On 27th April Her Majesty, The Queen, visited our local area as part of her Jubilee tour. Lutaaya was so excited that her class were some of the children going to line the streets for the Royal Visit.
As Uganda is a commonwealth country, the Queen is head there too. Lutaaya knew just how influential and important this Royal lady is. She was soooo, soooo excited about the day.
Getting ready for school in the morning and the excitement crept up. When feelings get big for children who may not have felt them before it can lead to meltdown.
Meltdown was about to hit our house.
I had the grumpiest, moodiest child E. V. E. R!
She just couldn’t cope with all that she felt inside. She couldn’t explain she was excited, she didn’t know why her tummy ached or butterflies danced around in there. It confused her and she showed it by shutting down.
We had little conversation, little eye contact, disrespect, poor attitude. You name it, we had it, all in a matter of an hour!
Just what you need on the morning school run!
But as Lutaaya’s Mum, it’s my job to stop the meltdown. It’s my role to help her understand feelings and emotions and all the niggles and aches that go on inside us.
It would have been easier in Lutaaya’s world, if I had met her with a stern look, or angry words. That’s how she thought she was feeling after all.
But no,
This time I was going to do better for her and I was going to help her go to school and start her day happy.
So I waltzed around the house with a smile on my face. I talked to her, even if she didn’t respond. I put comments out there showing I could imagine she was nervous today and excited all at the same time and how I bet she had a feeling of butterflies in her tummy. And then I had a breakthrough....
We sat in the car on the journey to school (car journey’s are great for conversations as there’s no uncomfortable eye contact when you’re driving) and I said,
‘You watch her mouth as she passes you today mind.’
‘Who’s mouth?’
‘The Queen’s mouth.’
‘What? Why?’
‘You see what she says.’
‘What will she say?’
This conversation was getting too interesting for her not to ask any questions.
‘She’ll say oh Look Phillip, there’s Lutaaya, Natasha’s daughter. Remember? Wave on her. And then they’ll wave just at you.’
‘Oh Mam, shut up, she won’t say that. How would she know you?’
‘She knows me. I wrote to her once about Uganda, so she’ll definitely know you’re my daughter. She wrote back too, I’ll show you the letter after school if you want.’
And with a big giggle, a huge smile and a goodbye kiss she left for school, as happy as can be. Off to see our Queen.
She had a fantastic time, even in the rain. She proudly waved her Welsh and British flags. She had even practised what she would say if she got to meet the Queen face to face, her little sentence of, ‘Hello your Majesty, I’m very pleased to meet you.’ And she certainly was!
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