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

Society

Jul 17, 2019

Emily Writes: Where are the Millions of Dads for climate action?

For generations, women have done the heavy lifting in the fight for social change. What will it take to get more men to give a fuck about their children's future?

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.

Society

Mar 18, 2019

Visions of hope: Wellington rallies together

Wellingtonians gathered at the Basin Reserve last night to mourn the loss of 50 lives, grieve together, and stand against terrorism, Islamophobia and white supremacy, reports Emily Writes.

Society

Mar 14, 2019

The kids of NZ are absolutely owning adults and it’s bloody magnificent

This week, and pretty much all the time, young people are putting to shame the aged moaners among us, says Emily Writes

Parents

Mar 9, 2019

Emily Writes: Surviving without YouTube Kids

YouTube has been in the news a lot in the last few weeks and parents around the world are considering whether they should allow their kids to watch. Emily Writes decided it was time to give it up.

Television

Mar 5, 2019

RIP Luke Perry, the TV bad boy we all wanted to save

The actor Luke Perry, whose performance as Dylan McKay in the TV show Beverly Hills 90210 was an early '90s cultural phenomenon, has died aged 52. Emily Writes pays tribute.

Media

Mar 1, 2019

A tribute to the now redundant workers of Reading Cinema, Wellington

Staff at the Reading Cinema complex in central Wellington have been made redundant. Emily Writes hopes they'll be looked after, because they're all amazing.

Society

Feb 26, 2019

World exclusive: an interview with the Gigantic Hand

There's something about that Wellington-bound sculpture, but Emily Writes can't quite put her finger on it.

Food

Feb 19, 2019

These are the 10 best sandwich fillings

Emily Writes is hungry so she wrote about sandwiches, the most perfect food in the universe.

Society

Feb 18, 2019

Some of the thousands of people you should interview before Jordan Peterson

With screeds of media coverage of self-help strange tie fan Jordan Peterson, Emily Writes ponders if there possibly might be anyone more interesting to get on your podcast.

Society

Feb 16, 2019

How to decorate your home to make men horny for you

A reporter for the Daily Mail interviewed some "interiors therapists" who warned her that her home was repelling men. Here's a handy solution from Emily Writes.

Parents

Feb 15, 2019

Therapy for parents who are struggling to cope with the news that Blippi shat on someone

Emily Writes unpacks the biggest news story of the year for the toddler set.

Society

Feb 15, 2019

Wish you weren’t here: Anti-natalism is just immensely sad

The anti-natalism isn't funny, says Emily Writes. It's just very sad.

Television

Feb 12, 2019

Five shows to watch with your kids that won’t make you lose your will to live

Emily Writes picks some kids shows you can watch without wanting to poke your eyes out with a blunt stick.

Society

Feb 1, 2019

An honest living

A Stuff column by 'millennial' Jackson Thomas pondered why anyone would work in fencing, but it applies to much of manual labour. With his permission, Emily Writes shares her husband's story.

Society

Jan 30, 2019

What does a rapist look like?

Someone Emily Writes knew, or thought she knew, raped a woman in a horrific attack. She asks why she didn't see the monster within.

Society

Jan 29, 2019

An exclusive interview with the Mt Vic Tunnel

Councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman has called for an end to tooting in Wellington's Mt Vic Tunnel. What does the Tunnel think about it? Emily Writes sat down with them to find out.

Parents

Jan 29, 2019

Should summer school holidays be only four weeks?

Should we have shorter school holidays?

Society

Jan 16, 2019

Beyond Dryuary: All the puns you need to celebrate the year ahead

As we slide into 2019 it's time to start thinking about the pun-based activities and festivities you'll be giving up, giving into, marking and celebrating this year. Emily Writes is here to help.

Society

Jan 10, 2019

What to do with all your shit that you Marie Kondo’ed

Your house might be tidy but now you're surrounded by garbage bags full of all of your KonMarie'd shit. What do you do? Emily Writes looks for answers. My house was â€¦

Media

Jan 7, 2019

Let’s make 2019 the year we put garbage comments in the bin

New Year, new you? We hear that a lot in January. The focus tends to be on the body, but what if you have a shit personality online? What can you do to fix that? Emily Writes can help.

Parents

Dec 24, 2018

Love, and the magic of Christmas, inside the neonatal intensive care unit

Hundreds of families this Christmas across New Zealand will spend their baby or babies first Christmas in a neonatal unit. Here's how they're spreading Christmas cheer.

Parents

Dec 24, 2018

The world’s shittiest game, Trumpty-Dumpty, is now on sale in NZ toy shops

The Presidential Wall Game is an ugly celebration of Trumpian nationalism and has no place on NZ shelves, argues Emily Writes.

Parents

Dec 22, 2018

How to get your child to sleep on Christmas Eve in 10 easy steps

Worried about getting your kids to sleep on time amid all the excitement of Christmas Eve. Don't worry, says Emily Writes – it's easy when you know how.

Interislander

Dec 20, 2018

A night away that feels like a holiday: Emily Writes goes to Picton

Emily Writes decides to take a trip on the Interislander to Picton for a night away with her good friend and three kids under six. What could go wrong?

Society

Dec 18, 2018

Wake up Sheeple: Elf on the Shelf is a tool of a fascist government

Emily Writes goes to war with Elf on the Shelf and its disturbing surveillance agenda.

Society

Dec 17, 2018

Gift ideas for your terrible relative that aren’t another box of sampler biscuits

What do you get your drunk uncle for Christmas? What about your aunty who believes in conspiracy theories? Or your cousin's wife who is super racist? Emily Writes has your back.

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