Mind images

I seldom watch TV. This is mainly because, like alcoholic drinks, they interfere with my meditative life. And that's much more important to me than any television program. But also, I have difficulty in getting rid of the images. I noticed this also on my recent flights where I watched a couple of films. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that the back-of-the-seat video screens are so close to you, so 'in your face'. And, incidentally, I noticed many people who were sleeping but who hadn't turned off their screens. Mostly I think it's because it's not always so obvious how to do this. But I felt sorry for one young man who, to get away from that unhealthy light, had pulled his blanket over his head.

So what has this to do with small children? As you probably know, the best thing is not to expose them to any kind of screens whatsoever. Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more difficult as more and more technology is invented and we make more use of it. Which is not wrong, of course.

Just try to be as aware as possible and to make the exposure as harmless as possible.

I'm reminded of the anecdote told years ago by Francis Edmunds, founder of Emerson College in England. He loved the way one young boy said, "I prefer radio to TV because the pictures are so much better!"

Good toys R worth it

For Christmas we bought the boys some Stockmar watercolour paints. Then I bought a set of wooden houses etc and a set of three simple puzzles for them to play with when they come to us. The Blue-eyed boy wanted to take the former home. I explained they were for here and asked what he'd play with if he took them home. "The old toys" was the answer, said in an 'obviously' kind of voice.

Good wooden toys can be expensive. But they're worth it. Many of ours are already 'second generation', and will one day be handed on so other children can play with them and enjoy them. Here's what the Blue-eyed boy created when he came to spend the day with us on Monday.

And as for the puzzles, Curly-Locks was delighted to discover he could do them (with a bit of a struggle) 'all by hisself'.

What's the use of doing jig-saw puzzles you ask? What I can tell you is that their dad is an expert at packing a whole lot of stuff into the trunk of the car!

Sometimes, you need to be a detective.

Life is settling down after all the varied experiences of Christmas and the Thirteen Holy Nights. To reconnect with my grandsons after having been away for five weeks, I first had the Blue-eyed Boy for the day, and then Curly-Locks.

The Blue-eyed Boy started complaining that his hands were itchy. I wondered why, and then remembered that when I visited the washroom I'd seen the toilet brush lying on the floor, out of its holder, lying on the floor. So I asked, "When you went to pee, did you touch the toilet brush? Because if you did, it's got chemicals on it."

Yes, I use an 'eco' cleaner, but still...

And yes, he's supposed to wash his hands each time, but I hadn't checked.

He answered, "I knocked it over by accident." Then he thought for a minute or two and admitted, "Maybe I did touch it."

Aha! So we washed his hands properly, put on some cream and all was well.

Sometimes we grown-ups need to be detectives!