My day for Education · Saturday April 21, 2007 by Abbie
Today was a day for me to do the learning. It was the annual La Leche League Spring Workshop today. I have been a breastfeeding counsellor for a few years with them now, and I always look forward to meeding up with friends again, and hearing about new ideas and techniques.
Unfortunately Ram hates situations like this. I was hoping that he and the Dxh would dropped me off and then they could go and visit one of the many ruined castles in Wales. Ram only does ruins! But he was so upset at the idea that he would be without me for the day, that he was in tears on Friday. So we suggested that they stay at the centre but as it was going to be a nice day, they could play outside. Ram can’t stand coming into the room with all the people talking. It is just too much for him.
Ram was much happier with this idea, so he packed a box with some things to play with including badminton rackets, football, Travel Scramble, which was a real surprise because he has never played it, and some comics. I suggested that Dxh take the newspaper so that they could try a little reading.
We were nearly late getting there because getting Ram going in the morning is like directing treacle with hand signals! I explained that we needed to do things quickly in the bathroom, so he went into the bathroom and climbed into the window and sat there telling me about zombies!
We had to drop the dog Arrow off at the farm for the day as she is on medication and can’t be left. On the way he had to go over and talk to his fellow sheep, and noticed that the ducks where there too and wanted to see them! Finally we got into the car and I realised that Ram hadn’t had any breakfast! This happens quite often. He doesn’t feel hunger very often, and won’t remember that he is supposed to have breakfast! Luckily I remembered before we left, so I could go back in and get some dry cereal. Good think he doesn’t have it with milk anyway!
When we got there I said good bye until the first break and they went off and played. Apparently Ram when through everything in the first 20 minutes! It was as if he had to do it all straight away and didn’t know how to pace himself. I guess that is something that I will have to work on with him.
He came in at break time to get me so I went outside with them for a bit. They had managed to lose part of the badminton shuttlecock. Note to self: back three shuttlecocks next time, not just one!
I had sneaked a new book about The Simpsons into the box of toys, and Ram was over the moon when he saw it! He and the Dxh spent a lot of time reading. It is funny to think that he thinks he can’t read very well and needs to read the Ladybird Ram and Jane books, but then tucks into this slightly adult book with no problem! I think it is all about confidence, and Ram still isn’t confident that he can read.
I had another interesting session before we broke for lunch. I ended up having my lunch with my boys rather than socialising with my friends, but it was a small compromise compared to not going at all.
I agreed that I would only go to one afternoon session and then we would go home. I am glad that we left early because there was an accident on the motorway on the way back. Luckily it was nearly all cleared up when we passed, but it still slowed us down. There was lots of discussion in the car about safety, and why mum bursts into tears when passing a family car full of luggage and toys that is sitting on its roof!
We also did more reading in the car. We played the numberplate game where you look for words in the registration plates. Our rules were you could add any vowel you wanted. Ram is getting quite good at spotting combinations of letters that will make a word.
It was clear that Ram was very stressed, and he needed some time to unwind before we watched Dr Who. But despite the difficulty of the day, I am glad that I made it. Sometimes people say that they wouldn’t like to home educate because they want time for themselves to do what they want. But you can do both. Even though I have a very clingy difficult child at times, I have still managed to be a breastfeeding counsellor and get out a couple of times a year for extra training.
That just goes to show that education is a life long adventure for all ages!
