GIVE A CHILD A PIECE OF DIRT

These two have made a "garden" with a "plant" in it.

Even in a suburban garden you can allow your children a bit of dirt.

Unless your child is extremely interested in horticulture then I suggest you just leave it to them to build and plant their garden by themselves.

Those who REALLY want to learn will search through gardening books with you, choose seeds, discuss how to make successful potting mix ...

Just provide the equipment and stand on the sidelines ready to assist when asked.


Blessings
The Mummalady

WHAT IS IT?

Actually it's a plant.


But we think it looks rather like a little mouse climbing into our wee vase.

Does anyone know the name of this plant?


It also looks a bit like the end-halves of mice we find around the place here. Seems the cat doesn't like to eat the end with the tail on it.

Or is he kind enough to leave the bit with the tail so we have something to hold when we throw it into the compost?


Blessings
The Mummalady

WILLOW COTTAGE ONLINE STORE IS UP AND RUNNING!

I am so very excited.

We now have the website sorted out and our first items for sale!

Please wander over to our Willow Cottage website and have a little look around.


Our products are made RIGHT HERE in our own workshop.

They are designed by a Mummy and Daddy team who understand the need for quality, durability, usability and style!

And - along with our blog here we hope to encourage and equip others in their quest for a gentle, natural lifestyle.



Each item has been designed because there was a need for it in our family. All goodies have been tested and approved :o)


We are ready to take orders!

Thank you for looking.


Blessings
The Mummalady

100 POSTS?!

WOW!

I just realised I have made 100 posts!

I never thought I had that much to say.



Thank you Lord for this tool where I can communicate with so many people that I've never met.

Thank you for the opportunity to share truths that you have revealed to me.


**********************

There are many more posts in the pipeline, and I have some special guest writers coming up soon.


Thank you to all those who read and comment (to my regular, most supportive comment-makers I LOVE YOU SISTERS!).


Keep returning!!




Blessings
The Mummalady

GIVE A CHILD A JOB TO DO

There have been studies done on what we already knew.

Children love doing jobs.

There is no need to go into all the technical terms they use for what happens in a child's mind and heart when they work - you just look at their faces. Listen to their conversation with you. They love working!

This little guy was only two-and-a-half when this photo was taken. He loves to cut carrots and apples.

Let me share how to teach a little one to do this job:


1. It's much easier if you have a child-sized table (like the ones we sell through Willow Cottage! As I write this the first table is being made for sale.)


2. It's also easier if they have a stool or chair the right size for them! (same!)


3. Have a chopping board and a sharp knife the right size for them. (we don't sell the knives sorry!)


4. Show them how to cut slowly and carefully, keeping their fingers out the way. They must cut the piece off and then push it to the side.


5. Show them how to keep things neat, and keep their working area tidy.


6. Help them to clean up afterwards.



And that's how.

But you already knew that didn't you!! It's good to be reminded of these things though.


We were just blessed by having some wonderful visitors staying. Just before they left for their new home Daddy cut some kindling for them to take with them. Several of the boys were out there watching, and collecting all the pieces to pile together. The visitors' little two year old guy presumed the kindling was to take into the house, so he collected a handful and very purposely toddled over the driveway, and with a big smile came into the kitchen and handed me his bundle of kindling. I was so touched by his diligence and thoughtfulness. His Mumma and Daddy have done some good training. :o)


Many blessings
The Mummalady

GIVE A CHILD A BIG BROTHER

This is so precious to me.

17 year old playing quite naturally and happily with his 3 year old brother. They are real buddies.

I'm told this is quite common in home educating families.

I am so blessed. Thank you Lord for this family.



Blessings to you too
The Mummalady

GIVE A CHILD A SCARF

Silk scarves are SO much fun.

Hunt in your local op-shop for some lovely colourful scarves for children of all ages!


Baby loves to

* chew them

* scrunch them up in their chubby little fists

* play "peek-a-boo" and "where has teddy gone?"

and

* roll on them after bathtime - feeling the silk on their skins.



Toddlers and older children may like to

* throw them

* wrap things in them, playing "presents for everyone!"

* make them into parachutes

* tents for teddies

* royal capes

* dessert headwraps

* bedding for a baby doll

* wrap to carry baby doll around in

* sling for a "broken arm"

* bandage for playing doctoring

* blindfold



Let their imaginations soar!


Blessings
The Mummalady

GIVE A CHILD BAKED BEANS

Once upon a time (this is a true, sad story) there was a little girl (we'll call her "S") whose Daddy worked full-time, and her Mummy also worked full-time. However, the happy thing was that Mummy and Daddy and S (who was 6 years old), at the time of this story, all lived in the same house. Unfortunately, some time later that wasn't the case.

The normal family routine was: Daddy left for work early in the morning; S got up and had breakfast with her Mummy; Mummy took S to school; later in the day Mummy went to work.

At the end of the school day a friend of mine (let's call her "L") collected S, along with L's own girl and boy, from school. They all went to L's house and played till it was time for S's Daddy to come and pick her up.

S and her Daddy would have junk food for tea; S would fall asleep in front of the TV around 9 or 10 o'clock and her Daddy would carry her to bed.

This whole thing was very, very sad to me.

But it got even sadder.

One day when S's Daddy came to pick her up from L's house, L and her family were just about to sit down to their tea.

"Can I stay here for tea?" asked S.

"No." said her Daddy.

"Why? I want what they're having."

"Come on. We're having McDonalds," said the Daddy.

They left, and L felt very heartbroken.

What was L's family having that S wanted so badly?

Baked beans on toast.

L and her family didn't have a lot of money, but they had a lot of love and time for each other. Maybe it was the love and the time, not just baked beans that S wanted.

I often think of that story when we have baked beans on toast.

I thought of it the other day when we had a lovely home-laid egg and baked beans on toast, so I took a picture to show the world, and encourage everyone to give lots of love and time to our children.


Blessings
The Mummalady