Well where to start? Firstly, thanks to Motherwell for the opportunity to write for and support this much needed charity.
Having had tricky end of pregnancies (pre-eclampsia both times – my first born was 6 weeks early), I’m a big fan of any groups and organisations that give a helping hand to mothers and parents. It doesn’t matter how old the kids are – they don’t seem to come with instruction manuals and they’re never the same child twice!
Teething with my youngest is a very different (and more exhausting!) experience then it was with my 3-year- old. Anyhow, we’re getting there.
I think one of the most important things is to try and remember to have fun along the way. Not always the easiest thing to do when you’re ratty from no sleep, pressures of day to day life, rushing to work etc etc.
At the moment our silly time comes in the form of Paw Patrol. I kid you not, my husband took my eldest son to football on Saturday and was told “Chase! Chase! I need you Chase! Come and help me…. Skye and Rubble are at home, so you have to help me!” It also helps when I need him to do something (the 3-year- old not my husband!) “Ryder – I have an important mission for you!! You need to get in the car, so we can rescue the cat….” Bonkers but it works for us.
My own escapism comes through books, story writing and encouraging children to use their imagination. I loved books as a child and think it’s so important to get kids into reading.
Not necessarily just for the academic side of things and the doors reading can open but because of the fun and joy that comes from reading a good book. Picture books, fiction, fact books (we’re looking at a lot of pictures of trains at the moment!) It also doesn’t matter how old the child is. In fact, they say the younger the better, even from birth.
This link is quite helpful: http://readtoyourbaby.com/read_literacy.html
There are so many worlds that can be accessed through books: The Gruffalo, Green Eggs and Ham, Mr Men books, the Beatrix Potter series and many more. Books bring out not only a wide range of vocabulary but an imagination and curiosity in children. There’s something special about seeing your child looking at some of the same books you did when you were young and loving them all over again!
www.facebook.com/kidsstoryworld.abc