| I have a story to tell you about persistence, | | | | their afternoon chores we sat down to write a |
| discipline and vision. It is a story that will make | | | | letter. Miss Muffett is always keen to get going, |
| you smile, it did me. | | | | as most girls are, and requires some help with |
| For those of you who have school aged children | | | | spelling. Andrew sat there looking out into space, |
| you are well aware of the task of homework. I | | | | time and time again I had to keep prompting him |
| have two children a boy Andrew aged 8 and a | | | | to write 'I'm thinking' he would say, 'what about?' I |
| daughter nicknamed Miss Muffett aged 5. When | | | | would reply, and this went on and on, trying to |
| we get home from school in the afternoon they | | | | get him to expand on his thoughts other than |
| have to unpack their school bag, take out their | | | | today I played soccer! |
| homework and put it on the table then go and | | | | Eventually, after 11/2 hours we had finished! I |
| get change out of their school clothes and put | | | | couldn't believe it. Not once did they want to get |
| their play clothes on. | | | | up and go outside and play. They persisted in their |
| I am a bit old fashioned and still believe that | | | | task at hand and did not lose focus on the |
| receiving a letter in the mail box is really exciting. | | | | outcome, a lovely letter to Mama and Poppy.Their |
| It makes the receiver feel special that you have | | | | letters were great, they told their Grandparents |
| taken the time to sit down and write a story, | | | | about school, their friends what they had been |
| informing them of what has been going on in your | | | | doing and asked what Mama and Poppy had been |
| life.So every second Wednesday we sit around | | | | up to as well. Always thoughtful of how they |
| the kitchen table and the children write a letter to | | | | were feeling and how much they are loved. |
| their Mama and Poppy, who live many hours | | | | After they had addressed their envelope and |
| away. | | | | placed the stamp on I said 'Go outside and play |
| What a wonderful experience this is proving to be. | | | | you have done very very well.' Andrew then |
| The children have improved their handwriting and | | | | came up to me and said, 'Mum I feel really good', |
| spelling, they are spelling words not necessarily on | | | | and I replied 'what about?" and he went on to |
| their spelling lists at school but words which | | | | explain how he felt really good about writing a |
| describe what they have been up to, sentence | | | | letter to Mama and Poppy, not just a good letter |
| structure and formation of a story has been a | | | | but a great letter. At first he didn't really want to |
| joy to watch develop. | | | | do it, he would have rathered watch television or |
| However, the most wonderful part of all, is that | | | | played with the dogs, but he is glad that he kept |
| instead of running around getting washing off the | | | | doing it and finished. He was really proud of |
| line, ironing or getting dinner ready, tasks mothers | | | | himself. I was too. |
| are always doing, we sit around together and talk | | | | At the age of 8 Andrew clearly demonstrated |
| about our days, what has been happening in and | | | | that the vision he had of writing a letter, his goal, |
| out of the school room and home and think | | | | was attainable through persistence and had work. |
| carefully about what they would like to write in | | | | Any obstacles placed in his way were overcome |
| their letter. This produces much discussion and it | | | | by asking for help and advice. He put that |
| gives me a great insight into their beautiful little | | | | knowledge into practice and produced a fine letter. |
| minds and what is happening in their lives. It has | | | | He demonstrated discipline and patience by sitting |
| become a very special time for me, they think up | | | | for 11/2 hours to complete his task. He did not |
| stories to tell their Grandparents and we talk | | | | give up, he did not say 'I dont want to do this |
| about how excited they will be when they receive | | | | anymore', he persisted. What is more, he felt |
| their letter and the news the children have written | | | | really proud of himself and what he had achieved |
| about. | | | | when he put the letter in the postbox. |
| In saying that there has been some whinging and | | | | I am really proud of him. |
| wining coming from Andrew about how much he | | | | If you are struggling with something, anything, be |
| has to write, an A4 sheet, 'How am I ever going | | | | patient. Focus on your goal, harness the mindset |
| to write that much?' he would say. | | | | and discipline required and be persistent, you will |
| So, yesterday was Wednesday, and after doing | | | | succeed too. |