Nearing his birthday, Jack started harping on wanting a Ben 10 Alien
making machine. He got very insistent and ended up throwing a number of
tantrums when we wouldn’t just go out and buy one for him.
While I had noticed the toy was being heavily advertised during
children’s shows on commercial TV, I had not recognised the character in
any of the TV show’s Jack normally watches. I asked Jack if he watched
Ben 10 on TV, and he told me “No, only in the ads.”
The power of advertisement.
In the end Jack’s main gift from us was his first proper bike, which he
is pleased but relatively cautious about. From the pile of gifts he
received from friends and family, his favorites are an Imaginext Castle,
remote controlled car, the trouble board game, and one of Dad’s
favorites, a Marbulous set.
When asked however what he got, the very first thing he says is that he
got a Ben 10. (The single figurine we purchased for him.)
Posted by Doug at 8:48 AM
Once again it has been far too long between
updates for me. It is hard to believe my maternity leave is already
half over. The time is just flying by so quickly - much quicker than it
seemed to with my first maternity leave. On top of juggling Jack and
Grace, I have been very busy with appointments in recent times.
One of my goals on my maternity leave was to
determine which school to send Jack (and presumably Grace) to. As with
any big decision and my 'IT analyst' nature, I feel the need to look at
all options available in detail before being able to make a decision.
So this big task has involved reading and summarising websites from a
wide number of public, private, and Christian schools, to then determine
which ones are worth following up on. Once we knocked out options that
were too costly, too far away, too extreme in their views or not in line
with our thinking, I was still presented with a large number of
realistic options. I have then been to visit most of these schools by
now, with the final few to still visit. It has been a little stressful
taking Grace along to all these visits, but considering she loves being
carried, and sleeps peacefully in my arms for the most part while we
walk around, it has worked out mostly well. Another reason I wanted to
get this task over now while she is still small enough to carry around
easily.
I have been impressed by the quality and variety
of schools. It has been well worthwhile to go and look at them in
person (for the most part one-on-one tours with the principal), as it
really does help get a feel of the school. There were some schools that
looked great options on the website that just didn't feel right when I
walked around them, while there were others that I went along not
expecting too much and was really impressed by. It has also helped to
have the opportunity to ask a wide range of questions and discuss Jack's
personality and needs directly to see how they respond. Some schools
are willing to bend over backwards to help you, and have individual
approaches, whereas other schools have a 'one size fits all, take it or
leave it' approach.
I have discovered there are so many factors to
take into consideration. For Jack, I have been trying to find a school
environment that he could feel comfortable in as well as hopefully an
environment that provides him with opportunities in areas that interest
him. Important considerations include school and class sizes,
transition program (particularly given he is unlikely to know any
students when he starts), buddy programs, preferably separate play areas
for different age groups and particularly prep, lunchtime activities and
clubs so if he isn't feeling comfortable in the general playground there
are 'safe' areas or activities he can participate in and that he may
enjoy, and how much individual student needs are met in areas such as
remedial and extension classes. Other factors include the depth of
their programs in language, music, performing arts, sports, IT, as well
as extras such as camps, excursions, music instrument lessons,
before/after school care, and school holiday programs. Finally, just a
general 'feel' of the school environment - if the principal seems
welcoming and someone you could approach with any issues, the impression
of students, teachers and the physical school environment as you walk
around the school, and the general philosophies and approach taken at
the school.
I am thankful I have found a few schools that I
can imagine Jack fitting into, and that meet most of my criteria. The
difficulty is to find one school that matches every single thing you
want (it would be nice to pick the best things from each school and
combine them into one 'perfect' school). With the public primary
approach we are taking, I feel I can meet around 80-90% of what I am
looking for. While the private school options get up to the 100% of
what we are looking for in a school, when looking at the cost, and the
work hours we would need to do and the impact that would have on the
lifestyle of the entire family and additional resulting stress for
everyone, we have unfortunately had to set that aside for consideration
at the high school level. While you want what is 'best' for your child,
it can be hard to quantify what 'best' is, and has to consider all
aspects of lifestyle, not just the school. It is more about finding the
'right' school for your child, then the 'best' school on the market as
such.
I will be happy when the task is complete and we
have a final decision made. I am glad I took the time this year to do
it while I am not working, and without the stress of an impending
deadline to have it complete (since many transition programs start 6
months prior to the student starting). Apparently after all this
research it appears that I know what I am talking about to the
principals as several have asked me part way through the tour if I work
in education since I seem to know so much and using the appropriate
education terminology!
Jack has recently turned 4, so I wanted to ensure
I capture my thoughts at this time. The past year with Jack has been
dominated by toilet training (which thank goodness is now behind us
other than the night training we are yet to tackle), and preparing Jack
to have a baby sibling and his adjustment to it. Jack continues to be
really positive directly towards Grace at all times, and loves being a
big brother and interacting with her. Unfortunately of late he has
reverted back to throwing a huge number of tantrums and hasn't seemed
quite happy within himself. He has also amped up some attention seeking
behaviour and expressing frustration when he doesn't get exactly what he
wants when he wants us. This has been difficult for all of us to deal
with. Another major positive for the past year is that he is now
sleeping independently in his own bed all night long (other than
occasional nightmare), and also puts himself to sleep independently at
night without needing me attached to him or in the room. Now that he is
not having a day sleep at childcare, we are also finally in a routine
where he consistently goes to bed around the same time (7-7:30 each
night) and generally gets up between 6-7 in the morning.
Summary of Jack at 4 years old:
. Capable of mostly dressing and undressing
himself, but still demands help with much of the process (particularly
tricky things like buttons)
. Starting to learn to ride his first 'big boys'
bike' (his 4 year old present from us). As usual with anything new,
Jack is very cautious, but we have been pleased he is having a go
. Amazingly adept at controlling his new 'remote
control car' (present from Grandma Q' and has far more control of it
than I do (thank goodness he appears to have got his spatial awareness
from his dad not me!)
. Capable of playing the new 'toy story board
game' present (that involves pressing a dice and counting the moves
around the board for each piece and following several rules in how the
game is played) - the first real board game he has learnt to play and
has picked up very quickly. He has also been ok with 'winning' and
'losing' (and has won about half the games so far with no help from us!)
. Happily trotting out the door with his dad to
all his activities, and often requests to accompany dad on shopping trips
. Loves his little sister. If I am busy will
willingly try to talk to her and occupy her if she starts to whinge, and
if he doesn't succeed, then tells me I need to 'do Grace' so wants to
ensure her needs are met (and her crying stops promptly!)
. Still can get very fixated on anything he wants,
and takes a while to pull himself out of tantrums when he doesn't get
his way
. Has 3 firm friends at childcare (Lochlan,
Brayden, Brady) that he plays with each week, as well as occasionally
playing with other kids
. Jacqui has reported he has started to come out
of his shell at childcare and is participating well in group discussions
and putting forward his ideas. She also reported he will now lead kids
at times (rather than always follow others), and is ok if other kids
choose to follow the different direction he is taking the play, or if
they don't
. Still scared of older kids outside at childcare,
and will only play next to the carer outside when the big kids from the
next room (turtles) are playing outside
. Taking a long time to warm up at parties at play
centres/McDonalds (can take 80-90 minutes before he is prepared to join
in and play when the parties generally only for a couple of hours)
Summary of Grace at 4.5 months:
. Delightful with lots of happy smiles, coos and
girly squeals (one of my favourite ages and stages!)
. Wakes up each morning usually between 7-8am
(unless Jack wakes her up earlier). Still up and down with day sleeps
(sometimes sleeps 45-60 minutes, other times wakes up after 5-10 mins -
can sometimes be resettled while other times won't go back down). Still
has a 'witching period' between about 5-8pm then goes to sleep in my
arms. I keep her downstairs in my arms till about 9:30pm (she usually
wakes up if I try to put her in any earlier). She then sleeps through
other than usually one feed (anywhere between midnight and 6am).
. Still in her cradle but needs to move to her
bigger cot very soon as we regularly find her legs sticking out the
side, and her head right up at the end of the cradle
. Rolling from tummy to back (but only
occasionally, not continually)
. Often rotates herself around 180 degrees when
left on rugs on the ground (rolling to her side regularly and back again
which moves herself around gradually)
. Gripping and holding onto toys well
. Loves her mobile above her change table, her
activity mat for short periods, and starting to play with rattles
. Continually sucks on her fingers, and sucks on
all her toys
. At the start of the day she can happily be by
herself for 10-15 minutes. This amount reduces as the day goes by so
that by evening she barely wants to be left alone at all.
. Still very quick to let you know if her needs
aren't being met with loud cries, but generally has a bit of whinging
preceding it as warning
. Doesn't mind being in her rocker in front of the
TV for short periods, next to us while eating and in front of my shower
(although her patience is wearing thin)
. Gives me big grins when I do her baby exercises
and sing to her. Gives Jack and Doug big smiles virtually every time
they come near her. Still frowns a lot regarding things at other times
. Very inquisitive and takes a lot in - her eyes
always darting around looking at everything in sight
. Is interested in having books read to her for
short periods of time. Has paid attention to the story times I have
taken her to, and enjoys looking around at the other babies
Posted by Al at 12:55 PM
