Sandi Toksvig Quotes

Hey, great idea: if you have kids, give your partner reading vouchers next Christmas. Each voucher entitles the bearer to two hours' reading time *while the kids are awake*. It might look like a cheapskate present, but parents will appreciate that it costs more in real terms than a Lamborghini.

We have a snap of my dad wearing blue eye shadow, which I would always make fun of. When I was about 12 and first started wearing lipstick, my dad would ask, 'Are you wearing makeup?' I would say back, 'You're wearing more makeup there than I am!'

My memories are of my dad taking me to football on Saturday mornings, and my mum taking me swimming. Those are the things I remember from my childhood, not sitting around the table debating capitalism and the profit squeeze.

My father would take me to the playground, and put me on mood swings.

Probably the earliest memories for me would be going to restaurants with my family.

The great thing about having a bunch of kids is they just remind you that you're the person who takes them to go poop!

My only regret in life is that I didn't spend as much time with my kids as I now wish I had.

I have a 4-year-old and a 14-year-old, and think I missed a recital and a graduation, and they were like 'It's OK mommy, we'll take pictures.' It was my upset, though... they were just fine! I just give them a kiss and a hug and let them know that I love them every day.

When I had my daughter, Louisanna, two and a half years ago, I started recording every funny or sweet thing she said or did on my phone.

Mind you, I've always been musical... Mother used to sit me on her knee and I'd whisper, 'Mummy, Mummy, sing me a lullaby do,' and she'd say: 'Certainly my angel, my wee bundle of happiness, hold my beer while I fetch me banjo.'

I've come to realize how much it really was a part of my upbringing, the Georgia part. We were away from town. It was just dirt and trees and spouses. And a lot of kids - my cousins, who were all like brothers and sisters to me - just a lot of kids at one time.

In Los Angeles, I'm always in Fred Segal. It's become a ritual. I have lunch and then buy lots of things I don't need. Usually tons of clothes for the kids that they grow out of in 10 seconds.

I've seen my own kids go through their own ups and downs, and as a mother, you want to make it better.

I used to watch all my friends play with G.I. Joes. I couldn't afford them.

My daughter's still so tiny at the moment; she's just a sweet little meaty thing. But of course, you always think about what you want for them, don't you, and like any parent I want my children to be happy more than anything.

If you have children and want to give your future self a present, record their laughter as toddlers. When they're older and away from you, you might find that clip in the middle of the day, and it will transport you as surely as if you had a time machine.

When I was a kid, if I liked something from merchandising, I'd have to go to the toy store.

Today, I give my daughter what I really didn't have as a kid: all the silly, dumb, extravagant, frilly, nonfunctional toys I can force on her. She probably wants an encyclopedia.

My early memories of my dad were taking me to play football when I was six - they are happy ones. They are my favourites.

When I'm not working, I'm having fun with my son. We do lots of kids' stuff.

When I was a kid, my parents were happy to buy me clothes; they provided for me.

My kids would watch from the window and wave to me during batting practice.

I want to have some fun with my kids growing up.

That's a thing you most look forward to as a kid. The newest clothes or the newest shoes. Definitely getting the newest shoes and bragging to your friends about it.

When I was younger, even though I had a big brother, my parents would give me the house key every day.