Dear Ryan, you are now 4 & 1/2 years old which means that I have 6 more months till you go to
primary school.  We've been calling it "big kids school" for a couple of years now but very soon, you will be one of those "big kids".  Crazy!!!

This year, you have really developed friendships at your daycare and we have been talking about
how to make new friends and how  we can be friends with lots of different people.  You have a little gang of dudes at your daycare - Nicholas, Archie and Noah.  Some days you like playing with them
and other times you don't.  That might be because they do not feel like playing the same thing as you, or might not be feeling well, or want to play with someone else.  It's a hard thing to learn as on those days you have felt sad, but you quickly get over it and are best of buds the next day.  Some of these
friends will be going to the same primary school as you and some may not, but that's ok.  People
move through our life all the time, and while it would be nice to have them in our lives forever, it just doesn't work that way.  People choose different paths to us, and we choose different paths to them.  But we learn from having them in our life - no matter how short or long that may be.

Remember to be as kind as you can to all the people who do pass through your life.  Your Jenma
always said to be, "you may not like the person, but you can always say hello and then move on".  I
don't get on with everyone, very few people do, and that is OK.  But say hello, try to be nice and then get on with what you are doing.  

You are quite a caring little soul, sometimes that can make you quite precious and sensitive, and
while that might mean that not everyone will want to be your friend, remember that I love you.  I'm
​proud of you.  You have a kind and caring heart.  Never loose that.

Mummy xx


I am lucky to share a love of photography with other 'mother's to sons' in a blog circle.  Please be sure to click through to our follow our circle.  Next up is Janecka Lucia, a mother to 3 son's from Ohio, USA and here is her letter to her sons.

Your dad turned 40 this month.

He loves playing with you both.

Sometimes you make him so tired though and he really feels his age.  But then you make us remember our own childhood and the fun things each of us would do and we embrace those times and try to have more fun with you.

You are the treasured men in my life and I wouldn't be the mother I am without the support, unconditional love and kindness that your father gives me.  

I hope that one day in the future, each of you find that same special someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with.  Someone who you will treasure and give your all to.  Someone to explore the world with.  Someone who you will fight for.  Someone who will challenge you.  Someone who will laugh with you, rather than at you.  Someone who will stand by you through some really tough times.  That is what a true partner in life is all about. 

You guys are very lucky.  You have 5 cousins who you see often and you all get along pretty much most of the time.  There is 5 and 3/4 years between all 7 of the cousins (Felix being the eldest and Jemima being the youngest) so it's pretty hectic but that means that you are all a pretty tight unit and when we are all together and there is someone who you can play if someone else doesn't.

I had been trying to get a photo of all of you for quite some time.  It's pretty tricky as not everyone understands and in this case, we couldn't get Jemima in as she was only 3 weeks old. 

I love that the photo is not perfect.  I love that your personalities are shining through and I love that you Ryan, are looking to Felix, who you admire.  While Elliot, you are looking to Ryan, who you admire.  

Everyone is learning to get along with each other and play nicely.  It's a hard thing to learn and it can take years but you have to teach the younger cousins how to behave and what to do.  It's your job to help out the younger members of your family.  They look up to you and learn from what you do.  Don't be afraid to offer to help.  Don't think you are too good or busy to help.  It only takes a few seconds to help someone out.  They will appreciate your help and that you took the time to help them.  That puts kindness into the world and will warm their heart.

Start with helping your family.  Then help your friends.  It's OK to help strangers too.  Be the person who walks up and says, "Can I help you?"

Mum xx