Photo of the Week

So it's been one of those weeks where not everything has been going to plan. There have been disappointments and some worries. There has been sunny days and rainy days. This afternoon the sun came out so as a family we went out to get some well needed fresh air. A repose from all the heavy thoughts. This photo is not the most technically brilliant but it shows why suddenly nothing matters any more but this moment. This is the moment before the hug. This is my photo of the week!

The Friday Song Choice

I'm shy

As a mum I now put everything down to a stage. It's the best way to overcome any worries I may have and it gives me hope that things can change! I'm not too sure about this "stage" we are experiencing just now though but like with most things when it comes to my wee man I find the less I worry about it the better I manage it. Quite frankly I'm not even sure it's something to "worry" about, to manage or to just ignore and accept it.

It started during our trip to Jamaica, a fear of the unknown, a nervousness around new people that just grew and grew. I guess it did not help that we kept saying that he never used to be like this, he's a bit shy. Then one day my wee man only went and used those very words to describe himself "I'm shy". It never overly bothered me until I noticed that while we were walking along or at the park if someone was walking past he would stop, close his eyes, the attention, even non attention was just too much. In certain situations he would cry if we had visitors, even friends he had played with quite happily times before. If the park was too busy he was not overly interested in playing until it quietened down a bit or would choose something else to do. Sometimes he would loudly shout "No!" if another child wanted to play a bit too close to him.

So dare I admit I actually ran to Google, the usual parenting forums to see what was out there about a "shy" toddler. Nothing has raised any alarm bells but one thing that made a lot of sense was stop using that darn word "shy". So my toddler takes time to settle in certain situations. I've taken to telling him he is fine and that mummy is here. Thankfully most of the times after a bit he does settle into a situation and happily gets involved.

The crazy thing is that this contrasts to certain situations which he approaches with no fear. It's like it's not because he does not have confidence in himself it's just his personal preference. So this should be okay, not frustrating but admittedly sometimes it is a little bit frustrating. I think the tears are the hardest especially with friends he has met before and I'm there holding him. I'm telling myself to be patient and look at it from his perspective, he just needs time and space, and well that is not such a bad thing.

So do you have any experiences of your child being overly "shy" in certain situations? What's been your approach? Do I really need an approach?

C is for Cucu

The wee man has set Italian words for certain things, and hide and seek and peek a boo is one of them.   When he saw this maze he could run through, for him it was playing a game of "cucu", try and catch me if you can!

but baby it's cold outside

Yesterday was crazy weather in Glasgow. It went from moments of bright sunshine to dark grey and hailstones. There was some snow and some of it settled. This morning I woke up to cold bright sunshine. Feeling a bit flat I thought it would be good to wrap up warm and get some fresh air. Being inspired by different blog photography recently I thought I would take my camera too "just in case". I was actually thinking of maybe a blog post entitled "remnants of snow" but the weather forecast tells me there is more to come. I've decided that wrapping up warm and getting out whatever the weather isn't just good for my wee man but good for mummy too.

 

Silent Sunday

Chasing pigeons

After nursery this week we have been getting in some quick trips to the park. One afternoon the wee man saw a pigeon and that was it he was targeted for the rest of the afternoon. I really thought we were going to be taking this pigeon home! I wish I could have gotten the look on his face whenever the pigeon flew in the sky and he shouted "Oh no"! I felt so sorry for said pigeon, it was not the best day to be in the park. Every now and again it seemed the pigeon was going to get a break but suddenly the wee man was after it again. At one point it had landed on the roof of the cafe in what it thought was safety and maybe that my wee man would give up. My wee man! He jumped up and down shouting at the pigeon until it really decided it was time to fly well away.