A poem for parents

Just something I came across in a local publication and thought maybe I should remember when I feel like putting my gorgeous toddler up for auction on ebay!

A poem for parents

If you RESPECT me,
I will hear you.

If you LISTEN to me,
I will feel understood.

If you UNDERSTAND me,
I will feel appreciated

If you APPRECIATE me,
I will know your support.

If you SUPPORT me as I try new things,
I will become responsible.

When I am RESPONSIBLE,
I will grow to be independent.

In my INDEPENDENCE,
I will respect you and love you all my life.

What children teach you...

I ran a storytelling workshop on Sunday for children. How humbling! I was well and truly reminded that children are natural storytellers - we don't need to teach them to use their imaginations. They do that all the time before we, more often than not, impose straightjackets on them in one form or another.

All these children needed was help on projecting themselves, making eye contact, keeping the story timely - but not a lot else. Give them some confidence and they're off.

Cinderella with A Modern Twist was a revelation...she goes to the royal disco in an orange limo with green exhaust fumes. Well, what else would you expect if a carrot is used as the starting material, we were told by the young storyteller aged just 9 years old.

Then there was Jack and The Beanstalk where Jack hid from the giant in Tescos plastic bags. Reusables would be so much better because they just wouldn't rustle as much! Again the young storyteller's spontaneous additions to the story were the best moments.

I think children can always teach us...