Teaching The Art Of Conversation

This interview is sponsored by ZooBooKoo at www.zoobookoo.com for Educational Toys and Games

Paediatric speech and language therapist, Lisa Houghton, talks about ‘talking’ and teaching toddlers the art of communication.

Profile:
Tracey Park & I had been working together in the NHS as paediatric speech & language therapists for many years and had become friends as well as colleagues. For several years we talked about setting up Talking Tots. In 2006 we decided to trial Talking Tots classes whilst still working part time. The classes proved so popular that we branched out and in 2007 launched our first 2 franchises in the North West.

Why did you start your business?
When we were delivering speech & language therapy programmes in schools for children with specific speech & language difficulties, we were increasingly alarmed by the poor listening & attention skills of the general population of children who wouldn’t necessarily fall under the care of the speech & language therapist. Good listening & attention is the foundation for all learning.

What is the secret to your success?
Hard work & passion for what we do.

What annoys you most when you listen to parents talking with their young children?
We get very frustrated when we see parents who don’t listen to their children. Of course it’s not always possible to stop what you’re doing to listen to you child’s long winding story, but we’d suggest that if you can’t listen at the time, let your child know that you’d love to hear what they have to say and make time for the interaction later.

What is one of the most common mistakes that we parents all make regarding talking with our children?

There are two extremes really. There are those parents who don’t talk to their children enough and that can have a major impact on a child’s communicative development. There are also those parents who talk too much! A child needs time to respond and if as a parent you’re giving a constant voiceover throughout the day, your child will have little opportunity to take their turn. Pause and give your child time to respond.

What is your best tip for parents to help nurture their children’s communication skills?
Listen to & accept all of your child’s attempts to communicate. Shape and add to your child’s language If your child attempts a word, repeat it back to them and add to it. For example, if your child says “ba” for ‘ball”. Repeat back to them “ Yes, Ball … let’s roll the ball.” Also make time to talk. Turn off the TV and get down to your child’s level and have fun!

Are your children good communicators?
They are generally … but as with most children they can have selective hearing when it suits them!

What is your greatest achievement in your business?
Helping women to develop their own business & seeing them grow in confidence and skill.

And what has been the worst moment, professionally?
Starting your own business/franchise is always a rollercoaster ride at first and we share the highs but also the lows with our franchisees and that can be hard.

And finally, what do you enjoy most when you are not teaching toddlers to talk?
Spending time with our children.

You can contact Talking Tots through their website: http://www.talkingtots.info/ on Twitter: @LisaTalkingTots @TJPTalkingTots or on FaceBook: LisaTalkingTots

This interview is sponsored by ZooBooKoo at www.zoobookoo.com

for Educational Toys and Games

Does your child need coloured lenses?

This interview is

sponsored by
ZooBooKoo
educational toys and games.

Helen Irlen, the Executive Director of the Irlen Institute International Head Quarters – the coloured lenses expert. Helen talks about what coloured lenses can do for your child, her new book, and her own challenges.

Profile:
Helen L. Irlen, MA, BCPC, MFT is a credentialed School Psychologist; Educational Therapist; Adult Learning Disability Specialist; Professional Counsellor. She is also the author of Reading by the Colors: A Piece of the Puzzle and The Irlen Revolution: A Guide to Changing Your Perception and Your Life. As an internationally recognized educator, researcher, and therapist, Helen has featured on BBC Specials and numerous TV news shows around the world. There are today over 140 affiliated Irlen Centres worldwide.

How do coloured lenses help with reading?

Reading involves both the eyes and the brain. The eyes are the camera that sends the message to the brain where it is processed. The information is sent to the brain in the form of wavelengths of light which are colours. For some, black print on white is difficult for the brain to process accurately, creating distorted print and physical symptoms. When we use coloured lenses, we are filtering out the offending colours so that words, letters, numbers, and musical notes are clear, stable, and comfortable to read. Now students can read with comprehension.

It all sounds so incredible. What statistics are there to demonstrate the effectiveness of coloured lenses?
It sounded incredible 30 years ago, but presently there are over 100 published researched studies showing the Irlen Method improves reading fluency, comprehension, speed/rate, and comfort. Students can read without losing their place, misreading letters and words, being distracted, and with comprehension.

What percentage of the UK population is likely to be affected?
The percentage of the population who can be helped is the same for countries such as the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the USA. 46% of individuals with reading problems, dyslexia, specific learning differences, and ADD or ADHD are either being misdiagnosed and can be helped, or Irlen is a part of their difficulties.

What can a concerned parent do to establish if their child needs coloured lenses?
Help is around the corner. There are many Irlen testers in the UK who can determine if this is the problem. For a list of testing sites, visit http://www.irlen.com/ or http://www.irlenuk.com/ .

Please, tell us about your new book.
The Irlen Revolution: A Guide to Changing Your Perception and Your Life was written for the many people who were good readers but were struggling with other academic problems, light sensitivity, headaches, migraines, or poor depth perception. I wanted people to understand that perception affects every aspect of your life. If your eyes are open, your brain is processing visual information. Individuals with autism, TBI, concussions, head injuries, anxiety, panic disorders, and other medical and visual conditions may find that the root cause for some of their symptoms is light. The book provides self-tests so that an individual can find out if this is his/her problem and, if so, know that there is a solution using colour.

What is your greatest achievement to date in the field of visual perception?
There are so many…a 35 year old woman who couldn’t read and didn’t know that she saw ants running around the page instead of letters. Her Irlen Spectral Filters turned the ants into letters and words. Helping a Vet returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with many concussions be able to read again and eliminate his constant headaches. Eliminating the constant headaches and migraines for a 15 year old girl who had been so distressed that she tried to commit suicide.

And what has been the worst moment, professionally?
Having other professionals try to duplicate my technology without the knowledge and background of how it works. There are so many optical shops and opticians selling coloured lenses which do not help and often make the problem worse.

And finally, what do you enjoy most when you are not working?
I enjoy being with my family and especially my 2 year old granddaughter who is headstrong and goofy. I enjoy scuba diving, white water river rafting, kayaking, repelling, hiking, and biking. I also enjoy visiting primitive cultures and living with the people.

Please contact http://www.irlenuk.com/ or http://www.irlen.com/ for more information.
Follow The Irlen Institute on Facebook

The 'Helping You' Product Review - Times Tables Cube

Product: Times Tables Cube

Contents: All the times tables up to 12 presented on a cube that turns inside out

Numbers 1 to 12 in English, French, German and Spanish

Links to free times tables quiz sheets - Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2

Age: 6 - 12 years

Price: Around £6.50

Designer: Stephen Wattleworth created the Times Tables Cube on the folding cube. He was inspired by the fact that there are 12 times tables and each could be presented individually on a cube face.

What We Like: Useful arrows to guide user around cube and locate the tables they wish to practice

Clear font on bright coloured backgrounds

The answers are a different colour

Because the product is not school-like, children have no hang-ups about using it

It is great for learning a particular times tables

Perfect for revising times tables that have been previously learnt

Siblings can work together taking it in turns to ask sums

How To Play: Find the tables you want to practice by locating the green dot and following the arrows around the cube to the red dot. Then at the doube-headed arrow, turn the cube inside out and locate the green dot again. Once again follow the arrows around the cube.

Learn a times tables by reading it perhaps in your head or out loud. Then cover up the coloured answers and test yourself.

Take it in turns with a sibling, friend or parent to ask different sums and see if they give the correct answer.

Where To Buy: Good toy and gift stores and online Educational Toys and Games

In the Range: Try our Dinosaurs Cube, Word Forming Cube, European Nations Cube, Human Body Cube… There are 14 ZooBooKoo cubes in the range

Testimonials: 'The Multiplication Times Tables Cube is fantastic value... and so compulsive to use. Maxi has taken it to bed with him each night,' Great Toy Guide, Oct 2010
'I do so love your Multiplication Times Tables Cube, it is so clever,' Mrs Lilian G, Dorset, July 2010
'The Times Tables Cube is a colourful fun cube that unfolds to reveal the times tables 1-12. Numbers are also shown in French, Spanish and German. The cube has a tactile feel to it that we liked,' Angels and Urchins, June 10

The 'Helping You' Interview - Meet a 'Parenting Expert'

This interview is sponsored by ZooBooKoo educational toys and games.

Author of 'Raising Happy Children for Dummies', Sue Atkins, talks about the book, parenting and being a mum.

Profile:
Former deputy head teacher, Sue has trained in life coaching, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Emotional Freedom Techniques at the highest professional levels. She offers various parenting courses and coaching in workshops, by phone, email, on CD.

What inspired you to write this handbook?
I was invited by the publisher’s Wiley and Sons to write the book.

What do you believe is the secret to the success of this ‘Dummies’ book – after all there are just so many parenting books out there?
The “Dummies” books are wonderful because they take complicated subjects and simplify them without patronising the reader.

It can be a major task for a time-pressured parent to read a book. What’s the best way to get the most out of your ‘Dummies’ book?
My book is designed, like all “Dummies” books to be a quick reference when you need a bit of advice, an idea or a practical tip. You don’t have to read them from cover to cover or from chapter to chapter – they are designed to be a quick reference when you need a hand.

What do you feel is one of the most common mistakes that we parents all make that threatens the happiness of our family relationships?
I think parents need to develop their own confidence in their ability to be a positive, relaxed and great parent and to trust their belief in themselves as they are the real experts for their own children.

The book is bursting with practical tips. As a parent, which do you feel is one of the most useful tips?
The ability to keep learning as you go along, trust your own instincts and to be firm, fair and consistent in your discipline.

How do your children feel about you being a ‘parenting expert’? Surely that puts huge pressure on you as a mum?
I’m just a work in progress like us all. I don’t claim to have all the answers – I just ask great questions to help parents find their own answers.

As a parenting expert, what is your greatest achievement to date? Being invited to appear on the flagship BBC Radio 2 “The Jeremy Vine Show” and BBC Breakfast TV and having my own regular Parenting Q & A slot on BBC Radio Surrey and Sussex every month.

And what has been the worst moment, professionally?
Struggling with the technology to get my work “out there” to a wide global audience. That has been a REAL nightmare but I have a great guy called Simon Jordan from The Simon Jordan Consultancy working with me now so I can finally relax and enjoy the ride !

And finally, what do you enjoy most when you are not helping us improve our parenting skills?
Singing very loudly along to the radio in my little red mini, walking my dogs in the Surrey countryside and having friends round for a meal.

How to contact Sue:
http://www.thesueatkins.com/
@sueatkins
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Positive-Parents-Confident-Kids/359670183556?v=app_4949752878


This interview was sponsored by ZooBooKoo educational toys and games.

The 'Helping You' Product Review - Bear Essentials

Product: Bear Essentials – World Of Letters

Contents:

• 5 gorgeous, bright, colourful bears
• 40 detachable chunky tiles that stick anywhere on the bears
• Instructions for 13 absorbing games
• Purple tidy bag

Age: 3 – 6 years

Price: Around £19.99

Designer: Bear Essentials is a joint creation inspired by Ron Wyatt from Craftpacks and Stephen Wattleworth from ZooBooKoo. Ron originally conceived the idea as a teacher resource bit it soon became clear that parents and grandparents everywhere wanted bears and tiles for their children to play with at home.

What We Like:

• Great for free play or structured game playingSuitable for a child on their own or for three or four children playing together (due to the ‘5’ bears and plenty tiles and more common letter have more tiles)
• Multi-sensory learning – visually appealing; the tiles make a sort of ‘soft crunching’ noise when you remove them from the bears; incredibly tactile -keeping children busy
• Plenty of growing room – toddlers begin just playing with the bears, then they begin to recognize the letters and build up to learning the high frequency words and making sentences.
• Children thoroughly enjoy playing with the bears and tiles, returning to the games again and again - a really fun toy and gift

How To Play:

• Initially younger children will simply play with the bears, making homes for them, hide and seek, putting them in and out of the bag, lining them up…
• Then you can begin to introduce the games. Full instructions are provided though they are all beautifully simple and yet varied and increasingly challenging.
• So you may start learning colours with the removable scarves and work up to building words and sentences.

Where To Buy: Good toy and gift stores and online Educational Toys and Games

In the Range: Try Bear Essentials – World Of Numbers (3 - 6 years)

Testimonials:

• ‘The cutest things I’ve seen in ages,‘ Mrs Sarah, M, May 09
• 'What a wonderful learning idea – loads of growing room,’ Mrs Elaine B, July 09
• ‘The children love sticking the tiles and swapping them around on the bears. Hours of fun,’ Mrs Karen M, July 09

This information was provided by ZooBooKoo

The 'Helping You' Interview - Meet a Toy Designer

Toy designer, Karen Wattleworth, talks about inspiration and her family’s favourite toys.

Profile:

Karen runs the ZooBooKoo family business with her husband Stephen. ZooBooKoo designs fun educational toys and games. They have two boys aged 13 and 14 and a cat called Maz.

Why did you start your business?

I wanted to spend as much time as possible with the boys when they were little but I also wanted to work. Starting our own business gave me that opportunity. We came across the idea of the folding cube when we were travelling. The original cube concept dates back to Victorian times. And we felt we could design and adapt it to make a really cool educational toy.

What is the secret to your success?

Hard work, organization, perseverance, loads of support and inspiration from Stephen and the boys and a dose of good luck now and again.

How to you come up with ideas for your new products?

The boys have been inspirational. They will soon tell you if a game is fun to play, or not. Our younger son is dyslexic and that took us down a path we knew nothing about but it added a lot of value in many ways, especially perhaps in terms of new product ideas even though ZooBooKoo products are fun educational toys and games for all children (and many adults play too!).

What toys were favourites when the boys were toddlers?

The wooden garage and wee cars stick out in my mind and a cute wooden multi-coloured pull-a-long fish. Mega blocks were cool. And the original posting home activity block with the sqeezy shapes. And we still have the little wooden trolley with the wooden blocks (the grand-kids will love it)!

And their favourite toys when they were at primary school?

Well of course, they loved our Cube Books and Secret Scholars – those were the ranges we had during that time. But they also loved their GameBoys, Bionicles, Monopoly, jigsaws and of course we played a lot of Uno.

The boys are older now. Do they still play games?

We are into darts (great for brain-training). The younger one plays on Xbox live and we love Dude Dice when we’re in restaurants or on holidays.

Do you think the boys will follow in your footsteps with the business?

Oh gosh, no! They think it’s far too much like hard work. But who knows, maybe they will come round to the idea.

What is your greatest achievement in your business?

That’s tough. Depending on where your business is at a certain time, different things may seem incredible. But I think selling into a major book store multiple was a significant achievement. And developing our international distributors has brought good rewards.

And what has been the worst moment, professionally?

That’s easy! A competitor threatened us with legal action. It turned out to be a wholly empty threat but it sucked up a huge amount of financial (up to five figures) and emotional resources. I could have given up then but Stephen wasn’t having any of it. In the end, we threatened to counter-sue and the competitor went into liquidation. But we lost out on significant export opportunities.

And finally, is there ever any ‘me’ time for you?

I have greatly improved the work-life balance in the last couple of years. I jog a couple of times a week and I do yoga once a week. But my favourite ‘me’ time is time with the family whether it’s watching the boys play football or rugby matches or run cross country races, playing darts, a family movie night, watching X-Factor or going out.

The 'Helping You' Product Review - Dude Dice Game

Product: Dude Dice High Score (Level 1)

Contents: 3 ‘Dudes’ (3cm high characters) to win,

2 orange numbers dice,

1 function die with ‘plus’, ‘minus’, ‘multiply’ and

‘Aaahhh!’

Instructions

Travel bag

Age: 6 – 8 years

Price: Around £6.50

Designer: The Wattleworths, owners of ZooBooKoo – established toy manufacturers. Mum Karen was trying to teach her dyslexic son to recall his times tables randomly. Their son wanted to win rewards; their older son suggested including ‘plus’ and ‘minus’ and Dad thought there should be a travel bag. A real family effort!

What We Like: So simple to learn and play

Great gift that children really enjoy (and parents approve!)

Fun for all the family – even adult brain-training

Children do not realise they are learning

Adaptable to different abilities

Handy distraction to keep in your bag

Children love the Dudes

Tactile large dice

How To Play: Starter Level - Throw all 3 dice and do the sum. If you throw

'Aaahhh!’ you are out of that round. Each player throws once in

each round. Person with the highest score in the round wins the

Dude of their choice. When all 3 Dudes have been won, the

person with the highest score poaches a Dude from the person

with the lowest score. Player to win all 3 Dudes wins the game'

Extender Level: Throw all 3 dice and do the sum. Then throw all 3

dice and do the new sum and then add your new score to your

first score. Carry on growing your score until you throw ‘Aaahhh!’.

Now you are out but remember your total. The player with the

highest total in the round wins the Dude of their choice. When all

3 Dudes have been won, the person with the highest score

poaches a Dude from the person with the lowest score. Player to

win all 3 Dudes wins the game.

Where To Buy: Good toy and gift stores and online Educational Toys and Games

In the Range: Try Dude Dice High Score Level 2 for age 9+ and Dino Dice for 4 – 6 years and Dude Dice Winning Words (6+ years)

Testimonials: 'The Dude Dice High Score and Dude Dice Winning Words pack are

great value,' Mr S, Surrey, Sept 2010

'These Dude Dice games - High Score and Winning Words - are

excellent. My son loves them and they make learning fun,' Mrs S,

Lincolnshire, July 2010

'The Dude Dice games are really fun. I would definitely

recommend your products - they are very different,' Mrs Smith,

Suffolk, July 2010

Mumpreneur Finalist

My lovely hubbie nominated me for a Mumpreneur award and I have made it through to the short list of 6 finalists. I feel totally overwhelmed and even a bit speechless (which is quite unusual!). Hubbie said some lovely things about me - almost saintly, as if I am never grumpy or short-tempered! But you know, I feel appreciated, valued and proud of what I have achieved. And the boys were impressed too boot - and that takes some doing these days.

Pirates Ahoy!

We love the summer holidays. Suddenly you don’t have the get-ready-for-school rush in the morning and the days are longer (and warmer – if you’re very lucky!).

Last week we went to London. Travelled in style on the train (tickets from www.thetrainline.com ordered in advance).

The main purpose of our visit was the evening performance of Henry VIII at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (next to the Tate Museum). Both boys (12 & 14) have done Henry VIII at school and we saw the film with Ray Winstone and Helena Bonham Carter (ordered through www.lovefilm.com) to grips with the story line. Great film.

In the morning did the Globe Theatre tour (£8) (www.shakespeares-globe.org ). This was a disappointing 30 minutes. The actors were rehearsing, so the guide could not talk to us inside the theatre and photography was prohibited. Outside the guide told us no more than common sense and a couple of anecdotes. This is only worthwhile if you are not seeing a performance.

The performance in the evening was memorable though a little tough going at times. The views were great though those who suffer with vertigo may struggle in the upper gallery. So we can tick that box.

But without doubt the highlight of our day was the Golden Hinde (www.goldenhinde.com ) in the afternoon, just along from the Tate Modern. The boys refused point blank to visit a pirate ship. But Mum and Dad went willingly. The pirate guide was a hoot with a wealth of humour fit for all ages. We re-learnt about Drake, circumnavigation and Elizabethan England; the intricate workings of a canon and life on board this working ship). A fantastic hour (£7). Perfect for your kids (up to 12!) and all mums and dads.

Listen to your children

Listening to your children gets results all round. And we are talking about really listening, not just going through the motions while you are cooking or cleaning the kitchen. The children always know when you are doing that.

The child who feels listened to, feels valued, worthwhile and respected. You are boosting their confidence, encouraging them to develop their communication skills, process thoughts and deal with emotions. The parent who listens earns trust, learns what makes their child tick and shares experiences and emotions.

And as an added bonus, if your business designs fun, educational toys, the children can add value – real value. Especially as they get older, they have views, they are honest and they can have some really good ideas. Most importantly, they think outside the box that we adults often get boxed into. Thanks, boys!

Being The Bigger Man

Our 12 year old son made me so proud yesterday evening. On the way to kickboxing (we do most of our ‘chats’ in the car these days!) he said how it had been really frustrating (his word, but he probably got from me in the first place) at school. Some kids had been teasing him about something or other.

Now, we need to put into context that our 12 year old often struggles to contain his emotions, be it excitement or anger, frustration or joy. We are working on it, talking about it as often as possible without nagging (!) and explaining why we can’t always have an outburst.

Anyway, yesterday he went on to say that even though a couple of the boys kept teasing him, he decided to ‘be the bigger man!’ And then he repeated it, ‘So you see, Mum, I am the bigger man.’ I swear he seemed two inches taller and his back straighter as he said it, clearly (and rightly so) proud of his own self-control. With enough of those experiences, he will soon have mastered the art completely. Parenting feels so good today.

Struck Off?

I couldn't believe it. I had done it again. I had missed the one appointment I had to keep. I only had to take the kids to the dentist. I knew I couldn't miss it, having already missed one. I just stood there, shaking my head in disbelief as I read the ominous words: ‘You and your family will be removed from our list…’.

Have you any idea how difficult it is to find a dentist on the NHS these days? Well, other mums have told me it is. Now, my kids teeth will rot. What about orthodentists? I had blown it. I had seen the entry in my diary that morning (yes, I looked at the diary!). I told my husband at breakfast that I had to take the kids to the dentist when they came in from school (yes, we actually converse in the morning - only the essential stuff!). I had imprinted it in my memory banks. And I totally forgot!

Am I going mad? Have I lost it? Surely this puts me in that list of ‘worst mums’. Racked with guilt, I made the phone call. I was going to make every excuse under the sun, but you know, I would be outraged if my kids did that. So I explained to the dental receptionist, ‘I’m sorry, it was in my diary, and I told my husband that morning but…’

There was a pregnant pause at the other end. I held my breath. Should I talk? Should I cry? Should I say sorry again? Finally the voice spoke, ‘We appreciate your call Mrs W,' she paused (and I thought, 'Let's just get this over with!') 'but we don’t have any appointments now until next month…’ I wasn’t listening any more. I played her words carefully over in my head again. She was keeping us. We were still on the list. Joy coursed through my veins and then relief. I returned to the conversation just as she added proudly, ‘and we have this new system now where we text the day before your appointment.’ I was glad I told the truth and I shall never miss another appointment again (I was touching wood with fingers crossed when I said that!).

The Family Walk

Their shoulders dropped and their down-turned mouths let out a long pained moan. ‘Come on, boys, it’ll be fun. We haven’t done a family walk in ages.’ Mum and Dad had planned it meticulously. 3 miles to the first pub, 1½ miles to the next and another 3 miles back to the village pub. It was a gorgeous day and we were wise to take water and nibbles.

Dad was on point and set off at a good pace. Mum kept up and the boys (12 & 14) brought up the rear at a safe distance, together, chatting continuously about everything and anything. We couldn’t really make out the jist of it all, but it was lovely to hear them conversing.

Later on we all walked together along a quiet road, then Mum walked with B and later still Dad with D. On the homeward stretch, B said to me, ’Mum, we should do this more often.’ I agreed and we shall really try to – it was lovely to talk.

Chores Galore

We had the chance to brim with pride on Sunday (and it certainly had nothing to do with football!). The clouds looked suddenly heavy and thundery at our barbeque. The washing was on the line because I’d forgotten to wash the school uniform the day before. Our friends don’t mind. I called D (12 yrs) over and asked if he wouldn’t mind taking in the washing while the rest of us tidied up the food etc. Little star folded and flattened beautifully. And the compliments were flowing.

Our boys have had chores since they were six years old: tidying their rooms, putting clothes away, emptying the dishwasher, filling the washing machine, bringing in the washing, doing pack lunches and now they even cook. We do give them pocket money, now up to £3.50 per week. But we have never paid them to do regular chores. We do pay for the extras, like mowing the lawn - seems only fair.

Over the years we have had heard plenty backchat along the lines of, ‘None of my friends have to do this stuff!’ But as they have grown a bit older, it’s more along the lines of, ‘I can’t believe X is so lazy, he never helps his mum,’ or ‘I can’t believe Y can’t boil an egg.’ We hope these responsibilities give them confidence and self-esteem and teach them some basic life skills.

Exam Week – it's way worse for the parents

It’s been a bit of a stressy week – the dreaded exam week. I am exhausted having ‘virtually’ revised for and sat over 25 papers. Thankfully the boys (13 and 14) were totally unphased by the whole event – probably because I was there in spirit doing all the hard stuff.

I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, knowing that today is the last day. No more pressure. Wish I could be as cool as our kids. It’s the way we were brought up: to study hard, be on the ball, cover the angles, go to bed early, do practise papers. You remember those days, don't you?

It is different nowadays. The kids seem more relaxed. It’s no big deal. Of course, we have gently encouraged revision, in line with booklets from the school. So their laid back approach must be down to our adopted parenting skills (when we remember!). And I am glad the boys are laid back. It is so easy to take it all too seriously. I am going to take a leaf out of their book when exam week comes round again.

Multi-tasking men

We do give them a bit of grief, really, don’t we – you know – on the issue of multi-tasking. But I will think twice next time I am tempted.

We have a house rule – rooms to be tidied, once a week – for inspection on Thursday morning. Our definition of tidy: Mum can see the floor throughout; bed made; possibly some clothes on chair, others folded and put away or in linen basket; bits and bobs under bed or in cupboard.

I knocked on our teenager B’s door on Wednesday evening to give him the heads up about his room. When I went in he was doing his sit-ups (I think he does a mere 100 or so!). I had to take a second look to fully understand the whole situation: he was folding his clothes while he was doing his sit-ups! How cool is that? This young man can definitely multi-task.

Sleepy head

This morning we had a lovely example of sleepy teenage syndrome (our own terminology – well I haven’t checked it out so maybe others also refer to it as that!). Despite having already been woken once, D was sound asleep again. And it was ten to eight. So I was a little more persistent the second time round and left him making his bed (rather grandiose way of saying ‘spread out the duvet nicely and lay the other blanket on top’). At 8 o’clock D still hadn’t appeared for his rice crispies, so I ventured back up stairs. There he was, sound asleep, snug as a bug, in his freshly made, beautifully straightened out bed!

Explosive stuff

We had to put the gas fire back on last week in the evenings as it was a tad too chilly for our liking. D (age 12) lounged in front of the fire (more like a cat than an kid) and suddenly asked, ‘Do you think you can really ignite a fart?’ Pregnant (no we are not really!) pause from parents and then Dad stumped up with, ‘Probably, but could be painful.’ The moment passed and then a few days later while on ‘Youth Club Duty’, there was an awkward moment with the older kids. I decided to ease the tension with D’s innocent question, assuming that boys of that sort of age probably had thoughts on the matter.

‘Actually, you can!’ claimed one chap cheerily (17 years). ‘My mate said he was going to let one go. We wondered if it would ignite, so my other mate (all mysteriously nameless!) put a lighter to it. Man, it just went up, big purple flame and the back draft went right back up his butt. You could smell the pub hair burning. He was really hurting. It was awesome.’

We are still in two minds as to whether or not we should share this with D.

Accessability for dyslexics

If you are not dyslexic and you don't know someone who is, it is difficult to fully appreciate the challenges facing them. And it can feel sometimes that the 'dyslexia excuse' is being thrown around too freely. So let me share this with you, it may help.

My 12 year old son was diagnosed with dyslexia at 6 1/2 years and has had much support and encouragement. He explained that he had to complete some revision on a special school website. (Great, I said to myself - revision!!) Later that evening I asked him how it went. He shrugged his shoulders, 'I couldn't get on the website.' I asked him why. 'I must have the wrong password.' Little bells were sounding in my head. 'What is the password?' I asked and he told me it was 'compass'. 'How did you spell it?' I asked. 'Well, I tried 'cumpus' and then 'cumpas' and it doesn't work.' He paused. 'I guess I'm spelling it wrong, eh?'

I am sure at some stage this password was provided to the class in written format. But with the passage of time... It's tough being dyslexic. We were just pleased that at least he tried twice, and we then bemoaned together, once again, the idiosyncrasies of the English language.

Moon landing was a shambles

Over the years we have enjoyed D's (now 12 years old) manipulation of the English language. A couple of expressions are particularly memorable: his 'flutterbies" for butterflies and his 'provisional vision' for peripheral vision - they tickled us pink. However, I think he has topped those. The school organised a 'Space Day' where the kids flew in simulators, talked to astronomers and discussed space milestones in detail. When he came home he said forthrightly, 'Did you know that the moon landing was a shambles?' Well, I thought , in fairness, logistically speaking, it was an operation of incredible magnitude requiring timing and perseverance. Then hubbie piped up, smiling, 'You mean it was a sham, though that was a shambles too!' Here is a link to the 'moon landing sham evidence'. The subject provided a lovely conversation in our house. Your children might be interested in this - discover it together.

We are all special

Our wonderful yoga instructor shared this with us: enjoy! - children will love it too!

A Chinese woman fetches water every day. She carries two large water jugs hanging from either side of a pole balanced on her neck. She walks a long way to fetch the water. She fills both jugs to the top and then carries them home. There is a crack in one of the water jugs and every day she arrives home with only one and a half jugs of water. She has been doing this for two years.

The cracked jug is sad because he can not carry as much water as the other jug. So one day he speaks to the woman while she is filling the jugs. 'Why do you fill me up every day and carry me home, only for me to arrive half full?'

The woman smiled. 'Haven't you noticed the beautiful flowers on your side of the path when we walk home? When I saw that you were cracked, I planted some seeds along the path. You water them every day. And for a long time now, I have picked the flowers. You have brought us the beautiful, sweet-scented flowers that grace our home.' And the jug felt proud and happy.