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Tuesday 26 June 2018

Do NOT pick up after your children

I can't stress this enough!!!!!!  So I'll put some exclamation marks there to emphasis the point and make it bold.

DON'T EVER PICK UP AFTER YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!!

It is NOT - not not not  (yes there's an echo) - your job!

It IS your child's job to pick up after themselves.  Children as young as two can pick up after themselves so get on it as soon as possible!

When my children were toddlers I would go into their room, usually in the evenings if I had the time and every Saturday at least, and show them how to tidy their room.

Blocks in block box, teddies on bed, cars in car box, books on the shelves, pencils in cases. Everything has a spot. It's not about being perfect either, things get mixed up and that's ok. It's just about using this young learning age to teach children that tidying up is their responsibility. They get the things out they put them away. Simple!

Wednesday 13 June 2018

The good parent - story 1

Let me tell you a story about a mum doing a great job.

This mother is juggling three children, one of whom is in her care.  She is dealing with three different personalities and can talk about all three in a positive light.  Able to see their good qualities despite the fact that they're hard work, stressful and demanding.  As children are.

A stay at home mum living life as a single mother even though she's married.  That's how it goes sometimes.  'A woman's lot' as they say (though there would be stay at home dad's in a similar position).  Doing the bulk of 'woman's business' by herself and amazingly... managing!

I think of her and know there is no way I'd manage as well as she does.  I don't think I've told her that before but she's amazing to me.

When life becomes hard work, stressful and demanding I shy away from any activity that adds to that pressure cooker.  It's keeps me sane, yet I'm not sure if it's good for my children not getting out as much or doing many out of home recreations.  That is my undoing, my foible.  We all have them.

Back to this lady, on top of everything she is also struggling with anxiety, relatively new to the scene.  Again she is STILL managing to organise outings for herself and her children, she juggles their appointments and activities, play dates, she sees her friends and cooks and takes care of her children.

She is not abusing her children, blaming them for her undoings, neglecting them, neglecting others.  This lady is also taking care of her own wellbeing, doing a course on mindfulness and learning how to manage mental wellbeing.

Impressive!

I wanted to share this story to let you know there are some really great and amazing parents out there!