Daddy lessons with some table talk

Diane's kids are all just as fascinating as Diane. Tovi rejects all that is considered good health by her mum and happily frolics with chemicals and all this preserved. She happens to be a fantastic beautician so whilst Maryanne was getting her hair all wonderfully glamorised, Diane found some time to give me a little more advice. Interestingly she gave some advice to Jesse which I enjoyed.

Jesse gets abit flustered when Marisol cries, he simply calls out for the 'mummy'. Often I am quite happy to take her but I don't think it is a good habit. Marisol and Jesse have to find their own balance together and by doing so they have to work on the whinging periods. Queen Diane quickly summed up the situation and did not let Marisol come to Mummy but let Jesse realise how just by a little distraction she can forget about her whinging and even mummy.

"look marisol, look what is up there in the trees!" and ever so quickly she has forgotten her gripe and onto her next port of adventure.

Then we sat down to a yummy hearty lentil soup. Marisol guaged herself on it and managed to get it all over her face. Diane pointed out that if you don't clean their face after their meal then they will get used to a dirty face and later on when you try and get rid of it they will get annoyed. Mashi, Diane's grandson, is the king of clean. He is about 18months and has impeccable manners. Whilst he is eating at the table he will dab at the corner of his mouth if there is food there. I can no t believe it but I like the idea.

That being said there is also then the thought of respecting your food. Teaching Marisol that it is food time. A nice clean table where we all sit down and enjoy our meal together. No playing with food, no coochie coochie coos but a fun time to eat lots of yummy food that we all enjoy. I think it is very important to have at least one meal where you all sit down together. Diane also pointed out to me that if you give Marisol food whilst she is on the go she will use it as play food. If, instead, you let them sit at the table and they learn, ok now is time for food, then they will eat and naturally learn the value and joy of meal times.