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Manners and Milestones

Jan 29 2013

“What grade is your daughter in?“ A simple question with a slightly complicated answer. Avery is six and technically in grade one. However, we have been blessed to work with such dedicated educators who have come up with a brilliant scenario. Avery is registered for grade one with a goal for her to complete full-days in the grade one classroom by the end of the school year. For now, there are times throughout the day that even with modifications to the curriculum, Avery is left behind. This is where the creative planning and organization comes in. The team has put together a schedule that allows Avery to spend part of the day with her age appropriate peers, participating in circle time, group work, as well as independent tasks assisted by her amazing E.A.s. Then she is taken to her kindergarten room where she can join in on language and math lessons and more hands-on activities to help further develop her phonics, numeracy and fine motor skills. As a teacher, I know how much effort this detailed schedule took to put together. But the team did it without complaint and with my child’s best interests in mind.[…]

Jan 29 2013

No matter how hard I try to keep them out, the little buggers always find their way in. I’m talking about germs, not my family. Though I can’t say I haven’t fantasized about locking them out in the yard, just for a few minutes. And so there’s no confusion, I changed “dirty” husband to “messy” husband. I wouldn’t want anyone thinking I married some kind of perv. He’s sweet, even though he leaves his stinky germy sports stuff all over the house. This flu season I implemented a few anti-germ rules that seem to be helping the battle—from what I can tell anyway. I don’t examine my home with one of those forensic blue lights. If I did I surely vomit on the spot. And then run the blue light over that, like a Control Group kind of thing for the sake of science. Our Anti-Germ House Rules: 1. No shoes past the front entrance hall. Do you know how many disgusting germs travel by shoe? 2. Upon entering the house, all must head to the bathroom for a thorough hand washing. 3. No school bags directly on the kitchen counter or table. Backpacks are covered in billions of microscopic[…]

Jan 23 2013

Yesterday I wrote about a schoolmate calling my child a not-so-nice name. It happens. Unless you’re one of the minority, you’ve probably been teased too. Even if you’re a rock star. I have a theory about that, which I shared on Facebook after posting the link to Sticks and Stones. First of all, I have to say how much I value my Facebook friends. The support I find there is second only to a heart-to-heart coffee chat in a girlfriend’s kitchen. My Facebook status could say: “I’ve decided to become a nudist. Also, we’re buying a trampoline.” My Facebook community wouldn’t judge. Instead they would mask their repulsion and offer supportive comments like, “I’m sure you have a sound reason for this alternative lifestyle choice. But be sure to bring a towel to sit on at the park. Those benches can be splintery. Also, you might want to consider some kind of protective eyewear while trampolining?” Good friends, sound advice. And this always seems to be the case whenever I post a comment or question about parenting. It helps to know we’re not alone and to feel justified or at least not completely off base in our parenting choices. Anyway, my theory….[…]

Jan 22 2013

As the saying going, “Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can never hurt us.” Really? That life lesson seems a little naive, if not excessively violent. Sticks are for roasting marshmallows. Stones are for skipping over a glassy lake on a hot summer day. Of course getting a stick in the eye is going to hurt and a stone to the skull will probably leave you dizzy and in need of an ice pack. Painful granted, but usually temporary. But words? They have a way of getting under your skin and festering for awhile; stinging and burning like a painful rash. I heard my kids playing upstairs when my son suddenly said to his sister, “Where did you get that from? Did somebody say that to you??” He came down to report that Avery had called him “Dumbo Ears.” She didn’t know what it meant and was obviously only repeating what she had heard. She told us somebody said it to her at school. She couldn’t name who. Avery’s ears do stick out and it’s not the first time she’s been teased about it. The thing is, she has no idea. In the face of[…]

Jan 15 2013

Some days I’d rather walk the plank than bring my kids shopping with me. I freely admit to having low mojo days when, if possible, I leave my youngest at home or bring her along, but strap her securely into the shopping cart, with a snack and my iphone. Does she enjoy being confined to the cart? Not for long. Once her snack runs out, she stages a loud and wriggly protest. The iphone apps don’t amuse her for long either. In fact, once when my attention was focussed on label reading, she “misplaced” my phone. I contemplated having customer service put out a loudspeaker call to find it, but instead I retraced our cart tracks and found my phone on a shelf in the bread section. I don’t have to tell you that left me feeling a little crusty. However, bringing along a pint-sized shopping sidekick doesn’t always have to spell disaster. Here are ten points to consider when shopping with Littles: Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need. Shopping in a hurry with a child in tow is a recipe for frustration. Never attempt to shop when your child is tired or hungry. Never attempt to[…]

Manners and Milestones

Germ Warfare

Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Bullies

Sticks and Stones

Shopping With Littles