Читать книгу A Spoonful of Sugar - Liz Fraser - Страница 21

Childhood only happens once, and it’s terribly short as it is. Be their parent. Be in charge, and give them everything they need to be children. It’s the foundation for everything that’s to come.

So what do some other parents think childhood is for?

“Watching clouds.”

Don, 58, father of two

“Childhood is for growing memories. It is for having as much fun as you can fit in. Childhood is a time for ‘doing’ without being judged; for laughing when you know why and when you don’t; for learning to trust; to be free. ”

Rebecca , 40, full time mother of four

“Childhood is for simply being a child; for growing up and learning about the world, and learning about survival as well as how to dream – even Einstein says, ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge’; childhood is also a call on a parent to be properly human: to be less selfish and more humble in the face of new life; to be strong and yet feeling, protective and prepared to let go.”

Jeremy, 40 -something, father of two

“I love thinking myself back to early childhood for the sheer feeling of acceptance with everything as it was – no intrusive expectations or judgments of character. My brother and I just played and played and played in our own world and it was wonderful! ”

Jane, 63, mother of four and grandmother of four

Now then, did you notice as you were reading the thoughts above that the word ‘judge’ cropped up in various guises? We’d be well advised to think about that more often in the way we raise our children. We are very quick to give judgement, to offer our opinion, say what we think, compliment and criticise, but actually sometimes it’s best just to shut up, listen and not judge at all.

These thoughts, all of them beautiful, moving and true, along with Granny’s own suggestions from another time, form the very backbone of what you read from here on. The idea is never to wish ourselves back to times gone by – that way madness lies (and bad haircuts).

What I will seek to do instead is to find ways of putting some of this carefree and happy and, if such a word can be used here, successful childhood back into today’s world.

After this first chat I feel ready to start tackling some of the issues we raised in greater depth, and to really dig deep into the vast pool of knowledge Granny has from her child-rearing days, and that continues to this day, of course: fifty year olds still need their Mummy sometimes!

But not right now. A slimy pond awaits, and I’ll be in the Naughty Mummy corner before you can say ‘last one covered in mucks’ a rotten egg!’ if I don’t go and check it out, as promised.