I've flown no less than seven times over the past five weeks. Too many and yes, I'm very happy to be home. But I'm also grateful that travels went smoothly. I was distressed on only one flight, and that was when the plane was descending. A baby started crying and I knew why. The little one's ears were hurting.
So, dear parents, think ahead before you fly. It's good to have something for baby to suck, a bottle rather than a soother, I think, because the swallowing helps. In the 'old' days, really many years ago, the flight attendants would hand out sweets and also cotton wool to put in the ears. Now, I'm not sure the latter really helps. It can't harm, though, so have a little on hand.
This is the one situation in my life when I chew gum, or at least, have it in my purse in case my ears start hurting. So I guess for older children that would be an option.
In any case, when it comes to kids, thinking ahead is always a good thing to do!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
More from the Norland nannie
Another thing that struck me... This woman commented about how many children today are picky eaters. This she put down to us giving small kids options. She said children should have their food put in front of them without discussion, but if there was something they didn't like, they should only be given a small amount of that. Adults should set a good example by eating everything on their plate.
This made me remember an incident. When my eldest grandson was small, I asked him if he wanted carrots (or whatever). Busy with his play (no, I shouldn't have interrupted him) he didn't respond. I insisted, "Josh, do you want carrots? Say 'yes or no'."
He looked up at me and sweetly said, "Yes or no".
That, dear readers, surely sums it up.
This made me remember an incident. When my eldest grandson was small, I asked him if he wanted carrots (or whatever). Busy with his play (no, I shouldn't have interrupted him) he didn't respond. I insisted, "Josh, do you want carrots? Say 'yes or no'."
He looked up at me and sweetly said, "Yes or no".
That, dear readers, surely sums it up.
Friday, July 20, 2012
A Norland Nannie's advice
Recently the Guardian newspaper published an article/memoir by a woman who'd been a Norland nannie all her life. This British nannie training was instituted a bit before the middle of last century and she told of how the first thing they learned to do was to polish those coach-built high perambulators until they shone spotless!
A couple of things were interesting to me. Firstly, that the training insisted a child should never be spanked... certainly a concept way ahead of its time. Then she wrote about how a child could be disciplined. Inappropriate behaviour could be met by sending the child to his or her room (not merely to sit on the stairs) to think about what had happened. Then, when they were ready, they'd come downstairs to apologize. The apology given, they were then given a kiss and a hug to express approval and to show that they were loved.
It was this last step that brought an 'aha' for me, so I wanted to share it with you.
A couple of things were interesting to me. Firstly, that the training insisted a child should never be spanked... certainly a concept way ahead of its time. Then she wrote about how a child could be disciplined. Inappropriate behaviour could be met by sending the child to his or her room (not merely to sit on the stairs) to think about what had happened. Then, when they were ready, they'd come downstairs to apologize. The apology given, they were then given a kiss and a hug to express approval and to show that they were loved.
It was this last step that brought an 'aha' for me, so I wanted to share it with you.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Warmth and Cold
This will be my last post for a while. I need to concentrate on preparing 'Magical Motherhood' to make it instantly available as an ebook. (Paperback copies are still available and you can order by emailing; magicalmotherhood@rogers.com ) Then I'm planning a new book to incorporate, add to and enlarge some of the subjects I've touched upon in this blog.
So, you've probably heard about the latest diet craze, where you drink black coffee and take cold showers. Both of these to stimulate the metabolism, I presume.
Years ago I used to finish my shower with cold water, more to aid my immune system than to lose weight. That long ago winter I had no colds, which is unusual for me. So, when our youngest began to suffer from repeated colds I thought maybe he might benefit from cold baths. (!) Fortunately, this only happened a couple of times before I got a 'night message' which told me very firmly 'he needs warmth'.
Yes, as I wrote in one of the first posts, small children need warmth, and even not-so-small children, as our son was at that time. Physical and emotional warmth have a nourishing, encouraging and nurturing effect that will create a life-long, beneficial, well of strength for your child.
Blessings till you see me on your screen again.
So, you've probably heard about the latest diet craze, where you drink black coffee and take cold showers. Both of these to stimulate the metabolism, I presume.
Years ago I used to finish my shower with cold water, more to aid my immune system than to lose weight. That long ago winter I had no colds, which is unusual for me. So, when our youngest began to suffer from repeated colds I thought maybe he might benefit from cold baths. (!) Fortunately, this only happened a couple of times before I got a 'night message' which told me very firmly 'he needs warmth'.
Yes, as I wrote in one of the first posts, small children need warmth, and even not-so-small children, as our son was at that time. Physical and emotional warmth have a nourishing, encouraging and nurturing effect that will create a life-long, beneficial, well of strength for your child.
Blessings till you see me on your screen again.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Fairy tales: too grim?
In the world of young adult literature which I sometimes inhabit (see my "fascinating" novel 'Cape Town') there's a trend towards the rewriting of popular fairy tales such as Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood. The idea is that the female protagonist has to be more empowered so that she can win through. Around this floats a kind of opposite idea, that many of Grimm's folk tales are more like horror stories.
The thing is, these old stories are not meant to be taken literally. Many of them depict, metaphorically, the journey of the soul. Just think how often they begin with a young girl exiled having lost her true mother, or a young princess having to leave her home.
This is why they speak in a figurative way to young children. It's not so long since they left their true homes, to come to earth and find their way through the forest, to reach the castle and/or discover treasure.
No, they're not for the very young, although I suppose you could read 'The Sweet Porridge' to a three and a half year old, say. In any case, whenever you read or, better still, tell the story yourself, this should be done without dramatization or using your normal reading-out-loud skills. A quiet, matter-of-fact voice is best because actually you don't want to stir up emotion. You simply want the imaginative pictures to speak for themselves.
Use your discretion though. Some of the stories are better suited to six and seven year olds. For instance, Sleeping Beauty, which is really a resurrection story isn't it? The marriage with the prince signifies the soul's union with the spirit. And that's why 'happily ever after' can be so satisfying and soul-nourishing for children.
The thing is, these old stories are not meant to be taken literally. Many of them depict, metaphorically, the journey of the soul. Just think how often they begin with a young girl exiled having lost her true mother, or a young princess having to leave her home.
This is why they speak in a figurative way to young children. It's not so long since they left their true homes, to come to earth and find their way through the forest, to reach the castle and/or discover treasure.
No, they're not for the very young, although I suppose you could read 'The Sweet Porridge' to a three and a half year old, say. In any case, whenever you read or, better still, tell the story yourself, this should be done without dramatization or using your normal reading-out-loud skills. A quiet, matter-of-fact voice is best because actually you don't want to stir up emotion. You simply want the imaginative pictures to speak for themselves.
Use your discretion though. Some of the stories are better suited to six and seven year olds. For instance, Sleeping Beauty, which is really a resurrection story isn't it? The marriage with the prince signifies the soul's union with the spirit. And that's why 'happily ever after' can be so satisfying and soul-nourishing for children.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Sitting at table
Yesterday we had our five year old grandson to spend the day. This means, of course, that he needs a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack, as well as lunch.
Like most small kids, he's more interested in playing than sitting at table, although he does this fairly willingly. What I noticed, though, is that he sat sideways, as if ready to take off whenever the impulse hit. So I made sure he brought his legs into alignment with his body so that he was sitting 'properly', as my dear mother would have said.
And I made sure he asked to be excused (please) before he got down.
These small disciplines are helpful to children.
Another thing, more for you to attend to than the child, is to be sure the plates or bowls they're eating from are directly in front of them.
The ritual of lighting a candle and saying a short grace will provide nourishment to your little one's soul as well as the body.
Like most small kids, he's more interested in playing than sitting at table, although he does this fairly willingly. What I noticed, though, is that he sat sideways, as if ready to take off whenever the impulse hit. So I made sure he brought his legs into alignment with his body so that he was sitting 'properly', as my dear mother would have said.
And I made sure he asked to be excused (please) before he got down.
These small disciplines are helpful to children.
Another thing, more for you to attend to than the child, is to be sure the plates or bowls they're eating from are directly in front of them.
The ritual of lighting a candle and saying a short grace will provide nourishment to your little one's soul as well as the body.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Music and Mozart
Last summer, I took our two grandsons, then aged three and five, to an introduction to orchestral strings i.e., violin, viola, cello and double bass. The four young women who presented were fun and enthusiastic, although some of the information they brought was, in my opinion, too intellectual for their young audience. And a little more Mozart rather than modern composers might have been good. Still...
After I took the boys home, I went to say 'goodbye' to the little one. He put his arm around my neck and said softly and sweetly, 'Thank you for taking me to a special place."
I was touched, and got to thinking about the great role of comfort and blessing classical music plays in my life, especially when it's live. Yes, I enjoy some pop and jazz too, but for sheer soul nourishment, there's nothing like classical.
Now, I didn't always feel that way. Apart from music to dance to such as I heard in my ballet lessons, I mostly considered classical music as boring and even depressing. But I had to endure because, when I was at ballet school, we were regularly taken to the London Festival Hall to hear rehearsals. And thus, slowly, slowly, began my appreciation and enjoyment of music.
Bringing up children means laying the foundation for later life. Hopefully, a good one. You'll want to provide them with strength and the ability to face whatever challenges lie ahead. But you can also steer them in the direction of what will provide them with an inexaustible source of pleasure and delight. Music. All you have to do is provide a certain amount of exposure. Even if they don't respond particularly well at the time, the seeds will be planted and will surely bear fruit.
At least, that's my experience. For fun, take a look at this video and watch especially for the expression on the baby's face!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gww9_S4PNV0&feature=youtu.be&a
After I took the boys home, I went to say 'goodbye' to the little one. He put his arm around my neck and said softly and sweetly, 'Thank you for taking me to a special place."
I was touched, and got to thinking about the great role of comfort and blessing classical music plays in my life, especially when it's live. Yes, I enjoy some pop and jazz too, but for sheer soul nourishment, there's nothing like classical.
Now, I didn't always feel that way. Apart from music to dance to such as I heard in my ballet lessons, I mostly considered classical music as boring and even depressing. But I had to endure because, when I was at ballet school, we were regularly taken to the London Festival Hall to hear rehearsals. And thus, slowly, slowly, began my appreciation and enjoyment of music.
Bringing up children means laying the foundation for later life. Hopefully, a good one. You'll want to provide them with strength and the ability to face whatever challenges lie ahead. But you can also steer them in the direction of what will provide them with an inexaustible source of pleasure and delight. Music. All you have to do is provide a certain amount of exposure. Even if they don't respond particularly well at the time, the seeds will be planted and will surely bear fruit.
At least, that's my experience. For fun, take a look at this video and watch especially for the expression on the baby's face!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gww9_S4PNV0&feature=youtu.be&a
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