Emily Writes

Parents Editor

Emily Writes is editor of The Spinoff Parents. She is a mother of two, the best-selling author of Rants in the Dark - From one tired mama to another, writer and speaker. He second book Is it bedtime yet? is out now in all good bookstores. Email her on emily@thespinoff.co.nz

Television

Nov 7, 2019

Ninja Warrior is what all sport should be

Emily Writes gushes about the show she never thought she'd enjoy so much: the endurance-testing, gravity-defying Australian Ninja Warrior.

Parents

Jul 15, 2019

Emily Writes: There's no war on fun and cotton wool culture is bullshit

We keep hearing that Kids These Days are mollycoddled and risk-averse, but is that really true? And guess who gets blamed when kids do take risks and things go wrong?

Media

Jul 12, 2019

Meghan's first mum-shaming, and other terrifying things in the news

Emily Writes once more ventures into the treacherous depths of online news, so you don't have to.

Society

Jul 11, 2019

The sex toy everyone is talking about

Sex toys aren't all dildos and vibrators. Emily Writes tries out the cutting edge in sex toy technology.

Society

Jul 10, 2019

Joyful, heartbreaking, alive: Java Dance Theatre’s ‘Chocolate’, reviewed

It seems quite a claim to say Chocolate is choreographer Sacha Copland’s best work considering her immense talent but it’s true, says Emily Writes.

Media

Jul 4, 2019

Emily Writes: The Diana Death Ride and other terrifying things in the news

Emily Writes bravely ventures into the treacherous cavities of online news so you don't have to.

Society

Jul 2, 2019

Keep Poop Private: A Spinoff campaign to let the world shit in peace

A week later, that Queensland house with a glass-walled ensuite bathroom is still giving Emily Writes nightmares.

Parents

Jun 29, 2019

Emily Writes: My top 5 parenting worry trends of 2019

It's a scary world out there, and there's a lot for you as a parent to be frightened of. But what are the things you should be most freaked out â€¦

Food

Jun 18, 2019

Emily Writes: At long last, introducing meal kits for kids!

Parent to a fussy toddler? The 'I'm Not Hungry For Fruit Mum Bag' is the only meal kit service you'll ever need!

Society

Jun 14, 2019

Emily Writes: I came out three years ago and I’ve never been happier

Emily Writes reflects on being out and proud three years after accepting and embracing her sexuality.

Society

Jun 13, 2019

Emily Writes: The joy of a septic grudge

How do you reconcile wanting a kinder, gentler world and also wishing for nothing but misfortune for your enemies? You accept the cleansing power of a deep and passionate grudge, says Emily Writes.

Society

Jun 6, 2019

We need to talk about Noa

Over the weekend, horrific false news about a teenage girl being "euthanised" due to mental illness was reported all around the world. The truth was almost as uncomfortable.

Science

Jun 6, 2019

A few upsides to us all dying in 2050

Cheer up, at least it'll all soon be over.

Television

Jun 3, 2019

Emily Writes: The 11 hottest cartoon characters, according to me

Cartoon characters can be almost anything – people, animals, figments of your imagination. And they can also be hot as hell.

Parents

May 28, 2019

Emily Writes: How childbirth works, according to a man

It's 'important for mothers and midwives to plan well ahead of their delivery', according to the head of the Southern DHB. Intrigued, Emily Writes decided to find out more.

Food

May 21, 2019

Emily Writes: Say no to KFC’s PR bullshit and stand with the striking workers

While KFC staff are desperately trying to draw attention to their terrible working conditions, people are losing their shit over a chicken burger.

Society

May 17, 2019

Five things parents can do to support the teachers

The biggest education strike in New Zealand history, including primary and secondary school teachers, and principals, will take place on May 29. But what can parents do to help?

Parents

May 13, 2019

Incompetent dads aren’t funny. They’re just shitty partners

If you're a man who isn't sure that you're a good partner to the mother of your children, then you're probably not.

Society

May 7, 2019

Plunket’s founder was an awful person obsessed with eugenics

Emily Writes speaks to researcher Leimomi Oakes about Plunket's dark past and the despicable views of its founder Sir Frederic Truby King.

Society

May 2, 2019

A leaked transcript from the Farmers Mother’s Day catalogue planning meeting

Emily Writes has been leaked the minutes to a Mother's Day gift guide focus group for Farmers department store.

Parents

Apr 30, 2019

Emily Writes: Another Royal Baby has arrived*

Emily Writes heads over to Harry and Meghan's whare to discuss the impending (or maybe it's happening right now) birth of the next royal child.

Politics

Apr 18, 2019

The rich get richer, the poor get poorer: The CGT failure is a story of modern NZ

Emily Writes was disappointed by yesterday's capital gains tax news – but after years of government inaction on housing inequality, she wasn't surprised.

Television

Apr 10, 2019

Help, emergency, I’m addicted to 9-1-1

Ryan Murphy? A procedural show? Connie Britton's hair? Emily Writes is hooked on 9-1-1, now showing on Lightbox.

Parents

Apr 9, 2019

Stop taking your kindergarten for granted and get them some bloody funding

Longer hours have some parents up in arms, but Emily Writes argues that kindergartens are only doing what they have to in order to survive.

Society

Apr 2, 2019

Too rude: the Wellington Zoo capybaras are going at it like rabbits

Forget Married at First Sight, the craziest hookups are happening at Wellington Zoo. Capybara reporter Emily Writes reveals all.

Television

Apr 1, 2019

Television doesn’t need to make someone else’s agony our entertainment

The three-part mini-series Three Girls tells the story of the horrendous Rochdale child rape ring in the UK. It's a harrowing watch, says Emily Writes, but it's important we don't look away – on screen and in real life.

Parents

Mar 25, 2019

How to keep your kids safe online in the wake of the Christchurch attack

Following the Christchurch terror attacks parents around the world have been concerned about what their children might see online and how they might cope with the immense tragedy of the events.

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