Why is Life so Weird, Mummy?

Why is Life so Weird, Mummy?

I'll let Robbie Williams explain...

(explicit lyrics - obviously as title is Motherfucker)

source

We are all nutters and motherfuckers!

There isn't a lot we can do to escape society, other then become hermits or hideaway, but doing that won't prepare kids for the 'real' world.

The best we can do is be realistic. Teach them that it is ok to be themselves, whoever and however they feel - they don't have to hide it.

I'm going through this one with my 6-year-old daughter, as she says she hides who she really is at school.

I take this to mean they don't see her temper and she doesn't talk about her worries.

She had a little poking the eyes incident with her younger sister at a birthday party, which was witnessed by a lot of her friends and she was so worried that they wouldn't like her anymore.

I do get psychologist help with her, as some of her issues are beyond my capabilities to deal with on my own.

But, that has led me to look into more strategies to cope with life's stresses, like meditation, mindfulness, breathing techniques, and have located a kids yoga class to try. I truly think these sort of things should be part of the school's curriculum, as they are every bit as important to learn as a kid, as maths, reading, writing, and sciences.

The natural inclination is to wrap your children up in bubble wrap and protect them from the world.

You can do this, but they will find out themselves via friends, television and other people. And really it is so important for the first mention of things comes from a parent, as they always look to you for guidance (whether it looks like they listen or not).

I found this out with the recent Manchester nail bomb incident. It wasn't me who told them about it, but they found out about it at the assembly at school.

And I didn't know how much or what was said, so I probably ended saying more than I should or needed to about it.

Unfortunately, this is the times we live in now, we can't hide it.

We can prepare them to stand the best chance of surviving such an incidence though, by being vigilant and aware of the surroundings, especially in cities. But never let it stop it doing what you want to do or going where you want to go.

Oh yeah and don't wear trainers with circuit boards in (aka light up trainers) when you go through airports. Yes daughters, "only special people get searched", as the security lady told you.

Well, that's today's rant anyway!

What do you think? How can we best prepare our children for today's world?