Capable Child

Anticipation had been building all day and as the big top came into view we all felt excited. Paulos Circus was in town and we were expecting laughter and thrills. Today had been rainy and cold but as we went through the tent flap, the inside of the big top was warm with a sweet smell of popcorn. I was asked a number of times, “When’s it going to start? When’s it going to start?” The count down signaled the beginning and the first act was a team of impressive acrobats from Ecuador. They spun round on a contraption nicknamed by Daddy as ‘The Double Hamster Wheel of Doom!” Even the young children seated around us were mesmerized. The show lasted for 70 minutes and time flew by with lots of impressive acts. My favourite was the tight ropewalker. When he rode a bike along the high wire with a lady hanging from a swing underneath, I was holding my breath! Paulos Circus most definitely had the edge of excitement throughout. Little Lady said her favourite bit act ...

Have you ever had to keep a child entertained with sugar sachets in a café? Have you and your children ever been kept waiting longer than expected in a doctors’ surgery with nothing to occupy them? You may need a grab bag! Remember the changing bag that you lugged around with you, stuffed full of nappies, wipes, slightly too small clothes for emergencies and crushed rice cakes? When you got free of that bag, it was such a good feeling. Then you decide to call into Starbucks with your little one for a well earned hot drink and before you know it they are getting fidgety and you have to gulp down the aforementioned hot drink and get back to car a soon as possible. This is where a grab bag comes in very handy. It can live in your car, your porch or the bottom step. Inside it are calm activities that keep your little one entertained. A grab bag is particularly useful if you are usually rolling out the door 10 minutes later than you intended to. It’s often at that point...