Dinner time conversation, getting your kids to talk.

Dinner time with the kids is total mayhem. Getting the right plate, sitting in the right seat. Each person wanting to tell you about their important day, both at the same time. Once everyone is settled, everyone is calm (ish) and the food is out I try to find out as much as I can about their little lives and what they have so done during the day.

I want to share it with you as it helps you get to know your little one, their loves and fears. In our house we each take it in turn to tell each other about the 'best part of the day' and the 'not so best part of the day'. I don't like to ask them 'what's the worst part of the day' as I prefer to use positive language.

So Amélie's best part of the day was that in wet-play a girl did some arts and crafts with her. I ask some open questions to help her expand on this so she can't just give 'yes' or 'no' answers. For example, 'what arts and crafts did you do?' 'What colours did you use?' Etc

Then I ask 'what was the not so good part of the day?' She said when her teacher got cross with the class. Again I asked her some open questions 'what was she cross about?' 'How many times was she cross?' I always find it imperative during this conversation to ask 'how did it make you feel?' This helps to expand the conversation and they get to explore their feelings. I also get an insight into how big an issue something is. 

Sebbie's best part of the day was playing in the playground, even though he got wet ( I think that was what made it so great ). The not so good part was hurting his finger.

I love these conversations, I get a total insight into their day and I'm always amazed and impressed by the things they get up to. 

Why not try it with your children, or even your partner. Remember to use the open questions, everyone loves to talk about their day and it helps bring you closer together.

Happy chatting xx

Egg free cake

I got it into my head that I wanted to make an Easter cake for my family this year. The problem is that one of my children has an egg allergy. I have found this wonderful tasty recipe that is easy to make  and everyone loves it.

I wanted to share it for anyone out there who also has an egg allergy. This recipe is based on a war recipe, written up when eggs were rationed. People still wanted to enjoy a sweet treat with a cup of tea and this was the alternative. Works well today for egg allergy sufferers. I especially like it because of the history of this scrumptious treat.

- 175g/6oz plain flour

- 3 tsp baking powder

- 70g/2½oz margarine

- 60g/2¼oz sugar

- 1 tbsp golden syrup

- 150ml/¼ pint milk

- 2-3 tbsp jam

1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Grease and line two 18cm/7in sandwich tins.

2. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl.

3. Cream the margarine, sugar and golden syrup together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add a little flour then a little milk and repeat until all of the flour and milk has been added and the mixture is smooth and well combined. (Add a little extra milk or water if the mixture is too stiff.)

4. Divide the mixture between the two sandwich tins. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until risen and golden-brown.

5. Remove the cakes from the oven and set aside to cool slightly. Remove the cakes from the tins and set aside to cool completely.

6. To serve, sandwich the cakes together with the jam.

You can decorate it to your choice. I have covered it in a chocolate butter icing. Then put chocolate fingers all around the sides and chocolate eggs on the top. The kids love helping with this bit, and licking the bowl!!

Why not give it a try. Enjoy

Xx

The joy of shopping with a child in tow

Have you ever experienced the above with a toddler whilst shopping. With a long list of jobs to do this is not what I needed. 

So I totally had a choice, get really cross with said horizontal child and get both him and myself upset, or attempt some positive parenting. 

I gave him a choice, "would you like to get up off the floor by yourself, or shall I help you get off the floor?"  He said he'd like me to help me get him off the floor. This also indicated that he just wanted my attention as he knew I was distracted by trying to get through my list of shopping which is so not fun really for a three year old.

This time I had a choice, I could carry on shopping and risk the same thing happening again in five minutes time (but tick some jobs off my list) or I could listen to my son. Realising I wasn't going to be able to finish list we comprised on going for a hot chocolate the home. 

I didn't get much of my shopping done, but at least the situation got diffused pretty quickly and we still had a nice afternoon. 

The lesson I learnt today is to make smaller lists when I have my son in tow, and enjoy the time I have with him.