Barbie....A girly bedroom must have

I have died and gone to decorators heaven. I have just stumbled upon these limited edition Barbie prints at Layla Grayce.    They would ALL be just perfect for Miss A's very girly, very classic nursery.  The one above would have to be a favourite, as I can not have them all (well I could but I am sure my bank account would say no).  She is a Barbie in a garden dress.  So 1950's. So feminine and elegant.  Of course of all the pieces "she" is the most expensive. They would be an investment.  All money raised goes to a good cause.  They are timeless.  A Heirloom.  A piece of history.  They are a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Now off to practice my best "I have to have it" speech to convince the husband.  Check them out at Layla Grace

It started with a kiss.  Then a hug, a wave goodbye and then...the inevitable tears, and that was just from me!  As a teacher, I am a seasoned expert at first day jitters but sending my first born off to childcare for the first time was an experience filled with unexpected anxiety.  Suddenly it was me on the receiving end of the teachers words of He will be fine.  I know he will be, but what about me!!!

The transition to a new childcare, kindergarten or school can be a traumatic challenging time for children and parents.  However with some simple preparation there are many ways to smooth the transition.

1. Start Early.  Be sure to check out as many centres/schools as possible.  Most places have long waiting lists so to ensure you get a place at the centre you are most comfortable with book early.  Ask other parents in your area about your local centres but be sure to check them out yourself.  Arrive unannounced to be sure to get a realistic view of the daily environament.  Once you have made your decision, visit the centre.  For the first visit, go without your child and get a “feel” for the place.  Meet the teacher, find some things that you know that your child will like. Maybe it has great outdoor equipment, a favourite toy, a friend they already know.  This is the information gathering stage.  The more information you have, the more you can tell your child and the better prepared they will be.

1. Communicate.  Tell your child what is happening.   “Talk up” the transition.  Children hear more than we realise and will sense your anxiety or other negative feelings.  No matter how nervous you are make your child feel comfortable about the transition by making it an exciting occasion.  Emphasize the positives.  Tell them about their teacher, talk about the great things that they will do there and the new friends they will make.  Remind them they are not alone and that many other children will be going through the same experience.  Read books about starting new things. Whilst talking up the situation also be clear and realistic about with what will be happening.  Let them know that the childcare/school is just for kids,  Mums and Dad’s can’t stay with them, but they will be back to pick them up.  The more information they have about what to expect the more prepared they will be for the experience.  

3. Visit.  Most centres/schools have transition programs in place, that include visits and play dates.  Be sure to use these as many times as you can.   Ultimately the aim is for the child to be comfortable enough with their surroundings to be left alone for a whole day, but don’t try to do this straight away.  Have the child visit with Mum or Dad and have a play.    Have a play date, where you leave the child for an hour or two, even if you just go to another room, for this time.  Ask if why you are filling out forms in the office, if the child can play for a few minutes in the classroom.   The more familiar the child is with the environment and people the more comfortable they will feel on the first day.

4. The First day.  Make it a special occasion.  Perhaps a special breakfast or new outfit to mark the occasion.  Allow yourself plenty of time, you don’t want to have to “stop and drop” or rush the moment.  When you arrive, find the teacher and say hello.  That way the teacher is aware that your child is there and will be able to help with the separation.  Find something you know your child will enjoy and try and get them involved in an activity.  Distraction can be your best friend. Stay a few minutes but don’t drag it out.  Say goodbye, but make it quick.  Don’t sneak off without saying goodbye as this can create even more tears.  A quick hug, a reminder that you will be back, have a great day, I can’t wait to hear all about it.  Stay calm, save your tears for the car!!!

5.  Stay Calm and Carry On.  Separation Anxiety.  What to do when there is a problem.

There may be tears but these are generally short lived.  I have never had a child cry for more than 20 minutes after the parents have left.  If you must, call later to see how your child is doing but trust in your child's carer that if they are really distraught they will call you.  If your child seems very upset do not give in!  Stick to your guns.  Stay positive say goodbye and GO!  As hard as it will be, walk away.  Dragging out the goodbye will only make the situation worse in the long run!

This is the first of many “new experiences” in your childs life.

Forget the apples... A Teachers Gift

World Teacher's Day Presents!

This week, our childcare centre and many others are celebrating "Childcare Workers Week".

It also coincides with "World Teacher's Day" on the 29th of October, the last Friday in October.

The rest of the world celebrates this day earlier in October, but as Australians are generally on school holidays at this time the date in Australia has been moved to compensate.

As a teacher I know how hard it can be to take care of children day in and day out.  Even more so for our childcare workers who are paid substantially less, work longer hours and care for younger children who are VERY demanding (yes my child included)!!!  Every time I drop Oliver off I am so grateful for the wonderful staff at his centre.  He runs to hug them each morning, they are firm and fair, nurturing and friendly.

They are deserving of so much but we thought we would put together a little thought for each of them.

My inspiration for this idea came from the always inspiring 

Little Pumpkin Grace

(while you are there check out the  very clever Alphabet Vase! It is on my to do list!)

I loved the "smarties and sharpies" idea but I am afraid the Australian "smarties" would melt too quickly!  So after lolly hunting (any excuse) I came up with using Jelly Babies to resemble all the little people they care for every day and a candle for the way they encourage our little peoples lights to shine!

 You take one jar (I bought this one from a Dollar Shop)

 A candle with glass container

 A bag of Jelly Babies (there should be enough so that sneaky fingers can have a few!)

What are you doing Oliver?  - Nothing!

Mummy: "Oliver that's enough lollies!"

Oliver: "I am not eating them, I am just smelling them!"  Sure you are!

 Line the jar with "Jelly Babies"

Place the candle in the glass centre.

 I traced around the lid of jar and using some scrapbooking paper, covered the lid.  

I added the initial of each of Oliver's Teachers.

I tied some ribbon around the outside.

and attached a card.....

"Thank you for nurturing our "baby" (the Jelly Babies)

You are so generous, caring and kind

But most of all we thank you

For letting his little light shine" (the candle)

One of the best Christmas presents I ever received as a teacher, 

was a handmade, scrapbooked, tin! (Full of chocolates of course!)

That tin has come in handy for so many things, year after year.

The candle will hopefully come in handy on a prayer table or even to take home.

I hope Oliver's teachers will be able to use the jar for school supplies, nick naks or even beter as a sneaky lolly jar, we all need one of those, but teachers need them twice as much!

"We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit." 

Robert H. Shaffer

The Death of the Cling Wrapped Peanut Butter Sandwich

The New Breed of Lunch Boxes

I am in mourning.  It appears, my worst fears have been confirmed.  I have officially witnessed, the death of the traditional school lunch.   A peanut butter sandwich, wrapped in cling wrap  complimented with a packet of chips and a popper full of juice.   It was not a quick death but more a drawn out process of policies and protocols resulting in  a gradual alienation of the old favourites.  I am not sure where it started.  For the past few years, as a teacher, we have encouraged healthy lunches.    So I guess the "saturated fat in a bag" chips were the first to make their departure.  Then it was the allergies.  We became a "nut free" school.  At first this seemed like an impossible idea.  But now the reality is that 90% of childcare/kindergarten/schools are nut free.  So say goodbye to Peanut Butter (and nuttella, meusli bars and even tiny teddies!).  Now as our planet suffocates under a sea of discarded cling wrap and plastic straws even the humble cling wrapped sandwich has seen its last days. "Rubbish or Litter Free" lunch boxes are now the norm.

I have watched as this has happened, as a teacher, and been baffled by the ability of parents to continue to produce wonderful lunches under such limitations.  But now it's my turn and I am desperatley seeking a life raft!  Reading Master O's Kindy Handbook (again) I am pondering what on earth I am going to pack him for lunch.  It must be

"a healthy lunchbox"

"no youghrt, meusli bars, sweet biscuits, cakes, sweets"

"no packaged drinks"

"no peanut butter, nutella, mixed nuts, foods containing peanut oil"

and due to sustainable practices

"no packaging"!!!

So it is time for me to "keep calm and carry on"  bury my old ideas and resurrect a new style of lunch.

Of course armed with a cyberspace of information this process was not as hard as I initially thought.

I started with a lunchbox, that would allow me to pack a "litter-free" lunch.

The best options I found are "Bento Style" lunch boxes.  A plastic lunch box that usually has three compartments inside.  As I am not the first Mother on this quest the suppliers were plenty.

Tupperware. www.tupperware.com.au

The Sandwich Keeper Plus (5). Retails for $28.95.  

Has a large compartment for a sandwich and two smaller compartments. Dishwasher Safe. Life time Guarantee

Nude Food Movers. www.nudefoodmovers.com

Lunchbox,  with cool skin and Bottle Pack. $27.26

Large 3 Compartment Lunch box with 2 extra round containers.

Ecoessentials. www.ecoessentials.com.au 

Goodbyn lunch box. $45. 

Many compartments, including a space for a drink bottle. Dishwasher Safe. BPA Free, even comes with stickers to decorate/personalise the drink bottle.

Compartmentalized Lunch Boxes

EasyLunch Boxes.comThese Bento style lunch boxes retail for a pack of 4 for $13.95.

  Dishwasher safe.  Add International Postage to cost of about $16.

Check out her blog!  I just love the lunch box ideas and photo gallery!

Now for what to put in them!  Once again a simple google of lunch box ideas gave me more ideas than I could imagine including photos!

My favourite is definitely

http://easylunchboxes.smugmug.com/The-Best-Lunchbox-System/Yummy-Lunch-Ideas

But also check out

Fresh for Kids

Lastly for fun check out these creative Mum's lunchboxes!!!

http://www.bentolunch.net/search/label/easylunchboxes

http://www.anotherlunch.com

I am now truly motivated to make some "nut, packaging, sugar free" creative lunches that will leave that peanut butter sandwich for dead!

The Cubeo

The Cubeo

An inky scrawl across your hand.  A sticky note.  A piece of red string tied to a finger.  Our memory is such a fleeting thing.  Sometimes despite our best efforts and crazy methods, we just don't remember that oh so important thing.    We lose precious time running home to get something.  The inconvenience or even embarrassment at not having that important item needed that day.   If your day was already off to a bad start this is the final straw. And that is just how we feel as adults! 

For kids it is just as hard.  In the chaos of the morning routine it is all to easy to forget the home reader or remember that Wednesday is Library day or even worse forget your school hat.  No hat, no play, no fun today!  A meltdown can ensue or even worse detention over the forgotten homework!

Two Mums have come up with perfect solution.... The Cubeo

"The Cubeo" is.... well..... a cube! A customisable small plastic cube that hangs off a child's backpack, to help remind them of everything they need to take to and from school.  A front window displays the items the child needs for any particular day.  Inside the cube are customisable, drop down cards for each day of the week.  Just customise your child's schedule with the various stickers for homework, library, P.E, swimming, even notes for the teacher or remembering to take important medication.   Small and colourful they would be suitable for any age group and would help avoid the hugely embarrassing visit to school from your Mother when you have forgotten something!

These "New Inventors" have been there.  Working mothers, Gail and Kathryn from Organise Easy,  saw a need for a tool to help their children stay organised and so the Cubeo was born.  A clever, child centric product I will have to make a mental note to buy one for Mr O when he starts school.  Or perhaps I will just scrawl it across my hand....