Charliecondou: RT @leejonathan: why didn't they just stay as a trio? like big fun. #xfactor
Charliecondou: I hope Jonny does something by Buju Banton
karlenepinnock: @Charliecondou Ha ha now that would be entertaining!
Charliecondou: @karlenepinnock hello!
Usztan: Think of all the cock Johnny's gonna get now #xfactor
Charliecondou: @Usztan Hahaha
Charliecondou: @karlenepinnock I'm playing catch up (just up to Janet). Thanks for asking me back by the way x
MissCharleyWebb: Loved Little Mix tonight, they were great! A certain someone-SO annoying. Who will go tomorrow?? #xfactor
Charliecondou: @MissCharleyWebb Lidl mix more like
Charliecondou: @MissCharleyWebb (actually I thought they were amazing)
Charliecondou: You've all remembered the clocks go back tonight haven't you?
semadivad: @Charliecondou No, but I have organised to ACTUALLY go back in time. Does that count?
Charliecondou: @semadivad yes, that's fine
DaranLittle: @Charliecondou any more public service announcements?
Charliecondou: @DaranLittle I might just tweet my number, people can call with questions
DaranLittle: @Charliecondou sounds like a plan to get dates if you ask me
Charliecondou: @DaranLittle well obviously!
Ginnielynnie: @Charliecondou sadly yes, do you gave ur daughter? Cause she'll have u up way early. #parenting!
Charliecondou: @Ginnielynnie don't I bloody know it! I'm going to bed now
AubreyEMiller: @Charliecondou here is your article for this week... wonderfully written as ever!guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2…
Charliecondou: @AubreyEMiller Thank you kindly xxx
Tom_In_Oz_: @Charliecondou I loaded ur new article on the blog 5 hours ago & my least used name is trending in Oz b/c of it - see, International Condou x
Charliecondou: @Tom_In_Oz_ Wow, Im impressed!
Charliecondou: This week's column guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2…
sarahsarah79: Saturday mornings are great! Tea toast and@Charliecondou column in the guardian . Love it ! Such a great writer !
Charliecondou: @sarahsarah79 Thank you kindly x
Jsoosty1: @Charliecondou your column is so lush. My favourite quick read x
Charliecondou: @Jsoosty1 Thank you
munchkindamo: @Charliecondou Truly beautiful xx
Charliecondou: @munchkindamo ta x
brooksoid: 2nd time this year I've looked at guardian family supp., and second time Charlie "jonnatton yeah?" condou is in it. Unforgettable role!
Charliecondou: @brooksoid thanks etc
akalaurent: Love your piece :-) “@Charliecondou: This week's column http://t.co/35lcm9vu”
Charliecondou: @akalaurent ta pookie x
Alancumming: @Charliecondou that's a lovely piece mr c. Well done on getting it sussed! X
Charliecondou: @Alancumming Thanks lover x
clarelhall: @Charliecondou I felt the same as you whilst pregnant with my 2nd! Read the following an it sums it up nicely x http://t.co/Ey5AV19F
Charliecondou: @clarelhall Very sweet x
Bobnottm: @Charliecondou The boyf and I are following you as we admire you're parental set up. Would you follow? You're brave and we're apprehensive.
Charliecondou: @Bobnottm Its not brave and there's nothing wrong with a bit of apprehension x
Bobnottm: @Charliecondou Quite. Never a 'right time'.
WasMK: @Charliecondou I don't cry easily but I got choked up reading that. Lucky kids to be born into such love.
AWOLTom: @prideangel If you like Charlie's newspaper column you might also enjoy his twitter blog diary charlie-corrie-condou.blogspot.com
prideangel: @AWOLTom thank you Tom, we think the work @Charliecondou does in highlighting #gayparenting is wonderful. Best Wishes @prideangel
LadyAstoria: 'plonking your child in front of Peppa Pig while you go to the loo with the door open' - am laughing at @Charliecondou 's column again.
somerandombint: I'm really enjoying @Charliecondou 's column in the Graun about his parenting experience. Positive, intelligent, and very self aware. Brill.
DiversityRM: Patron @Charliecondou with more delightful tales from the world of the alternative family: http://t.co/RHEN7Bej
Ange1969: @Charliecondou love your column and hearing about your unconventional family, I look forward to it every week!
andywasley: RT @Charliecondou: This week's column http://t.co/obuTrv48 <-- Lovely stuff, as usual!
AubreyEMiller: @Charliecondou you should be writing a book you do know that right...start now...x
Two dads, one mum – one family
The Guardian, Saturday 29 October 2011
BEING A SINGLE PARENT
One of the great things about my family is that, instead of the usual two parents, Georgia (and baby-to-be) have three. That's three pairs of hands to share the load and, especially given that we're all flexibly self-employed and close friends, it means that life runs pretty smoothly most of the time.
Last month, for example, we decided to make the most of the sudden burst of late-summer weather, as well as the fact that I had a bit of time off from Coronation Street, and all head down to the country for the week. Georgia loved having all her parents (and one set of grandparents) around, and the three of us enjoyed chilling together and spoiling her, making the most of these last few months of "her-only childhood".
Last week I found myself in the highly unusual position of being a single parent. Cam had gone back to Canada for his mum and dad's 50th wedding anniversary, while Catherine had a number of work things to deal with. She's also entering the third trimester of pregnancy, and is at the stage where she tires easily, particularly as an older mother-to-be, so I took Georgia home with me for three days.
Aside from the obvious lone-parenting issues – plonking your child in front of Peppa Pig while you go to the loo with the door open, for example – the biggest difference was being able to create our own timetable.
I didn't have to meet Catherine or Cam for hand-overs or meal times, so Georgia and I could pootle through the day at our own pace, going wherever the mood took us. Because, of course, the down side of three parents is that there are three people's schedules and needs to consider. So, for those few days, much as I love Catherine, much as I miss Cam, having Georgia all to myself was a rare treat.
Yes, I know how spoilt that sounds. I'm sure there are countless single parents reading this and rolling their eyes. I have plenty of friends who really are bring up children alone, so I'm well aware that the reality of single parenting, day in, day out, is that it can be stressful, exhausting and lonely.
The time alone with my daughter felt like a luxury precisely because I don't have to do it all the time. I don't have to struggle out of bed seven days a week, regardless of how I feel, I don't have to juggle work and childcare and shopping and cooking, while trying to cling to the vestiges of a social life. I have it easy and so, when I do get Georgia to myself, I make the most of it. In fact, I wallow in it – playing and snuggling and enjoying every minute of her two-year-old cuteness. The fact that I also have to spend so much time away in Manchester filming the TV show only serves to make time alone with Georgia feel even more like a luxury.
I wonder again how I'll manage to love the new baby with the same ferocity with which I love Georgia. Even though I know rationally that I will, and everyone tells me "babies bring their own love", it still seems unfathomable.
Before Georgia was born, I had a clear picture of what fatherhood would be like, but this time, when I try to think ahead to being a father of two, my imagination fails, and I struggle to see it emotionally or practically. I am excited about the new baby, but I'm apprehensive, too.
Right now, fatherhood feels so perfect that the thought of any change makes me nervous. Then I think about holding my son in my arms, and I know it's going to work out fine.
Below: Click to enlarge Twitter Trend Maps.
My Twitter name @AWOLTom has been Trending in NSW Australia for about 5 hours and Charlie Condou is not even awake in the UK yet to let people there know his article for the Guardian is published.
Charliecondou: RT @datamack: And Bridget Jones is on television. This is how all women behave. Obviously. There is NO stereotyping. And all gays are like that too. #itv
yenyenteh: @Charliecondou OBV
Charliecondou: @yenyenteh I'd never realised just how offensive that film is
yenyenteh: @Charliecondou happy to say have never seen it. Is it on cbeebies?
Charliecondou: @yenyenteh Ha, give it time
yenyenteh: @Charliecondou on the 'must see' list for the next generation
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