Adios five!
Tomorrow they are six. An interesting age, to say the least. There is such confidence, but growing awareness adds to uncertainties. There are such strong family ties, but attitudes cause little pecking orders within the family. Two days ago, Carys announced, "I have two brothers and I love one of them. His name is Sebastian." Carys has absolutely no time for Jasper. "Jasper isn't being caring!" she will announce to all and sundry. "Jasper isn't being sensitive!" (Caring, sensitive, risk taker, honest etc are all characteristics of a PYP/IB student, and the kids are becoming familiar with the words, obviously!)
Sebastian and Sela used to be thisclose but now, not so much. Seb and Carys are close. This upsets Sela, who will share with her big brother or right out give him something of hers, anything to be in the sunshine of his approval. But until she stops whinging, she won't be Sebastian's best girl.
Sela is quick to denounce Carys though. "Carys doesn't sing this song as well as I do" she announces about the Gong Shi (?) song that she taught her sister.
And Jasper, well, he is pretty much everyone's stepping board and cuddly toy. He is so laid back you want to shake and squeeze him all at once. Oh he's quick to tears, but so quick to say, "that's okay" the minute he gets his own way. And he has absolutely no accountability. The other day he was late getting out the door and roared, "SEBBIE! You should have given me my backpack!"
My mother said something to me the other day that just made me want to squeeze her….she announced, "Tessie (no, that wasn't the offensive bit), one day you are going to realise just how noisy your kids are. I think you're immune."
Does she really?
Maybe I should scream this…. DOES SHE REALLY?
Or do I just have to pick my battles?
I am not immune as to how incredibly loud my children are. Nor do I mind her one bit saying that they are loud, because I know she loves them like crazy. BUT to think that I DON"T KNOW HOW LOUD THEY ARE? SERIOUSLY?
believe ME I KNOW THEY ARE LOUD.
I keep hoping it will be like manners…gradually they will quieten down, just like gradually they started saying thank you. And I do instruct them to be quiet. Frequently. Re-direct, removal, and words.
But when the majority of time you are playing with someone, the house is going to be at playdate level.
Oh, I know they are loud.
I think our neighbours do too.
We're trying.
