Poor Child

A child sits and loving draws a picture for another child. It is simple, not perfect yet there is an image recognisable if you are able to use your imagination and listen to the story connected with the image. A heart breaks when the child who this image is created for want to destroy it and says it is yucky. How can a preschooler know how to destroy art and contain this nasty reaction? Is it humanly possible that they have grown up to only know that perfection and winning is about all else? Poor child so closed so early in life.

Why grandparents are great

There are four wonderful individuals in our lives who are so important in helping our children grow. We are lucky to have such different and unique grandparents. Grandparents are like a gap filler they have the characteristics of your children which you may not have yourself. They live without you needing to make your children lovable. You do not need to defend your children and who they are. I thank our parents for being so different. Maternal grandmother for the witty naughty fun filled lying in the bed evenings when bodily functions can be laughed at. A paternal grandmother who gobbles you up with warm loving hugs and always fills your tummy with love (via chicken soup). Paternal grandfather who fills the minds of the young with stories and pictures and who has the patients needed by strong minded children. A maternal grandfather who us not afraid to be who he is and does not hide his mental illness out of fear of rejection and in doing so demonstrates to his grandchildren an openess so desirable and benefical for emotional growth. I might find it frustrating that the care of my children is not done the way I would do it but really the thankful and glad of it for the benefactors are my children and their growth and happiness.

Mum

I am blessed to have another baby. Without a pregnancy! My beloved niece Sophie has started to call me Mum. I am not Mamma, but Mum. When Sophie was born she was so far away and I felt sad that I could not give her a welcome cuddle. But now having her here in Australia for the last 6 months I have bonded with her the I way I always imagined doing with my brother's children. It is like having another child without the pregnancy:)
My bond and connection with my brother and sister-in-law continues to strengthen and I look forward to when we are living close by and can spend unscheduled time together- popping by for a tea, grabbing some dinner together or popping into the art gallery or yoga class.
My children have a little sister and I have another daughter until I become Sarah again (but maybe (hopefully) I will always be Mum?!)

Following a dream

Life is wonderfully exciting. We have had a busy few months: selling our home, buying a new one, new school and ballet school for Felix, Kinder for Tilda, job for me. Michael and I have dreamt about having an inner city life surrounded by like minded families. On Saturday we had the prep picnic where we met with the families and children who Felix will be at school with the next 7 years and beyond. What relief I felt. I walked into a beautiful school garden where I did not have to defend who or what I believed in. All these parents believe in quality, child centered and nourishing education. Children ride bikes, eat organic food and dress up. All these children were confident empowered young people and yet they are protected from the ugliness of society. No competition just a sense of belonging and safety. Wow this all seems like a dream but in fact it is our reality.

Village

"It takes a village to raise a child."
Afrian Proverb


So where can we find a village? We have many co-parents helping to raise our children: our parents, friends and family members. Some are regular and consistant fixtures in the daily lives of our family while others are around for just birthdays or holiday times. All in all we are happy with our village. Moving into school and kinder next year, Felix and Tilda will have more co-parents in their lives.
Both the kinder and prep teachers are wonderful women with a depth of experience in both life and teaching and still a passion for children and their learning. The comfort I derive is enriching, I already feel at ease and comfortable with these women to speak about and express our wishes for our family. We are able to be ourselves and do not stand out to be particularly different and yet there is a celebration about the unique qualities that we and Felix and Tilda bring to the school community. It is a wonderful feeling to breathe fresh air in the place where we send our children to play and learn.

In Love With Education

I want my children to love learning. We have met both teachers and feel we have found co-parents, co-educators who we can work with to instill a passion for learning. Their rooms and gardens are magic. I want to be in prep and kinder again! A wonderland of discovery, nestled in the heart of the city where children can play, sing, climb, dance and be. My heart is warm, I see a wonderful start for Matilda and Felix. I feel so lucky and privileged as a parent to be able to send my children to such a wonderful place.

We love to colour in

We love to use google images to find pictures to colour in. Requests today include:

pig
goat
fairy

and a fish goat.

And yes there are pictures of fish goats....


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