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About Me
Categories
Video & TV
Press
Work With Me
Buy My Book MUMBOSS (UK)/The Working Mom (US and Canada)

Tagged removing a nodule

removing a nodule

flowers

The 5 Life-Changing Lessons I Learned While Unwell

July 20, 2018

Always learning.

About me

Hi, I’m Vicki, a writer, filmmaker and TV broadcaster. I feature regularly on BBC Breakfast, BBC World News, Sky News and BBC Radio 5 Live. This blog is an online diary of my life and loves.

If you’d like to work with me, please email me at vicki@honestmum.com.

You can read more about me here.

Come Join My Working Mother’s Academy

I’ve shared all I’ve learnt in a decade of blogging and vlogging professionally in my video course business, The Working Mother’s Academy. Check it out HERE.

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Order My Book

You can order my bestselling book Mumboss (UK) HERE. My debut book is my guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home and offers insight into how to create a digital business or return to work with confidence. Below is the UK’s 2nd edition released on August 20th 2020.

It will be released as The Working Mom in the US/Canada on Sept 8th 2020 and can be pre-ordered HERE.

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@honestmum on Instagram

I wasn’t sure what picture to use for this capti

I wasn’t sure what picture to use for this caption but I was certain of the words I wanted to write. This period has tested us all, some more acutely than others of course but all of us have felt the repercussions of this crisis, and while I feel lucky that my family are well, I want to be candid and share that right now, I feel lonely, bored, frustrated and claustrophobic and I know many of you feel the same because I read your messages, comments and posts (thank you @mokuska for your moving newsletter tonight which perfectly articulated the ennui of our current Groundhog Day situ). This on-going disconnection feels as if I’m living in a parallel world or waiting to join the old one I once inhabited. Despite being lucky to have a job, the juggle of 24/7 caring for my children and deadlines is intense and the emotional fall-out is catching up with us. The detachment. The confines of our homes and our worlds closing in. I’m living so much of my life through my phone. It’s strange to admit loneliness when you have your immediate family with you 24/7 but we really are confined in ‘a bubble’, a bubble away from my parents (who, after months, I’ll hopefully see in a few weeks time) and away from the majority of my closest friends who live all over the world from London to Leeds to LA, the friends I can be completely myself with. I miss the ‘me’ around those people. The laughter, the stories, the connection and collaboration. FaceTime and Zoom help but often serves to highlight the lack of proximity IRL we’re experiencing right now. I don’t have answers but I do now you miss who you love and I’m grateful to love so many. ❤️❤️ #honestparenting #honestmum #lonely #friends #thejuggleisreal
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I’ve written a piece for @marieclaireuk sharing

I’ve written a piece for @marieclaireuk sharing my Mumboss survival tips. Thanks to editor @andreacanwrite and also @mumologist and @swanny for their quotes. Extract below. Click on the link in my bio for the full piece. As we emerge into our New Normal world, how’s the past four months been for you? For me there have been positives to lockdown: less rushing around spreading myself like butter, more quality time with my family and finally watching Tina Fey’s Sisters. And yet, I’m emotionally and physically drained. I’d like to work during daylight hours and sleep before 2am, please.
I’m sick and tired of the groundhog daily routine of washing, cleaning, cooking, homeschooling, only to carry on working night shifts from my kitchen table/office. Whoever coined the phrase ‘sleep is for the weak’ must have been deluded by insomnia. Of course, I’m grateful for mine and my family’s health. But let’s be candid, it’s vital for my mental health’s sake and yours – I’M BORED TO PIECES of the same four walls (and the same four parks in Windsor).
Take this week’s highlight: my local Waitrose has finally, FINALLY restocked the vanilla extract I’ve been looking for. Hurrah. I can now make the Keto desserts I so badly need to sustain me on my diet, thanks lockdown weight-gain.
Who even am I, anymore? I’m quite literally unrecognisable from the woman I knew 17 weeks ago (rounder, and joyfully hairier thanks to not being able to complete laser sessions on my legs).
Transformations aside, for me the most challenging part of this pandemic is juggling three full-time jobs. I’m a parent (aka chef, carer and all-round dog’s body to the kids), homeschool teacher and writer, the latter being the easiest and the only one that actually pays. Mumboss on a grand scale. And I’m one of the sleep-deprived lucky ones. My husband and I pride ourselves on our normally equal partnership, but being the only one with the flexible job I was quickly promoted to ‘Homeschool Headmistress’. But the minute my husband’s work day ends, his childcare job kicks in so I can start my work day long into the night.
A recent lockdown survey of 3,500 families, funded by the...Rest in the bio.

Anyone else relate?

Anyone else relate?

<AD > We had a little Frozen party to celebrate th

<AD > We had a little Frozen party to celebrate that Frozen 2 is now streaming on @DisneyPlusUK! My kids adored the first film, Oliver was nearly 4 on release and would sing Let It Go on repeat, and Alexander was a baby who watched and re-watched the film a million times over the years so we're all super excited to find out what sweet sisters Elsa and Anna are up to this time.
Oliver's favourite character was the reindeer (random but cute) so he's looking forward to seeing him again and Alexander wants to know if Olaf is up to his goofy tricks once more. I personally want to see if Elsa is still in control of her icy strength and what moral guidance I'll seek this time from the twosome that taught us we can overcome any adversity with love supporting us.
FYI, I transformed our lounge into a Frozen party (cleverly if I say so myself!) using wrapping paper as a table cloth and decorating the plates of cupcakes and chicken skewers with sequins and Frozen inspired crafts we made the weekend before with paper plates, felt tips and a solar system arts and craft pack. Easy, fun and 'pretty fantastic' as Xander would say. What are you most looking forward to discovering in Frozen 2? Will you have a party like us? Go on! #HomeofFrozen #Frozen2

Thanks so much to @studentnannies and tutor Sameer

Thanks so much to @studentnannies and tutor Sameer for his brilliantly informative, dynamic and fun Zoom Science lesson with Oliver, this morning. I learnt a lot about the Solar System myself! Cambridge University student Sameer provided an engaging, interactive and nurturing lesson with live drawings, visuals and demonstrations in this hour of learning and I was impressed with Oliver’s know-how...If you’re not aware of Student Nannies, they help relieve the homeschooling headache providing we parents with online study buddies for our kids. Their tutors/nannies are top university students from all over the UK and can teach everything from English, maths, languages and science to singing, drama, music, astrophysics and zoology and sessions start from £10/hr.
In these 1-2-1 sessions the Student Nanny explains tricky bits, answers questions, boosts confidence and encourages children on. They run the sessions leaving parents to work uninterrupted or you can join in, as I did!
The students tutors are inspiring, relatable role models for children - and they engage effortlessly with your child, providing an emotionally safe and inspiring learning environment. Sameer who studies Natural Sciences said, ‘My degree encompasses a wide range of scientific content including modules in biology, chemistry and maths. 'I love teaching, because seeing someone grow in understanding and deepen their conceptual framework is extremely rewarding, and it challenges me to find new ways to think about the world.' Sameer has privately tutored secondary school students, taught younger students sciences at school, and coached public speaking and debating. He charges £15 for GCSE/A-level tuition, and £13 for early secondary and primary school teaching.
Parents can discover, book and pay Student Nannies through the platform. All students are ID checked, background checked and interviewed.
@studentnannies’ focus is on supportive sessions that put the fun back into learning for both parents and children. Parents can email hello@studentnannies.com or call 07876 391914 for a FREE bespoke matching service to find the perfect Student Nanny for their child. <gifted>

(Ad) If close friends were asked about my personal

(Ad) If close friends were asked about my personality, I reckon 'mischievous' would definitely make it into my bio, now more than ever, when silliness and laughter is a welcome relief during this challenging time.
I think it's safe to say that my kids have taken after me when it comes to loving a laugh and also having a sweet tooth, for that matter!
Thank goodness for arts and crafts and yummy sweets then, to help us get through quarantine and homeschool. You see, delicious sweet makers, @maoam_uk, have joined forces with comedy duo @dickndomofficial creating an online Mischief Hub to help inspire us all to have a little more fun as a family.
Bursting with mischievous arts and crafts, the site will keep you all entertained for hours. We made silly socks, wanted posters and sparkly spider’s webs! Check out how we made them on the blog (link in the bio) and enter to win one of 6 sweetie hampers that I have to giveaway too. #MAOAM #MAOAMmischief

Argh, what ruddy wonderful week it’s been (and I

Argh, what ruddy wonderful week it’s been (and I’ve not had one of those in a LONG while in lockdown let me tell you) but I’ve seen more of my friends this week and projects I’ve been working on have come to fruition and to top it all off, one of my most favourite authors and illustrators in the 🌍, Lou Hamilton, creator of @brave_newgirl has broadcast episode 11 of her podcast @podstar_podcastpragency where she interviewed me (we clicked, we laughed, I cried) and she also drew me as the Brave New Girl character from my beloved book of hers, Brave New Girl: How To Be Fearless which you can see here 👉👈. Brave New Girls features over 100 beautiful drawings which empower girls and women to overcome adversity and become their most courageous selves. It’s a book I treasure and return to time and time again. It has held my hand through many of life’s challenges: loss, ill health and of course, the struggles in lockdown. And now Brave New Girl is a Mumboss. Lou, thank you for making me a Brave New Girl literally and illustratively ❤️. reative Mums

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Hey guys I’m excited to share my Bestselling Ins

Hey guys I’m excited to share my Bestselling Insta Bundle Pack with you, giving you access to stylish templates and creative prompts that will TOTALLY transform your Instagram account helping you to grow your following and build your own business!!! The Insta bundle is bursting with templates in different shades so you create quotes and backgrounds for your images which suit your style and branding. I’ve also added an extensive hashtag guide that will help you feature on Instagram’s much coveted Explore page. That’s not all either. I’ve also included tips on feature on TV and in the press with my comprehensive PR tips after almost 2 decades working in the TV and film industry. My business partner @lucygriffithsdotcom and I have brought you this via our Working Mother’s Academy ❤️! My Insta Bundle Pack Includes:
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👉PR tips to help you get on TV and feature in the press. Find out more from the link in my bio ❤️
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My latest piece for @fabulousmag is now live (link

My latest piece for @fabulousmag is now live (link in the bio) as I share the surprising mum hacks I’ve picked up during lockdown. Extract below. Cheers 🥂! Key workers aside, we parents have been lumbered with one of the toughest jobs during lockdown haven’t we?
Hi, my name is Vicki Broadbent and for the last 15 weeks that have felt like a lifetime, I’ve been working three full-time jobs with only one of those being paid.
1) I teach my kids every damn day in the homeschool classroom that I’m forced to be in – and feel like I’ve aged 20 years for the pleasure!
It’s true what they say, “To raise a child takes a village, to homeschool a child takes a vineyard”.
2) I am mothering my kids 24/7 (cooking, cleaning, ironing, nurturing, Cinderella-ing et. you get the gist) and 3) I write.
I’m lucky to sleep before 2am most nights and while I don’t need you to start getting the violin out for me (I’m well aware of how lucky I am to be healthy and coping – just), I do want to be honest with you. My blog is called Honest Mum after all.
And the good news? Despite the fatigue, weight gain, moody kids from the tropical heatwave, the endless sandwich making and late nights hitting deadlines, I’ve accidentally discovered some mum hacks that might just change your life.
They’ve helped me to survive and (kinda) thrive during this time. They’re simple, quirky, time-saving and bang on the money. You’re welcome.
1. Day-to-nightwear
It sounds bonkers but after bathtime my kids, Oliver and Xander, aged 10 and seven, put on their clean shorts and T-shirts on to sleep in, rather than PJs.
It means they’re ready and dressed in the morning, saving time and stress.
Now I can take a few Zoom meetings first thing or just eat my breakfast in peace before homeschool begins.
This quick hack (frankly, how different are PJs from actual clothes) cuts request and complaint times by half.
All the kids have to moan about now is washing their face and brushing their hair and teeth.
2. Sweat it off
I bought my husband a treadmill for his 40th birthday in May (which was really for me, wife of year award pending) and my kids run on it several times a week... Read the rest via my bio 👆

Week 3 back on #Keto and I’m craving desserts th

Week 3 back on #Keto and I’m craving desserts this week. Check out my low carb chocolate mousse recipe. Obsessed 🍫 ngredients:
60 g unsalted butter (use 40 if you want it less rich in flavour)
100 g baking chocolate (over 70% percent cocoa)
2 tsp sugar alternative
350 ml Fresh double cream – 120 ml
2 tbsp cocoa powder
a drop of vanilla extract
berries for decoration
In a bain marie melt the butter, honey and chocolate. Then whip the cream and add in the cocoa and vanilla extract and stir. Pour in the butter and chocolate mixture and stir through. Keep whipping until it thickens into a mousse. Pour into a serving glass and refrigerate for an hour or more.
Serve decorated with berries. #keto #lowcarb #ketodiet #lchf #ketolife #ketosis #weightloss #ketolifestyle #ketogenic #ketomeals #ketorecipes #ketoweightloss #ketofood #weightlossjourney #ketogenicdiet #fitness #healthyfood #ketofriendly #ketotransformation #healthylifestyle #ketoaf #paleo #intermittentfasting #glutenfree #ketocommunity #healthy #ketofam #diet #lowcarbdiet

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