How do you perceive me? The 1 Word Meme

by 45 Comments

This is such an incredibly difficult post to write. Not because it is making me face up to a powerful and traumatic memory, but because it is not in my nature to self-congratulate. Most people are the same.

I discussed this with the Year Four class  that I teach on Thursday mornings in my R.E. lesson. Their task was to identify their most positive personality trait, their 'gift from God'. I warned them that it was difficult, however I was pleasantly surprised how easy they found it to do. Within two minutes we had post-it notes all over the white-board with a range of personal qualities. Some of them were unrepeated: unique, thoughtful, and one child wrote weird; whilst the vast majority of the class opted for caring, kind and helpful. I Found it really interesting that not only do they perceive themselves as that, but that's what they wanted others to see in them.

So if children can do it, why can't adults? I know it's in our nature to be self-deprecating but not this time!

The lovely Michelle over at MummyFromTheHeart has decided that we all need a little positivity and congratulations in our life. As I look out of the window at the dull, grey weather brought to us at this miserable time of year, I am inclined to agree with her that we need a way of lifting out spirits. In the lady's own words (please excuse the editing):

"…an email I received a few years back … was about the power of positive affirmations and how knowing what positive things others think of you can boost your own self-esteem.  It talked of an inspirational teacher who got all her children to write one positive word down to describe the other children in the class and then they had to hand them in.  The teacher then collated all the positive words for each child into a special sheet for them and handed it to them to read and keep.  They learnt that their peers saw them in ways they had never imagined and it had an immense effect on them…

Well, what about if us bloggers and virtual friends did something similar?  How marvellous would we all feel to learn these new facets of ourselves that we did not know existed… If people are kind enough to give us a compliment we should be gracious enough to accept it…. and why not go one step further and actually go out and ask for it?

Well that is what I want us all to do.  I am creating a meme, called the 1 Word Meme and I would love for every one of us to be able to collate all the the positive words left by our real life friends, virtual friends and fellow bloggers so that we each have a sheet of positive affirmations to treasure and boost our self-esteem."

Then she tagged me. I am incapable of saying no to someone if they ask for help or ask me to do something. It comes from my need to be thought positively. Therefore you'd think tagging me would be a good thing, it may affirm my need to be liked. Here's the killer though, <shhh> what if no-one likes me enough to respond? (Excuse me while I hyperventilate a second).

So here's what you have to do:

– Just write one word in the comments box below to finish this sentence off (and please be nice, or I might cry)

TheBoyandMe is…

And because this is a meme I have to tag people and challenge them to do the same. So I challenge you:

Please be kind to me.

BSensible Bedsheet

by 4 Comments

I have recently been sent the B-Sensible cot-sheet to review.

This bed-sheet couldn't have come at a better time to be perfectly honest; we've just had a series of failures at night with our usual brand of nappies. Yes I know this is a review for a bed-sheet but this has a connection. The brand of nappies which has usually seen The Boy happy throughout the night from 7.30 to 6.30 has failed to work. This means that by the time we got into him in the morning, his sleepsuit, sleeping bag and cot sheet were saturated. Which also meant that the zip-off mattress cover was drenched. It was getting tedious having to get it washed and dry before his 11am nap!

The B-Sensible cot-sheet is different to normal bedding because it is a water-resistant, breathable fitted child's sheet. The cot-sheet uses 100% natural fibres which 'offer a unique combination of the most desirable properties for the comfort and care of your baby's skin.' Other features include:

  • 100% natural Tencel thermo-regulating fabric
  • The latest-generation breathable membrane naturally that is virtually undetectable.
  • Dermofresh waterproofing system
  • Naturally provides a barrier against bacteria and mites
  • Hypoallergenic clinically proven to be suitable for those with sensitive skin, eczema, asthma & rhinitis.
  • Totally eco-friendly manufacturing process.

This sheet was a marvel! During the trial and error process of finding a nappy which wasn't failing The Boy at night, we used this sheet constantly and not once did it leak through to the mattress cover! The sheet is suitable for machine washing at 90°C and can be tumble-dried. Here's the best bit for a busy working mum who irons everything: it's NON-IRON! Hurrah!

Even though we've now progressed to the point where we don't suffer with nappy leaks during the night, we are continuing to use this sheet; it is soft, smooth, comfortable and feels very fresh. We tested the white sheet, but it also comes in 24 different colours including Sky Blue, Pink, Lemon, and Arran. For children it is available in a variety of different sizes from moses basket to single sheet. There is also a range of bedding for adults.

Sleep is such an important element to the growth and development of babies and children, having it hampered by a leaking nappy is detrimental. The Boy is sleeping peacefully and comfortably thanks to the B-Sensible cot-sheet.

Medical 'Care'?

by 4 Comments

When The Boy was born, the standard of care that I, and many of the other mothers there, received was pretty abismal. After all he had developed an infection at 12 hours old and I followed suit after three days. Contrastingly, the medical attention that I saw exhibited by a different set of paediatricians and nurses, when he was rushed in at three weeks old, was second to none.

During my father's various hospitalisations for his cancers over the past three years, I've seen different levels of care, which is quite worrying on cancer wards. All cancer removed twice due to a brilliant surgeon and brilliant aftercare. Then three weeks into chemotheraphy he's rushed in with an infection in his PICC line, and DVT in his arm, because the district nurse didn't clean it properly.

Earlier today, I was sat in the outpatients department of a hospital waiting for my 2.30 appointment. One of the other patients (what an appropriate word) was still waiting to be seen from her allocated time of 1.30. I was finally called at 3.25, bizarrely, she was still sat there. The hospital wasn't my local hospital (trust me, this is a good thing); I battled to be seen there for eight long months for a second opinion as I didn't trust the first doctor!

This is all an aside to my main point. The corridors were full of chatting nurses and doctors walking around in a sedatory manner. I felt like grabbing one of them by the shoulders, showing them the over-crowded waiting room and shaking them into awareness. "Pull your finger out! Get a move on!"

Last night my poor five year old nephew had to go to the local Accident & Emergency department with a bad burn to his hand; a Pancake Day injury. My sister took him in at 7.30pm and he was finally seen by the doctor at midnight! That only happened because our mum went and asked the packed staffroom if someone would be tending to him soon.

Similarly, when my mother was taken in with a broken upper arm (falling off a 6 foot high ladder, the fool!), it was five hours before she was seen by a doctor, treated and discharged. Five long hours with minimal painkillers, whilst the staff stood around chatting about their shopping lists and nights out. At the age of 63, she was deemed too old to be operated on! The fractured elbow was missed and only diagnosed a month later. It was absolutely appalling treatment.

Need another example of shoddy work? Look at how Mammywoo's poorly son was treated.

I know that any public sector job is hard. I'm not in the medical profession (although my brother is a paramedic married to a nurse practitioner) but I know the grief that comes with being the front-line of working with the public. I am fully aware that the hours are long, the pay is far from compensatory for the workload and the recognition is non-existant.

But just what the hell is going on in hospitals nowadays? Why is the standard of care and attention so variable?

Tired!

by 22 Comments

A one-day old little boy showing mummy just how tiring his journey has been!

—

This week's theme is: One Word.
Any word you like: Up, spring, sunrise, snotty, peaceful, scream, fast, digital, lazy, sleepy, cake.

Oh Tara, you do like to make our life difficult!

Don't forget to pop over and visit the other entries by using the Linky on the left.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...