Friends

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My daughter is in her first term of school as a reception kiddy (or prep if you're in Vic). She is attending a lovely small - medium sized metropolitan public school which is only five houses away from home and has two wonderful teachers who job share.

She is fortunate enough to have a good selection of family backgrounds in her class. Some families have an Indian background, others Asian, others high or low income. What a fabulous opportunity for her to mix with all sorts of children from such a variety of backgrounds!

One friendship that my daughter has made has been challenging my parenting and social beliefs and I'm really grateful for it. My daughter has made friends with a child in her class who has quite obvious behavioural challenges which result in frequent outbursts in class and disruptive behaviour. This child doesn't seem to be able to make friends easily, is on the outer in the social groups in the class and often comes to school quite dishevelled.

I have been so lucky to witness, whilst I'm in the classroom reading or helping out, my daughter take this boy by the hand and help him clear out his work tray. Or take his hand and keep him on track at the back of the line on the way to the library. Or play with him in the playground when none of the other children will.

All sorts of crazy thoughts have been bubbling up since I've known she has made this friendship. Has she any other friends? Is she mixing with the wrong sort of kids? Will she get labelled if she hangs out with this child? Just the protective tiger mummy coming out in me there. Of course she has lots of friends in the class and plays with them quite often.

Most ridiculous of all is "Oh no!! She's a rescuer!! She'll be forever chasing men in her adult life that need saving!!". How absurd! Sure, I'll gently guide her if she starts to make such choices.

But this childhood friendship is different. This is a case of my daughter seeing someone who needs a friend. A pal. Some stability in their every day life. And she so willingly gives her friendship and her hand that I feel very proud of her.

We could all learn something from my five year old....

Busy like a beaver

We don't have beavers here in Australia. Just in case you weren't sure. But if we did, I think I might bear a slight resemblance to them....

I have been busy settling my daughter into her first term of school. It's been a smooth and easy process, with her eager as a beaver attitude helping her slide right on into school life. It's like she's been there for years.


I've been taking part in the Around The Block 2 swap, making other people's blocks for them and posting them back... all the while they make mine and return them all finished.

I've been a market girl last weekend, holding my first indoor stall at a boutique market here in Adelaide called the Lollipop Markets. I was blown away by the number of shoppers through the door - over 3000! It was a successful day for Silly Gilly and I'm now prepping for my next boutique stall at Mathilda's Markets on Sunday 13th March.

I've also been coming to terms with transitioning from being a full time stay at home mum with a kid around 24/7 to a full time stay at home mum with her one and only kidlet at school. What to do with 6 hours every day??? My husband's first reply would be housework and unfortunately, part of me has to agree. But the rest of my footloose and fancy free time I'm dedicating to building up the Silly Gilly empire and taking a little time out each day for me. Five years full time parenting is hard slog and it's nice to have some time to sit in the sunshine.... alone.

But gee, I miss her. Every day. I even drove past the school today at lunch time just to see if I could catch a glimpse. Give me a few years and I might get used to her being at school!