Gesa writes again about their days up north…
Today we have had a complete turn around in the weather. Still beautiful and sunny but a severe drop in temperature (ground frost warning for tonight). Yesterday I was hot running around in my sun dress (temp about 28C); today my fingers are numb, my nose cold, and I’m ready to go to bed with socks and a hot water bottle again!!
I am worried about our early season start up here on the boat. We will have to dig out the duvets and extra blankets. And you and crew may have to get out the sleeping bags soon.
Issie had a great day at Grace’s school, although we had a hard time getting Grace out of the house this morning. She mucked in with all the kids, playing and working, and even wrote three story books. OK, being a little lazy with sometimes only one word per page, but still. To me, what they do in Kindergarten is far more advanced than I remember as a kid. I remember lots of play, my ABCs, snack and nap!!
Max and Henry played superbly together and, with Jen being the classroom volunteer, I became housekeeper for the morning; sorting laundry, dishwasher etc. and preparing lunch for their return. Jen had a meeting at the nursery across the road so we all went there for some play, which they loved. Jen and I were both shattered
after this so we postponed our library trip to tomorrow and settled for a more quiet afternoon with video and play.
Dinner would have been very good had it not been for Issie’s constant inability to sit properly & fidgeting; she was asked several times to stop, then warned and notified of the consequences (dinner over and bed) and yet she still could not do it!!! Well, I followed through and hopefully to make it sting even more the rest went on a walk (Max cycled on the tricycle) to the school park, while we were left to sort discipline.
I got a book, ‘How to Raise Respectful Children’, and the child psychology is applicable and useful. We started today: slow listening, when you do not listen, talk back, etc. has negative consequences, like time outs, loss of privileges and bad feeling. Fast listening, is quick and easy, fun, and gives you privileges. Fast listening has two steps, ‘say’ and ‘do’. e.g. When Mummy asks you to turn off the TV and get ready for bed, you should respond with “OK, Mummy”, then the next step is ‘do’,
basically do it, and do it fast. You are allowed to ask a respectful question. e.g. rather than whine or grump, you can say, ” May I please just have a few more minutes to watch the end of the show?”. Chances are I will say yes, but if the answer is no, then they have to accept this too. Issie seems to have done well with this first lesson, now we need to practice it, we shall see.