To nag or not to nag!

The other day I heard our older son nag his younger brother about a dropped 't' in the word 'better'. Joy of joys, music to my ears. The nagging must be working, though it always makes me feel such a nagbag! Keep on nagging (nicely!).

Tough Love

I read an interesting article about the merits of praising your children for just simply every little thing versus being honest with them when really what they did was not up to the mark. It is a tough one for us doting parent types. But in the parenting skills course (contact your local council - ask for community learning and skills) I did, we went into this in some detail. And at home now we are trying to put into practise the idea of praising but in a moderated way. So maybe, 'That was a really good effort. But you have to check your work as there are still quite a few mistakes in there. Would you like me to go through it with you?' Beware - this does bring a bit of sadness or frustration or even anger. But I really believe it's a better preparation for life than letting them think they are stars all the time. Of course, they still got buckets and buckets of unqualified praise where deserved.

How time flies!

I thought we had heard all the 'haven't done my homework,' excuses, but B found a new one today. 'I knew I had homework for October in my journal, but I thought it was still September!'

What a pickle!

B was talking D through making the tea as I drove home. S was working upstairs. Keep it simple, we had thought - pizza, salad and some pickles. B instructed D to go to the fridge and get some pickled onions, gerkins and beetroot. Some time later D phoned back to say, he thought the pizza was done - in fact possibly burning - no smoke but bit of a burning smell. B said to take it out of the oven and turn that off. He asked if D had found the pickles ok. D said, 'I could only find the gertroot!'

Lucky Charms

As we drove to football training one evening recently I commented on how lucky it was that the rain that had been pouring down all day had finally stopped. D replied, 'It's because I've got my lucky pants on!' 'I didn't know you had lucky pants,' I replied with surprise. 'Yes, those grey ones. They've always been lucky!' The mind boggles.

Dawn French Rules OK

Finished reading Dawn French's autobiography. Many gems of worldly advice and beautiful turn of phrase. Cried and laughed. She is an inspirational woman who reminds us to be who we are and nice to everyone else. Even hubbie read it!

To yoga or not to yoga...

– that has been the burning question for years. So last night I gave it a go. Lots of stretching and breathing (I don’t usually have time to breathe) but you know I nearly fell asleep during the relaxation bit at the end. I’m going again next week. I’ll let you know how I get on…