Hi, I thought I’d introduce myself so you don’t have to try to figure it all out if, like me, you’re nosey and/or would just like to know a little bit about the person whose blog you’re reading. Thanks so much for being here!
My name is Catherine (or Cat) and I am married to Mike. Together we have four children. As I update this in October 2022, they are aged between 12 and 6. Here is a picture of the six of us from Summer 2022.
I used to be an English teacher in East London, then I stayed at home for 9 years and now I work part time in a secondary school for boys, which I absolutely love. My weeks mostly consist of whizzing around on my scooter from school-gate to work to school-gate, throwing washing in and out of the machine and trying to cook and bake nice food. Plus all the other weird and wonderful things that being a mother involves!
We live in central London – in what Transport for London calls Zone One. But if you live in a suburb, or the countryside, or on an oil rig somewhere in the Atlantic, then please don’t be put off by the title of my blog! Mum in Zone One is one way to describe me and my circumstances, but I’m hoping that my comments will be relevant to you wherever you are.
I also think that the connotations of living in Zone One can be quite similar to those of being a parent (particularly of young children):
- It’s hectic
- It’s expensive!
- People often think you’re a bit crazy for doing it
- It’s likely that anything else in the future will feel like peace and quiet in comparison
- You can feel alone even though you’re surrounded by people
- You’re covered in grime most of the time!
So maybe, without realising it, you’re a Zone One Mum/Dad too!
If you’re wondering why we live in Zone One, the short answer is that we’re part of a church who are trying to reach a large council estate with the fantastic news about Jesus Christ. We came to help out for a couple of years. That was ten years ago. We love our church family, and there are many things we love about living in the city. It’s also hard. I’ve written more about this in a series of articles called Urban for Jesus if you’d like to take a look.
I really hope these posts encourage you!
Mum in Zone One 
Would love a copy of this advent wall! Thanks for the inspiration, at such a busy time of year this is fantastic for refocusing priorities! H x
Please may I have a copy too? I really didn’t want to go down the chocolate route and this will give our give our family bible time a brilliant new lease of life. Thank you, Shona
Tom kept saying ‘keep your legs burning’. I finally figured out he meant ‘lamps’! Slugs and Bugs is great for chat, though it took a long while for me to think of something meaningful to say about the alien song! Thanks for the posts & looking forward to reading the True Beauty one.
Please could I have a copy of the advent calendar? Thanks for sharing life and resources, Jen.
Yes sure! Um, I think I can send you it on Facebook. I shall try 🙂
Did it work?
Lovely to find your blog Cat! I’m Lucy, another UK Christian Mum blogger. I’ve been trying to connect with others blogging about similar things, so very grateful I stumbled upon your site!
Hi Lucy, nice to meet you! Yep I am already following you on Twitter 🙂 x