Routines and Surprises
Dear Clients and Colleagues
“Everyone knows that childhood is a developmental journey for children. Few realise that guiding, learning from and mentoring children is a developmental process for adults, a transformative practice every bit as demanding as found in any martial art, monastery or athletic training camp.”
Michael Mendizza, Magical Parent Magical Child
(North Atlantic Books, 2003)
By the end of each year we can’t wait for school holidays to give us a respite from the school lifts, rushing from one extramural activity to another, school plays, year end parties and all the things that make the treadmill move ever faster. And then, by the second last week of the holidays we can’t wait to get our children back into a “regular” routine again because they are becoming unplayable. Sound familliar?. Now that we have all been back at school for a month and are settling into new routines (it takes a while, especially if you have more than one child to accommodate in between your own stuff!) there is a feeling of having found a kind of rhythm. But, wait a minute, mid-term break is just around the corner (always a bit too soon in the first term, I feel) and after that winter sports start and the routine we have just got used to will change. My brain is fried before we even begin!
We all thrive on routine vs chaos, especially childen. Routines provide a rhythm for the day that is predictable and makes our children feel more secure. Routines shouldn’t be too complicated – there is a time to wake up and a time to go to bed, a time to eat, a time to play, a time to do homework (once your child is at primary school) and a time to tidy up. Even the most hectic day is calmed by a regular routine. There is no finer example of this to me than a friend of mine who was widowed a few years ago and left with the challenge of raising his 3 year old daughter alone. He is doing a superb job as a single dad, one of the reasons being that his daughter’s routine has always been a priority, even under the most dire circumstances, resulting in a really well balanced and secure child.
In amongst our family routine (a framework within which there is a degree of flexibility and room for creativity) we need to surprise our children every now and again by doing something totally out of the ordinary or unexpected to keep them on their toes. I started the year off by doing a canopy tour with my husband and children – flying through Tstistikamma Forest on ziplines, 20 – 30m above ground level. It was a challenge to my senses considering that I have never been that good with heights so this was a bit of a stretch for me. I have to admit to having butterflies the first few times (actually it was a tingling, prickly feeling in my feet), but the look on the faces of my childen as they watched me was well worth being out of my comfort zone. Now, of course, they think they might get me to do the longer, higher version at Karkloof in KZN. We’ll see!
But surprising your children can be really simple and doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. In fact, my kids get a real thrill – only very occassionally, mind you – when I dive into the swimming pool and wet my hair, or let them mess my hair up while we are watching TV!
What are you going to do to surprise your children this year?
I WILL BE VISITING KZN AND CAPE TOWN………………
I will be in KZN from 16 – 18 March. The 16th and 17th are fully booked with talks but I still have the morning slot open on the 18th. Please contact me asap if you would like to book this slot for your company or school, or if you would like to host a private function. I will be in Cape Town in April and am available for just one presentation, on the evening of 21 April. Please drop me a line if you are interested in making a booking. Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za
TALKS AND WORKSHOPS
January and February are traditionally filled with lots of talks at schools. Please find below my schedule of public workshops for the next few months. Please note the booking details and click on the relevant email address.
Saturday, 21 February 2009 9 – 10.30am at Holy Rosary Convent EDENVALE
R100 per person, includes tea Bookings: Shelley Roe-Berning 082 564 7077 or shellrb@mweb.co.za
Future-proof Your Child© The world has changed. The future has changed. Childhood is changing. Raising children has never been more challenging – or potentially rewarding. Nikki Bush, creative parenting expert and author of the popular new book, Future-proof Your Child, explores what you need to know about tomorrow today, why you need to know this and what you need to do to prepare today’s children for a world that doesn’t yet exist. This talk is suitable for anyone involved in raising children, from parents to teachers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and even parents to be.
Monday, 9 March 2009 8.30 – 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON
R300 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za
Nuts & Bolts © workshop A fun, interactive workshop covering the specific perceptual skills your child needs to acquire within the first six years of life in order to be ready for school. Parents are encouraged to put their own stamp on their child’s play experiences by using their imagination, adding love letters, breaking the rules and combining games in order to create more games! come prepared to play.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009 9am – 12pm at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON
R350.00 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za
Big Kid Fun© workshop For all those parents (and grandparents) who have been asking “What next? What do we do with our children over the age of seven?” Big Kid Fun© is a workshop designed for families with 8 – 99 year olds who love to have fun. It is a very interactive workshop that will consist of a small amount of theory – the importance of play and staying connected with your children – and a lot of Big Kid Fun©. Yes, you will play a lot including some hilarious games you have never heard of! You will be reminded of all the fun to be had with a simple deck of cards and we will play some of my recommended family games. Big kids of all ages still wanna play and have fun. Join us for an entertaining and inspiring 3 hour workshop.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009 9am – 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON
R300.00 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za
Future-proof Your Child AND Parenting on the Run (as a package) This is a great combination of talks – Future-proof Your Child is the scene-setter and Parenting on the Run is the practical application. Future-proof Your Child© (one hour talk) See above for details. Parenting on the Run© (one hour talk not the 2.5 hour workshop) Parents today are busy. Being able to parent creatively – on the run – makes your parenting journey easier and much more fun. In this talk, creative parenting expert and author, Nikki Bush, introduces the concept of cheating time and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, helping parents to give away the guilt they so often feel.
She will show you how time spent in the car, doing household chores and activities or waiting for appointments, can be so valuable to both you and your child – it is never a waste of time! This insightful talk is peppered with personal anecdotes and provides dozens of practical and creative ideas to take home and try with your children.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009 7 – 8pm at Cowan House, HILTON, KZN
Bookings: Julie Hay 082 445 6764 julie@toptots.co.za
Future-proof Your Child© See details above.
Thursday, 7 May 2009 9 – 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON
R300 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za
Parenting on the Run© workshop (full 2.5 hour version) As above but including many more creative ideas and Nikki’s ever-popular suggestions for what toys and games to pack when travelling for extended periods or long distance.
Friday, 8 May 2009 8.30 – 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON
R300 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za
Nuts & Bolts© workshop A fun, interactive workshop covering the specific perceptual skills your child needs to acquire within the first six years of life in order to be ready for school. Parents are encouraged to put their own stamp on their child’s play experiences by using their imagination, adding love letters, breaking the rules and combining games in order to create more games! come prepared to play.
14 – 17 May 2009 at the The Baby Expo, The Dome, NORTHGATE
Bookings: Watch the press for details.
Beyond the Nappy Bag© A brand new talk for moms who are moving into the next phase of their child’s development.
One last thought for the month: When talking to your child try and make eye-contact as often as possible. With really small children it pays to physically get down to their level to really connect.
Keep on playing with your precious children!
NIKKI BUSH
The Bright Ideas Outfit
