Communication, Mentoring & Child Safety

This week I attending a training session in preparation for my volunteer work as a Big Sister and learned a lot about Communication, Mentoring & Child Safety... here are some things I learned

M - Make it special
E - Encourage and build self esteem
N - Never say never - model positive behaviour / attitudes
T - Teachable moments - look for them and act accordingly
O - Open new doors - new ideas, skills, dreams
R - Reliable - be there and do what you say you will do
I - Instill a sense of wonder, motivate and stimulate thought
N - Notice their individuality and make comments
G - Go for it and have fun!

Active Listening
F.E.L.O.R.
F - Face the person
E - Eye contact
L - Listen
O - Open posture
R - Respond

"I" Messages
Neutral description of your behaviour - "When you..."
Feelings of Emotions - "I feel..."
Effect or Reason - "Because..."
What you would lke from them instead - "So I need..."

We did a role play, this is an example

Q: WHAT IF you arranged to meet your adolescent-aged Little Sister at the beach at 5pm but it is now 5.30pm and she is half an hour late?

A: When you are late, I feel worried and let down as I don't feel the friendship is important to you. So I need you to call if you are going to be late and make an effort to be on time.

We also covered the following topics
Building Self Esteem
Effective Mentoring
Setting Boundaries
Saviour Syndrome
Good Role Modelling
Suspcisions of child abuse and how to report it
Child Safety

Christmasyfying the flat

The tree was a bit of a mission as it was too big and we only used half and had to use some creativity to get it to stand up straight and raise it up a bit but we assembled it and it worked in end

I also personalised some stockings
Put a bow on the front door
Put some ornaments around the flat

Assembling the tree...


Discovering it was too big, not just the height but the gerth, it would take up the whole flat!


Ahhh our Christmas tree complete with baubles and lights

Snow Globe

I made my own snow globe, not quite a Christmas theme but it works!

Cribbage

I learned a new card game, its based on working out the best scenarios, a bit too much counting while drinking but I quite liked it.



The objective of the game is to be the first player to score a target number of points, typically 61 or 121. Points are scored for card combinations that add up to fifteen, pairs (plus triples and quadruples), runs and flushes.

Candle Making

Melt wax, i bought some and also used an old candle



Add the wicks and pour in some wax into desired holders


Let the wax cool down to do different colours


And there you have it ..homemade candles, quite simple really and handy to recycle old candles.

Mount Baker

My mission: To visit the Mountain I can view from my balcony

Here's the view from my balcony...


Me on Mount Baker

Fast Facts:
Location: Washington State, USA
Height: 3,285 meters (10,778feet)
Type: Strata-volcano
Number of eruptions in past 200 years: 8
The volcano is still active, but activity has diminished since 1978.
Present thermal activity: Steaming fumaroles at flank and crater locations.
Native Americans call the mountain "Koma Kulshan," meaning Great White Watcher.

Pumpkin Carving

This took a whole evening and absolutely killed my arms...but i think it looks pretty cool!

Finding the right pumpkin...



Making a mess...



It's an evil cat!



And an evil witch!

Roasting the pumpkin seeds...yummy