There's No Rule Book for Working with Kids

Good morning my lovely readers I know I haven't posted in a while but life's been very busy and I've not really had the time! 

I tweeted last night "there's no rule book for working with kids" this is something I wanted to unpick a bit more...

No matter what relationship you have with children, whether your parent, teacher or carer, it's not an easy job, it's not sitting around drinking tea and playing with Lego as some people seem to think, raising the next generation is in no way a "doss", it's blood, sweat and tears (quite literally)! However, having said that, it also has the potential to be incredibly rewarding! 

It's such a different style of work, in that there's no beginning and no destination, you're always on the journey and it's always going to take time, time to gain confidence and time to build trust and respect, and time to get to know the children, their personalities, behaviour traits, what makes them laugh, what makes them cry.  

I've often wished that children came with instruction manuals explaining the Dos and Don'ts and how to win, but the truth is: there is no one formula, the only method is constant trial and error. A tactic that works with one child won't work with another, an achievement one day, disaster the next, and when you finally think you've got through to a child, the next day they have a massive tantrum, won't do what you say and you're back to square 1! It really is like a very long monopoly board game, you go round and round, every day you face new challenges, take risks,  sometimes you loose out and sometimes succeed beyond your imagination!

I can't give a solution because the truth is there isn't one. All you need is patience, love and courage to get up and try again and confidence to know that no matter how the day is going, you're doing great! 

Latte Lunedi

Hello and Happy Monday (bit of an oxymoron but it's worth a try)!

I hope you've had an enjoyable weekend, filled with lots of giggles! 

It was Mother's Day yesterday and I hope all you Mothers got spoilt and felt very loved and appreciated, and I  hope that everyone made their mothers feel like this, whether you were with your mother or from a distance! 

There are different types of mothers, not just the ones who gave birth to us but also to the ones who give life to us, often one can do both (I know my mother has), but it's also surprising to look at your life and see all those others who have at some point mothered you, or perhaps all those who you have mothered. I've not given birth myself, yet I already feel very motherly towards the children I look after!

A mother, biological or emotional, is such a important and special role and one that should be cherished. It's a unique desire ingrained in our very beings, the yearning to be loved and cared for and to love and care, and it's a feeling that never leaves us. 

It's sad how often we forget to thank our mothers and show them how grateful we are for everything they do. We get this one day a year to spoil them but it doesn't feel like that's enough! 

My Dad always teases me for dragging out my birthday celebrations every year, but maybe that's an idea; drag out Mother's Day, don't wait for next year's Mothering Sunday to show your mum or any others who care for and love you, how much you love them in return! 

No Yorkie Friday

Good morning my lovely readers I hope we are all well! 

You know working with children does have it's perks, like those funny moments that make you laugh out loud or when they snuggle up to you to keep warm or when they insist on brushing your hair plus all the children's stories you get to read. Because, well written children's stories don't just have an impact on the child but also affect the adult, whether it makes us laugh or cry or challenge us in some way! Some of my favourite stories when I was young and one if my favourites to read to the children now are the Mr Men / Little Miss series! They are so brilliant whether it's Little Miss Contrary (the kids said hello whenever I said goodbye for a week) or Mr Strong (eggs are now back on the menu) we always have a laugh at bedtime! 

The other night I was reading one of my favourites, partly because it was a nickname I was given at school by a lot of teachers: Little Miss Giggles! 

Now for those of you who don't know the story, Little Miss Giggles ALWAYS giggled, until one day when she lost her giggle! She was very sad but fortunately Mr Happy helped her find it again in the end (spoiler alert sorry). 

It made me think, have I lost my giggle? And if so how do I get it back? It's so easy in the stress of life to loose that child-like joy. But that's wrong! We need to retain that free-spirit that allows us to giggle. Laughter is a beautiful thing, (it burns calories as well) which shouldn't be lost, even in the hardships of life!

So I'm going to find my giggle and look after it, how about you, have you forgotten that child like joy? If so get hunting for your giggle! 

Have a giggly weekend!

Latte Lunedi: the 6 month mark

Good morning my lovely readers, I hope you all had a nice weekend! 

So today is the 2nd of March, therefore 6 months since, I moved to London! That's half a year, I can't quite believe it, it's gone so fast! 

Yet at the same time, a lot has changed in those 6 months, including me. It's very strange to look back, and not recognise yourself, almost as if what's happened in the past is from another life, I don't know if you've ever experienced this or how you felt about it. Change is often very tough to cope with, even if it's a good change. But when it happens gradually over time sometimes it's not obviously noticeable until you look at your past, your present and picture your future, and you spot the shocking differences. 

Though there is a slight sadness, and maybe an uncomfortableness, at change there's also an inexplicable inner peace at knowing that you're where you're meant to be, and I don't think those 2 things contradict each other.

What do you think, look at your 6 month younger self, have you changed? If so how do you feel about that?

Have a great week!