Recently, the boy has been a bit more difficult to handle than usual.
He's always been placid and easy-going and, for the most part, he still is.
The issue we have is with his behaviour during the bath/bedtime routine.
Bath-Time? No, Show-Time!
He refuses to co-operate at every turn. Refuses to go upstairs, refuses to get undressed, refuses to get in the bath, then refuses to get out.
He loves stories before going upstairs and just before he gets into bed so we've used the threat of removing the bedtime stories as a way of getting him to play ball. This has worked to an extent but something else is needed.
For the next couple of days we're going to cut out the stories he has before going upstairs. If he behaves better then we'll re-introduce them into his routine.
No Stories
If his behaviour continues to slide, that may mean we cut out stories altogether and he'll therefore never learn to read. He'll underachieve in school and descend into a life of crime....
But we won't panic just yet. We're hoping this tactic will be enough of a jolt for him.
Thursday 26 June 2014
Monday 23 June 2014
How Not To Look After Your Kids
I have the ultimate respect for single parents. I looked after my 3 year old on my own all day on Saturday and I was ready to collapse at the end of it.
I have looked after him before but I think Saturday was the day when I learned how NOT to do it.
I will share this insight with you below so I can pass on my wisdom.
1. Stay up late
If you stay up till 3am the night before. This will ensure you have the minimum amount of coping skills, patience and energy needed for the day ahead.
2. Be derailed by obstacles
I found a good way of doing this was to pick up a shard of glass that used to be part of a glass that was dropped a few days previously.
(Just to clarify, it hadn't been left, just missed in the clear-up)
To get the full benefit of this, you must allow the shard to embed itself in your thumb so it draws blood and stings like mad.
Being unable to find the plasters for ages also rounds this off nicely.
3. Let the jobs pile up
Make things difficult by NOT planning ahead. This could mean having to do the shopping today with the kid in tow.
Not that difficult but if it takes you ages to find stuff anyway, this could really make the job harder.
4. Don't organise activities properly
Swimming is great exercise for both kids and parents. For parents it helps alleviate stress.
Ensure that you build up as much stress in advance by choosing to go to Fit City Worsley where you have never been before.
This means you take loads of wrong turnings and only get in the water 15 minutes before the pool shuts.
5. Trust your luck
If you're worried that things have gone a bit too smoothly, don't worry there may be some bad luck around the corner.
For example, just as you're about to finally have your lunch at 3.45 pm, your child may decide to have an accident.
You see that it is all over their legs so you pick them up to carry them upstairs to the bath when you take a step and realise that you have stepped in a pile of the stuff.
You then can't get upstairs as that's where the cleaning stuff is. You are effectively marooned although that's the wrong colour for the situation.
When your child then asks, "what are we going to do now, daddy?" you know that despite it all your child trusts you. Despite it all, this will make you will smile
They know that somehow you will find a way out. Because you are their parent.
I have looked after him before but I think Saturday was the day when I learned how NOT to do it.
I will share this insight with you below so I can pass on my wisdom.
1. Stay up late
If you stay up till 3am the night before. This will ensure you have the minimum amount of coping skills, patience and energy needed for the day ahead.
2. Be derailed by obstacles
I found a good way of doing this was to pick up a shard of glass that used to be part of a glass that was dropped a few days previously.
(Just to clarify, it hadn't been left, just missed in the clear-up)
To get the full benefit of this, you must allow the shard to embed itself in your thumb so it draws blood and stings like mad.
Being unable to find the plasters for ages also rounds this off nicely.
3. Let the jobs pile up
Make things difficult by NOT planning ahead. This could mean having to do the shopping today with the kid in tow.
Not that difficult but if it takes you ages to find stuff anyway, this could really make the job harder.
4. Don't organise activities properly
Swimming is great exercise for both kids and parents. For parents it helps alleviate stress.
Ensure that you build up as much stress in advance by choosing to go to Fit City Worsley where you have never been before.
This means you take loads of wrong turnings and only get in the water 15 minutes before the pool shuts.
5. Trust your luck
If you're worried that things have gone a bit too smoothly, don't worry there may be some bad luck around the corner.
For example, just as you're about to finally have your lunch at 3.45 pm, your child may decide to have an accident.
You see that it is all over their legs so you pick them up to carry them upstairs to the bath when you take a step and realise that you have stepped in a pile of the stuff.
You then can't get upstairs as that's where the cleaning stuff is. You are effectively marooned although that's the wrong colour for the situation.
When your child then asks, "what are we going to do now, daddy?" you know that despite it all your child trusts you. Despite it all, this will make you will smile
They know that somehow you will find a way out. Because you are their parent.
Friday 20 June 2014
Little Ears Hear and Little Mouths Repeat
The nursery my son attended last year sent a letter home one afternoon. Amongst the nursery-related news was a little note that advised parents to mind their 'ps and qs' at the gate when picking the children up as there had been one of two comments from the kids which included words that were decidedly post-watershed.
"Little ears hear and little mouths repeat" was the phrase they used.
Being Negative
I must add that I have pretty much never sworn in front of my son. I admit I have slipped up when exasperated etc but I have never used any of the 'jackpot' words in front of him. You know the ones I mean.
But they're not the only words to tiptoe around when the little ones are present. One of my worse habits is talking negatively about myself. If I can't do something I quickly resort to exclaiming how rubbish I am at it, how I can't do it, how useless I am etc. (especially where DIY is concerned!)
I was dismayed recently when coaxing the boy to pull his trousers up (or some related getting dressed task). He looked me straight in the eye. "I can't do it" he told me. "I'm not very good at that". I was gutted.
I'm sure to an extent he is using this phrase as a bit of a cop-out but it is worrying that he is thinking along these lines already.
Damaging Son's Confidence?
I think nothing of what these words to do my own confidence but already I can see the damage this kind of talk could already be doing to my child's confidence.
I have stopped this kind of talk now. For my own sake as well as for my son's. Thankfully he seems to be saying it less. When he does I am quick to correct him, to emphasise the things he does do well, to tell him he will get good at stuff with practice and to praise his efforts.
'Kids pick up on everything' so the phrase goes. Now I really know what that means!
"Little ears hear and little mouths repeat" was the phrase they used.
Being Negative
I must add that I have pretty much never sworn in front of my son. I admit I have slipped up when exasperated etc but I have never used any of the 'jackpot' words in front of him. You know the ones I mean.
But they're not the only words to tiptoe around when the little ones are present. One of my worse habits is talking negatively about myself. If I can't do something I quickly resort to exclaiming how rubbish I am at it, how I can't do it, how useless I am etc. (especially where DIY is concerned!)
I was dismayed recently when coaxing the boy to pull his trousers up (or some related getting dressed task). He looked me straight in the eye. "I can't do it" he told me. "I'm not very good at that". I was gutted.
I'm sure to an extent he is using this phrase as a bit of a cop-out but it is worrying that he is thinking along these lines already.
Damaging Son's Confidence?
I think nothing of what these words to do my own confidence but already I can see the damage this kind of talk could already be doing to my child's confidence.
I have stopped this kind of talk now. For my own sake as well as for my son's. Thankfully he seems to be saying it less. When he does I am quick to correct him, to emphasise the things he does do well, to tell him he will get good at stuff with practice and to praise his efforts.
'Kids pick up on everything' so the phrase goes. Now I really know what that means!
Wednesday 18 June 2014
The Difference Between Parents and Grandparents
When my son visits his grandparents he is made up. He loves seeing them of course but he also knows he's getting a treat. It's nailed on. Guaranteed.
My dad will leave the room only to reappear soon after with an ice-cream. My son's face lights up and my wife gives me a look that says "he's supposed to be having his tea in 20 minutes! How are we going to get him to eat carrots now?!"
What Have You Done With My Parents?
My mum is just as bad. I barely recognise this couple who brought me up. When I was a kid getting sweets out of them was like getting a straight answer from a politician. With their grandson, they give him treats like confetti.
My grandparents were the same with me. I remember saying to my mum how generous they were with us. My mum retorted, "they weren't like that with us".
Circle of life.
My dad will leave the room only to reappear soon after with an ice-cream. My son's face lights up and my wife gives me a look that says "he's supposed to be having his tea in 20 minutes! How are we going to get him to eat carrots now?!"
What Have You Done With My Parents?
My mum is just as bad. I barely recognise this couple who brought me up. When I was a kid getting sweets out of them was like getting a straight answer from a politician. With their grandson, they give him treats like confetti.
My grandparents were the same with me. I remember saying to my mum how generous they were with us. My mum retorted, "they weren't like that with us".
Circle of life.
Tuesday 17 June 2014
The Circus Was In Town
Last Saturday, I took my son to the circus at Victoria Park. He's three and had never been before but when my wife saw a flyer advertising it I couldn't wait to take him.
Whenever we'd driven past the tent last week he'd made appreciative noises so I was sure he'd love it. I was worried as we were about to enter. Seeing the darkness within, the flashing lights and the loud music his initial reaction was to turn round. "I don't want to go in!" he announced. As I'd just shelled out nearly twenty quid we braved it.
As we thought he ended up loving it. He laughed his head off at the comedy bullfight which you can see a blurry image of here courtesy of my appalling photography skills...
It was a hit with the boy, I'd definitely recommend it if you have young ones the next time they're in town. http://www.circusfuntasia.co.uk/
Whenever we'd driven past the tent last week he'd made appreciative noises so I was sure he'd love it. I was worried as we were about to enter. Seeing the darkness within, the flashing lights and the loud music his initial reaction was to turn round. "I don't want to go in!" he announced. As I'd just shelled out nearly twenty quid we braved it.
As we thought he ended up loving it. He laughed his head off at the comedy bullfight which you can see a blurry image of here courtesy of my appalling photography skills...
It was a hit with the boy, I'd definitely recommend it if you have young ones the next time they're in town. http://www.circusfuntasia.co.uk/
Swinton Library
Swinton library is housed in an imposing stone building that looks like something out of Get Carter. Although not the prettiest building to look at, once inside I like the fact that a building that was opened in 1970 is still being used.
The library itself is a good size and well-stocked. I've visited a few libraries in Salford and Swinton has the biggest children's section out of the ones I've seen.
Blushes Spared
The staff are personable and friendly. I mentioned to one of them that my son's children's library card didn't work in the self-checkout machine so gave the books to her to check out like we used to do in the old days. Back when the building would have been opened in fact.
When she took the card she looked at it and solemnly told me that what I had given her was not, in fact, a library card.
She spared my blushes by opting not to take the mick out of the fact that I had given her a card for Pendlebury Fit City she was supposed to use to issue out the books.
So, new facilities in an old building. And staff that are nice enough not to take the mickey out of you even when you deserve it. Swinton Library, long may it continue.
The library itself is a good size and well-stocked. I've visited a few libraries in Salford and Swinton has the biggest children's section out of the ones I've seen.
Blushes Spared
The staff are personable and friendly. I mentioned to one of them that my son's children's library card didn't work in the self-checkout machine so gave the books to her to check out like we used to do in the old days. Back when the building would have been opened in fact.
When she took the card she looked at it and solemnly told me that what I had given her was not, in fact, a library card.
She spared my blushes by opting not to take the mick out of the fact that I had given her a card for Pendlebury Fit City she was supposed to use to issue out the books.
So, new facilities in an old building. And staff that are nice enough not to take the mickey out of you even when you deserve it. Swinton Library, long may it continue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)