let's play

homeschooling?

One of the books I’ve been dying to finish is John Holt’s Learning All The Time. I picked up the name after doing a bit of research on the matter of learning. Not the ABC 123 kind of learning but a different kind. The honest kind. The no pressure kind.

Now Georgie’s becoming more and more aware of his surroundings and beginning to need more stimulation, I worry that what I am providing is not enough. I hear about parents teaching their kids to recite the alphabet by the age of two! This scares me. Not just because it’s feckin freaky but also because I secretly feel inadequate and stupid for allowing my child to play with the dog instead of shoving a book up his nose. I’m not belittling anyone here but that just doesn’t seem natural to me. The same way the schooling system doesn’t. Why are we making learning an obligation instead of a basic instinct?

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August 22, 2012 by
on our island

mummy and papa go solo

     Agia Napa was chosen as the perfect location to spend time on our own. Georgie, it was decided, would spend a whole week with his grandparents in the mountains. Two more days than the time we flew to Brussels, which meant I was dreading the separation anxiety attack. Oddly, it never came. Perhaps because I knew he was within distance therefore could see him if I felt like it- and of course, assuming I was willing to drive for three hours. On the third day we did just that. We visited him for the day, which completely threw him off because that evening, after we had left, he threw a couple of tantrums and wouldn’t settle down after his bath. With good reason though. Seven days is a long time to be away from my child. I began feeling anxious, guilty and depressed last night, before we picked him up. I had enjoyed myself thoroughly and was so very proud of finishing two books while lazying around on the beach and snorkeling… but-excuse the pun- I was like a fish out of water.      But somehow I managed to do exactly what I wanted to do. It was truly a relaxing time spent with good friends and nights out. Candlelight dinners and late evening departures from the beach. Boutique hotels and long chats.Movies at midnight and Oreos!      …to papa!    Would you believe me if i told you THIS kept me going all day? Probably my favorite part of the whole week.     Now let’s get back to business. . . easier said than done. READ MORE
August 19, 2012 by
Motherhood

Gathering thoughts

These links caught my eye. I thought they would make for a great upcoming holiday online gorge session i have planned for when I’m lounging on the beach or by the pool.

I loved this. Best book closing lines.

Things aren’t well on Planet Earth. We know that. Doesn’t hurt to be reminded though.

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August 10, 2012 by
let's play, on our island

holiday mix

   Life has been good this past week. We headed to the mountains on Sunday, where Georgie will also be spending a week with his grandparents while mummy and papa get some alone time. We found a gorgeous tavern sitting on a mountaintop complete with a treehouse and really good food. I think it’s called Adventure or something. There’s also a paintball field and ice rink. It’s just outside the village of Kyperounda.   The next day we went to the beach and stayed there for three days. I’m not kidding. We were at the beach ALL DAY. With the exception of naps and rest, for the most of our little holiday Georgie was covered in sunscreen and sand. Pity I forgot to be so vigilant with myself- I haven’t been sunburnt in years and now I’m heading into my thirties I’m pretty sure signals bad news for my skin. But thankfully, nothing affected us, not even Georgie’s routine being thrown off. My little dude was in a delightful mood and enjoyed everything. From the different types of food he tried for the first time- salmon sashimi and prawn crackers!- to his very first roller coaster ride and carousel ride. And yes, I was the goofy mummy with her iPhone taking pictures and recording videos that I’ll probably never watch because you can’t actually see Georgie.  READ MORE
August 9, 2012 by
Motherhood

waterworld

    I wasn’t too keen on the idea of taking Georgie to a waterpark- a wild toddler amongst swimming pools is what I call NERVE-WRACKING!-but I am so glad we did. It’s a new family ‘tradition’ we have had every summer for the past six years-maybe even more and this was our first time as parents -last year at only five months old, Georgie stayed home. It was also the first time Georgie felt the flutter of jumping into a swimming pool. He kicked his legs and stretched his little arms. These moments… READ MORE
August 4, 2012 by

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