Wow! It's Been 4 Years! Where Did It Go??

Woah.... I just found my old blog!  It is kinda cool to go back and read over the things my kiddies were doing at ages 3 and 4.  They are now 7 and 8! Time flies WAY too fast!  I am going to have to decide whether to keep this blog or merge it together with my new one - Random Words.

I will probably merge the two as I tend to write about my children also in Random Words, and I have that on my own server... however, I like this blog.  So I will have a think about it! lol

But this is coool.... great to see this blog again!  The memories.... *sigh*

Why Short Attention Spans Aren't That Bad!

Over the past few months I have noticed that when my kids are nagging each other and being a right royal pain in the behind, that diversion tactics work wonders! I've always been reluctant to give them 'jobs' as such, as I find it so much easier just to do it all myself.

But when I'm standing there in the kitchen making dinner, and my boy (nearly 3) wants a cuddle - well it just isn't the easiest time! So now I get him to 'help' me. He will go get the milk and even take the top of it for me, or he'll put the butter away or get me a pot ... he's a great little help - and it saves me doing it too! lol But I have found that this sort of thing helps me out and keeps him occupied.

Sometimes coming up to dinner time, the kids will get a bit scratchy... they are getting hungry, and I'm trying to get things done. The other day I was trying to get the washing folded quickly before dinner. My girl was pretty grumpy. so I asked if she wanted to help. She was keen, and though I find it easier to do myself - she was very proud of the things she folded! (When she wasn't looking, I did refold a couple of things! hehe).

But little diversions like this work wonders. Even when we are out and about. Walking home from kindy, my girl is very good and walks beside me holding on to the stroller that my boy sits in. Well today, he wanted to get out and walk.... I thought I'd give it a go, but no - he would not hold on to the stroller - he wanted to walk on his own. Well I didn't want him doing this, so back he went, into the stroller. He was none too pleased about that and started screaming and throwing a paddy. I pointed out to him the big truck down the road and we started talking about how it's a concrete truck and what it does etc.... within seconds he forgot that he ever wanted to walk! lol I guess we can thank their short attention span for things like this! :)

A Cheeky Little Girl

My little girl is turning 4 in about a month, and her talking is brilliant now. But I must say, she is turning into a bit of a smart-alec! Who she gets that off, I don't know?! lol

The other day I was trying to get both kids in the bath - my boy is super quick, loves his bath, so his clothes are off quick and he's into the bath in a hurry! haha My girl, on the other hand, just dawdles! lol She really takes her time. I gave her a hurry up the other day and said "come on.. you're taking too long.. you'll get cold!" and she looked at me and said, in a really authoritative tone, "settle down Mummy!" LOL She said it quite seriously and sternly and it made me want to burst into laughter at this little mite trying to tell ME what to do (but I held it in)! lol She then cracked up into laughter... she thought she was very clever...! lol

Another thing she's started doing when I give her the hurry up is saying "ok ok ok"... you know .. in that tone that's saying 'yeah enough already, I hear ya'. So, whilst the 4 year milestone is creeping up on us pretty quickly, the cheekiness that comes with it is ... amusing! lol I think it's probably good to be careful that she doesn't get too cheeky - I want her to respect people also. But at this stage... I must say that it's quite endearing ;) lol

I Know What's Wrong!!

You will remember that I wrote a post not so long ago questioning where we are going wrong! If you haven't read it - you can view it here. But I was talking to a good friend of mine about this and why the heck kids at 11 years old are interested (let alone, know about!) sex. Well, he gave me his opinion and I just totally happen to agree with it!

Basically, he thinks kids know way too much now at an earlier age because learning is shoved down their throats from an early age - they aren't left to just be kids and learn at their own pace. Now please note, I am completely generalising here - it's not to say every parent does this.

But the whole point here is that where ever you look -including ads on television now, or books etc - we're told to teach our kids whenever we get the chance. Do puzzles or play 'learning games'. That's all good, nothing wrong with it - I believe families need to be encouraged to actively participate in their child's education. But for a regular family - just like mine - where the kiddies get a ton of love, I don't think it's something I need to focus on at this stage - yet it's still shoved down my throat!

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying I shouldn't have to help educate my children. I'm simply saying I shouldn't be worried that they are not 'at their level' with things. (Not that I am worried). But I think these media campaigns about teaching your children tend to make parents worry that their kids aren't learning enough - or at the "right stage". Heck, my daughter is coming up 4 in July - she can count to about 12, and recognises most letters in the alphabet. I think that is ok. I don't know if it's on target - according to the "professionals", but now I don't worry about that.

I am going to let my kids be kids and not feel like I have to teach them something 24/7. I want them to enjoy their childhood... use their imagination and let them be silly. I hope you understand my points here :)

Toddlers Do The Funniest Things...!

Our boy has recently started understanding easy jokes and funny things! There is this ad on television here in New Zealand that he was watching one day and was just cracking up laughing at it!! Now every time it comes on, his eyes are glued to it and he just laughs hysterically! I guess it is quite funny the first time you see it! Anyways, I found it on YouTube and here it is:



I love watching as their sense of humour develops... you get some really funny moments! And this is one of ours! haha I'm sure there's many more to come...

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child"