cost a lot less than in Pizza Hut. The kissing might be a bit disappointing, but shut the curtains anyway. Don’t want the milkman thinking you’re weird.

6. Thinking Ahead. If you do want to venture out for dinner or drinks, whip out your smartphone and check out the reviews for all the local bars and restaurants. Look for the cheapest place, and you’ve saved a bit of money already. Yes, everywhere will have the odd bad review, but generally the person who said, ‘Don’t visit! The soup was cold!!! :-(‘ actually ordered a bowl of gazpacho.

7. Bargain Hunt. You can find pretty much everything you can think of online. Except hoverboards. Well, hoverboards that work anyway. Old DVDs, electrical items and clothes are in abundance on eBay, but it’s also worth checking local recycling groups on Facebook and Google. In some cases, like Freecycle in London, you can pick up someone’s unwanted tat for nothing. And as they say, one man’s tat is another man’s hat. Something like that.

* Or manbag.

** Or manbag.

February 7, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons You Should Visit Turkey

Turkey is enjoying a growing reputation as a favourite tourist destination for people from all over the world. The brochure will tell you that this is because the resorts are first class, the beaches are clean and the cities are fun places to be. All true of course, but why else should you visit Turkey – reasons you will not see in the latest tour company brochure?

1. Buy Some Cheap Tat. Do you have a few birthdays coming up that means you will have to fork out for expensive presents you just know the recipient will only moan about? If yes, head to Turkey. The markets there are huge and full to the brim with exotic presents such as flawless jewellery, the finest carpets and silks. Move swiftly pass these items, though, and pick up some genuinely appalling counterfeit t-shirts from ‘Nikey’ and ‘Addidass’ for about 75 pence each. No one will notice the difference. Probably.

2. Smoke A Few Years Off Your Life. Anyone else a bit fed up of the anti-smoking brigade? Even non-smokers sometimes agree that the restrictions placed on smokers are a bit harsh. But if you want to puff away where you want or in a place where it is actually encouraged, head to a Turkish shisha bar. These are a smoker’s paradise and a week spent in these bars should knock a few years off your life. What better way to stick it to the man?

3. Burn The Pastiness Away. It is not an exact science, but – on the whole – women love the sight of pasty skin, burnt to a crisp and starting to peel. In order to get this look, it is important to spend a good few weeks in the sun with scant respect for its power. With temperatures reaching the mid-thirties in costal resorts, Turkey Holidays are ideal for perfecting this look. You’ll get a nice, healthy, red glow if nothing else.

4. Kebab Heaven. When at home it can be difficult to find an excuse to buy a kebab. The greasy and fat heavy late-night snack is the ultimate accompaniment to beer and is scientifically proven to make you feel 100% better instantly. So where better to visit than the country that invented it? A trip to a kebab house is a genuine cultural experience. Not bad, eh?

5. Walk Around In A Fluffy White Robe. You may not be aware, but Turkish baths originated in Turkey. And, what do you think of when imagining public baths? Yes, that’s right. White fluffy robes. Now, you might not actually get a big robe to wear when you visit, but it is worth the trip just to see if you do or not. If you don’t, just chill and generally be a bit lazy.

6. Meet Up With Fellow Countrymen. The point of going abroad is to experience life as it is at home. Just in a warmer climate. If this is an approach you take to holidays, you’ll love Turkey. There are more British in Marmaris then there are in Manchester. So it is well worth flying thousands of miles to experience this phenomenon. After all, why integrate with the locals when you could have a beer with Pistol Pete from Bristol?

7. Buy A Fez. The Fez, made famous by Tommy Cooper and no one else, is an item of clothing worn on the head, commonly referred to as a hat. Wearing such a garment instantly makes you hilarious and is a truly unique piece of comedy that no one else has ever attempted to recreate when on cheap holidays abroad to Turkey. For added laughs and respect from your fellow travellers, wear the Fez at every opportunity. And that includes the flight home.

These are just seven reasons to visit Turkey. But there are literally hundreds. If you can think of some more, let us know!

Written by Ricky Durrance for Beat the Brochure.

February 2, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Travel By Train

Some people have got a real grudge against train travel. We want to change opinions, so here are seven great reasons to travel by train:

1. Someone Else Is Driving. Which means you don’t have to concentrate on anything (except maybe which stop you need to be getting off). You’re free to let your mind wander, whether it be to what you want to eat for tea or how you can help solve world peace. You could never find the solution to world harmony while you’re watching your speed, checking your mirrors and beeping your horn at the idiot who just cut you up.

2. It’s Like Real Life Facebook. Yes, you can actually meet people. If you’re single, then trains are a fantastic dating opportunity. Meeting your future spouse on a train is admittedly not very glamorous, but there is something infinitely romantic about locking eyes with a perfect stranger across the buffet cart. And it’s not just the train itself – many people have found love on the station platform. As you wait patiently behind the yellow line, remember that a different kind of train could arrive at any moment…

3. Green And Pleasant Land. You get to see more of the country. Rolling hills, beautiful coastline, stunning valleys – railway lines can often take you were other modes of transport simply cannot go. If you’ve opted for cheap train tickets to Birmingham, then the view might not be so aesthetically pleasing. But it’s not all disused warehouses and graffiti-clad walls – there really are some amazing sights to be seen from a train window.

4. Meals On Wheels. Who doesn’t love the refreshment trolley? There is nothing nicer than sitting back and enjoying a delicious cheese ploughman’s sandwich whilst watching the countryside roll by.

5. Cash To Splash. It’s great value for money. You can get a great deal with train tickets, meaning you have more cash to spend on that new pair of jeans/handbag/Xbox game/car/house/pet budgie.

6. Sense Of Direction. You can’t get lost on the way. Forget sat navs telling you to ‘turn around when possible’, forget trying to navigate around unpronounceable places and forget arguing with other people over who was right about that last junction. Trains get you from A to B without ever getting lost.

7. Sans Frisk. You can board a train without having your bottle of water confiscated, being forced to remove your shoes and then being groped by a burly security guard. Should you be particularly attached to any of your possessions, such as a special screwdriver, personalised ice skates or a rare range of party poppers, you can also rest assured that these will not be taken away from you on a train.

February 1, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Take Part In The Next Fancy Dress Marathon

For most people, the mere idea of running a 26-mile marathon is liable to induce feelings of discomfort and possibly a little unwanted sweating. But to do it dressed as a giant vegetable? That’s just silly. So why do people do it?

1. Fun. Fancy dress is undoubtedly fun. Whether hiring costumes from a shop or assembling them DIY-style, the possibilities are almost endless. Runners have appeared as superheroes, vehicles, plants, planets and beasts of all shapes and sizes.

On the day, the camaraderie between those in fancy dress makes the experience highly enjoyable. The crowds always give an extra cheer for those who’ve made an effort. The fancy dress crew provide a much-needed antidote to the frowning seriousness of the professional runners.

2. Charity. Many marathons require that runners raise a certain amount of money for charity in order to enter. Unfortunately, with the global economy in exceedingly poor shape, it’s harder than ever to convince people to donate. Research has shown that people are far more likely to give to charity if the asker can make them smile. What better way than presenting them with the mental image of a giant sweaty sausage?

3. Personal Achievement. Everyone needs a goal in life. For some, it’s finding the nearest take-away. For others, it’s a matter of finding a suitable challenge. Running a marathon is one of the many endurance-style feats undertaken by those hoping to better themselves. For those who’ve already finished a marathon, doing another one – but this time wearing fancy dress – is the logical next step.

4. Strength. Children’s fancy dress costumes aside, the average adult outfit adds around 16kg to a runner’s weight. Running around with this added mass will increase core strength. Perhaps more importantly, it’ll also increase mental strength and resilience.

5. Health. The resting heart rate of the average person is approximately 80 beats a minute. For fitter people, such as those entering marathons, it can be as low as 50 beats a minute. To get super fit, people try to keep their heart rate within a target zone for sustained periods. This is easier in fancy dress, where the extra exertion keeps the heart pumping.

Other health benefits from donning a costume include rapid calorie burning and an increase in high-density lipoprotein – the so-called ‘good’ cholesterol. For those trying to detox, wearing fancy dress will almost double the amount of fluid lost through sweating.

6. Kudos. New acquaintances at the pub will be amazed, or confused, by the commitment required to run far wearing a lot. Whatever the response, it’s a good start to a conversation. And any potential love interests will always choose enormous running chickens over regularly dressed people.

7. Masochism. Let’s face it, some people like a little suffering. What better way to suffer than to run for miles clad head-to-toe in faux fur, plastic and other non-breathable man-made materials? When the Sunday Telegraph newspaper monitored a man running in a chicken suit, it found that his body temperature rose to 40C (104F). Tortuous indeed.

January 31, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Why a Luxury Watch is the Perfect Wooing Tool

Been striking out with the ladies? Take a look down at your wrist – Casio, right? That’s where you’re going wrong, my friend. A £10 watch just doesn’t cut the mustard with the ladies anymore – you need something with a bit more gravitas. Let’s take a look at why luxury watches are the perfect tool for wooing the ladies. Fortunately, given the name of this site, there are exactly seven reasons why luxury mens watches are the perfect lady temptress. And we being with number one.

1. The Illusion of Wealth. Even if you live in a cardboard box and exist on a strict diet of pot noodles, you will be able to convince the fairer sex that you are a well-to-do country gent if you are spotted sporting a luxury timepiece on your wrist – Panerai, IWC and Baume & Mercier watches are the ideal choice here, such as the tasty little number below. (Where you acquire the £3,000 from to make the purchase is your own concern.)

2. Look Like A WWI Pilot. No, not in the sense that you’re a distinguished looking 105 year with multiple medals draped proudly across your chest – more in the sense that there are some fantastic mens watches on the market today that look like they’re straight out of WWI – such as the Vintage WWI collection from Bell and Ross (see below). These spiffing timepieces wouldn’t look out of place on the wrist of a brave Sopwith Camel pilot – and what woman wouldn’t swoon in the mere presence of a Sopwith Camel pilot (even if you’re not actually a pilot and work in, say, search engine optimisation)?

3. Women Like Shiny Things. I may be confusing women with magpies here, but I’m fairly certain that most ladyfolk like shiny objects – enter luxury watches from the likes of Jaeger LeCoultre, Ellicott and ChronoSwiss.

4. Good Conversation Starter. We’ve all been on dates which are awkward and the conversation doesn’t exactly flow forth, but this won’t be an issue if you’re sporting a striking luxury watch – I imagine that the conversation would go thusly if you’ve got a Panerai or Zenith watch on your wrist:

Lady: So…..what do you do?
You: That doesn’t matter – check out my Zenith watch.
Lady: Errm – OK.
You: (Revealing timepiece slowly and impressively) Cost £10,000 that.
Lady: Errrrrrm….
You: KAPOW!!

I’ll leave the rest to your imagination…

5. Luxury Watches Elevate Any Outfit. Even if you’re not a stylish fellow, you will find that a well-chosen luxury watch will superbly compliment any outfit and drag you (kicking and screaming in some cases) into the upper echelons of high fashion – where ladies are much more receptive to your charms.

6. Luxury Watches Open Doors. Figuratively. Unless you’re rocking some sort of James Bond-esque number. You’re likely to find that if you wearing the latest Baume & Mercier, Quinting or U-Boat watch, nightclub bouncers will let you into the VIP area, restaurant maître d’s are less dismissive of you and you can queue jump at Alton Towers – all of which are likely to impress the fairer sex.

7. You Will Seem Cultured. Women love culture. Men love to appear cultured and luxury men’s watches are a great means of achieving this objective. Any lady’s knees will turn to jelly when you announce that you bought your Jaeger LeCoultre watch on a business trip to Geneva – when you and I both know that a) you’re scared of flying and b) you bought it online from The Watch Gallery.

January 30, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Why A Credit Card Might Save Your Life

1. It Just Might Save Your Marriage Someday. Women love to shop. It is part of their genetic makeup. If you are married to a woman who thrives on shopping, and you deny her the fulfillment of this instinctive, natural urge, you could very well end up causing very real marital problems. You know the old saying “hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn”? That phrase was coined by a department store. So when your wife finds a way to spend all of your money, you will be owing a debt of gratitude (and interest and fees) to the best credit card companies.

2. Your Parents Refuse To Raise Your Allowance To Keep Up With Inflation. You need money to go out with your friends. You need money to treat your significant other on a date. You need money to put gas in your (parents’) car. You need money to buy the latest gadgets and accessories and to keep up with all of the stuff that your friends have. But when your parents refuse to give you the money to fund your lifestyle, and you can’t (or won’t) find a job, then a freshly minted credit card, made for students, can be a godsend.

3. You Get Trapped In An Elevator Or Locked In A Room And Can’t Get Out. Credit cards are notorious for getting you trapped… financially. But they can also help you get out of traps… physically! These slender little shards of plastic can help you unlock doors and windows, and can help you to pry open practically anything that needs to be opened. Who would have thought that a credit card just might help you get out of a difficult situation rather than get you stuck in one.

4. You Need To Do Your Part To Save The Economy. The economy is in shambles. We’ve all seen the devastation caused by the collapse of the housing market and the implosion of the job market. You might think that the prudent thing to do in during these tough economic times is to hunker down and keep tighter control over your money and reign in your spending habits. But if you do that, the economy is just going to worsen, isn’t it? If we want the economy to recover, then we all need to put our confidence back into the economy and start spending again. So get that credit card out and start spending, and do your part to save the economy!

5. Using Your Credit Cards Is A Matter Of National Security. One of the most sacred institutions of the United States is the pursuit of the American Dream. Indeed, keeping the American Dream alive is one of the stated goals that our politicians in Washington DC have been emphasizing in their attempts to revive the economy. Therefore, it is your patriotic duty as an American to keep the American Dream alive by keeping the credit card companies in business. After all, how long can we expect them to survive on government bailouts? Their bailout should come from the private sector. And what better way to help keep the credit card companies in business than to use your credit cards?

6. The World Is Coming To An End And You Need To Safeguard Your Cash. The Mayans predicted that the world will end in 2012. Scientists claim that an asteroid will be coming close enough to impact the earth during this century. World War III could happen at any time now. If a run on the banks would occur and people start hoarding cash, you could always rely on plastic to help you survive the economic uncertainty that lies ahead.

7. When You Run Out Of Money Every Month, At Least You Will Have The Credit Cash Back Rewards To Help You Keep Afloat. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, using one credit card to pay off another every single month, then at least you should be looking forward to your credit card cash back rewards! When you find yourself constantly running out of money every month, at least you know that all of the money you spent on your credit cards, keeping a balance and accruing interest, will pay off when you get those cash back rewards every month! A credit card can really help you out when money is tight!

January 25, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons You Forgot To Pick The Children Up From School

It sounds terrible, but I would be willing to bet that there isn’t a single person reading this who hasn’t picked their children up from school late at least once – talking to some of the parents I know, here are some of the reasons they gave me for ‘running late’…

1. You Were Playing Farmville. In fact all of those highly-addictive Facebook games should come with health warnings, “May cause you to lose large chunks of your day.”. Or, at the very least, they should come with in-game reminders like, “Step away from the computer and pick up your offspring – you can always beat Claire’s Bejewelled score later.”.

2. You Were Trying On That Dress Again. Hands up who has ever dropped the children at school in the morning, popped to the high street and still found yourself looking for that perfect cocktail dress ay 3pm? I’ve often found myself battling the shopping devil inside that is telling you to go and try the dress on again for the twelfth time. The children can probably walk home. They need to grow up sometime, right?! 🙂

3. You Were Gossiping. As the old saying goes; “time flies when you’re speculating with your best friend about her cougar of a neighbour’s latest toyboy”.

4. You Were Playing Bingo. Whether you popped in for an early session with the other mums or got engrossed in some of the cute bingo games online.

5. You Had To Stay And Laugh At Your Boss’ Jokes. Ah, the dreaded afternoon meeting where your boss’ showboating drags on a little too long. You’re checking your watch, but he is telling the most drawn out joke in the world. And he keeps getting it wrong. But hey, you’re trying to climb the ladder so you put on a brave face and attempt to chuckle in the right places whilst thinking about what you’ve got for dinner.

6. Those Pesky Soap Operas Were Just A Little Too Gripping. As you sit enjoying the last peaceful cup of tea for the day, wondering if that woman will make it out alive, who’s the daddy of that baby or if she really did bury her husband under the shed – don’t forget that it isn’t real. The children are waiting in the playground so you’d better get a wiggle on…

7. Some Legitimate Reason. There really are quite a few legitimate reasons for running late. The previous six probably aren’t going to cut it – I doubt your child’s teacher will take kindly to you telling them you wanted to finish your game of Pathwords. Running late and temporarily forgetting to pick up your kids doesn’t make you a bad parent – we’re all busy and we’re all human.

January 17, 2012