I have to say, She did look very happy & content playing on her own. Just being in the company of  other children is fine for some children and whilst I was doing my chores, Charlotte did join in with the indoor activities. She was very accepting of the fact that I couldn’t be with her constantly playing and had to tend to other children and
cleaning.

This evening I opened a conversation with her about next week and I need to find an appropriate incentive, so that I can leave the Kinder again as I did in week #3. Not a bribe. It’s a fine line, but even we adults need incentives to keep us focused. Charlotte tells me She feels sad and that it’s hard to explain. My answer to her is ‘Yes, you feel sad, but it’s okay to feel that way because there will also be times where you feel happy and excited’. I totally understand. I feel sad, too. Not just about leaving Charlotte at Kinder, but all manner of  things. It’s part of  the human condition, right?  Yes, She may be picking up on my feelings, but there is more going on for her and I need and want to be sensitive to that.

We’ll get there, wherever ‘there’ is. For now, we’ll just keep the conversation open and continue going along to Kindergarten. It’s a nice place to hang out.

I’m blessed to have a 4 yr old who can express her feelings even though it can be a struggle and by the way, She does mix with other children without me around, but it is usually when She is familiar with the adults and child/children and definitely in a smaller setting. Big groups have never been Charlotte’s forte.

photo credit: queercatkitten

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Week #1 : We had two sessions of 2 hrs duration. Parents stayed. This was a lovely way to meet some Mums and get to see how the Director and Assistant operate. Charlotte stuck close to me.

Week#2  : Two 3 hr sessions. Parents could stay or leave. I was surprised at how many left. I invited a lost looking little one to join us at our play. She and Charlotte forged a friendship. I was very pleased.

Week # 3 : Full 5 hr sessions for the two days. Both days Charlotte gradually let go of  me and I was able to go off to do my own thing after a couple of  hours. Home to do my work for part of  the time. Other than the rostered parent I was the only Mum that stayed around.

A Gentle Transition Required

It was and is my full intention to allow Charlotte to make the moves away from me with encouragement of course. The Director and Assistant of the Kinder are WONDERFUL and fine about me being there. I guess for them, it means an extra set of eyes around the place and it’s reminding me of  how much I do enjoy being with children.

Charlotte hasn’t ever been in childcare other than with people close to us, so I’m in for the long haul if necessary. I also have VERY strong memories of my first day at preschool in Wales. Not a pretty picture and I always promised I wouldn’t leave my own children kicking and screaming.

I Blew My Only Chance

Week #4 : What a fizzer. Charlotte wasn’t her usual self  to start with, so She was feeling somewhat more attached to me anyway. I blew my only chance on the first day of this week.  As I was about to head off, I noticed one of Charlotte’s paintings up on the wall on its own for all to see. The one I was about to collect from the box on my way out. Being the proud Mum, I stopped to take a photo. Why couldn’t I have waited? I think in retrospect I was so surprised that I didn’t stop to think and I also didn’t want to forget to take a pic and that possibly could have happened with the hustle and bustle at pickup time.

In the short time it took to take the photo, Charlotte had moved away from playing and She stood holding my leg, forlornly asking me to stay. So, I did. I removed myself from time to time from Charlotte’s presence, but I spent the whole time at Kinder. We left early because She really was out of sorts and fast asleep in a nanno second once we hit the road towards home.

Week #5 : that’d be this week. I was too unwell to take Charlotte today and given She hasn’t settled in yet, I wasn’t prepared to ask anyone else to take her. Tomorrow, I am the rostered parent on and I nominated to do one 5 hr stint instead of  two sessions. If I’m not feeling much better, it could be a long session. At least Charlotte will happily get ready to go knowing that I’m there for the whole time.

How did you get your child/children settled into Kindergarten? I’m sure there are many scenarios out there. Multitudes of  them given we all have our unique way of  Mothering.

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Hard to believe it’s the same little girl that’s  in my ‘Children With Focus‘ post.

Thanks to 5minutesformom for Wordless Wednesday

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‘Will Bowen is the Lead Minister of One Community Spiritual Center in Kansas City, MO. In July 2006 he suggested his congregation use purple bracelets to monitor their success at eradicating complaining from their lives. His idea exploded around the world and more than 6 million purple Complaint Free bracelets have been sent to people in
over 106 countries.’

For more information click on the link to the website further down the page.

About two years ago I ordered a bracelet to join millions of others who wanted to improve their lives based on Wills philosophy which he has based around Maya Angelou’s philosophy.  The idea of the bracelet is to change it from one wrist to another when you catch yourself complaining and gradually become aware of just how much you do complain and as you become more aware, the less you complain.

My Confession

I have to confess, that I haven’t worn the bracelet much because I know I can be a complainer. I hear myself sometimes and just don’t know how to stop and frankly the band was being transferred from wrist to wrist too frequently. You’re supposed to eventually change the habit of complaining and the general consensus is that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. 21 days doesn’t seem much, but I think it is. Oops, there’s a complaint right there or am I just stating how it is for me? It’s a fine line sometimes.

I got to thinking today that seeing as I’m using my MindMovies and big into affirmations these days, why don’t I give my bracelet a go and attempt a complaint free week to start off. I do need some backup on this, however, so I’m inviting you to join me. If you haven’t got the official Complaint Free bracelet pictured above,  just grab something to use that can be switched over easily.

Here’s a link to a video with Will Bowen and Maya Angelou. Check it out so you have more of an idea of what I am on about. Better to have it from the horses mouth or do some reading at the main website.

http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/maya-angelou-video or go to acomplaintfreeworld.org

Have a great week and by the way, I am treating those complaints that run through my head before speaking about them as complaints, too. I’ve already had a few just whilst writing this post. Time to change the band over to the other wrist.

Let me know if you’re onboard by leaving a comment so we can yak back and forth about it and support one another.

Christine

PS After having posted this, several hours later I watched a video with John Assaraf. Here’s what he has to say about making changes, but more importantly about how long it takes to change a habit. http://bit.ly/aUTrEX Dang! It’s more than 21 days. I have actually also heard recently that it can take 3 plus months! I am not going to complain, I am not going to complain, I am not…Ah, what the heck, that’s a looong time. LOL  But not in the scheme of things. Have to keep time in perspective.

photo credit: Azure Begonia

Disclaimer : No, I don’t get an Affiliate payment for anything relating to ‘A Complaint Free World’, but I do for MindMovies if you should link in and make a purchase or if you click on any other buttons here at my blog. If  you do, much appreciated and lucky me!

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As I was doing some dishes,  I was pondering my next post. Dishes done, Charlotte tucked up in bed, I decided to check into Twitter before blogging and there was a tweet from Squigglemum leading to her post not dissimilar to the one I have been formulating in my head. Both of  us require some help with our very focussed children.

I urge you to read up and leave some advice for Squigglemum, but first, I would love some advice for myself. My quandary is what to do when my child is sooo very focussed on playing one game with variations to it that I am just about to pull her, sorry, pull my hair out?

I have tried redirecting with a small amount of  luck, but it is hit and miss.
Here’s what happens. Charlotte will watch an animal show either something animated or a National Geographic wild animal program, then She wants to role play, directing us ALL of the way. I do love watching Charlotte playing animals and hearing her narrative around it.

She is magnificent, down on all fours and the speed and agility She has is astounding as She takes on qualities of the animal being portrayed, but She wants us down there with her and it’s at a point where I dread the show or even story book ending because I know what’s coming…. ‘Mummy, I want to play with you’.

My knees hurt and I must say I am concerned for Charlotte’s developing knees, too. It is just such a passion for her,  not a passing phase and I don’t want to quash her enthusiasm. Unfortunately, there are times when I just have to say ‘No can do’. Then She will try another tack and asks that we watch her being a wild animal through binoculars. Gotta hand it to her for being innovative. Binoculars I can say yes to more often, too. lol

How do you say ‘NO’? I do use variations on it, but sometimes ‘No’ slips out before I have chance to think of  a more gentle letdown. And, ‘Yes’ comes out too, but just not as often as I’d like sometimes.  Charlotte is unrelenting in pursuit of her goal which is trying to entice us to play animals with her.  This is where it is tricky and rather sad for me that there are no other siblings.  Today I have a playmate organised for her after Kinder, so that will be a big help. Still, I would be most grateful for your advice.

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I popped them on the bedside table, then had a snooze. Later, when I was feeling okay enough to get up, this is the display that greeted me.

an innovative way to display orchids

Fortunately, Charlotte didn’t add water! So, the new snowboots will still be okay to wear when Winter and our snow arrives. Sorry for the poor quality of the photo. I probably shouldn’t take them when I’m unwell, but couldn’t resist taking a snap for the archives and sharing it with you.

There are more WW posts at 5minutesformom

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The course is run by Natalie Ledwell. Natalie and Ryan are the dynamic Aussie duo presenting the Mind Movies
program. The 7 week course is called  ‘7 Steps To Happiness’. I’m up to lesson #2. Once again, it is all part of my desire to bring about change in the way I think about and act upon things in my life.

Monetizing My Blog

There are affirmation projects to carry out that are really quite a pleasure and I have decided to focus on money just for once in my life for the purpose of the 7 week course (and onwards to be honest) Well, to be more specific, making money from my blog.

There are other great reasons for blogging such as connecting with a fantastic, supportive and diverse group of people especially WAHM’s, but we had to be specific in the course, so I’m giving this my best shot. It’s not only about affirmations, but action taking which is not one of my strong points. Procrastination & taking action, not great at those at all. I am waaay better than I used to be and to be affirming I should be stating that ‘I am free of procrastination and inaction’. lol

I need to start somewhere, so why not right here at my blog.

The purpose of  this post is to let you know that if I can make these changes, anyone can. Sometimes, however, it is more productive when we seek help which is the reason I am doing the course. I’ll be writing more about the ‘7 Steps to Happiness’ in my newsletter. Feel free to sign up and follow my journey. I hope to report good things to you each fortnight.

Feeling Quietly Confident

Already, in saturating my mind with affirmations over the past few weeks, I am seeing a shift in certain areas of  my life. I guess I’m not game to make it sound big yet, because it’s only early days, but I am quietly confident that change is afoot. Wish me luck! And join me with the mind movies. There are 6 pre made, no cost movies to download. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you follow the instructions to a tee.

Lesson #3 has just arrived from Natalie, so when I’ve posted this, I’ll check it out. It’s a bit like opening a gift whenever my lessons turn up because I don’t know what is in there. I get a little nervous and excited at the same time. What I am finding is that it’s fun so far which keeps me fired up to continue.

photo credit: julienne_audrey

Disclaimer : By the way, if you click on any links or buttons at my blog, I’m an Affiliate, therefore there is a chance I may receive a commission. Lucky me!  Apparently, I’m now required to let you know about that

Cheers.

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Not long ago I signed up for something that I had been checking out for approximately 2 weeks. I kept going back to the site, listening to the video’s, reading, listening again, reading again. I’m sure you know how it goes when you want to purchase something, but you’re not sure about it, yet you want to bring about a change in your life. With this program, there is a great FREE offer, so I finally decided to download it and put into practice all that is recommended and you guessed it before long I was signing up for pretty well EVERYTHING.

Moving My Life Forward

The product I am talking about is called MindMovies and I’ve taken it onboard because I keep getting stuck with moving my blog (and therefore my life) forward  and not knowing what to do, even though I have all the information and support at my fingertips for instance MomMasterminds, not to mention all the WAHM’s I am in touch with through Twitter and in Forums.

These movies are short, motivational pieces that are accompanied by music, affirmations and pictures. You can buy a Creation Kit, which I have along with the hardcopy version and I look forward to creating my own mind movie. In the meantime, I have 4 of  the 6 free movies downloaded based on money, health, spirituality and family & friendship and I watch those every morning and night religiously.

I am currently doing the 30 day free trial and testing the Subliminal Success Accelerator which has the mind movies constantly playing over everything I do. I’m pretty well sold on that, too. After a very short time you don’t notice anything playing over things on your screen and you can continue to work as normal. You can change the opacity or switch it off  if your heart so desires, but the latter would defeat the purpose.

Time To Really Give Affirmations A Go

The reasoning behind all of this for me is that I want to flood my mind with affirmations and give them the best shot possible to help me to change and become a more positive, upbeat person.

Over the years, I have become quite the stresshead : angry, short tempered, impatient and just not pleasant at times and my family are the ones who cop it. They deserve better than that, but I deserve to live a more successful, happy & calm life, too, so it is also selfishly motivated. Changing myself for the best will have a knock on effect throughout other areas of my life.

I really do have it good in life, but I get bogged down with depression, indecision, apathy, exhaustion, you name it. I’ve always believed in affirmations even though they’ve never worked for me. How can that be, you ask? Well, I’ve never given them a proper go before.

When I saw Mind Movies and I apologise because I can’t remember where I first saw them, so I can’t give credit to some deserving person, I knew they were right up my alley. Based on the Law of Attraction which I LOVE along with anything metaphysical the program is put together by an inspirational, Aussie business duo Ryan and Natalie and their enthusiasm really is infectious.

Doing My Homework

There is another program I am doing that is tied in with the Mind Movies program and is exciting, but I’ll need to chat about that in my next post. It’s Natalie Ledwells ‘7 Secrets to Happiness’. I’m only on lesson #2 of a 7 week course, but all of  this is just what I have been interested in since I was a kid and thankfully, my parents didn’t stop me from chatting about and believing in some ‘odd’ topics. Not at all odd to me.

I’ll be writing more about my journey in my Newsletter, so feel free to sign up. I would love to have you onboard.

I know some of you may not be interested in the Law of  Attraction, but don’t let that stop you from leaving comments here either. I have to say, as much as I love it, there is a skeptic in me, too. Apparently, that won’t stop it from working. I know for sure that there is nothing negative about these affirmations, so based on that alone it’s got to be a good thing, right?

I think so and I hope I don’t let myself down with the ‘homework’. So far, so good

photo credit: GroggyFroggy

Disclaimer : By the way, if you click on any links or buttons at my blog, I’m an Affiliate, therefore there is a chance I may receive a commission. Lucky me!  Apparently, I’m now required to let you know about that

Cheers.

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It was such a tough decision, but I finally voted for Adriana Copaceanu  because the music brought an instant smile to my dial and the information is spot on. Yes, you guessed it I also use MomWebs. All of the video’s are fantastic, so hurry on over and put in your vote. http://www.momwebs.com/vote-for-your-favorite-mom-webs-promo-video/

Don’t forget to enjoy and let me know how you voted!

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I always put my car in the rain for a clean. With water being so precious I like to make the most of it when there is a downpour and this was really heavy and my car was super dusty. I decided to also give it a brush over whilst it was pouring  rather than letting the rain do the job on its own . It was so refreshing after a muggy 30C plus day. Now my car is sparkly clean and I feel cooler. It’s been awhile since the last deluge, so my car hasn’t been clean for awhile. If  it’s just too thick with dust I will give it a lick with a couple of  buckets of water and some elbow grease otherwise it has to wait.

And my little helper, well She swept under the carport, but everything had pretty well dried up and the overflowing drains subsided by then. Still, every bit helps.

She was certainly putting in a good effort for all of two minutes. lol.

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