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www.ilkestonlife.com ILKESTON LIFE February 2022 9

Cats and Dogs The trials of a marriage, but the A breath of
beauty of it all.
by John Wright And then the pride and happiness
If it were raining Cats and Dogs, of children growing tall. country air
How happy I would be. And so there is no tragedy in
I could have a Cat or Dog, being old and grey,
Sitting on each knee But only joy in having time to
dream of yesterday.
I could have a house full,
Of both Dogs and Cats, A Little Smile
And I could spoil them all, Add a smile and then a smile
With lots of strokes and pats. you’ll find that it will pay.
I’d not want them to get jealous, Don’t be measly with your smile,
So they’d share my affection, I just give a few away.
hope, Smile at folks and they will smile
As long as they remained happy, at you
Then I think I could cope. It really is surprising what a little
One thing which makes me won- smile can do.
Add a smile and take a smile and a
der, word that cheers. It’s a new day...
Is how could I feed them all? A smile wont get old fashioned
Well, I guess, we all can dream, like the hat you wore last year. A lovely little Blue Tit watches the rising sun
I am happy with one, she is small. A smile suits any kind of face, a and a Robin enjoys the moment as the warm
Joys of Old Age smile is always smart, morning rays light up where he sits.
A smile reveals the sunshine that
Photos by Colin Tomlinson
Kathleen Philips: These poems is shining in your heart.
were written by my grandmother
when in her 80s and 90s.
There really is no tragedy in being GOAL!
old and grey, Fans celebrate with
And wondering how soon the Alex Troke who has
night will draw the break of day scored for Ilkeston
Old people have their memories of against Halesowen
silver and of gold Town. The game
Which are their own exclusively ended in a 2-2 draw.
to have and always hold. Read Matchman’s
The memories of childhood with report on the back
its laughter and its tears page.
And all the strange and funny Photo by Kyle Place
things of adolescent years.

Kids are us CHOICES
If you your child says ‘I’m not getting dressed’
I speak to lots of parents who are frustrated and ensure they know that it’s not a choice, as they
exhausted with the daily struggle they have with need to wear clothes to go out, but tell them
their children. they can choose between 2 t shirts for example.
• ‘I’m sick of hearing my own voice’. Also remember if you ask a young child if they
• ‘They have been doing my head in’. want to do something you’ll probably get a lot
• ‘Why do they behave for everyone else?’ of no’s.
• ‘They never do what I ask.’ Making a decision is hard for a child, don’t ask
Here are a few things that might help you. so much, just do, and take the responsibility
Turn DONT’S into DO’s and STOP into GO. back.
We fall into the trap of saying what we don’t If your young child seems grumpy and lethargic
want them to do and that’s exactly what we when you collect them from school; but you are
end up getting. Try and think of a word that happy to see them but you get nothing in return,
describes what you want them to do. Imagine being them, having a full on day, trying
Example: to learn and play, being told what to do and
When you are shopping – change ‘don’t run off’ when to do it.
to ‘stay close to me’. ‘Don’t put rubbish in the Don’t interrogate them and expect a full down-
trolley’ to ‘help me choose the vegetables and load of the day straight away.
you can put one treat in the trolley.’ Try ‘I bet your tired after your busy day, let’s
At home – change ‘don’t be mean to your sister’ get home, have a snack and some quiet time
to ‘treat each other with kindness’. ‘Stop hitting then later you can tell me what you have been
your brother’ to ‘keep your hands to yourself’. up to today’.
If you say ‘you’d better be good’ explain what And finally on the good days celebrate your
you want them to do e.g. I’d like you to talk wins – I haven’t shouted at them today, I had
quietly, be kind and share your toys. buckets of patience today. And keep going you
Turn STOP’s into GO’s. Let your child know are doing a great job.
when it is ok to do something but on your terms.
Example Melanie Bostock is a therapist and wellbeing
‘Stop shouting’ – ‘if you need to be noisy, go coach specialising in supporting men and wom-
outside and have a big shout then come back en on their journey to a happy and fulfilling life.
Contact: 07943 755553 | Email: serendipityuk@
in’. outlook.com | www.ilkestonhypnotherapy.co.uk
‘Stop jumping on the bed’ – ‘you can go and
jump on the cushions on the floor and then help Facebook: Ilkeston Hypnotherapy and Wellbeing
me put them back’. Coach | Man Up Therapy, Coaching and Wellbeing

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©2021
©202
Will Martha
Will Martha
never get
never get
to eat her
to eat her
chocs?
chocs?