Thursday, July 29, 2010

Parenting

Two posts in one day - who knew!!  


I have just returned from a talk at Fruit's school where Nikki Bush (http://www.brightideasoutfit.com/) spoke on how to parent amid the clutter and choas. 


What an enlightening talk. I am pasting below a portion of the book cover: 


 “Stop the world, I want to get off!” is the regular refrain of time-pressured parents today. “Give me an experience and I’ll promise you a relationship,” is the mantra of their children. The world has changed. The future has changed. Childhood is changing. Raising children has never been more challenging – or potentially rewarding.
It is increasingly obvious that the world into which our young children will enter as adults, somewhere between 2020 and 2030, will be nothing like the world their parents grew up in, or even the world we currently inhabit. We need a better understanding of the world of the future in order to prepare our children in a relevant way and to ‘future-proof’ them. Future-proof your Child is a very different kind of parenting book. While it contains many useful practical hints and tips, it also focuses on the context for parenting and child development today. It convinces 21st-century parents of the essential need to change their approach to parenting future generations. This book will assist you to create a framework for your parenting experience as you embark on the highly personal adventure of raising children who will thrive in the future. It is relevant, accessible, practical and inspirational. It will take you back in time and forward into the future to help you make the best choices for your children now!
Future-proof your Child highlights the critical importance of making choices, having conversations, and consciously connecting with tomorrow’s children today.

We focused on the areas of where we can protect our children with regards to the amount of Screen time they get.  They are bombarded with images and brands as they are targeted by the Marketing companies to get us to spend our money (on things we don't really need) to achieve the marketed lifestyle. It goes on about how tv, dvds, internet, games etc can effect your child and how you as the parent can be the door to keep your child protected.  She is not saying NO TV or PC but moderation and limit what they watch as it will effect them in one way or the other but they do  need it, as it is the way the world is going and your child will be left behind.   We need to look at Clutter in their lives in a new way.

I have bought the book and am looking very forward to reading it.  I feel I only have one chance to  get this Parenting role right and am afraid there is no clean slate to start over again.  I take this role more seriously than I have taken anything else.  I hope you see it the same

While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about.

When I had a child, I thought I would never be able to be the mother I want to be and then she allowed me to spend the time and be a child with her.



or remembering that laughing is good fun.


and now she is 5 and we do it all the time


and I hope it never stops..............

To all you moms out there - release your inner child.  Its very liberating.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Tiger, Tiger burning bright...

So after all the world cup madness (and brilliance), and various tourists asking us 'Do we have wild animals roaming around?' (chuckle) - our obvious answers were No, but as of Tuesday night we do have wild animals roaming, except the animal is question is not native to South Africa, and is very endangered and believe or not its a Tiger.

He is 17 months old and called Panjo and was being transported to the Vet in a bakkie (a flatbed) with a canopy, which opened and out Jumped the tiger, unknown to its owners.  So now it is Wednesday Night and Panjo is still missing.

What a shame for the Tiger who must terrified and afraid and not to mention hungry (which raises some scary questions!!)

So while the rescue teams (all volunteers), and emergency services scan the environment and try to find it before it is too late for someone or the tiger itself - you have to ask "What are the repercussions for the owners and the questions that will be asked.  And who fits the enormous bill......

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