June 2013 - the terrible twos aren't so terrible

[Biscuitswithtea]

Here goes with a new thread!

Polly wants to be an animal doctor or a hairdresser. Diverse options.

What about a dog groomer? Fulfills both options. We go and look at the poor pooches at Pets At Home for shits and giggles

DD hasn't decided yet. DH has told her she can be anything she wants though!

She had her speech therapy assessment yesterday after being referred last November as she wasn't linking words. Which she is now, but she doesn't always pronounce them properly. The therapist said she's fine as she can say the sounds, but doesn't always. Also said she's got a great vocabulary. :-)

Back to preschool next week. She can't wait!

I was with a couple of parents last night and they started getting all 'my child can do this that and the other'. I haven't tried to 'teach' her very much. I kind of assume nursery will do that, but these people were talking about how they have daddy school etc. Did a bit of investigating last night and she can write her name and recognise various letters as well as recognising all numbers and being able to count up to late twenties, thirties sporadically. Do you reckon this is about normal? Do you actively teach?

She can write her name? Wow! That seems quite advanced - but maybe I'm mistaken. Nursery have started doing what they term 'literacy' activities now that DS is in pre-school. But given that DS is still pretty crap at things like colouring in, I don't imagine his writing is about to click into place.
Might practice with him using dot-to-dot letters though!

It's not like she sits and writes her name. It's an agonising process; draw a line then the ballon on top, then a circle, then a stick.....

DD knows the whole alphabet and can write some letters. She can spell her name and DS's name.

She knows her numbers and can count up to about 80 or so.

She can also read some words, but we don't know how many, just odd ones come to light every now and then.

We don't actively teach at all; she loves numbers and letters and just gets on with it (dare I say that she's found videos on You Tube and they've taught her?!).

Obviously we read to her and do counting of things just as something to do, but that's about it.

It's well established that a child's educational attainment is directly related to the educational attainment of their mother. I think I assumed that she's just going to be brilliant, like me, and I wouldn't have to do anything to get her there

I've had a similar experience. Normally I get Lil to do drawing and painting while I do chores. The other week we had some homework to do with nursery so I sat with her. Turns out she can actually draw people with smiley faces now and even had a valid attempt at drawing the dog.

She had a shot at writing tractor yesterday as well. Mad how you don't notice the development until it smacks you in the face

Homework?! From nursery?! Bloody hell, that's keen!

I think it's good that we aren't really sure where they're at for things as it shows we aren't pushing them. :-)

DD is advanced for her age (confirmed by the sheet outlining what they'll be doing at nursery this term!) but we've never actively taught her either. She's been very inquisitive from a very early age, for example pointing out and asking what letters were very early on (she knows them all now). And she's good at counting - not just reciting - she's able to count a large number of objects out too.

She can draw a smiley face and draw easy shapes and letters but I won't be entering her pictures into any competitions! She's good at adding wee and poo onto pictures of people though (speaking of which, she refuses to use a step and child seat full stop now - she pulls herself onto the loo and will only use our seat. Makes going out easier!).

Her first day at nursery went well. She went in and didn't look back, came to the door at home time but we had to drag her out. She then tried to go back in! We'd better not get homework! I've already seen mention of the dreaded class bear.

I don't think I'd want to know if she was advanced for her age. I hate the idea of labelling them so early. It must be awful for the parent of the child told that she's not advanced or is behind the others. I kind of just want them to enjoy being three as its all going to turn to shit eventually once real life hits! So for now I'm pleased she can do what she does and seems a happy little thing. I did find the conversation with the other mothers a bit as I didn't think the competitive thing bit so early!

Ach the homework was only because she's recently moved up a room at nursery and they want to get to know her capabilities.

I haven't got a scoobie how Lil is on the development thing. My dad is fairly obsessed with how bright he thinks she is - more because he thinks my brothers kid is really average. Bit of a back story there obviously

A bit competitive there Sunny??

I haven't a scooby how DS is dwvelopmentally, I trust that they will all get there...a bit like how they toilet train etc at different rates.

it's not me who is competitive - it's entirely my dad!

Oh yes, I got that!

So it turns out I have pneumonia :( On both lungs and I feel absolutely atrocious. I am camped out in bed with DD and praying that nursery will take DS for an extra day tomorrow. And that the antibiotics kick in pronto!

Oh man I had that once. Three weeks I spent on the sofa. Was hideous. Hope you shift it soon.

Three weeks?? Heck. I hope it buggers off sooner than that. Mostly because whilst I get so out of breath & feel so shoddy I don't have a chance of looking after DS on my own. DD still sleeps so much that I can care for her entirely from bed if necessary.
Am not good at the bed rest thing but if the alternative is hospital then I will do all I can to avoid that and do as am told!

Hullo! Sorry I lost my login and closed the ten on my phone and have just been shit bout catching up.

Congrats on the new Bebe, Biscuits !! What's her name?

All well with us. J has started his new nursery school, replete with stupid uniform including a tie and blazer and cap, the works. I struggle with it all but am trying to behave because it's otherwise such a lovely school.

Like someone said above I think we bevrgitted on the loo training and big boy bed front by just waiting till he was really ready. Just back from a week in Italy where it was bloody lovely not to lug nappies or multiple spare clothing around!

Hope everyone is doing well and are happy. My mum and Nana are visiting from Oz as if Monday so I'm madly doing stupid things like cleaning out pan drawers so they don't think I'm too much of a domestic slut. Am idiot. That and having nightmares bout Nana falling down the stairs! Gawd....

TYPOS GALORE. Forgive me...

Oh dear, I hope you're better soon, biscuits.

We had an innocent looking task from nursery to do over the weekend however I have just read the weekly newsletter properly and it is mentioned in a 'homework' section. Nooooo! Hopefully it won't be too demanding, but still!

I can't remember if I mentioned but although toilet training went well DD is back in her cotbed! She was fine with the sides off until she reacted badly to the men b jab, when she asked to have them back on! And she hasn't asked to have them off since!

If your nana's anything like mine, Rae, that's essential before a visit. Mine goes around opening the oven and cupboards etc to check how clean everything is!

So a friend of mine has two kids similar to ours- eldest turns four in October and baby two in January. They are taking a six month career break and putting the lost earnings- 70k- on the mortgage. They will then go to the states and Canada and spend six months in a campervan touring the two countries. She thinks it's an amazing opportunity. Is it wrong that I truly cannot think of anything worse??? I'd kill the lot of them within a month. I couldn't cope with the campervan, the constant movement, the unsettled kids and the cost! And I'm sure it will be hard settling him into school having had no routine for the six months before he goes. My reaction was one of horror. What do you think?!

I wouldn't do it while the children are so young. If we were to do something like that (unlikely) then I would want them to be old enough to remember the trip and to get something out of it.

Pneumonia sucks. Was doing well but total relapse yesterday :(

I'm totally jealous of them. 100%

Don't believe you.