Little heartbreaks

It’s gotten more. The school system’s got us by the throat. But education’s a privilege. We’ve got this. 

The day will come. Little sisters grow up, even if they are tantrumy toddlers and bawling babies now. In the meantime, weekly lunch dates.

Charly’s favourite pâtisserie

Has opened up near our place!

My 3 Princesses

Picking out their jewels.

Parenting my 8-year-old

Have you peed?

Go and pee.

Brush your teeth.

Why are you taking so long?

You’re going to miss the schoolbus.

Did you brush your teeth?

Ok, sit down.

Eat.

Drink your water. You’ve not drank any water.

Concentrate. Eat.

You’d better hurry up. Or the bus will go off without you.

Are you done? Drink your water.

Did you brush your teeth?

Tell me the truth.

No, tell me the truth. I want to hear the truth.

Why did you lie?

Go and brush your teeth now!

Did you pee when you woke up?

Are you sure?

What do you mean you forgot?

How can you forget to pee!

Go and pee now!

You’re going to miss the bus.

Eat your food.

Concentrate.

Drink water.

Eat your food.

Pay attention.

Hurry up!

Eat your food.

Sit up straight.

Eat your food.

Stay on your chair, do not move around when you’re eating.

Take care of yourself before you take care of your sister.

I will take care of your sister.

How many times do you need me to tell you that?

Eat your food.

Eat your food! Concentrate! Hurry up!

Do your work.

Pay attention.

What are you supposed to do?

Take care of yourself before you take care of your sister.

Concentrate.

Drink water.

Sit straight.

Concentrate.

Drink water.

Go and shower.

What are you supposed to do?

Why are you still here?

You’re supposed to shower, right?

What do you mean you forgot?

Well, what are you waiting for?

Are you playing with water?

Stop playing with water!

You’re supposed to shower, not play with water.

Have you shampooed your hair?

Why haven’t you shampooed your hair?!

It still has shampoo in it.

Come, I’ll help you.

What are you doing?

What are you supposed to do?

Then why are you not wearing clothes?

Get dressed.

Concentrate.

Eat your food.

Sit straight.

Have you finished your food?

Eat!

You actually have to swallow your food instead of keeping it in your mouth. That’s how you eat.

Here, eat.

You want me to feed you?

Then eat by yourself!

Concentrate!

How many times do you want me to tell you to eat your food?

Drink water.

Go and brush your teeth.

Have you brushed your teeth?

Why not? Go and brush your teeth.

Did you pee?

Go and pee.

Let’s go and floss your teeth.

Where are your eyedrops?

I am grateful

It is a letter from her teacher.

She places it at her bedside and reads it every night before she goes to sleep.

5 reasons why

1. The kids raise their hands and shout out the answers. Before the teacher has called their names, before the teacher has even asked the questions. Because they know everything.

2. When they finish their work, they announce, “I’m done! Who wants to compete!”

3. When they get 9/10 for spelling, they groan in dismay.

4. They are 8.5 years old and write 4 pages long introductions to their compositions.

5. The naughtiest thing they do is secretly read their story books during lessons.

Here, birdy birdy!

Another kitty cat.

Solitude

Everybody’s asleep. There’s only me.

Me.

I drink it all up. It’s delicious.

Big sister

She comes home from school and picks up a yellow flower from the ground for her little bunny sister.

To tend to my loves

Hubby picked the big kid up from her ballet lesson. Together, they decided. They brought it home and she laid it on my lap. The toddler snatched it up and plucked the petals. I rescued it and stowed it away.

Every day, before she went to bed, she sprinkled it with water.

A week later, in the dead of the night, I remember to take a photo. The edges of the flowers are curling black. The leaves at the side are mushy with rot. I throw it away.

I’ve not had time.