This is what happens when your child's teacher asks the class to draw a picture of something beginning with F.
Brought to you courtesy of Master Rory.
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Friday, June 15, 2018
Friday Funny
It's a homegrown Friday Funny this time....
This is what happens when your child's teacher asks the class to draw a picture of something beginning with F.
Brought to you courtesy of Master Rory.
This is what happens when your child's teacher asks the class to draw a picture of something beginning with F.
Brought to you courtesy of Master Rory.
Thursday, February 01, 2018
The Difference A Year Makes
The first day of pre-primary (and full-time school) went a lot better than the first day of kindy last year.
This year, he was all smiles and keen to see his friends and start a new school year.
I'm sure the novelty will wear off when the tiredness sets in. But, for now, I'm just rejoicing at having a child who went to school (or did anything) with no dramas. It's nice to be in the other camp for a change.
This year, he was all smiles and keen to see his friends and start a new school year.
I'm sure the novelty will wear off when the tiredness sets in. But, for now, I'm just rejoicing at having a child who went to school (or did anything) with no dramas. It's nice to be in the other camp for a change.
Wednesday, January 03, 2018
Fast Away the Old Year Passes
I blinked and 2017 was gone.
It was a year of steady progress in some areas, and stalling in others.
It was a year of adjustment for my family, as we entered the school arena. Suddenly we could no longer take holidays at any time during the year (bar seeding and harvest) - we were confined to term times, like many of our friends. Rory's Kindy days were Tuesdays, Thursdays and every second Monday. This made mid-week trips to Albany impossible. I attempted a few daytrips on Wednesdays and that was exhausting.
After a difficult start, the biggest little man did very well. His teacher was very no-nonsense and he seemed to adapt well to her approach. He did things for her that I could never get him to do. He started Kindy not able to hold a pencil properly. Due to this, his arm would become tired while trying to write. I'd been trying to correct his grip for ages, but his teacher and the occupational therapist who visits the school corrected it within weeks. He has discovered that he CAN use scissors and that craft can actually be fun. But Rory is still very much a 'minimal effort' kinda guy in this area. He'd much rather be running around outside or doing puzzles.
Dealing with his tiredness and resulting tantrums has been a challenge. Term 1 was the most difficult, but it did get a bit easier as the year progressed. Still, I'm kind of dreading full-time pre-primary.
This may seem strange, but my surgery was the highlight of my year. That (and actually reducing my anti-depressants) have made a huge difference in my depression. No longer have I been self-conscious going down the street. After I'd had the surgery, Duncan confessed that many people in town have been asking them if I was pregnant (he quickly set them straight). This reinforced that I'd made the right decision to have the surgery.
The other highlight has been surviving seeding and harvest on my own, without needing house-help. I've had short visits from my mum, but other than that, I had a routine happening and I managed on my own (with God's help, of course). I think if harvest didn't fall around Christmastime it would be a LOT easier, as the added stress of the million end-of-year/Christmas events (which all seem to require you to bring a plate) get a bit much.
Sadly 2017 has seen the slow demise of this blog. I seem to have lost my passion. Whereas once my head was bursting with ideas for posts, now I'm lacking both inspiration and motivation. By the end of the day, I'm so tired, I can't be bothered starting up the computer to write a post. Plus, I have taken on a small paid admin role for Flynn's daycare, so that has taken up some of my time. I think the fact that many other blogs I have enjoyed over the years have slowed considerably or stopped has been a factor in my own lack of enthusiasm.
What will 2018 hold? Well, it has already got off to a less than ideal start with the death of Solomon, but there are still 362 days left for it to be a good one.
It was a year of steady progress in some areas, and stalling in others.
It was a year of adjustment for my family, as we entered the school arena. Suddenly we could no longer take holidays at any time during the year (bar seeding and harvest) - we were confined to term times, like many of our friends. Rory's Kindy days were Tuesdays, Thursdays and every second Monday. This made mid-week trips to Albany impossible. I attempted a few daytrips on Wednesdays and that was exhausting.
After a difficult start, the biggest little man did very well. His teacher was very no-nonsense and he seemed to adapt well to her approach. He did things for her that I could never get him to do. He started Kindy not able to hold a pencil properly. Due to this, his arm would become tired while trying to write. I'd been trying to correct his grip for ages, but his teacher and the occupational therapist who visits the school corrected it within weeks. He has discovered that he CAN use scissors and that craft can actually be fun. But Rory is still very much a 'minimal effort' kinda guy in this area. He'd much rather be running around outside or doing puzzles.
Dealing with his tiredness and resulting tantrums has been a challenge. Term 1 was the most difficult, but it did get a bit easier as the year progressed. Still, I'm kind of dreading full-time pre-primary.
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| Rory's Kindy 'graduation' |
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| One of the many Kindy creations - milk bottle top elephant |
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| One of Rory's paintings. Apparently it's a picture of Daddy haha |
This may seem strange, but my surgery was the highlight of my year. That (and actually reducing my anti-depressants) have made a huge difference in my depression. No longer have I been self-conscious going down the street. After I'd had the surgery, Duncan confessed that many people in town have been asking them if I was pregnant (he quickly set them straight). This reinforced that I'd made the right decision to have the surgery.
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| Flynn and I at a Melbourne Cup lunch |
The other highlight has been surviving seeding and harvest on my own, without needing house-help. I've had short visits from my mum, but other than that, I had a routine happening and I managed on my own (with God's help, of course). I think if harvest didn't fall around Christmastime it would be a LOT easier, as the added stress of the million end-of-year/Christmas events (which all seem to require you to bring a plate) get a bit much.
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| Flynn at the playgroup Christmas party |
Sadly 2017 has seen the slow demise of this blog. I seem to have lost my passion. Whereas once my head was bursting with ideas for posts, now I'm lacking both inspiration and motivation. By the end of the day, I'm so tired, I can't be bothered starting up the computer to write a post. Plus, I have taken on a small paid admin role for Flynn's daycare, so that has taken up some of my time. I think the fact that many other blogs I have enjoyed over the years have slowed considerably or stopped has been a factor in my own lack of enthusiasm.
What will 2018 hold? Well, it has already got off to a less than ideal start with the death of Solomon, but there are still 362 days left for it to be a good one.
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Paddington Bear Comes To Stay
In many kindergartens, the children have to take a toy (or even a class pet) home and take photos of everything the 'thing' did while they were with you. Rory's class has Paddington Bear (it is actually his teacher's own teddy). I'm very glad it wasn't a live animal; when I was at kindergarten back in the day, my class had a budgie. The poor thing must have been scared to death with all those kids!
Paddington Bear had to join in with everything Rory did for a week, from the mundane to the exciting.
Paddington Bear had to join in with everything Rory did for a week, from the mundane to the exciting.
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| Going for a drive on the farm in the ute. |
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| At Sunday School |
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| Having a teddy bears' picnic. |
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| Dinner time |
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| Flynn was quite taken with Paddington. |
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| Sunbaking in the canola. |
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Kindy Sports Day
The two kindergarten classes at Rory's school held their own sports day on the 12th October. While the rest of the school battled it out for medals, the kindy kids dressed in their faction colours (red, green or yellow) and had a taste of what faction carnivals would be about in years to come. There were no prizes; everyone was just encouraged to do their best. I was so proud of Rory, because he gave it a go. He's come a long way this year.
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| Relay |
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| He wasn't too keen on the sack race and needed a bit of help. |
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| Egg and spoon race |
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| Ooops...dropped it |
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| He has a hopper ball at home, but this one was bigger. |
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| Stacked it |
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| Tug-of-war against the other kindy class (Rory's class won). |
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Books and Chooks
Rory's school celebrated Book Week this week, and on Monday, all of the children (plus teachers) dressed up as a character from a book.
Of course Rory wanted to go as Thomas.
Since I knew I wouldn't be able to drive for a fair while after surgery, I needed to get a head start on it. I told Rory, "No changing your mind."
He didn't win a prize, but had a fantastic day. Thomas is looking a bit worse for wear though.
Later that afternoon, I made a sad discovery. Marilyn, my White Leghorn hen, was dead behind the perch. It seems that she must have died during the previous night and fallen off her perch.
Of course, Rory had to get on the bus the next morning and announce loudly, "Marilyn fell off her perch and broke her neck."
I'm not sure what the bus driver thought....
Of course Rory wanted to go as Thomas.
Since I knew I wouldn't be able to drive for a fair while after surgery, I needed to get a head start on it. I told Rory, "No changing your mind."
He didn't win a prize, but had a fantastic day. Thomas is looking a bit worse for wear though.
Later that afternoon, I made a sad discovery. Marilyn, my White Leghorn hen, was dead behind the perch. It seems that she must have died during the previous night and fallen off her perch.
Of course, Rory had to get on the bus the next morning and announce loudly, "Marilyn fell off her perch and broke her neck."
I'm not sure what the bus driver thought....
Friday, August 18, 2017
Friday, July 07, 2017
We Survived the First Semester
Rory survived and we survived the first semester of kindergarten.
Term 1 was more of a challenge. There were quite a few mornings that he screamed about having to put on his uniform and get on the bus. We didn't back down and eventually he settled and enjoyed going to school. He was an angel at school, according to his teacher, but on his 'home days' he was horrid. I think the tiredness of school and the bus trip, combined with the effort of being on his best behaviour all day meant that Mummy copped all of the pent up frustration. He threw some of the worst tantrums I've ever seen him throw during that first term.
Term 2 went a lot smoother. He made two friends in particular. One lives up the road from us, is on the same bus and at the same school, but is in the other kindy class. The other is in his class, but lives in town. During the term, the speech therapist he's seen off and on since he was two, came to the school regularly to help him with a slight stutter. He's also had visits at school from an occupational therapist to assist with his fine motor skills. Unfortunately, Rory doesn't have a lot of strength in his upper arms, so he needs to work on that, and that will help with his cutting, writing etc., so his arm doesn't get so tired.
I found him a few activity books for his age group on some of my opshopping adventures, and he loves nothing more than working his way through the different literacy and numeracy activities. He keeps asking for more books!
I loved seeing his portfolio he brought home on the last day of term. This is my favourite. He told me very excitedly, "I'm a rabbit, Mummy."
Term 1 was more of a challenge. There were quite a few mornings that he screamed about having to put on his uniform and get on the bus. We didn't back down and eventually he settled and enjoyed going to school. He was an angel at school, according to his teacher, but on his 'home days' he was horrid. I think the tiredness of school and the bus trip, combined with the effort of being on his best behaviour all day meant that Mummy copped all of the pent up frustration. He threw some of the worst tantrums I've ever seen him throw during that first term.
Term 2 went a lot smoother. He made two friends in particular. One lives up the road from us, is on the same bus and at the same school, but is in the other kindy class. The other is in his class, but lives in town. During the term, the speech therapist he's seen off and on since he was two, came to the school regularly to help him with a slight stutter. He's also had visits at school from an occupational therapist to assist with his fine motor skills. Unfortunately, Rory doesn't have a lot of strength in his upper arms, so he needs to work on that, and that will help with his cutting, writing etc., so his arm doesn't get so tired.
I found him a few activity books for his age group on some of my opshopping adventures, and he loves nothing more than working his way through the different literacy and numeracy activities. He keeps asking for more books!
I loved seeing his portfolio he brought home on the last day of term. This is my favourite. He told me very excitedly, "I'm a rabbit, Mummy."
Tuesday, February 07, 2017
Quote of the Day
This is my hope, prayer and desire for my boys as we start this new stage of life....school.
Don't become preoccupied with your child's academic ability, but, instead, teach them to sit with those sitting alone. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer their help. Teach them to be a friend to the lonely. Teach them to encourage others. Teach them to think about other people. Teach them to look for the good. This is how they will change the world.
- Unknown
Don't become preoccupied with your child's academic ability, but, instead, teach them to sit with those sitting alone. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer their help. Teach them to be a friend to the lonely. Teach them to encourage others. Teach them to think about other people. Teach them to look for the good. This is how they will change the world.
- Unknown
Thursday, February 02, 2017
The First Day of School Post Nobody Writes
Today was Rory's first day of kindergarten. I'm not trying to be a pessimist, but I haven't had high hopes for a smooth start since he attended orientation late last year. During both orientation sessions he clung to me, didn't want to play with other kids, and didn't want to do any of the activities. We've been trying to talk positively about school over the past few months, but he hasn't been very enthusiastic. He's been going to daycare one day a week since he was four months old, and since around the time he turned one, drop-offs are painful more often than not. But he ALWAYS has a good time there and plays with other kids, so I don't know what his problem is.
Even though I know him better than anyone but God, I struggle with knowing the right approach in parenting him. There's no doubt he has issues with anxiety, but he's also lazy (just calling a spade a spade). If he had his way, he'd still be in nappies and I'd still be spoon-feeding him! I still have daily battles with getting him to do tasks I know he can do - eating, putting his shoes on etc. ("I caaaaan't do it! It's too hard for me," is the common whine). Due to this I swing between being too tough and unsympathetic to just doing things for him, or not forcing him to do things because I've just had enough. There have been times where I've really done my block and regretted it afterwards. Sometimes I feel distant from him, because I just don't know how to help him. I know too well from personal experience at a young age that kids can be cruel. I don't want him to have to endure what I did. I want to help him overcome his fears NOW, so he doesn't have to face the ridicule. At times I feel like I'm reliving my own childhood through his anxiety. You'd think I'd be able to relate to how he feels, but sometimes I just can't.
So, today resulted in a meltdown when it came to putting on his school uniform and getting on the bus. I thought the bus ride would be ok since his best friend was already on the bus (his best friend is going to the Catholic school unfortunately, while Rory is at the public school), but nope. Duncan had to ride on the bus with him to calm him down. I drove into town with Flynn and Rory's big bag of stationery and met them both at the classroom. There were more tears when it was time to leave.
I spent the day sobbing...not because I'm one of those parents who can't let go, but because I felt so drained. I cancelled swimming lessons for him, since I just can't deal with the way he screams throughout every lesson. Dealing with school is enough for now.
Thankfully, he got off the bus this afternoon all smiles, and the comment from his teacher in his communication book said he'd cheered up after we left, played with other kids, did everything he was asked to do, and generally had a great day.
I'm grateful for other parents who have shared their own struggles with me. My Facebook newsfeed has been littered with photos of happy kids in uniforms and comments from parents, such as, "Jimmy has been looking forward to school for months," or "Sally had a great day, no tears, and actually told me to leave." It's a kick to the guts reading that and I've struggled with jealousy, raging at God about why, after everything I've been through, He has to give me difficult kids on top of that.
I love my kids more than all the hairs on all the bears, but parenting a sensitive, anxious child is just really hard work. There are people who'll imply that you're too harsh, and others will think you're too soft, and somehow you've got to ignore them all, and figure out what's best for your child when you don't even know what that is.
Somehow we'll get through this together, my boy.
Even though I know him better than anyone but God, I struggle with knowing the right approach in parenting him. There's no doubt he has issues with anxiety, but he's also lazy (just calling a spade a spade). If he had his way, he'd still be in nappies and I'd still be spoon-feeding him! I still have daily battles with getting him to do tasks I know he can do - eating, putting his shoes on etc. ("I caaaaan't do it! It's too hard for me," is the common whine). Due to this I swing between being too tough and unsympathetic to just doing things for him, or not forcing him to do things because I've just had enough. There have been times where I've really done my block and regretted it afterwards. Sometimes I feel distant from him, because I just don't know how to help him. I know too well from personal experience at a young age that kids can be cruel. I don't want him to have to endure what I did. I want to help him overcome his fears NOW, so he doesn't have to face the ridicule. At times I feel like I'm reliving my own childhood through his anxiety. You'd think I'd be able to relate to how he feels, but sometimes I just can't.
So, today resulted in a meltdown when it came to putting on his school uniform and getting on the bus. I thought the bus ride would be ok since his best friend was already on the bus (his best friend is going to the Catholic school unfortunately, while Rory is at the public school), but nope. Duncan had to ride on the bus with him to calm him down. I drove into town with Flynn and Rory's big bag of stationery and met them both at the classroom. There were more tears when it was time to leave.
I spent the day sobbing...not because I'm one of those parents who can't let go, but because I felt so drained. I cancelled swimming lessons for him, since I just can't deal with the way he screams throughout every lesson. Dealing with school is enough for now.
Thankfully, he got off the bus this afternoon all smiles, and the comment from his teacher in his communication book said he'd cheered up after we left, played with other kids, did everything he was asked to do, and generally had a great day.
I'm grateful for other parents who have shared their own struggles with me. My Facebook newsfeed has been littered with photos of happy kids in uniforms and comments from parents, such as, "Jimmy has been looking forward to school for months," or "Sally had a great day, no tears, and actually told me to leave." It's a kick to the guts reading that and I've struggled with jealousy, raging at God about why, after everything I've been through, He has to give me difficult kids on top of that.
I love my kids more than all the hairs on all the bears, but parenting a sensitive, anxious child is just really hard work. There are people who'll imply that you're too harsh, and others will think you're too soft, and somehow you've got to ignore them all, and figure out what's best for your child when you don't even know what that is.
Somehow we'll get through this together, my boy.
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