This Meme was started by the lovely Gina from Cold Tea and Smelly Nappies who was inspired by a back-to-school booklet her daughter bought home. Apparently these are standard fare for those of you with school age little people - apparently you fill in a bunch of questions about your child’s abilities, likes and dislikes, and the completed questionnaire will then sit quietly in your child’s file until they do something terrible like swear at the teacher, or have an accidental piddle in the middle of a school assembly. This is a new one on me as they didn’t exist when I was at school and we’re still a long way off hopping onto this emotional roller coaster with Dexter.

Anyhow, Gina decided to turn the table on us parents and created a meme that, has spread throughout the parent blogger community like wildfire. Tagged by my buddy Colette (one L and two Ts!) at We’re Going on an Adventure, it’s now my turn to dish the dirt on my little family. Now I have a habit of making an idiot out of myself on memes like these. I’ll under-think and over-share and before you know it, the whole world will know about my fear of coat hangers, theories on Rosemary West, and crush on Ed Balls. This time the questions are a little less probing so surely I can make it through without causing myself any embarrassment…? … Let’s find out.

1) First off tell us your name…

Gemma. There that was painless. I’m officially still a Chamberlain but usually write under my would-be married name if Craig pulled his finger out - Mills. This is because I find it less confusing sharing the same surname as the little person whose bum I change day-in day-out.

2) I live at home with…

Craig - the love of my life. We’ve got a 12 year age gap, fight like a couple on the brink of divorce, and have absolutely no idea what we’re doing as parents 90% of the time. But I love this man so much I simply can’t imagine what life would be like without him in it. We met in a pub when I was a young, infinitely sexier and impressionable 18-year-old, and I thought I could do much better than the lightly grayed guy at the bar. Turns out I couldn’t and I’m now forever pinching myself that he comes home to me every night - I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

I’m very lucky we stayed in touch over Facebook and met again some ten years later. On our first official date he cooked me (Mrs Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook) a really impressive cottage pie, it was then I knew he was the guy I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Two months later, I was pregnant with Dexter (now 17 months), and two years on from that date, I’m now pregnant again.

3) My favourite thing to do is…

Being 15 weeks pregnant at the moment, the honest answer to this is - nap. I’m also an avid follower of politics so have Newsnight, This Week, and Question Time on series link. I can’t get off to a good start in the morning without a two hour serving of current affairs. I think this is my way of reminding me that I’m a grown up.

4) My favourite thing to eat is…

Nothing. Honestly, I’m not a foodie at all. If someone invented a pill that would supply you with all the essential nutrients and calories needed to live a healthy and long life, I’d most definitely sign myself up to be their guinea pig. To me, eating is a chore. Obviously there are some foods I like more than others - grapefruits, Cornish pasties, or steak and cheese sandwiches to name but a few, but the actual act of preparing and eating food is ridiculously dull.

Craig, on the other hand, is a fabulous cook, and loves to dine out. He’ll think nothing of spending a £100 on a meal for two in a fancy restaurant, and I’ll be mentally spending the money elsewhere whilst chewing on fillet steak that might as well have come from Asda.

5) When I get cross I…

Swear. A lot. I have to get the last word and like to make sure it’s an effective one. I’m also a massive sulker and love pulling a duvet over my head and thinking my way out of trouble.

6) Sometimes I worry because…

I’m was very impulsive when I was younger and was a horrendous teenager. I worry that I won’t be able to steer my children through this early phase of adulthood without both them, and I, making some pretty huge mistakes. We live in a world that is increasingly unforgiving, I just hope they’ll be able to survive it and emerge happy, confident and with plenty of dreams to fulfill.

7) My favourite book is…

There are so many! I’d say Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (Louis de Bernières), The Stand (Stephen King), or Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi. I’ve had a Kindle on my Christmas present list for about 5 years now, but unfortunately I haven’t been well-behaved enough to score one from Santa.

8) My favourite toy is (easy now)…

Definitely my Canon 1100D. I know it’s only entry-level but then I’m hardly David Hockney.

9) I dislike…

Anything that could be classed as housework. I also hate arrogance, showboating, and self-pity.

10) When I grow up I want to be…

Married! Hurry up Craig - put a ring on it!

No seriously, I just want to be happy, and to do a fabulous job bringing up our babies. I’ve already had a relatively successful career in PR and social media - and long it may it continue. Blogging is a fabulous way of keeping up to date with the industry whilst enjoying the early years of parenthood.

Now, onto this lovely lot! Dish the dirt guys!

Andrea from Life With Liv

Emily from Our IVF Journey

Emma from Emma’s Little World

Jo from Joanna Victoria

Debs from Super Busy Mum