Without a doubt, when running a childrens home, there is no place for rose tinted glasses.

It most definitely has its ups and downs.

Fortunately, here at Stratton House the ‘ups’ are very much in the majority and this weekend brought me much pride in all of our children, on many fronts.

We always have to bear in mind that it can be difficult for the children, missing home and family; going through life changes.

Last week saw a couple of minor problems, and one child getting most upset when asked to modify their behaviour.

Left to calm down, the child in question was then counselled by House Mother Wasanaa on the reasons for their reprimand. Experience with working with children has taught me that reprimands on their own rarely work without clear and reasoned explaination. With that clear explaination, the child in question emerged apologetic for their behaviour and seemingly having a good understanding of the need to change.

Well done Wasanaa and well done that child for listening.

The weekend saw a massive effort by everyone with a major spring cleaning operation and attack on the constant growth in the garden.

The boys all helped outside in the garden with more strimming and garden waste clearance; the girls , and the boys when they had done in the garden, helped Wasanaa with cleaning the house; and everyone helped sort out our recycling bins that had not been being used properly.

All the bins were emptied and sorted; plastic, glass and metal, with  paper to be stored at the back of the dogs house.

Kids, this is your home, and I hope you are as proud of yourselves for your efforts as I am of you all.

And its not just pride in the work effort.

Both earlier in the week and on the weekend I had the delight of seeing some lovely examples of imaginative and artistic play, done spontaneously, without instruction. Most of the girls were involved but a special mention for Som who may well have a future as a sculpter.

For more photos please visit our photobucket album here.