I appreciate I am completely biased, but Alby is turning into an awesome little chap. It's so easy to get lost amongst work, chores and errands let alone dog walks and the demands placed by George that we can lose sight of what a little star we have. When busy weekends lead to afternoon meltdowns or long days result in mild daddy bullying ("No daddy, want mummy") or bouts of hyper/unhinged hysterical laughing it can be too easy to focus on how we as parents need to address issues rather than take stock of what a great five year old we have. We will say "he's really really tired" and "we've asked a lot of him today" almost as a standard precursor to our great parenting chats but we don't really probe further. We don't take stock that we've got a five year old who is just trying to do his best. A little boy who has no say in how his day is going to unfold. Who gets told what to do constantly, who gets delegated responsibility for his brother constantly ("Alby, go follow George", "Alby, can you get this for your brother"...) who is always having to either share or wait as we sort out George/ourselves/Percy. If that was me I'd spend my life stomping about in such a huff. In fact, what am I saying? I regularly stomp about the kitchen telling my learned cautious husband that I just need to be left alone.
When we say we've asked a lot of him it's a blanket statement, rarely do we really appreciate the full depth of such. A couple of weeks ago Alby was ill and had to have the day off school. I had an appointment and for the first time ever Daddy came home to look after Alby. And for almost the whole day it was just the three of us and it was so easy! Despite having a sick little boy at home who needed a lot of attention it was just so easy. And since then I've tried to really remember and appreciate how much we put on him as well as to treat and respect him as an individual and not just as a big brother.
And what an individual I have. He's doing brilliantly with his phonics and now has a handful of words he can read. Not bad for one term of school. I'm not claiming he's a genius by any stretch, he is completely average in regards to ability but where credit is due is how eager he is to learn. He is so interested in words, he wants to practice and show his knowledge.
Almost every week - and actually three times just in the past week, he has come home having won house points for school. He's got them for being kind to a classmate who was crying, for singing nicely in their Christmas concert rehearsals, for sitting still and quietly. Proud mummy moment came the very first week of school when he came home with a certificate for settling in so well - only one of two children out of thirty to get one.
At rugby tots he engages with the activities, runs like anything and, when concentrating, is a pretty good kick too. He has started Ninja Tots which he absolutely loves and has jumped in feet first, no looking back.
At home he makes his bed, pretty much makes his own breakfast, gets dressed and tidies up every morning. He loves telly and he loves racing cars and playing ninja turtles but he also loves his arts and crafts, making stories, baking and generally being involved with whatever we do.
Credit where credit's due, Alby is a little superstar. I'm so lucky to have him in my life.
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