OK, so I know play is important. Develops social skills, helps kids make sense of their world, bonds them with their parents, yada yada yada... I have no problem with play. To an extent. Games? No problem. Jigsaws? I could do them all day. Books? Love them. Basically, I'm pretty good at things … [Read more...] about I DON’T UNDERSTAND MY 3 YEAR OLD’S PLAY
Parenting
Parenting is such a challenging role! And there are so many people telling us how we should do it.
I am not one of those people. But I hope that by sharing my own - often highly flawed - experiences, I can offer reassurance and empathy to others going through similar challenges.
FIVE WAYS TO BLESS YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER AT THE END OF TERM (IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES)
Well, we're well and truly on the home run now! Five precious days, and this long term will be over. For those of us whose kids began school in September, this term will have been significant. There will have been huge leaps forward, perhaps some setbacks, new things learnt (for them and for … [Read more...] about FIVE WAYS TO BLESS YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER AT THE END OF TERM (IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES)
THINGS I’VE LEARNT SINCE SENDING MY CHILD TO A SCHOOL IN SPECIAL MEASURES
When I wrote about why we were sending our son to a school in special measures last summer, it got a big response. We're now half a term in to our son's school career. Forget what he's learnt - I feel like I've been on a hugely steep learning curve since term began. And already God has graciously … [Read more...] about THINGS I’VE LEARNT SINCE SENDING MY CHILD TO A SCHOOL IN SPECIAL MEASURES
PETER RABBIT THEMED 5TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
Each year, my kids get to choose their party theme. So far, this has resulted in much more interesting and quirky ideas than I could have thought of. Usually I hit Google with the themes they've chosen, and a variety of supermum blogs come up trumps and give me the ideas I need. But this year, Mr … [Read more...] about PETER RABBIT THEMED 5TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
5 WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED IN SCHOOL
Prior to having my kids, I was a teacher. I longed to help my children succeed in school, but realised that much of this came down to parental input. Now I'm a parent, I get to put some of my ideas into practice. And the best part? I get to share them with you! Here are my very best tips to help … [Read more...] about 5 WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED IN SCHOOL
FAIRY-THEMED 3RD BIRTHDAY PARTY
When both Missy and her best friend independently asked us mums for a fairy party to celebrate their 3rd birthdays, a joint bash seemed obvious. Born just eight days apart, I wasn't sure how two fairy parties on consecutive weekends would go down...and, perhaps slightly too … [Read more...] about FAIRY-THEMED 3RD BIRTHDAY PARTY
MEMOIRS OF A PRESCHOOL MAMA (OR LETTER TO A NEW MAMA)
Tomorrow, the boy in my belly in this photo starts school. I'm not anxious for him - he'll be fine. It's me who has to adapt. You see - my baby boy, who was born approximately five minutes ago, is starting school. He's got a uniform and everything. He'll be learning important, grown-up things - and … [Read more...] about MEMOIRS OF A PRESCHOOL MAMA (OR LETTER TO A NEW MAMA)
WHY I’M SENDING MY CHILD TO A SCHOOL IN SPECIAL MEASURES
It was never meant to be the case. The kids and I often walked past the fag-smoking, obscenity-shrieking parents at drop-off or pick-up time, but I knew we'd not be living here when the time came to make a Decision. As a teacher, the school did provoke my curiosity - but there was no point wasting … [Read more...] about WHY I’M SENDING MY CHILD TO A SCHOOL IN SPECIAL MEASURES
LEADING A CHURCH TODDLER GROUP
For the last year, I've had the joy of leading a toddler group at our church along with two friends. Knowing that others may be wondering how to run or set up a similar group, I offer these few thoughts from my own experience - not because we've got it right, but so that you might learn from what's … [Read more...] about LEADING A CHURCH TODDLER GROUP