Watch what you Say

After a day of crying for no apparent reason my son was asked 'what's wrong?'



DS: I'm worried



Me: What are you worried about?



DS: My whole life!

3 years, 11 months going on 15!

Age Branding on Children's books

(just one shelf of my son's bookcase)

If you haven't already seen the press on this Juliet Doyle gives a very good background here.

It may be very 'middle class' of me but I am against the age branding on books. I'm immersed in books 24/7 - in my 'work', reading to my 3 year old and I rarely go to sleep without dipping into a book (I sometimes have two on the go - one downstairs and one upstairs - and have been known to stay up late into the night to get to the end). My relationship with books started at an early age and it is something that I have tried to pass on to my son, cousins, god children and friends - basically if you've got a birthday coming up you are going to get a book from auntie Dougalfish!

I can see the reasons behind it - but feel the arguments against it are more valid than those for.

For a start READING age differs from actual age. Some children take longer to read than others for various reasons. A lot has already been done to ensure that children are exposed to books - at 3 my son has received 3 different book packs from BookStart, the 'library lady' is a regular at local toddler groups and nursery school make books and important part of the day. As for the 'danger' of reading books to early I was *very* popular at school when it was discovered I had a copy of Judy Blume's Forever when I was 12 - did it make me promiscuous? On the contrary I was very, very far from it.

So what are your feelings on it? - do you think that age branding will help or hinder the struggle to get children to read? do you want to be told what is suitable reading for your child? (I read a chapter of this to my son yesterday because he wanted to see what I was reading) does your child have the same reading age as his/her actual age? What does your child choose to read?

Growing up

I've been having a little weep today.

We made the decision some time ago to move our son to the biggest bedroom. There are several reasons why:

1. more space - his toys can go upstairs rather than cluttering our living area (and he's old enough to play in his room for short periods of time)

2. He's a light sleeper and wakes either when we go to bed or when my OH gets up for early shifts.

3. At nearly 4 he wants a Thomas themed room rather than the cute sheep he has at the moment.

4. He needs a proper sized single bed as he keeps falling out of his cot bed at night.

4. I get to sort through his stuff and filter out what can go to charity, what can be sold on eBay or at a nearly new sale or what can be thrown away.

There are also several down points:

1. I have to sort through all his stuff! (I'm a hoarder and not good at keeping things neat and tidy.)

2. I have to pack away all the baby toys/bedding/cot that have stayed in his room (even when we moved).

3. I have to move him into a big bed.

4. He'll be all the way down the hall.

so I had a little weep as I packed away baby cardigans knitted by his nan (too girly so he never wore them) and sleep suits and baby gros.

Then he arrived home from his day with grandma and we all rushed up to his new bedroom. He couldn't wait to go to sleep tonight in his 'big' bed and surrounded by his favourite character - I hope it lasts all night!

Now just need to turn the cute sheep into a guest room for when his nan comes to stay ...

Why do mums read blogs by other mums?

I’ve added another blog to my faves discovered via Twitter I was especially drawn by his post on why mums (or moms) read blogs by other mums (but Is your child a baby Hitler? was eye catching too).

Although most of the blogs on my bloglines account are by women, on the subject of parenting some of the 'dad' ones are my favourite (especially this).

I have to disagree with the pink theory though Joeprah but maybe that's because I'm surrounded by boys.

I just want 5 minutes alone!

How come whenever my OH leaves DS alone for 5 minutes he gets into absolutely no trouble at all? Even for longer periods. Yesterday morning I was reluctant to get out of bed after spending half the night tossing and turning dreaming about school exam results (DS's not mine, he's not even 4 yet!). DS wanted a particular toy that we'd taken out with us the day before so I instructed him that it was in the bag in the hall - he eventually came back with the toy and I thought nothing of it. However when we ventured downstairs I discovered that we actually couldn't get into the hall - at the bottom of the stairs was an almighty mess. A kitchen chair had been dragged through and used to reach my handbag from it's place on the peg by the door, my gym bag, his swimming bag and his nursery bag had all been upended and the contents mingled with that of my handbag.

Then this morning OH is out at the crack of dawn and so I have no other choice than to leave DS whilst I have a shower. I come out of the bathroom to see him proudly showing off his hand - he's climbed the furniture to retrieve my shocking pink nail polish and has painted the fingers of his left hand with it (from knuckle to tip). I don't know what worried me the most, his climbing the furniture, the chance said furniture could now be covered in fuschia pink nail polish or his desire to do it in the first place. I've not taken it off yet so my OH can see exactly why I can't leave him alone for 5 minutes!!

Breastfeeding Awareness Week

I've just done my stint on a stall in town promoting breastfeeding along with local midwives, Heath Visitors, peer supporters and in my role as an NCT volunteer. There's lots of information about it here.

I felt a bit useless really as I couldn't help those with questions about feeding - my son took to it immediately and fed for 11 months without problems until I had an allergic reaction and was rushed to hospital and only thought to ask after the huge doses of antihistamine whether it would affect feeding him. Equally when I found out that I shouldn't feed him for several days after that large dose he took to cows milk and never looked back, or asked again (sob!).

What was surprising, from an anthropological point of view (people watching is a fave habit of mine), was the number of people that pointedly avoided us. Those that hadn't been able to breastfeed felt they weren't 'allowed' to enter out draw (equally those that struggled to breastfeed in our NCT group felt they couldn't volunteer at the stand either). People rapidly steered away from our stand as soon as they saw the word 'breast' or realised what was happening in the pictures on the posters (no we didn't get them out) - straight into the path of the local Big Issue seller (he was popular today).

I should have taken some of these

that the knitting group I am involved in make to aid midwives in teaching women how to breastfeed.

You don't have to be a woman, pregnant or a mother to be aware about breastfeeding. It is proven that many of those who don't breastfeed their babies make that decision because of their fear of what people will say, that they will be asked to leave premises because someone has complained or that people will stare and make them feel uncomfortable. If everyone is aware that it is best for babies and mothers and is NATURAL and not to be frowned upon then it will be easier for new mums to get on with caring for their children.

Okay off soapbox now - normal service will resume shortly ;-0)

Sweeties

A few weeks ago I picked up my DS from his regular Thursday afternoon with grandad. He was bouncing off the walls and delightedly told me that he'd eaten a WHOLE bag of Jelly babies. It wasn't really granddad's fault as he thought he'd put them somewhere safe but DS had found them and secretly eaten them! It took several hours to get him to sleep that night for various reasons but the sugar high did contribute to it. We suggested smaller packets of sweets in future and grandma decided on an all out ban. We also tried to be a bit more careful as to what he had at home so that he didn't keep asking for sweets.

Yesterday we went for lunch with the grandparents. We were chatting away quite happily when DS got a cheeky look on his face ...

DS: 'Mummy, erm you know last night (with my son anything that happened in the past happened 'last night')?' said whilst looking sideways at his grandad.

Me: 'yes, what about last night?'

DS: 'erm' still looking sideways at grandad and grinning.

Grandad: 'Don't you tell my secret!' (in mock stern voice)

DS: giggles

Me: 'Ahh .... what did you have with grandad on Thursday?'

DS: 'erm' another look at grandad, then as if he would burst 'SWEETIES!!!'

It was only a small packet but it was funny as he'd kept quiet for 2 days - even when grandad had told me with a straight face when I'd picked him up on Thursday he'd had no sweets whatsoever, hadn't even asked. Why he'd suddenly decided to tell all at that moment I don't know! I was heartened at the thought that he couldn't keep a secret but then I already know he is capable of telling complete porkies too!