The Tranquil Treehouse

Have you ever said to your child, “Right, come on, we’re late. Let’s go now!” Then an almighty tantrum has ensued? This usually ends in tears (yours and theirs sometimes!) and you think, why can they never just stop and do what I’ve said?
This is why...
... This cartoon illustrates it beautifully.
Children need time to swap from tasks they are completely engrossed in. Their brain needs enough time to adjust.
Time warnings...”You have 5 more minutes.” ...aren’t great for younger children. They have no concept of time.
Try, “Two more turns on the slide.” “You can add 5 more pieces of Lego.”
Talk through what you are doing. “Now, Mammy is getting her bag ready and shoes, because we are heading out really soon. Are you all ready to go like Mammy?”
Older children do understand time, but they need regular countdowns, even teenagers sometimes!
“Ok, we need to leave in 20 minutes. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get changed.” “Now we have 10 minutes. Do you have anything ready?” “Last 5 minute warning. Make sure you have everything you need.”
Yes, it takes more time and effort in the short-term, but it’s better than having a meltdown 30 seconds before you leave the house making you all late!
Soon, they will get it and will be ready when you need them to be.
It’s training, skill-building and practice.
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If you’re worried about your school-aged children forgetting everything they’ve been taught in the summer holidays...don’t.
Have fun with this ‘intensive curriculum,’ to make sure they don’t fall behind 😉

In my pre-teen/teen class last week we were talking about self-esteem and how we feel when someone gives us a compliment.
We then discussed some of the compliments we had received and if we believed them or not. We linked this to self-esteem and thought about the fact that sometimes other people see something beautiful in us, even if we don’t see it ourselves.
We realised that when someone gives us a genuine compliment, it stays with us in our heart. We remember it and it mak...es us feel good every time we think about it. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
So that was their homework...to give a genuine compliment to someone this week and notice how it makes them feel.
Simple words can mean so much. 💚
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If you feel like the academic year has been frantic for your child (and you!), during the summer holidays, try to cut back on some of the scheduled activities.
Sometimes this is difficult, especially if parents are working, but if at all possible, give your child a simple summer.
Let them play, explore, be curious, have adventures, be creative, relax and most importantly, just be children. 💚
... #asimplesummer
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Empathy is a skill. We can build on it.
Having and showing empathy towards our children is a powerful tool in our parenting tool-kit.

Focus on the child in front of you today.

We need to think very carefully about the way we label children. Language is so powerful.
Language brings connection but it can equally bring distance and disconnection.
We need to be mindful of the words we use when talking to our children and describing them to others (e.g. friends, teachers, grandparents, doctors etc.), especially if they are present with us.

Perfect! 💚

If you have little children, this is probably something you have noticed...the fear of the hand-dryer in public toilets!
It is also something to be aware of if your child is about to start school in September or move to a different part of the school building.
Years ago, there was a lovely Reception boy in my former school who started having regular ‘toilet accidents’ from the minute he began in September. His Mum couldn’t work out what was happening because he loved school ...and didn’t seem to have any other concerns. She just put it down to the transition from Nursery to ‘big school.’ Then by about Christmas, his teacher figured out that he was terrified of the hand-dryer so he didn’t want to even go in the toilets. The poor little boy had suffered for about three months from daily toileting accidents because of the noise levels!
This article explains more about the decibel levels of hand-dryers and how it sounds to a child because of their height. So if your little one is complaining about the noise, please validate their feelings and find an alternative. It’s a real thing!
https://www.cbc.ca/…/calgary-student-no ra-keegan-hand-dyer-…
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Thank you 🙏🏼

💚

Our children are still learning. Their brain hasn’t fully developed yet and won’t until they are 24 years old.
We, on the other hand, are fully-developed citizens. Therefore, we should be able to behave like an adult at all times. But why is it so hard to do that, especially around our children?
Because sometimes we are triggered by someone or stressed by something or tired or hungry or over-worked or under-paid etc etc. There are a million reasons why we don’t behave the wa...y we should.
But we need to also remember that our children have a million reasons too and their reasons are probably more valid because they haven’t fully evolved yet.
So, it is our job to take the higher path. We are our child’s guiding light.
Even if our child is disrespecting us in the moment, we can be respectful.
Show them the behaviour we want to see and they will mirror it back to us 💚
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Show kindness...always. 💚

My view from the office today 😉
I love coming down to the North York Moors and working with the pupils in 2 lovely rural schools! I always get a wonderful welcome.
I taught both schools outside in their fabulous school fields and then a collective assembly to celebrate International Yoga Day!
... What could be better?
I’m grateful for a fantastic end to the week!
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Happy Summer Solstice! 🌞💚🌳