After growing up in a house full of girls (7 girls to be exact), you can imagine that getting married and living with a "boy", and then having 2 sons, could come as somewhat of a shock. The images of the quiet afternoon 'rest' time i had always envisioned.....with my kids doing something quiet while i read or scrapbooked.....very quickly......disappeared.
I can remember being 'just a little shocked at the never ending supply of energy that came with having sons. and YES I admit, it took me a little while to figure it all out (for now that is) and learn what to do to manage 'crazy boy time' - generally between 4-5pm daily. funnily enough, I look back now and laugh because they weren't actually as extreme as I thought, I just 'didn't know' about boys, ya know? I've often heard it said, that kids are like puzzles. You just have to work out where their pieces go and hopefully everything will then fall into place. So now that i am somewhat of an experienced 'mother of sons' i've sussed out a few of OUR most important puzzle pieces so to speak (i'm talking pure 'energy' control pieces here, nothing emotional, spiritual etc).
First, the 'energy release' piece. I need to get those boys doing something that will allow them to 'burn-baby-burn'. I notice such a difference when the boys have a chance to do their boy thing - rough, tough, wrestle and play, but if that doesn't work, a good jump on the tramp should do it. The second piece is structured activities.....4 o'clock craft (yes even busy boys can love craft) playdoh, puzzle races, games, baking, or whatever - something organised and fun (we have an AWESOME book called '500 TV free activities'. i love it. the boys love it. and the third piece is TIME. It's so easy to be distracted with other responsibilities, that i often have to check myself and make sure i'm doing things WITH the boys (like the structured activities) - again, they love it. i love it.
I can remember being 'just a little shocked at the never ending supply of energy that came with having sons. and YES I admit, it took me a little while to figure it all out (for now that is) and learn what to do to manage 'crazy boy time' - generally between 4-5pm daily. funnily enough, I look back now and laugh because they weren't actually as extreme as I thought, I just 'didn't know' about boys, ya know? I've often heard it said, that kids are like puzzles. You just have to work out where their pieces go and hopefully everything will then fall into place. So now that i am somewhat of an experienced 'mother of sons' i've sussed out a few of OUR most important puzzle pieces so to speak (i'm talking pure 'energy' control pieces here, nothing emotional, spiritual etc).
First, the 'energy release' piece. I need to get those boys doing something that will allow them to 'burn-baby-burn'. I notice such a difference when the boys have a chance to do their boy thing - rough, tough, wrestle and play, but if that doesn't work, a good jump on the tramp should do it. The second piece is structured activities.....4 o'clock craft (yes even busy boys can love craft) playdoh, puzzle races, games, baking, or whatever - something organised and fun (we have an AWESOME book called '500 TV free activities'. i love it. the boys love it. and the third piece is TIME. It's so easy to be distracted with other responsibilities, that i often have to check myself and make sure i'm doing things WITH the boys (like the structured activities) - again, they love it. i love it.
so what does all this mean. spending time with the boys and allowing them to 'burn off a little energy' equals two happy boys and one happy Mum. Most the time that is :)
no post about 'boys being boys' would be complete without pictures like these.....when i call their names and they see the camera, they almost always instinctively do something crazy. ahhhh they make me laugh. I love these funny/crazy boys.
don't ask me what Zahn is doing here........i guess it's his crazy/extremely happy face?????
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1 comment:
You are such a good Mother Felicity, I love reading your blog because you inspire me to be better - and you are so RIGHT! I love lose crazy boys of yours too! The photo's are hilarious!
Love you,
Emma :)
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