Willow came back from day-care very excited. She is my 4 four-year-old granddaughter. She and Jessie, her best friend, were asked to build a house. They put in cushions for the walls to keep safe, they said. Then a blanket for a roof to keep off the rain. Then Willow told her mum, “We put in a makeup table so we could put our lipstick on and perfume.” I laughed when I heard this. The essentials that Willow thought were needed.  It made me think of what truly is essential? Especially since recently Bruce, my husband, and I moved house and we were packing or throwing away what we thought we needed.  What is…

The rumbles I had in the stomach were not good. The tiredness and light-headedness that came in waves showed no signs of abating, which again were not good. I could not be sick now! I had too much to do! We were moving house. There was the final packing, the organising and then the cleaning. But sometimes in life you cannot pick and choose. I just had to go with what was presented to me. Thank goodness for kind workers who work for my husband and the wonderful children I have! I did as much as I could in between sitting on the couch or running to relieve my stomach.…

The little one burst into tears as I stood and said goodbye. Lately this is the occurrence whenever anyone leaves, even if just an acquaintance leaves the room. So, a lot of reassuring and stating that the person will be back…… And then stating when you do return… “see I told you I was coming back.” A building up of soothing words, a developing trust in our word, being diligent in returning when you say you will and being consistent all helps for the child to learn and trust. This is a stage of development that many children go through. A separation anxiety due to emotional attachment to the particular…

The words drifted down to my ears from three rows away. The voice was soothing but firm. “You are not a dummy; you just need to be shown.” stated Carol.  Then not long after, on another call, the response was, “Don’t talk to yourself like that! You can do it. I will guide you.” Again, words of comfort to the receiver on the other end of the phone call. It made me reflect – who are you a cheer squad for? Do you stand on the sidelines and just watch, or do you do what you can do even if it is just words of encouragement?  The scripture Isaiah 40:28-29…

Melissa, my second eldest daughter, headed for bed herself after putting her four children to bed. What a day! As she started to feel herself winding down, she heard a noise in the room and soon felt a little body snuggle in beside her. Turning to look at who it was, Melissa said to her four-year-old, whose name is Willow, “What are you doing?” “I’ve just come to relax with you” was Willow’s reply. So, she let her relax with her for a while and took her back to bed. Willow just needed the feeling of security, the knowledge that her Mum (or Dad) could give her as she headed…