Downward Spiralling Society

Now I am considered by most people an easy going person, generally coasting from day-to-day. Some even say that I live in a world of my own as I pay very little attention to politics or world affairs, but it seems that the outside world is now encroaching on my world.

My world, on a day-to-day basis used to be quiet, yes there were stressful times and times when I would have liked to step away from it, but there was never violence, cruelty or injustice until this week.

At the beginning of the week I was made of a parent who was neglecting their child, more than that I cannot say, however ensuring the well being of that child become important to me, so I took action. I am expecting consequences to that action of course, but I am prepared for that when it happens.

I collected my child from school two days ago and had to step in to stop a group of children from punching and kicking a lovely German Shepherd pup that was tied up at the school gates. No other parent that was stood around was prepared to stop them, no one commented, they all just stood and watched, apparently shocked that I would dare to tell someone elses children how to behave. I was appalled at their lack of action. The children involved were aged between four and six years old, and to see their faces, being shouted at by an angry stranger was almost funny. They were obviously not used to being disciplined by anyone, but I hope my intervention will make them think twice about their actions in the future.

I spent time at the school this morning chatting to the head mistress about the children’s behaviour and why I intervened, and there followed a discussion about how she is seeing a marked decline in the behaviour of the children in her care. The children in primary school now appear to have a distinct lack of respect for anyone or anything, regardless of whether its property belonging to someone else or just listening to and respecting a figure in authority. It makes you wonder just what goes on in some of these children’s homes. She described how some children at age four have no idea how to use a knife and fork and insist on eating their school lunch with their fingers, which is disgraceful.

The head mistress is retiring this year, and she says that it is definitely time to go. The enthusiasm to teach and mold these children  into responsible young people is waning, and I am not surprised. My son is four, and has just started full-time school. He has been there for a week and a half and already there is a marked change in his attitude and behaviour. I know that my child has boundaries and that I can reinforce the qualities that the school are struggling to uphold, yet I worry about what the future holds for this generation. It’s a scary thought.

Conspiracy Theory

For those of you out there of regularly check this blog, you will do doubt have noticed that there has been a distinct lack of posting. This is due to the fact that for the past week or so life seems to have ganged up on me and kneecapped me.

Well thats my theory and I’m sticking to it.

Since I last posted, I have regained some control over my sleeping, which I am so relieved that I did as I have needed more strength than ever to cope with this weeks events.

I have a little boy, Xander, and he is unique. I call him my ‘rainbow child’ as no matter how dark, gloomy and stormy you may be feeling, one smile from him and he radiates all the joy of a rainbow after the storm. He is also gifted with the ability to see spirit and perceive things that others may miss, which is a talent that I intend to nurture so that unlike me, he will keep the ability as he grows and not have the long period of emptiness during the transition from childhood into adulthood that I had until I regained my gifts.

Monday this week saw me rushing him to the doctor’s surgery and then rushing him into hospital, bypassing the A&E/Emergency Room and getting him straight onto a ward. Unsure of why he was screaming in pain there was talk of appendacitis, kidney stones a twisted bowl and heaven knows what else, there was so much information heading my way that I can’t remember it all.

Being a single mum through the week I felt so alone in having to make all of the necessary decisions and try to comfort and reassure him. Calls were made to his grandpa to collect pyjamas etc as the hospital were keeping him in, calls were made to his daddy to tell him he better pack his stuff and head home asap as his little boy needed him.

So while I sat in the hospital by his bedside awiting test results and watching ever more painful examinations, my father was collecting necessary items and getting upset at the thought of Xander in pain, and Xander’s daddy was making the 300 mile trip home to be by his bedside. I was trying hard not to let my emotions show and stay calm for Xan, whilst inside I was falling apart, especially when the doctor said he was going to call a surgeon!

Thankfully at the last minute, as the surgeon was heading up, more test results came back and we found the source of the acute pain. Now we knew why he was suffering but not the reason for the condition. Still they decided that due to this new information, he could come home, providing I was armed with enough medications to stock a pharmacy.

Thinking that this would now mean that everything was under control, later that evening we were discharged, Grandpa relieved and coming home from the hospital with us, daddy still heading up the motorway to be with us.

Tuesday however saw us rushing back into hospital. Xander started getting hotter and hotter, temperature rising up to 102.2′ and then he started shaking. This was new and scary to me, it all came on so quickly. The hospital was called and he was readmitted and the round of tests statred again.

He is back at home now (Friday), I have a schedule of medications, his daddy has returned to work, grandpa is calling us regularly to check we are ok, and I am watching him like a hawk. I am keeping him away from nursery schiool until I am sure he is stable and in control of himself and as for me I am running in mum/nurse mode, waking up at the slightest night time murmer and checking his temperature several times a day, just in case.

This has been one of those instances when I have been glad I work from home. He has had his mummy by his side all the way through his trauma, hopefully making him feel safe and reassured. Yes I may miss a couple of deadlines, or the store may miss an update etc, but I am where I am most needed and that is more important than anything else.

Why did I have kids?

Considering the hundreds of child rearing books out there on the shelves just waiting to be purchased by eager parents to be, I doubt that any of them can truly prepare you for parenthood, at least not for any of the events that have encountered.

As a mum of three and a step-mum to another four, both my partner and I have lost count of the amounts of times we have uttered ‘They don’t tell you that in those damn books!”

Until you have been sat in the emergency room trying to explain why your young son has one of his sister’s beads firmly lodged up his nose you haven’t truly lived. Nothing can prepare you for the looks you will receive from the hospital staff, from the receptionist to the triage nurse looks have ranged from disbelief to the; “Just what kind of a mother are you?” scathing type of look. I refuse to believe that I am the only mother who has turned up for help when all home based efforts of poking, squeezing and attempted nose blowing have failed? And yes, thank you, I know he is only two years old and yes I know these types of toys are inappropriate for his age group, no they are not his they belong to his older sister, yes they are normally out of his reach, yes I do think it was intentional his sister said she wanted to see how far up it would go.

Looking back I think perhaps that my daughter looked upon her younger brother as some kind of interactive toy. When he was around four years old I once found her pinning him to the ground, her knees on his arms so that he couldn’t move around, lipstick firmly grasped in her six year old hand and well, you can imagine the rest, he looked like a twisted little clown from someones nightmare.

Those two little horrors are now teenagers, and I am going through it all again with my four year old son, only this one is more vocal than the other two ever were.”Why has that man got no hair?” and “Why is that lady fat?” or the best one so far, whilst I was in the supermarket; “Are you a lady or a man because you have prickles on your face like my daddy but you are wearing a ladies dress?”

No matter how many times you wish for it, the ground never does open up beneath you and swallow you whole, neither do the comments go unnoticed, no matter how hard you wish for people to be deaf. Children will go on embarrassing their parents and creating events that will stretch you to your limits for as long as they are able, but isn’t that one of the things we love them for, their sheer unpredictability?

Help your child become self aware with our new range.

You may not think that a store that sells new age and mystical items would have anything to cater for the younger members of the family, well if thats what you think – you’re dead wrong!

New this month, in face JUST UPLOADED to the store are a range of award winning chldrens items.

The ‘Feel Good Friends’ series are bright, cheerful and fun, each item is designed to encourage childrens confidence and build upon their caring and sharing skills.

The ‘I Feel Good About Me’ Book is a great place to start. It is a fun, imaginative book for kids in which to record details of their lives. Focussing on what they are good at and why they are special. This is an ideal way to get children to feel good about themselves, building their confidence and self esteem. It encourages goal setting from a young age and also gets them thinking about their world, and how they can make it a better place.

With card games, board games and bright and funky posters in the range, it is clear to see why this range has received the awards that it has. Its a great way to encourage the next generation to be more aware of themselves and their environment.

We also have gifts available for your fairy princesses and junior wizards, perfect for adding a little extra sparke to their Christmas morning or Birthday celebrations…

Fairy Garden This is a gorgeous little set. A pretty little gift bag containing a candle, a crystal, wildflower seeds, a fairy amulet and a spell scroll. To help you create a magickal fairy garden so the fairies will come and visit.

Wizard Stones Do you have a budding young wizard in the house, expecting to be transported to Hogwarts School of Wizadry? Well try adding these wizard stones to his collection of magickal paraphernalia. Based upon a traditional Rune set, there are 10 handmade sparkling clay stones in the set, each with a specific meaning, along with a spell scroll which explains all of the meanings so you don’t have to remember all them straight away.

For a look at the whole range of childrens products check out our ‘Child’s Play’ section in the store.

Just remember – there aren’t too many posting days left before Christmas – so get your order in early to avoid disappointment.