Ho Hum.
LA goes to playschool in the local hall twice a week.
I have positive and negative thoughts and feelings about this; when I'm feeling positive I think that it's an opportunity for her to meet people and have new experiences. When I'm more negative, I think it's a waste of time which could be better used, I think that she is being exposed to situations that I'd rather she wasn't (other kids tempers, for example), I think that they are inadvertently pushing the message that "big school is next".
On the whole I tend to feel that the positives at least equal the negatives.
However, since the start of term this has changed.
The group has started to take in 2-year-olds. Now this could be my bias, in that I believe people that small should be in a safe homely environment not knocking around with 20 other children in a church hall with 4 adults. But hey, each to their own.
So to my own... I find that I am not particularly happy about LA spending her time in this environment, and it is the small people that are causing my discomfort, although arguably it could just be me.
They play outside a whole lot more, which is good, except that the games they play are targeted at the tiny ones and LA doesn't find them fun or challenging. When she does a drawing, someone will scribble on it. The other day she was doing a jigsaw and a little one took all of her pieces away.
Obviously none of this is malicious, but it does build up to a frustrated LA.
I fully understand the playschools point of view, if they didn't take 2 year olds they would have to close as the local school now takes all the 4 year olds in September.
I wish they didn't - it's obvious when you step back and look at it. Unhappy 2 year olds, who want their Mums and bored and frustrated 3 year olds who want their playschool back.
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Rain
"Look at the weather" I say as we get up....
"It's raining!" says Little Acorn
"Where is the rain coming from?" I ask
"It comes from the clouds Mummy" is the reply
So off we go to get our breakfast, when suddenly over the top of the cornflakes box comes...
"Mummy, how does the rain get into the clouds?"
Err, Ummm, yes well, that'll teach me to ask questions before breakfast!
So how do you explain the water cycle to a 3 year old?
"It's raining!" says Little Acorn
"Where is the rain coming from?" I ask
"It comes from the clouds Mummy" is the reply
So off we go to get our breakfast, when suddenly over the top of the cornflakes box comes...
"Mummy, how does the rain get into the clouds?"
Err, Ummm, yes well, that'll teach me to ask questions before breakfast!
So how do you explain the water cycle to a 3 year old?
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
What haven't we talked about??
It's been one of those days when it would be easier to describe what we haven't talked about, than to recall all those discussions we have had!
But, I'll recall a few (it would be a pointless blog entry if I didn't...)
We have discussed gravity - when LA lay on the floor and tried to drink her juice.
We talked about blood, when LA's blister burst and bled all over her bed. She needs new shoes, but they will have to wait until payday next week. From here we had a lovely chat about various bodily fluids!
We talked about how some children didn't have Mums, and some did have Mums but they didn't live with them.
Then in the car we talked about petrol and fuel making things go. Somehow from here we then got onto electricity, which led to why we should turn off the TV when we go out...which in turn led onto lots of eco-issues (a frequent topic in our house)... and how we have to look after the Earth.
This led to a discussion about Autumn, and the coming equinox, what it means and how we are going to celebrate it.
She's only 3... will I be able to keep up when she's 5?
But, I'll recall a few (it would be a pointless blog entry if I didn't...)
We have discussed gravity - when LA lay on the floor and tried to drink her juice.
We talked about blood, when LA's blister burst and bled all over her bed. She needs new shoes, but they will have to wait until payday next week. From here we had a lovely chat about various bodily fluids!
We talked about how some children didn't have Mums, and some did have Mums but they didn't live with them.
Then in the car we talked about petrol and fuel making things go. Somehow from here we then got onto electricity, which led to why we should turn off the TV when we go out...which in turn led onto lots of eco-issues (a frequent topic in our house)... and how we have to look after the Earth.
This led to a discussion about Autumn, and the coming equinox, what it means and how we are going to celebrate it.
She's only 3... will I be able to keep up when she's 5?
Monday, 17 September 2007
A present
My dear hubby has brought us home a present from his work place.
A snotty cold.
We've divided it up and shared it fairly around amongst us.
We still have some going spare - so if we see you around, we'll let you have some too.
A snotty cold.
We've divided it up and shared it fairly around amongst us.
We still have some going spare - so if we see you around, we'll let you have some too.
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Happy 18th Big
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Big,
Happy Birthday to you.
Big Acorn, our first born, is 18 today!!
He's lovely.
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Big,
Happy Birthday to you.
Big Acorn, our first born, is 18 today!!
He's lovely.
Busy Busy Busy
Wow - another week has flown by, and I hardly stopped to notice.
We have had good fun though. I've restarted my family tree research as I do this time of year, and to kick it all off I'm revamping my website, so that has got my brain working again.
Work has been less stressful recently, I don't know if it's just that I've adjusted my attitude to it or if we are just working better as a team. I have also been asked to do the rota next year, which I'm pleased about. I like new things to do, and as it's something I have done in my previous jobs, I know I can do it.
LA and I went to Abbey Park in Leicester during the week, they have opened a new play area so we thought we would go explore...
We have had good fun though. I've restarted my family tree research as I do this time of year, and to kick it all off I'm revamping my website, so that has got my brain working again.
Work has been less stressful recently, I don't know if it's just that I've adjusted my attitude to it or if we are just working better as a team. I have also been asked to do the rota next year, which I'm pleased about. I like new things to do, and as it's something I have done in my previous jobs, I know I can do it.
LA and I went to Abbey Park in Leicester during the week, they have opened a new play area so we thought we would go explore...
Who would have thought that this beautiful view could be in the centre of Leicester?
We had a lovely day, feeding the ducks, eating Ice cream and playing.
LA was exhausted at the end of it. On the way back to the car park, we saw a
"VERY EXCITING EVENT".
A policeman was chasing 2 teenagers, he caught them right near us and then 4 police cars arrived and a police van, with lots of flashing lights. It was very exciting!
LA is very keen to do writing at the moment. She can write most of her letters, and has sent a parcel of hazelnuts from our trees and a letter to Nanny this week. She seems to be learning so rapidly at the moment.
Sunday, 9 September 2007
Health Visitors
LA should be having her 3 year check with the Health Visitors soon. However, as I understand it Health Visitors have had their roles changed slightly recently and are to focus on families who need the help...which obviously doesn't mean us, as we have been sent a questionnaire to fill in and return instead.
It strikes me as very ironic that from the age of 1 when she had her last HV check up, until she becomes 5, no-one has monitored or even considered that we may be treating her badly. Then wham - when she passes that magic age of 5 - we either have to send her to school or be "monitored" at home. What damage can't happen to a child between 1and 4 that can happen at 5?? As a Mental Health Nurse, I'm very aware of the damage that can be done to children at any age.
Another ridiculous situation!
Don't get me wrong, we don't want or need a HV to tell us that we are doing fine. Just as we won't want a LA bod telling us how we are doing. Its just bizarre that the smallest members of our society, the very most vulnerable are now having less input and therefore less protection than their older friends.
Anyway - we filled the bits of their silly questionnaire in that we felt like filling in, ignored those questions that we didn't like (such as "Which school is she registered with?") and sent it back.
I seriously doubt we will hear from them, which makes me (personally) feel happy and (professionally) rather sad all at the same time.
It strikes me as very ironic that from the age of 1 when she had her last HV check up, until she becomes 5, no-one has monitored or even considered that we may be treating her badly. Then wham - when she passes that magic age of 5 - we either have to send her to school or be "monitored" at home. What damage can't happen to a child between 1and 4 that can happen at 5?? As a Mental Health Nurse, I'm very aware of the damage that can be done to children at any age.
Another ridiculous situation!
Don't get me wrong, we don't want or need a HV to tell us that we are doing fine. Just as we won't want a LA bod telling us how we are doing. Its just bizarre that the smallest members of our society, the very most vulnerable are now having less input and therefore less protection than their older friends.
Anyway - we filled the bits of their silly questionnaire in that we felt like filling in, ignored those questions that we didn't like (such as "Which school is she registered with?") and sent it back.
I seriously doubt we will hear from them, which makes me (personally) feel happy and (professionally) rather sad all at the same time.
Saturday, 8 September 2007
The Childrens story
After my last post Jax suggested I read "The Children's Story" by James Clavell.
Intrigued, I tracked it down online here:
http://www.skyseastone.net/jvstin/unjvst/007095.html
Scary stuff.
Intrigued, I tracked it down online here:
http://www.skyseastone.net/jvstin/unjvst/007095.html
Scary stuff.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
GSCEs, AS, Uniforms and other stuff.
Well, MAs GCSE results came in and she got 2 C's. Considering she's taken them a year early, I think that's pretty good. Unfortunately she doesn't...
BA got 2 Cs and 2 E's in his AS levels, and is now carrying on to do 3 A2's. He "hates school", but at least the end is in sight.
LA is still jogging along happily with the world. She is testing new words out at the moment - yesterday she informed me that it was "hilarious" that the apples and grapes were in the fruit bowl...before that it was "incredible" that the Tweenies were on the TV.
3 year olds - aren't they great?
Our local primary school has introduced a compulsory uniform this year. Everywhere I look there's tiny people trying to look smart and behave themselves. Then I look at LA and think "Phew", how lucky we are, not to have to play that game.
What is the point of uniforms anyway? To stop the "fashionable" kids picking on the unfashionable ones apparently. It doesn't take much thought to realise that a school uniform is not going to do that, not unless we force them to wear them 24/7, and then insist that they all buy them from the same place.
No I honestly think that school uniform is a control issue. "You belong to us". Much like a military uniform - "You are one of us, you are not independent". How far is that from "You will not have free thought" or am I paranoid?
BA got 2 Cs and 2 E's in his AS levels, and is now carrying on to do 3 A2's. He "hates school", but at least the end is in sight.
LA is still jogging along happily with the world. She is testing new words out at the moment - yesterday she informed me that it was "hilarious" that the apples and grapes were in the fruit bowl...before that it was "incredible" that the Tweenies were on the TV.
3 year olds - aren't they great?
Our local primary school has introduced a compulsory uniform this year. Everywhere I look there's tiny people trying to look smart and behave themselves. Then I look at LA and think "Phew", how lucky we are, not to have to play that game.
What is the point of uniforms anyway? To stop the "fashionable" kids picking on the unfashionable ones apparently. It doesn't take much thought to realise that a school uniform is not going to do that, not unless we force them to wear them 24/7, and then insist that they all buy them from the same place.
No I honestly think that school uniform is a control issue. "You belong to us". Much like a military uniform - "You are one of us, you are not independent". How far is that from "You will not have free thought" or am I paranoid?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)