We need a shepherd dog

No we are not planning to move to a farm and start raising sheep (I wish we were though). No. I need the sheepdog to help me gather the kids when we are walking outside. They have the tendency to spread out and walk at different paces, thus I might find myself with one kid running ahead of me, one walking to the East, and the other to the West, most of the time, without even looking where they are going.

These days I have realised that things which are supposed to be relaxing, like taking a walk, can become quite stressful when you do them with/ for young kids. Take reading a book. My kids love them and I read to them everyday. So everyday we have to go through these hurdles to "enjoy" our books. First obstacle: where is everyone going to sit? Kids argue because everyone wants to be closest to the book to have an unobstructed view of the illustrations. So it takes a few minutes until all are settled down and happy with their spot. And if someone moves, we start all over again. Second obstacle: who's going to read the story? Although my kids don't know how to read, they know most of the stories because they heard them a million times. So every now and then, someones, especially the, girls want to say the story. Of course this makes room for grumbling from the other parties. So mum has to explain that it is a good thing to listen to one another, without interrupting. Which brings me to the next obstacle: interruptions. I don't mind kids' questions, (well, for most of the time), but please don't interrupt me in the middle of a sentence to ask what is this, and what is that, and who is this and what is that doing... Which really makes me wonder how much of the story they are understanding! So I have to remind them not to interrupt and ask questions only at the end of a page. By the time e finish all the books, I am freaking out, but yes there is another obstacle: putting the books back in the shelf. I don't need to go into much detail do I? I will let this picture speak for itself.


Same goes for watching a DVD. This is supposed to be the ultimate stress less activity, right? Wrong. You might be familiar with the irresistible feeling of drowsing off on the sofa (or settee, right Cori?) while in front of the TV. But my kids won't let you. First because I have to re-phrase what everyone is saying, as my kids are constantly asking: what did he say? what is happening? can you tell us the story? Secondly because my kids happen to be very sensitive, and will feel anxious and cry even during Winnie the Pooh movies, even if the watched it several times.

Going for a hot chocolate and doughnut! Ah, does that sound nice or what? Well let's the hot choc and doughnut on one end of the scale and waiting for them to come, getting all smudged with jam and the hot chocolate, several trips to the potty, urges to eat more quickly, the several complaints such a s "This is not the doughnut I wanted", or "She has more chocolate in hers!" on the other end. What do you say??

The least stressful activity we do is going to the beach, which we do everyday on our long summer. However this is not at all devoid of stress. First big one is finding a parking, which is usually a 5 minute walk to the beach. Not much you say but please consider that we are normally carrying: 2 chairs, an umbrella, a bag with towels, a picnic cooler, another bag with essentials for making tea, boards, inflatables, beach toys, fishing nets, and 2 jerrycans with fresh water for rinsing the kids. Add this to 3 kids who complain if asked to help carry some thing, and you have got 2 stressed out parents. Then once we settle in our spot we have to put sun screen and armbands on. In what ways is this stressful? Well have you ever tried to catch a kid all smothered in sunscreen to pot on this armbands before he rushes to the sea? If you did, you know perfectly what I mean. Once everyone is settled and mum and dad have finally entered the cool refreshing water..."Mum I am thirsty", "Mum I want to eat", "Dad lets' go fishing", "So and so splashed me", "Dad can you throw me up in the air?", "Mum I am feeling cold", " Dad let's make a mountain", "So and so is not letting me play"...

But in spite of it all, I can't wait to go to the beach!!