Things that make you know you're doing something right.

[ZenGum]

There's an ethical dilemma for you. I am a (non-strict) vegetarian, but I kill mosquitoes. I figure self defence counts.

In highschool, one lunchtime a bunch of us were sitting on the lawn, and we noticed a spider and started looking at it. one bratty lad leaped into the circle and stomped on it.
Cue a ten-person beatdown. Not enough to do him actual injury, but plenty enough to express strong social disapproval for this act. It was so crowded it was all I could do to land a few punches on his back.

[Sundae]

My Aunt & Uncle came over to visit from Australia about 11 years ago, bringing my young cousin. It coincided with my nephew's baptism, which was nice.

The party was held at my sister's MIL's house, and as things were quite crowded a group of us were stood in the front garden, eating cardboard sandwiches and drinking warm white wine.

Mum spotted a ladybird on a rose bush, and pointed it out to Hannah, expecting her to be delighted, and say, "Ladybird, ladybird fly away home..." and make a wish or some such girly nonsense. No. Mum obviously sent a mixed message about what action was expected.
"Where?" she cried eagerly, "I'll kill it! I'll kill it!" Obviously worried that someone else was going to horn in on her stomping rights.

Of course at the time I wrote it off as the difference between Australian and British wildlife, in that ours rarely kills. I assumed all Australian children had the instinctive reaction to squish first and ask questions later. Now I find out it is not a national trait, so I can only assume she's a sociopath. Which will be interesting when she visits next year!

[Aliantha]

I don't know too many kids here who'd want to squish a lady bird. I know when I was kid I used to want to look at them and let them crawl on my finger etc and I used to try to look for the different types of patterns on them too.

Some kids just have a killer instinct I guess.

[ZenGum]

Well, you obviously don't have venomous ladybirds over there. The ones here will knock you stone cold dead inside of twenty minutes if they so much as touch your skin. And they love the taste of human sweat, too, so it's kill or be killed.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Well, you obviously don't have venomous ladybirds over there. The ones here will knock you stone cold dead inside of twenty minutes if they so much as touch your skin. And they love the taste of human sweat, too, so it's kill or be killed.

You really shouldn't scare the foreigners like that Zen. lol You know they'll believe anything you tell them.

[Aliantha]

Last night at his graduation my son won the maths award. We were so proud. We were all fairly certain he was going to get it because he's been achieving outstanding results all year, but it was nice for him to be rewarded for his efforts.

I don't know what happens at Primary school graduations in other schools or countries, but last night was a dinner dance type affair with speaches and awards etc. All the kids had a great time, but it was a long night for all considering it went for 4 hours.

One thing I was shocked about, and I have to say, was the way some of the girls were dressed. Seriously, is it normal for them to be wearing designer style dresses with diamonte necklaces and earings with full make up? On top of that, to arrive in a stretch limo? I seriously could not believe my eyes. They nearly fell out on the table at some of them. Of course there were some who were dressed modestly as 12 year old girls should be in my opinion, but I just could not believe my eyes. I could not believe that their parents felt it was ok for them to dress like that either. Most of them don't even have boobs yet ffs.

Anyway, it was an experience for me that's for sure. I'll be having a talk to my sons about the way some of the kids were dressed and see what he thinks. He just had on a long sleeved collared shirt with dark pants and leather shoes. He chose to 'be cool' and not tuck his shirt and have his sleeves rolled up much to my dismay. There were quite a number of boys who chose a similar style of dress though, so I guess that's the fashion these days.

I'm getting old. I must be.

[classicman]

Welcome to the "old" club. Good job sonofA and mom!

[dar512]

I don't know that I'd call it "normal". Even now I reserve the right to veto an outfit - and have. But there were some kids (and parents) that went way overboard on the eighth grade graduation.

[Aliantha]

OK, this post is just a sickening brag about myself and my boys, but I'm showing you anyway.

For Christmas, I gave Aden's two teachers a gift voucher for a nights accomodation at Binna Burra eco resort. It's way more than I would normally spend on a gift for a teacher, but these two ladies have had Aden for two years now and I think they've done a spectacular job with his education. They've helped him become the mature and responsible young man he is now and because of their guidance, discipline and support, he's going to enter high school with a solid base of knowledge which should stand him in good stead.

So anyway, here comes the brag bit. This was the email response I recieved this morning from one of the teachers:

Hi Trish,



Aden gave me your Christmas card and voucher today. I'm speechless! Honestly, and I don't need to tell you that you didn't need to give me anything. Thank you for your astonishing generosity and kind words.



I feel incredibly privileged to have had Aden in my class for my first two years as a teacher. I mean it. I think he's awesome. He's the perfect mix of boyish and deep, and the perfect mix of super-confident and humble, and of cheeky and sweet. I love his stories.



You've done such a great job with your boys. You should hear the CHSS staff talk about them! Everyone thinks that both of them are stunning, in every way. They're exceptional. I think you should write a book on parenting – imagine a world full of kids that turn out like Aden and Mav. Almost as cool as a world affected by Aden and Mav.



I also have to say how much I've enjoyed communicating with you during the past two years. Your emails are funny as well as insightful. I've really appreciated it.



Thanks again!

- Diana

[dar512]

Nice. Don't forget to tell the boys how proud you are.

[Aliantha]

I tell them all the time dar. I think the fact that they get positive feedback from us at home all the time is what helps them be such good students and people in general.

If/when I lose my temper and say something negative, I can always see very clearly what a terrible impact it has on them immediately. I'm not one of those pop psychology mothers though. I believe very much in corporal punishment in some circumstances, but I find it's very rarely needed if kids know you mean it when you say it's coming.

Anyway, watch out for the book. lol I'm sure most people would find my parenting style to be quite controversial so maybe it'd be a best seller.

[kerosene]

I admire you, Ali. Now I wanna move to Australia so you can teach me how to make Christmas cake.

[Aliantha]

YOu don't need me to teach you case. I put the recipe up in the food forum.

[kerosene]

Yes, but I was hoping to use the Christmas cake as an excuse just to go to Australia and hang with ya.

[Aliantha]

Oh cool! Well you just let me know whenever you're ready. I'll even supply the ingredients and somewhere to crash.