Thank you to The Strip, the TV show that inspired my teenage sexual awakening

The strip club-set New Zealand TV series The Strip ran for two seasons in the early-2000s and is now largely forgotten. But Emily Writes remembers it… We heard about The Strip before we saw it on TV. The advertising had been hot. We knew Robbie Magasiva was involved and my god, we loved Robbie Magasiva … Read more

Maureen Pugh’s mum and the power of unconditional love

The mother of Maureen Pugh, the National MP whom Simon Bridges called ‘fucking useless’, has rounded on the party leader, calling him a ‘dumb arse’ in return. Good on her, says Emily Writes: all power to mummy warriors, of all ages. I was at Chipmunks – sometimes it feels like I live there – when … Read more

Does Mental Health Awareness Week actually change anything for people with mental illnesses?

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week so your Facebook feed is awash with encouragement to “reach out”. It’s important people know they can reach out if they need help – but what happens next, asks Emily Writes. Like many, many, many other people, I have quite bad anxiety. It has been described by various clever doctor … Read more

How to use your hatred of children to boost your business in just three easy steps

Looking for a bit of publicity for your small business? Just stir up anti-kid outrage and watch those dollars roll in, says The Spinoff’s marketing expert* Emily Writes. I’m here to introduce you to the newest marketing techniques all the Boomers are going crazy for! Or as the millennial say: Avocado! I’ve been in marketing … Read more

Thank you, and see you soon, from The Spinoff Parents

Emily Writes bids an emotional goodbye to The Spinoff Parents, a world unto itself she dreamed up and shaped. Two years ago, The Spinoff Parents launched to much excitement. We were set in our kaupapa and sure we could make a difference in how parenting is perceived and viewed and covered in the mainstream media. … Read more

We’re living in a golden age of feminist storytelling. And it’s only beginning

The rise in feminist writing is long overdue and will only grow, writes Claire Murdoch for RNZ. A year ago today I stood around our local school playground watching other New Zealanders going in and out of the hall there, quietly placing their votes in an election that would turn out to have the kind … Read more

On motherhood: Hollie McNish and Emily Writes in conversation

Listen to British poet Hollie McNish and Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes’ session, chaired by Catherine Robertson and featuring fellow novelist Brannavan Gnanalingam, from WORD Christchurch The sold-out session at WORD Christchurch “Motherhood” featured British poet Hollie McNish, known for her poetry and writings on mothering, sex, pregnancy, and birth. Her book Nobody Told Me chronicles her pregnancy … Read more

I Survived: the zoo with my kids

In suburban Wellington, a mother of two boys is slowly losing her mind. In the first episode of ‘I Survived…’, Emily Writes tells us about the time she survived going to the zoo – barely. “What would you do if you were confronted with death? What gives someone the strength to survive? Is it luck, … Read more

A bogan and a vegetarian eat some meat at Logan Brown

Logan Brown and Harrington’s Small Goods invited Emily Writes to eat at their fancy as place. When the invitation landed in my inbox, as soon as I saw “Logan Brown” I RSVPed faster than a very fast thing. I called my husband immediately and said “We’re going to Logan Brown”. He immediately said we can’t … Read more

Emily Writes: The power of brilliant and amazing women

Mothering is wonderful and exhausting. It’s hard, but incredible work. Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes talks about how life becomes easier when you surround yourself with brilliant and amazing women. Mothers don’t just exist. We become mothers through a process that some think only involves birth. But we know – those of us who are … Read more

‘I was so angry that it was so difficult!’ Poet Hollie McNish talks motherhood with Holly Walker

Hollie McNish – author, poet, activist, mother, spoken word artist, winner of the Ted Hughes Award – is coming to New Zealand to speak at Word Christchurch. Author and Spinoff Parents contributor Holly Walker caught up with McNish to discuss motherhood and writing. When I read award-winning British poet Hollie McNish’s ‘poetic memoir’ about motherhood, … Read more

Emily Writes: You’re a bad parent with fat horrible children

Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes has been doing some research and she’s sorry to tell you that everything is your fault. Usually I avoid stories that have titles like “It’s your fault your children are fat” and “Millennial parents: Lazy Shit-eating Scum”. Generally, it’s because I think they’re wrong but also because the horrible messages … Read more

Emily Writes: Why Dwayne The Rock Johnson should be your doula

Dwayne The Rock Johnson welcomed his third daughter into the world today. Having read his Instagram post about the birth, Dwayne The Rock Johnson’s number one fan Emily Writes is now recovering in hospital after an ovary explosion. From her death bed, and with the assistance of her group-chat sisters Becka, Tamsyn, Gem and Vanessa, she … Read more

Emily Writes: Defending being defensive about co-sleeping

Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes writes about co-sleeping and her long journey to self-acceptance about her style of parenting. The other day I said to my husband “I should really try to get the baby to sleep on his own tonight.” My husband smiled and gave me a hug. He knew that what I really … Read more

Parents these days: a celebrity cook and a journalist discuss why they’re so terrible

Emily Writes went to a cafe and transcribed an interview between a journalist and a celebrity cook while her children took turns taking dumps in the fryer and coffee machine. *** Journalist: The other day I was in the supermarket and I definitely heard a parent say “What do you mean you want a Jelly … Read more

Congratulations Jacinda! Love, Emily Writes

A message for prime minister Jacinda Ardern, who announced her pregnancy this morning. Dear Jacinda, First of all – like obviously – congratulations! Second of all – BABIES!! Little tiny feet and little hands and gummy smiles and button noses! Third of all – we’ve got your back. Seriously. That squeeing you heard across the … Read more

Summer reissue: Crowdsourced hacks to make you feel better about your adequate parenting

Need a parenting hack? Spinoff Parents has got your back – sort of. Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes shares the best (*mostly* best) reader brainwaves. This post was first published on July 11. “I bribe my child to behave in public so often that we’ve worked out how to do it through hand squeezes. Three … Read more

To the exhausted mothers at Christmas, from Emily Writes

At this time of year the inbox of our editor Emily Writes fills up with messages from despairing mothers who are struggling through the holiday period. They feel alone and overwhelmed and exhausted. This is her Christmas message for them. To all of the mothers who are understandably overwhelmed by the immense and relentless pressure … Read more