Pooh sticks

My boys make for two very high maintenance patients. They've both been miserably sick but the tears, tantrums and tandem night wakings have been wearing us down. Yesterday we took them on an impromptu drive in the country to the nearby town of Yass for a lazy Sunday lunch and play in the playground. The drive to Yass was lovely but just ten minutes after arriving at the playground Harry kicked off yet another tantrum and Jack soon joined in. We pulled the pin and headed straight home...with both of them screeching in unison. It was a loooong drive back!

Today we began implementing the systematic ignoring of poor behaviour. We've unintentionally encouraged Harry's incessant whining and tantrums with our responses and it crystal clear that its attention seeking behaviour. I am worried about Harry, there is a sadness that he carries now. He seems to have lost his spark and resilience. Jack of course, is simply following in his big brother's footsteps. Monkey see, monkey do. Its a fine line between giving extra comfort for all the stress and upset that the last few months have entailed...and indulging too much. Guilt has played a big part on my behalf. Guilt for turning their once very stable little routine on its head and guilt for being away from them for such long periods.

So...let's see how we go. Another lesson in patience for me.

In an effort to break free of the monotony of being stuck at home, I also decided to systematically ignore all the housework today and took the boys down to our local park to sail leaf boats in the pebble creek. It was a gorgeous day for it and I'm really glad we were out enjoying the sunshine. I am relishing the simple moments with my boys. Watching them both peering over the bridge to see whose leaf boat would come out first was precious. Just like Winnie the Pooh & Piglet playing Pooh Sticks. Such moments are what I treasure most.

 

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