Fractions Exposed In Desperate Housewives

Many thanks to Desperate Housewives. Gaby's cleaner is a PHD mathematician and succinctly explained fractions to Gaby's daughter with the cake analogy: 'the bottom number is how many slices are in the whole cake, and the top number is how many slices you can eat.' I like it. I think I can remember this one.

Omega 3 Works For Me

The new kitchen has been finished now for about 4 months (hurray!) and it took about 4 months to do. Prior to this we were in a great routine of taking Omega 3 every day. We began a few years ago when D's dyslexia tutor suggested it may help. During our kitchen-less period we have not been taking Omega 3 (didn't have a clue where they were!). A few weeks ago I found them again and mentioned to the family that we hadn't taken them for over 6 months. D said, 'I wondered why I couldn't remember anything!' Hubbie and I stopped in our tracks, amazed - were they really that good? We have started again - though hubbie only wants them every two days and our other son B has decided not to take them as he noticed no difference without them. D has confirmed he is now finding it easier to remember things (hurray!). To be honest even if his forgetfulness is psychosomatic, he feels good about taking the Omega 3, so that works for me. (Cheapest ones I have found so far are at Healthspan with free UK delivery).

Cracking Console Addiction

In the wake of breaking stories about children becoming addicted to their PlayStations, Xboxes (and even phones and IPods), our first-hand experience and eventual approach may help, though be warned, it requires strong (and very thick-skinned!) parenting. For us the Xbox has been a bone of contention. Our young 12 year old D was totally addicted to his Xbox on games all his friends were playing too. There is no doubt that his behaviour deteriorated dramatically while playing these games. With the long dark winter nights this normally outdoors kid was cocooned with his console. Gradually we worked out the source of the poor behaviour and bad attitude (with a little leeway - he is nearly a teenager after all!) but were unsure of the best approach to tackle the problem.

A friend said she had banned her child (not quite a teenager) from playing consoles Monday to Thursday. But on Friday and during the weekend the child can play as often as he likes, assuming all homework, chores and the such have been completed. Sounded tough to enforce but the rules were very clear (and with sporting commitments on Saturdays and Sundays the window of opportunity was significantly reduced).

So we went for it! We talked about addiction, behaviour and expectations. It was incredibly difficult those first two weeks in particular as he effectively went cold turkey. First the angry shouting, door slamming and tantrums; then trying to be incredibly well-behaved in return for the lost privilege; gradually the more balanced effort to talk and negotiate in return for good behaviour. As with all addictions, there is no half way house. For the moment he is resigned to the situation. Occasionally he will still say he clearly isn't addicted and should be allowed more time. But we are standing strong on this issue for the time being. His behaviour has improved significantly. It's lovely to have him back!

Listening Skills

Be truthful, are you really a good listener? Do you interrupt, especially in those tempting pauses? At school, it is so important to be a good listener. Some children just seem to be able to take it all in (even when they aren't looking at you). Others struggle, enjoying any distraction. And children with any literacy difficulties will usually find listening a challenge, let alone managing to pick out those key words and really understand.

Recently I was on the kick-boxing and harriers collection run at around 9pm on a Tuesday. D (age 12) was picked up first then we have 20 minutes or so before B is ready. Out of the blue D put on the radio. It was tuned to Radio 4 where they were discussing how it has been scientifically proven that those with a higher IQ at the age of 11 tend to live longer. D listened. He actually listened. Usually, all stations with spoken words are rushed through in search of music. The following Thursday on the same collection run, D said, 'Let's put on the radio, Mum.' Still tuned to Radio 4 we heard about the refuseniks who will not go online. So, pre-select a station you think your child may enjoy and see if you can get the kids listening to the radio. It can make for interesting conversations too! I am looking forward to the collection run tonight.

Happy World Maths Day!

Try our 10 Top Tips for Numeracy - it is never too late to start! Tip No 11 - How to remember 8 x 8 = 64 : "I ate and ate until I was sick on the floor!"

Mum's Relaxing!

Lovely hubbie offered to do kick-boxing and harriers picking up and dropping off last night so I could relax. Yahoooo! So as soon as the house was quiet (I don't think it has ever been that quiet!) I poured a glass of Chardonnay, ran hot bubbly bath, applied mud face pack and slid in. It was absolute bliss as I felt the heat permeate my tired muscles and my body relaxed. Then the challenge - the wine! By then my face was rigid, but I can confirm that it is possible to sip wine (very carefully - barely moving your lips) during a mud face pack! Lovely and the silence was golden. Then suddenly, 'Hi, Babes!' Hubbie was back. He'd got bored waiting inbetween the drop-offs and pick-ups and decided to drive home (10 mins) to wait with me (10 mins) before driving back (10 mins) to collect!! Not to worry, I had had a few quiet minutes to re-group. So got out of the bath and started drying off. Tip, girlies!! Beware over-exuberant towel drying in vicinity of glass of wine - can lead to needless wastage - yeah - I knock it onto the tiles, wine everywhere, shards of glass everywhere! What a relaxing evening!