Family – Page 8 – neilhayeswrites

I can’t keep up

February 17, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

A walk with my family and yet again my unsportsmanlike British upbringing is exposed. And the differences between me and my Czech wife and children are shown.

It’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining and it’s finally above zero. There is still plenty of snow around for a bit of fun, but the paths are clear and it is easy to walk again.

Until one stretch of path which doesn’t get the sun. It’s covered in slick, glistening ice and immediately I tense. If I can find some earth and walk along the edge then it is OK. But most of the time I am just looking for something to cling on to. My wife has no problems, it’s just like skating. My kids are having a great time, slipping, sliding and actually enjoying falling over. Oh to be young again!

But they don’t abandon me, my son often comes back to hold my hand and help. So cute, but the last thing I want is to fall and take him down with me. Slowly, but surely I make it to the end and can relax. And tell myself again, I have to do something to improve my balance, somehow.

Replacement

January 31, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Where do they get their energy from? Children seem to have an unending supply. Constantly on the move, thinking, doing and creating. As an adult, this energy supply seems to shrink. Many people attempt to replace this energy with something else. Replace it with coffee, energy drinks or whichever drugs they choose. These are the quick fixes that many of us go for. And, of course, these are the lazy choices. If we only ate healthily and exercised. Maybe we would still have the energy of the child and wouldn’t need these chemical replacements. I am as guilty as most, but now is the time for a change.

via Daily Prompt: Replacement

Life and Loss

January 17, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Last week I was walking my six-year-old son to school, and when we arrived at the front entrance, we saw a black flag flying above the school. Of course, my son asked my why it was there. I explained that, perhaps, someone had died. What first came to mind was someone famous, maybe the president. Honestly I didn’t think of it for the rest of a busy day.

When my wife collected him she was told something shocking. The black flag was flying out of respect for one of his classmates, who had died in hospital the previous evening. His teacher was crying and so were many of the children, as they were told this news.

It is unimaginable, how the parents must be feeling. I didn’t know the little boy. My son was sad, but coping with the news. But, as any parent would understand, you can’t help but imagine yourself in the same situation.

So, all day, my wife and I were hugging our children a little closer. And I was trying to remind myself of how lucky we are, to have two such healthy and happy children. So, if you are lucky like us, hug them and kiss them as much as you can. Don’t take anything for granted, because you never know what is around the corner.

Infinite

January 8, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Infinite is a mother’s love. Unconditional devotion. I see it every day. If only there was an infinite supply of energy too. Children, of course, seem to have this miracle supply. Whereas the mere mortals, of the adult world, must make do with what we have. But a mother’s love is like a turbo boost to the soul. It always gets them over the finish line.

via Daily Prompt: Infinite

Gangsta Granny by David Walliams

December 17, 2016May 6, 2020 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

I love reading to my children at bedtime. From quite an early age I have been reading full length children’s books to them. Sometimes it might take a couple of months to finish a book, as my wife and I normally alternate reading between us, but the children are exposed to both Czech and English literature. I also think it helps to improve their memory and attention span, as they have to remember quite long, and sometimes complicated stories.

We started with some classics, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was the first. Then we read some Roald Dahl and recently we have been reading David Walliams. And I have to say I am a big fan. As with Dahl, sometimes his stories can be rude, with a typically British type of humour. For example, don’t be too surprised by the occasional fart joke.

But there is much more to his books than that, they can have a serious side too and often convey important messages. This book, Gangsta Grannie, is about a boy and his relationship with his Grandmother. It is a lovely story about how the boy, who originally thinks his Granny is boring, grows to love here. And it is especially important that he did get to know her, as nobody lives forever.

As you can imagine, there is an uncomfortable moment when you are reading a book to your children which involves death. But, I have to say, it is handled in a very delicate manner and is not dwelt upon. It just happens, people are sad but life goes on. My son, who is older, felt sad that Granny had died but enjoyed the book a great deal. And, maybe, he now understands that it is important to spend time with the people that love him, as they won’t be there forever. Thanks to David Walliams both my children have learnt a little more about life, both the good and the bad.