love is patient, love is kind.

So the boys drawing extravaganza continued today with this addition to our living room wall:

The usual Monday routine followed and today's activities got me thinking: Just because they can, doesn't mean they should. Just some thoughts but it seems to me that we, including myself, are keen for our children to do things far sooner than they are ready for. Extreme examples of this are: just because a child can be a soldier doesn't mean they should, or just because a child can fit up a chimney doesn't mean they should. Today's observations include To do things on their own. To stand in line. To have perfect manners. To be calm and reasonable at all times. To sit for long periods of time. To wait their turn. And for Plum: to cry herself to sleep. To go four hours between feeds. To be in bed before 7. Many of these things are acceptable adult behaviours which one day we would like children to be able to do. But does it have to be today? Many children are able to if we force them (like the child who is sent to nursery so that they can get used to it before going to school, even though it's another two years away) or coerce them or bribe them or threaten them but does that make it right? Is it our fear that they might not do these things in 15 years time or our need for them to fit in and not be a problem when we're out in public? 

Not sure I have any answers but am starting to become a little more relaxed and following my children's lead. If they want me to help them I will, even though I know they've done it themselves a hundred times before, today is different, today they are tired or ill or just need to feel a bit closer to me. I'm starting to question when things are absolutely necessary and does it matter if ...?
We're out and about enough to know that we have to queue sometimes, that adults eat at a table and chat for hours afterwards (almost always at my in-laws!), that mummy and daddy don't scream and shout and paddy on the floor, and one day they will be grown up too. And hopefully by following our example and without the bribe, coercion or threat but with love and patience and kindness.

The family looking at a parrot in a cage at the zoo by Bean

Stuart Little by Pumpkin

Love, laughter and lunch

Pumpkin is 3 years old and is full of fun. His days are full of laughter. He's a little bit cheeky and constantly trying to work out what makes other people laugh and how to be funny. His smile is big and is laugh is loud! He thinks most things in life are funny or to be laughed at and has some very comical moves. Equally his cry is cosmic, everything is in life is dramatic and the deep end of the pool is always the best! 

Pumpkin also openly loves his family. Like everything else it is not done by halves. He follows his big brother round and watches him intently. He can't abide those he loves being upset and will do anything to make them happy...even change his mind about what he wants to do. His little sister is never short of hugs and kisses or a hand to hold. 


And lastly, but by no means least is Pumpkin's view, food is a central part of his day. "I'm hungry" must be the most common words he says. Like a Hobbit, a day is not complete without two breakfasts, plus a mid morning snack, followed by lunch. The meals are in no way diminished because of the in between grazing and there is relatively little he wont eat. 

Pumpkin definitely lives by these rules:

 “You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, 
Love like you'll never be hurt, 
Sing like there's nobody listening, 
And live like it's heaven on earth.”