kids – Page 4 – neilhayeswrites

Learning

May 12, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Do you remember when learning was so much fun? Learning how to throw stones is very different to, let’s say, particle physics. But, at the same time, the joy of knowledge should be the same.

Watching my children learn and enquire about the world around them gives me energy for the search too. The search for knowledge, or for something new. A new angle, viewpoint, or sight.

At the moment, my kids are both keen photographers. My son wants to know what every button does on his new camera. It is difficult to actually slow him down, so he learns the basics first.

When you are a child, you want to understand everything. How does it work? Why do we do that? But, as adults, this seems to stop. We become happy to accept the world as it is, and never question. I believe this is the biggest fight for all adults, to stop this descent into lethargy. Keep fighting up that intellectual hill. It is never ending and has no summit, but it is a beautiful journey.

Little Miss Independent

April 9, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

That wrinkle of the nose, gorgeous, cute and trouble. My daughter is becoming a real, independent young woman. At 5 years old, she is determined to do things on her own. It is great to see, I never wanted a quiet little princess. But, at the same time, I can see some trouble in the future when she hits those teenage years.

I am sure that having an older brother helps. She can’t and won’t be pushed around, in fact it is normally him I feel sorry for. I think there would have been a few more tears if he wasn’t so kind hearted. Luckily violence doesn’t come as a first resort to either of them.

There are surprisingly few arguments, considering how much time they spend together. They form an amazing team and play with imagination and a cheeky sense of fun. But when there is a disagreement, beware the wrinkle of the nose. Because Little Miss Independent has had enough.

Daily prompt: Tenacious

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.

Daily Prompt: Chaotic

November 25, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Thank goodness it is Friday. It wasn’t chaos, this week, it was too organised to call it that. I always knew it was going to be busy, just not how much it would take out of me.

My favourite thing about Fridays is that I get to pick my daughter up from kindergarten, nice and early. We get home by 12.30 and have our traditional cwtch. That is a cuddle, for the non-Welsh out there.

I love that time, even if it is only for ten minutes. It is just the two of us and we get to have a little catch-up on what has been happening that day. And today she even gave me a little Czech lesson, testing me on which words I new.

So that is the line, that is where, what feels like, chaos ends and the weekend begins.

via Daily Prompt: Chaotic

Teamwork

November 17, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Today was a public holiday and, due to the bad weather, we decided to stay at home. But it wasn’t a wasted day, we got plenty of jobs done, although I think my wife gets the prize for highest productivity. And I spent the day watching my kids work, play and create together. They form such an amazing team, they never seem to get tired of each other. Obviously there are the occasional arguments, but they are always solved swiftly.

I think the two year age gap has contributed to their closeness, and also to the fact that there is rarely any jealousy between them. It is always interesting to listen to their conversations. Even though they speak to each other in Czech, I understand well enough. And, in some ways, it makes it even more fascinating to listen to them. They are so talkative and are constantly communicating, with each other and with us. There are some times, as every parent knows, when this can become tiring. Everyone needs some peace and quiet sometimes.

So, maybe some earplugs? No, there will be a time in the future when life will be too quiet, and I will wish for a return to these crazy days. So may they always remain the noisy, lively, energetic maniacs that they are. I love them, and I wouldn’t change them for anything.