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Mary, Mary, quite contrary...


So half term wasn't quite how we'd planned, but all told it's been OK, and it definitely ended better than it started.

Having said she wasn't going riding, Abi then decided that what she really wanted to do was head to Somerset to see Fifi and Grumps so that's what happened. I did wonder whether Izzy would want to go as well - with what's been going on at school I thought she might prefer to be at home but no, she was keen as well so off they went. Glenn took them down and I had a quiet day at home, not least I didn't really want to spend my day off in the car when I would be going down myself later in the week.

So it started well, but then Izzy decided that perhaps 2 days of being on her (almost) best behaviour was enough and 1) stayed in bed until lunchtime and 2) refused to do anything other than what she wanted. This culminated in her trying to get me to FaceTime her at lunchtime on Wednesday as I was walking back into a meeting. All I got in quick succession by text was "Mummy!"; "Mummy!"; "Mummy, FT me!"; "Mummy, now!"

Needless to say I called instead, only to find she had locked herself in the toilet because Mum and Dad were (quite reasonably) telling her she had to come for a walk! Long story short, Mum had a talk to her to explain sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to, and it equilibrium was restored. This is not a new lesson, but one we are having to repeat a number of times. When we got home we then had a talk about needing to set some goals and work towards them so she has a focus (i.e. anything other than retreating into her iPad). This seems to have taken effect - she has written them out and has been much more herself over the weekend.  I just hope going back to school tomorrow doesn't result in things regressing. Poor Izzy has gone to bed worrying about what was happening with some of the girls in her class - no matter how many times I assure her that it will all blow over, it doesn't feel like that to her at the moment.

Abi has enjoyed her more relaxing week off and loved being down in Somerset. All the kids got on brilliantly and for once there didn't appear to be anyone left out of the games. Just as we were congratulating ourselves on the fact that at least she is quite amiable at the moment, I sat her down to do her to do her Maths revision.... cue shut down, brain freeze, tears and tantrums - brilliant, good to see it doesn't take much to switch it on then! Despite being OK at Maths (it will never be her best subject) she has limited confidence and thinks she's rubbish so of course gives up and then is rubbish. When she has the right mental approach she's actually fine, but how to get her to recognise that?!  We ended up using the solitaire set that Dad made us for Christmas to work though some of the problems with marbles to show her the principles in 3D so to speak. It seemed to work but it's so frustrating trying to explain a Maths approach to a child that refuses to listen properly - arggghhh!!

This weekend has been a whirlwind of various birthday celebrations, the kids catching up on seeing their friends and back to school prep (Izzy lovingly sorting through her pencil case). They may not be looking forward to all the lessons but there's still nothing better than new pencils it seems!!



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