5 September 2012
First day at School
The first day of school is a big day in the life of a child, but often an even bigger one in the life of a Mother! Some kids head off enthusiastically and others cry and cling for a while. What makes the difference? It's all in the preparation. Speak to your child enthusiastically about school, "school is so much fun! You get to play with all the kids and play with all the toys!". As opposed to: "you'll be ok, it won't be for very long, I'm sure you'll be fine... Sniff..". My kids had their little backpacks packed a good month or so before starting school. The calendar was marked with a big gold star, and the count down was on! How fun, to go to a place with so many new friends to make! I dropped each child off with barely a wave back, and off they go. Then go away and cry, because of course we miss them! Don't feel bad about missing your baby, just don't let them know! Often they just cling because subconsciously we want to. Be proud you've raised a person who is able to take the next step in life!
22 August 2012
Fun Free Quality Family Time
You may have noticed by now that I like to save money. Actually I like to spend money, but on fun things that the whole family can enjoy, like a trip to the zoo or an outing that we will have happy memories from. (Also food, electricity and bills rate highly too!)
Saying that, a lot of the fun things we do as a family don't cost a lot of money. Most weekends when the weather is fine, will find us having a picnic or BBQ somewhere. Take a picnic blanket, packed lunches, some folding chairs, a few toys and a ball, (and a good book for Mum), and you have a the makings of a fun family day. It doesn't have to be a huge extended family get together to have those fun days, and it doesn't have to be far away, just a nearby park can do the trick. If I'm really tired, I might just kick a ball or something for 10 minutes, then lay on my picnic rug and read for a while, it's just nice to get out of the house and spend time together.
Summer often finds us at the beach or by the river. In Winter we tend to do a bit of bushwalking, and rainy days might see us playing boardgames or snuggling to watch a DVD. At the end of the day, kids won't remember how many hours of TV they've spent watching, but how much time they've spent with you. xox
Saying that, a lot of the fun things we do as a family don't cost a lot of money. Most weekends when the weather is fine, will find us having a picnic or BBQ somewhere. Take a picnic blanket, packed lunches, some folding chairs, a few toys and a ball, (and a good book for Mum), and you have a the makings of a fun family day. It doesn't have to be a huge extended family get together to have those fun days, and it doesn't have to be far away, just a nearby park can do the trick. If I'm really tired, I might just kick a ball or something for 10 minutes, then lay on my picnic rug and read for a while, it's just nice to get out of the house and spend time together.
Summer often finds us at the beach or by the river. In Winter we tend to do a bit of bushwalking, and rainy days might see us playing boardgames or snuggling to watch a DVD. At the end of the day, kids won't remember how many hours of TV they've spent watching, but how much time they've spent with you. xox
17 August 2012
Bullying
It is so heartbreaking to see a child become miserable because of bullying. Many children experience bullying to some degree, at some point. Girls seem to be particularly cruel, and psychological bullying is just as damaging as physical bullying.
Some common signs of being bullied include becoming withdrawn and not wanting to go to school (or the place where the bullying is occurring). Bullying is something to take very seriously. If your child tells you they are being bullied, or 'picked on', this is good, because your child trusts you and you obviously have good communication happening. Listen carefully, try to establish exactly what is going on, who is involved and what specific incidents have taken place. It's really important to try to not get outwardly upset at this point. Listen carefully and find out as much as you can.
DO NOT rant and rave, and jump in your care to go and confront the bully and their parents! Firstly, that is not the most effective (or mature) way to handle this, secondly, you will probably just embarrass your child, (making them less likely to confide in you in the future, and thirdly, it's unlikely to work, and may actually make the situation worse.
I think the best thing to do if your child is being bullied, is give your child a hug, and tell them you are sorry this is happening to them, and you are proud of them for being so mature and telling you what's going on. Then, (calmly) go into another room and cry if you need to! Sometimes bullying does just blow over, but if it doesn't, a quiet word to the class teacher, should be the first step.
Teachers have a lot of experience with bullying, and can often subtly affect a positive change by changing seating arrangements, organizing groups differently, educating the class in general (ie not singling out your child), about acceptable behavours and just keeping a close eye on your child and the situation in general. This is often enough, especially with younger children, to fix the problem.
Sometimes role playing a situation and giving your child a few funny or 'snappy comebacks' can help. Sometimes that is enough to help a shy child feel a little more confident.
If for any reason the teacher is not supportive, or there is no improvement in the situation, make an appointment to see the Principal and take things further. Your school should have an anti-bullying policy.
In my experience these steps have helped with bullying, but if your child is experiency very severe or prolonged bullying, do what you need to do to keep them safe. There have been cases where children and teenagers have become depressed and committed suicide, because of bullying. If a situation is very bad, involving police, changing schools or homeschooling is the last resort, but I would not hesitate to do whatever needs to be done to protect the child.
Some common signs of being bullied include becoming withdrawn and not wanting to go to school (or the place where the bullying is occurring). Bullying is something to take very seriously. If your child tells you they are being bullied, or 'picked on', this is good, because your child trusts you and you obviously have good communication happening. Listen carefully, try to establish exactly what is going on, who is involved and what specific incidents have taken place. It's really important to try to not get outwardly upset at this point. Listen carefully and find out as much as you can.
DO NOT rant and rave, and jump in your care to go and confront the bully and their parents! Firstly, that is not the most effective (or mature) way to handle this, secondly, you will probably just embarrass your child, (making them less likely to confide in you in the future, and thirdly, it's unlikely to work, and may actually make the situation worse.
I think the best thing to do if your child is being bullied, is give your child a hug, and tell them you are sorry this is happening to them, and you are proud of them for being so mature and telling you what's going on. Then, (calmly) go into another room and cry if you need to! Sometimes bullying does just blow over, but if it doesn't, a quiet word to the class teacher, should be the first step.
Teachers have a lot of experience with bullying, and can often subtly affect a positive change by changing seating arrangements, organizing groups differently, educating the class in general (ie not singling out your child), about acceptable behavours and just keeping a close eye on your child and the situation in general. This is often enough, especially with younger children, to fix the problem.
Sometimes role playing a situation and giving your child a few funny or 'snappy comebacks' can help. Sometimes that is enough to help a shy child feel a little more confident.
If for any reason the teacher is not supportive, or there is no improvement in the situation, make an appointment to see the Principal and take things further. Your school should have an anti-bullying policy.
In my experience these steps have helped with bullying, but if your child is experiency very severe or prolonged bullying, do what you need to do to keep them safe. There have been cases where children and teenagers have become depressed and committed suicide, because of bullying. If a situation is very bad, involving police, changing schools or homeschooling is the last resort, but I would not hesitate to do whatever needs to be done to protect the child.
Clean The House in 15 Minutes
When the Mother of a house works, then eveybody who lives in the house, should help clean the house!
Cleaning is not my favourite activity, especially on the weekend, but a house is so much nicer and more enjoyable to live in, and every thing is so much easier when it is clean. I have found that quite a lot can be accomplished in short fifteen minute bursts of housework, when every body pitches in.
I set the timer on the kitchen stove and delegate either a room or a particular job (such as vaccuming, mopping or folding clothes) to each person. It doesn't matter whether you have a large or small family, because the mess will be in proportion to that anyway. Even one person can accomplish a huge amount in just fifteen minutes.
I use fifteen minutes for the time, because it is not so long (like an hour), that even I don't want to get started. One or two fifteen minute bursts a day seem to keep my house ticking over fairly well.
Cleaning is not my favourite activity, especially on the weekend, but a house is so much nicer and more enjoyable to live in, and every thing is so much easier when it is clean. I have found that quite a lot can be accomplished in short fifteen minute bursts of housework, when every body pitches in.
I set the timer on the kitchen stove and delegate either a room or a particular job (such as vaccuming, mopping or folding clothes) to each person. It doesn't matter whether you have a large or small family, because the mess will be in proportion to that anyway. Even one person can accomplish a huge amount in just fifteen minutes.
I use fifteen minutes for the time, because it is not so long (like an hour), that even I don't want to get started. One or two fifteen minute bursts a day seem to keep my house ticking over fairly well.
15 August 2012
Healthy School Snacks
A lovely lady named Tina asked me about school snacks today. I suggest apples, oranges, mandarins or bananas. They won't spoil if you don't cut them up, just wash them and send them whole (nature's wrapping!). Yoghurt tubs are good and can be kept cold by packing them with a little frozen juice with it, it will melt by lunchtime. Soft fruits like strawberries are best packed in a small plastic container so they don't bruise. Dried apricots and raisins are good, but I use them more as a back up in case I run out of fresh fruit (well I am a busy working mother, it happens!). A handful of almonds or cashews in a little plastic bag is a really nutritious and filling snack, but you'd have to check with your school because some don't allow nuts if anyone there is allergic. Kids should never be hungry, and won't get fat on sandwiches and fruit (it's the other stuff that does it), so just give them as much as they want. Kids concentrate and learn better with good healthy food inside them.
14 August 2012
Quick School Lunches
It's always a good idea to organize lunches the night before, but I take this a step further. I make up a loaf of wholemeal and a loaf of multigrain bread into individually wrapped sandwiches, then freeze them. Ham, peanut butter, vegiemite and jam sandwiches all freeze well. Then in the morning rush each person just grabs one from the freezer, adds a drink and some fruit, and lunch is done.
By lunch time the sandwich is defrosted. This makes a basic but healthy enough lunch for school and work. A home made lunch is almost always healthier than a bought one, we practically never buy lunches for school or work, saving money and our health at the same time.
On days when you have the time, you can still make your gourmet sandwiches or wraps, but on busy (normal for me!) mornings, this helps get us out the door on time.
By lunch time the sandwich is defrosted. This makes a basic but healthy enough lunch for school and work. A home made lunch is almost always healthier than a bought one, we practically never buy lunches for school or work, saving money and our health at the same time.
On days when you have the time, you can still make your gourmet sandwiches or wraps, but on busy (normal for me!) mornings, this helps get us out the door on time.
12 August 2012
Use a Dedicated Work Bag or Basket
Depending on how much you need to take to and from work, it is really helpful to have a dedicated bag, basket or container to keep your work things in.
I use the same bag for work every day (I'm a nurse so fashion isn't a factor for me!) In this bag I have everything I need for work, a file with any paperwork I need, pens, notebook, work keys live in it etc, just what ever is needed. The next day when getting ready for work, I'm not looking for my work keys or a pen, I just pick up the work bag and go.
When I've work in different jobs I've used a work basket, so as soon as I come home all my work things go straight into it ready for the next day. Anything that makes it easier or quicker to get to work on time is a help.
I use the same bag for work every day (I'm a nurse so fashion isn't a factor for me!) In this bag I have everything I need for work, a file with any paperwork I need, pens, notebook, work keys live in it etc, just what ever is needed. The next day when getting ready for work, I'm not looking for my work keys or a pen, I just pick up the work bag and go.
When I've work in different jobs I've used a work basket, so as soon as I come home all my work things go straight into it ready for the next day. Anything that makes it easier or quicker to get to work on time is a help.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)