Broad-stroke Family

Back in 2007, whilst still residing interstate, I had the pleasure of listening to Francois Gagne address the local members of the NSW Gifted and Talented Association. He presented, to us, his Model of Giftedness and Talent [link to PDF].

During the event, that evening, I perused the Association's library and ordered a copy of Mary Sheedy Kurcinka's 'Raising Your Spirited Child' with PJ Bear in mind. He was only just two at the time but I felt that the subtitle (A Guide for Parents Whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic) acknowledged something I saw in him even back then.

Recently, I stumbled upon the book again. I am looking at it now with new eyes. I can at a single flip through the sections I read last time and those I did not. Now that we know that his issues are not strictly behavioural or flat-out medical it makes be wonder if the missing pieces of the puzzle can be in that his coming of age has brought out new challenges that are addressed in those untouched sections of the book that I find before me?

Already, I find myself captivated with lots of small examples that encapsulate my experiences. Like, for example:

[I] needed to talk with other parents who understood what it is like to live with a child who could scream for forty-five minutes because his toast was cut into triangles and he was expecting rectangles. The kind of kid who would rather die than take no for an answer and knew the perfect trigger to "push my buttons".

Kurcinka, M.S. (2006), Raising Your Spirited Child,p 1.

Oh, how did she know. Is there a hidden camera in my kitchen? No? What about my kids bedroom, then? Because how could she know about the bedroom trashings too?

..much of the advice for raising other children is ineffective with spirited kids. To ignore your child's tantrums is ineffective with spirited kids. He can rage for an hour because you opened a door when he was expecting to do it himself. Send him to his room for time-out and he is liable to tear it apart. There is no distracting him from anything he wants.

Kurcinka, M.S. (2006), Raising Your Spirited Child,p 15.

I don't know if the answers are really here but I suspect this is a reread that I will come to enjoy as I am sure there will be many more tales that I ignored last time because they were not relevant to that stage of PJ's life but perhaps are now. I suspect this is a reread that I am really going to enjoy!

So, I think I have stumbled across what may just be the best book of 2011 and it is amazingly titled 'It's a Book'. In a world full of gadgetry everything can be by replaced by one. With Kindle and other E-book viewing and reading devices it is not surprising that the 'jackass' of this book has no idea what one is. It is a full illustration of the separation that is starting to occur between the individual and the everyday bound paper book.

Put in my hands by a young child hoping that I would read it for them I was totally blown away by the content of the book. I have not seen a book like it since 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus' and loved every page of it. I think I have found my 'gift of the year' not just for nephews and nieces but also for each and every one of my geek girl and geek guy friends. :)

This is my book of the year for sure. Set with a sense of irony that it is published in a print format rather than an online cartoon this great book illustrates the gap between a reader and the hard copy print of a book as a result of the digital age. Poking fun at the gadget comparisons of what a device can or cannot do this book shows the absolute wonder that comes from opening a seemingly plain book. It is fantastic book and I recommend it for any child or adult as it has put everyone I have spoken to about it into roars of laughter and even tears. It truly shows how times are changing...

Whilst I have had my feet up after what has now been surgery on both feet I have had my nose in a great book titled 'Remember Why You Play' that captured me to the point of distraction. I am not sure how else I could have better dealt with the pain than this beautiful complimentary offering from Tyndale Publishing House.

I loved Gridiron (American Football) from the moment I watched my partner's first game. It was their homecoming game and I remember the mother of another player assuring me that 'I would get used to the sound of the helmets hitting each other'. Exactly what I wanted to hear before my first live spectator game.
The book gave me a chance to remember those games that took place now over a decade ago and the years that have occurred between. The story weaves through a realistic account of a focussed and well played season but takes time to bring life to the players within the Faith team. It brought home some of the sentiments as my partner and his friends faced injuries themselves.

As I read of one player I was reminded of being called to Ashford Hospital after training one night. My partner had sustained a helmet to the inside of his knee causing some damage which would later require surgery and nagged him for the following six years. At the time that I drew back the curtain to see him I realised my arrival would not have improved his feelings as he was high as a kite on pain relief. I found myself feeling for the player in the room next door who was concussed from the strength of the hit. He certainly gave all he had in that practise.

The book gives a engagingly documented history of Faith Christian School in their lead up to their well reported, world famous game against the Gainesville State Tornadoes. This story explains how any sporting team can be a platform to teach the skills, attitude and belief we need to not just survive but to thrive in the adult world. After a book that brought me tears of both joy and pain, laughter, sighs at the display of unconditional brotherly love, and punches to the air and pointer finger raised high in response to the words that leaders including Kris Hogan brought to their team I am looking forward to being able to get my hands on a copy of movie when it comes out. I look forward to seeing a more intense trailer as 'One Heart' gets closer to release.

A five out of five book, four and a half out of five if you don't have any idea of the games rules and player positions!

Holidays where Dad is home is always very special. Each of our children has their own way of finding special time both with Dad by himself and with he and I together. Today Boof had his special time.

With his brothers occupied with a DVD they got for Christmas he saw his chance and jumped at it. With a busy home schooling life, and PJ Bear's special needs, I need to be ever so mindful to make time for Boof and, thank goodness, he is mature enough to be able to seek our attention in truly positive ways.

We have been on a mass cleanup in preparation for having tradespeople romp through in coming weeks and we had spent most of the day collecting up all the odd toys, bits and pieces with a view to getting them sorted and packed away where they belong.

We made some great in roads though I am still left with a large pile on the floor. Mid afternoon, though, my back was feeling the strain of all the effort of shifting all our furniture around to thoroughly clean and I was due for a break. In the process of cleaning, Boof noticed that I had made some games more accessible for him and as I stretched my back he picked up his favorite family game, Boggle and asked to play.

Of course, Boof is not a child prodigy, he is barely forming letters let alone identifying words. In reality he just loves shaking the box with all the letters in it. (Yes, I know the new version doesn't need a box). It is loud and when he is done he has his own pad to write on as we get to the serious task of word finding to 100 points.

It was great to be able to play without the children so that we had an evenly matched competition for once! Of course, my husband beat me 108 to 73. I am sure that it is only because he writes faster than I do as we are never usually short of word finding with only one exception this time around. It was a doosey and we were stonkered. I put it aside to show you all but, in typical fashion, absentmindedly either misplaced it or threw it out. Oh well, next time!

My Christmas wish for you is that in these festive times you can see past pain, hurts and troubles to reach out your hand. I pray that your hand will give hope to another as you reach out to help.

My Christmas wish for you is that all that you do, albeit the same as any other day, that it will be done with appreciation for all that you have that others may not. I pray that you are enveloped in joy as you serve others.

My Christmas wish for you is that you take the time to love someone else that you find hard to love. I pray that in doing so that you feel loved for just being yourself too.

My Christmas wish for you is that you can consider others with a higher regard than yourself. Then, when you arrive home safely after your celebrations, I pray that you can bring thanks to God that no one lost their life at your hands that same night.

My Christmas wish for you is that you can share the spirit of Christmas in special ways with those who see you in a faceted way. I pray that your life is a testimony of love to work colleagues and clients, to playgroup mums and to the barrista at your local coffee bar.

My Christmas wish for you is that as you contemplate the year ahead that your already laid plans clearly seen as wise or unwise. I pray that all fear, angst and stress be replaced with empowerment, encouragement and, above all, peace.

With love at Christmas