An individual story.

The theme of stories continues....
All three of my children are completely different. Each of them tells their own very unique story. My eldest, SW (age12),  is the comedian, my middle son, DJ (age 8), the scholar and my youngest son, IR (age4) the acrobat. Each experience they gain opens a new story for them and sometimes when relaying it, it can get more funny, more dramatic and more exciting.

I enjoy spending time with the children and I think the aspect I find difficult in this Role of Mother, is learning how to split my time (or myself) three ways.

When all three of them want to share something its like a race to see who can tell me the loudest and the quickest....My hands go up in the air and whoa....SW may go silent whilst the other two do their best to persist and tell their story. Eventually, my words break through...who spoke first?
I am attempting to teach my children to listen to each others stories so we can all learn together. Its a work in progress LOL.


One way of ensuring some quality time with each of the children is to let them choose an activity that they want to learn.  

Last year SW shared that he wanted to go to bowls. Its not like tenpin bowling. The balls are called  'woods'.  They are weighted and you have to be quite precise how you 'deliver' them to the 'Jack'. To see such a drama loving boy become calm and focused when doing an activity was wonderful. He chose to add to his story this year when he made it to the semifinals of the junior competition.
He learned how to perform, how to overcome nerves how to remain focused and how to do his best by appreciating the experience.
At the end, he played his last match against the reigning champion. He knew it would be a fine thing for him to win yet he played the best match he had played that day. At the end of it all he shook hands and raised his hands above his head to us in a sign of victory. He did really well to get to this point.

 DJ and IR had been indifferent about watching SW at the begininng. They had brought activities to amuse themselves whilst the competition was underway but soon tired of them. As the competition went on they began to sit and were less like monkeys mad about a bunch bananas. By the end of the match they sat watching. Impressed and quiet when the photos were taken by the newspaper asking for me to take one too. They were happy for their brother.
 SW chose this experience, this new chapter to his story. What also impressed me is that by the end of the matches, his brothers were quietly observing and supporting SW also. His story is bigger than perhaps he realises.

I think when we support our kids in those activities that they want to invest their time in, they are rewarded most and so are we.

Story time.

If there is one time in the day that I look forward to more than ever it is story time. We get to cuddle up and become part of a make believe world. There are times the cuddles don't happen as they sit in their bunk beds creating stories with me together.
Our favourite one is about a blue dog called Ned, (our dog is called Ned.) The children make things happen and involve themselves in their characters. One choosing to be a snow leopard and the other a cat, a blue one.

We love reading regular story books too and there is always a flavour of the month....
This months is called Shall We Do That Again? Its about a little brown mouse who spends the day with her Mum. They play all through the day and the little one wants to keep playing but eventually realises she has to sleep.

Now, if I can teach them or at least guide them to connect with this dreaming part of themselves, where they can create anything they want then I am sure they can only grow in confidence and competence. I believe in them and perhaps all they need is to feel that belief from me, I dunno but it works for me...
I shall continue to read, create, share, dream and believe in them....whatever age they may be.
Children have got the best imaginations and dreams ever...
...its worth taking the time to listen, its amazing what they can teach you.