Slow food with Nyssa
My son has the world’s best nanny (her name is Nyssa), and we’re losing her. My husband is sad about it and I am pretty much devastated. She was sort of a nanny to Finn/assistant to me, and quite frankly, she kind of ran our household without that ever having been the plan. I have actually thought, what will I do without her?
From the beginning she’s understood my physical limitations (from my Rheumatoid Arthritis) and has always gone out of her way to help, and she does way, way, way more than I request. Sometimes it’s little things that I notice an hour or a day or a few days after she’s done them, and sometimes it’s something particularly kind or sweet that Finn has started doing, that I know has come from Nyssa.
She’s always been more than a nanny – she was a grade one teacher in Australia, so she is just wonderful with Finn…and she’s also become a friend. Aaaah I’m gonna miss her!
ANYWAY! This post is about something that Nyssa introduced for snack/lunch time, and I had to share it with our readers whose kids might enjoy and benefit from this too.
Nyssa scores a banana down one side and then slices it, and gives the slices to Finn. He takes a piece, peeling each one, then putting the peel onto the garbage pile, and then pops it into his mouth.
It helps to develop pincer grasp/fine motor skills, patience, concentration, how to get at his food and what it looks like before it is in its edible state, and it keeps him entertained. It’s a simple idea that, like most slower and simpler things for children, actually has a lot to offer.
I’d never seen this idea for having a toddler eat a banana, but it’s how I’ll always feed one to Finn from now on! It takes a bit longer but there’s not too often we have to rush through meals or snacks. When you have the time, it’s well worth the time.
And about that Nyssa. I will miss her gentle nature, her generosity of time and help, her wonderful lessons, patience and love for Finn, our chats and laughs and sharing recipes, and just…her. But I won’t miss her friendship, because we’ll always have that. Thank you, Nyssa. We are all so glad, and so blessed, that you came into our lives. We love you.
Live like you mean it,
Tamara
So sad that you are losing her.She will be hard to replace. So wonderful that you all had her in your life for the time that you did.
I agree, Mom! We’re lucky to have met her and we’re lucky that we’ll stay in touch, too…
Love the photos!
I’m not surprised we have the same plate for Owen. Of course, he’s still too young to use it in any useful way. But when he’s got the whole plate thing down, I’m going to feed him bananas this way, for sure.
Hi Kim,
I’m not surprised either! It was a real find for us, as its four little compartments have really helped when we do a finger food-style lunch or dinner. He loves to kind of pick and choose from whichever spot he feels like, and I am sure Owen is going to love it the same! And yes, he’s also going to love “Nyssa Nanas” (I just thought of that!!)…
If it’s any consolation Tamara, Nyssa is pretty sad about leaving all of you too!
As Nyssa’s dad, I found it hard to read without feeling proud yet emotional! It is very difficult for her to leave – we have all appreciated your care and concern for her – and she said that telling you was one of the hardest things she has had to. We had to ring her several times from Hong Kong just to boost her up as she was feeling so bad at having to leave you.
The good thing is that she is off to see more of your beautiful country and, hopefully, to meet more wonderful people like your little family. God bless.
Hi Katy and Barrie,
Thank you so much for dropping in to my blog and leaving such lovely and thoughtful comments and blessings.
I offer you compliments on raising such a lovely young woman! I do hope she will be staying in this country, and that we’ll get to see each other again — even if it’s not twice a week as I’ve gotten spoiled with!
And I really hope I’ll get to meet you two in the new year? If you are around, I’d love for you to meet the boy who is the reason we all came together in the first place, and host you for tea or dinner.
Thanks Tamara. We are very proud of both our girls … they have become healthy, happy, well adjusted women so what more can we ask for?
We’d love to meet you, Konrad and Finn one day. We will be in Canada for Chinese New Year but not sure how much time we are spending in Vancouver this time.