
Creative Mothers, a new photography exhibition by Dunja Opalko, opened this week showcasing images of creative women with their children. The author reflects on being photographed during her fourth trimester and the evolving challenges of second‑time motherhood while maintaining a creative career. She details daily juggling of work deadlines, infant care, and self‑compassion, noting persistent anxiety and the crucial role of support networks. The piece is timed between International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, underscoring its cultural relevance.

The author recounts buying a house despite a surveyor’s warning that it had the "worst roof" he’d seen in a thousand surveys. Over the past six months they have undertaken extensive DIY renovations, from structural repairs to interior redesign, often...