Sorry to forgo the bollocks...
I will return to the medieval weaponry asap. Naturally. Since you all love it so much...
But I was just penning a quick update, about the kids, as a comment, and I'm thinking..."It''s my bloody blog... so why am I commenting?"
So yes well the Evil One likes it at College so far, in a kind of "it's like n Activity Club/Day Camp!" kind of way. She's doing BTECs in Radio, Acting and Photography.
Perhaps remaining in the school and actually DOING the A Levels in English Language, Theatre Studies and Business Studies, with an IT General Studies number on the side might have stretched her a bit more academically but, issues arise...
Because she already has an AS in Threatre Studies she's 2nd year acting which means she's burst into an established group. Gosh. She's now Hamlet's mother Gertrude. (The only unassigned part) She'll have to act her socks of in that role... Good!
The Philosopher is back from his retakes. WHO KNOWS! He's just announced t'wasn't the girlfriend ditching him, at the eleventh hour, 'twas an arrogance all his own that made him think he didn't have to try that hard...
Well, says I "If you've sussed that now, tell 'em that you've learnt your smug little bastard lesson and promise them that you'll now work your butt off..." He's kind of agreeing. Kind of...
The younger daughter's House Captain election campaign, speech and whatnot is for Friday as it transpires. (Well I did think that was a bit short notice).
And Johnny. Well Johnny just empathises with all his siblings.
"My girlfriend dumped me, but I'm OK. Plenty more out there"
"Out-act them!" [Goes into a Vicki Pollard impression]
"Tell them what they want, Yanna! Then ask for their support!"
Crumbs.
Johnny for PM? I believe there's a position going - round about May next year...
But I was just penning a quick update, about the kids, as a comment, and I'm thinking..."It''s my bloody blog... so why am I commenting?"
So yes well the Evil One likes it at College so far, in a kind of "it's like n Activity Club/Day Camp!" kind of way. She's doing BTECs in Radio, Acting and Photography.
Perhaps remaining in the school and actually DOING the A Levels in English Language, Theatre Studies and Business Studies, with an IT General Studies number on the side might have stretched her a bit more academically but, issues arise...
Because she already has an AS in Threatre Studies she's 2nd year acting which means she's burst into an established group. Gosh. She's now Hamlet's mother Gertrude. (The only unassigned part) She'll have to act her socks of in that role... Good!
The Philosopher is back from his retakes. WHO KNOWS! He's just announced t'wasn't the girlfriend ditching him, at the eleventh hour, 'twas an arrogance all his own that made him think he didn't have to try that hard...
Well, says I "If you've sussed that now, tell 'em that you've learnt your smug little bastard lesson and promise them that you'll now work your butt off..." He's kind of agreeing. Kind of...
The younger daughter's House Captain election campaign, speech and whatnot is for Friday as it transpires. (Well I did think that was a bit short notice).
And Johnny. Well Johnny just empathises with all his siblings.
"My girlfriend dumped me, but I'm OK. Plenty more out there"
"Out-act them!" [Goes into a Vicki Pollard impression]
"Tell them what they want, Yanna! Then ask for their support!"
Crumbs.
Johnny for PM? I believe there's a position going - round about May next year...
posted by Gavin Corder at 8:43 PM
23 Comments:
What is it about the oldest (and MALE) sibling being oh so mature, nice, kind, insightful and helpful?
I'm ashamed to say that I threw an absolute wobbly y'day morning - Mr. Sarnia away for week so the chauffeur bit for the younger two is down to me (school and college) as Thomas is working full time until his return to Uni).
I HATE early mornings, I HATE driving "nasty" routes (plenty of those in Gsy - narrow roads, lunatic drivers). Deposited daughter and carried on with younger son only to find road closed. Diversion in place - I got lost - twice; I swore; I lost it.
Alex was so sweet - "it's all right, I'll phone for a taxi - you just get home.."
So when is it exactly when the parent turns into the child and the child turns into the parent?
Your bratlings sound like a lovely bunch of well adjusted, normal, and delightful children. All that any of us can wish and hope for and (despite the doom and gloom on the phone-in this morning) what the majority of us are lucky enough to have.
Gavin, thanks for the updates on your sprogs.
My kids were quite tedious in their teens, but then I sometimes got stroppy and dramatic as well.(Leaving home and going to Uni helped them mature rapidly)
Luckily, we've all come out the otherside, they're 26 and 30 now and delightful company, bar the odd hissy fit !
Are you a helicopter parent Gavin.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8123-2352926.html
Ouch, I think I just saw a bit of me in that article...
Yes same here Lucy. I'm now concentratng all my efforts into being really laid back.
One thing I could NEVER be accused of being is a 'helicopter parent'.
I hate parents like that - would witness it on a daily basis (when helping out at my children's primary school).
Benign neglect - that's the way!
No, Six. I've examined my conscience, and I'm not a helicopter parent. But I don't think it's too much to expect the Evil One to get out of bed during the day to be in full time education, OR get a job.
And I don't have a problem with doing ambitious projects with (but not for) the children, that are overwhelming for them to do alone. And great fun to do as a shared activity.
Take the blessed chainmail coif... it's no more difficult to take a pair of pliers in either hand and open a steel ring, thread it into 4 others then close it again, than it is to knit one, purl one. Any child over about 8 could do it. But it is MASSIVELY labour intensive, very tricky to get your links all lying the right way ie. not to knit when you should have purled, easy to 'drop a stitch' and bloody mind bendingly difficult to work out how to increase, decrease, do the crown of the head etc in order to get the damn thing to fit the child.
And yes I spent many, many nights after the kid had gone to bed sitting either in domestic bliss, with friends or chatting with the older ones and their friends, who were fascinated by this strange activity. They all had a go and they all learnt masses of ‘living’ history.
It would have been quite acceptable to had in a little chainmail square for his history project, but we persevered until it was done. He was however, so practised at it by the end, that his presentation involved a talk about the development of chainmail as a defence again the cutting stroke of a blade edge which was gradually replaced by plate armour as the longbow grew in importance, a whole class demonstration and instruction session which the History master reserved for when the OFSTED inspector was in! And what’s more, he got to wear it at the Medieval Feast when they all went in costume.
But I don’t think that makes me a helicopter, hovering over his life. He’s a proper mucky little kid whose main passion in life is roller hockey (would be ice hockey but no rink here). He is big enough at nearly 12 to conduct himself and his little sister, lugging a MASSIVE hockey bag full of body armour and kit, on foot to the club every Friday evening, and back. (Maybe different as the nights get cold wet and dark). They and the kids in the road play out a lot on skates and bikes, climbing trees, fishing or playing in the river…. We don’t organise much for them.
Just as well since his (ex) mate dismantled the PS2 by way of “servicing it”. Eh well…they all learn! Soon be Christmas!
I love doing stuff with my children but I don't think I hover. They tend to do their own thing and if they retire to their rooms to do whatever it is they do there, I certainly don't make enquiries, I just let them get on with it. My daughter tends to want to spend more time with me than my son and this has always been so. I think she genuinely enjoys the company of other people on a fairly constant basis.
I have never forced them into 'doing activities' after school. Son has never really wanted to but daughter likes to do a few after school clubs plus karate. I love it when they tell me their bored. I know I've got it right then and all this stuff reported in the last few days merely reinforces that.
We've had problems recently in the area with attempted abductions so I didn't allow my son the freedom this year during the summer holidays that he had enjoyed last year, mainly because the attempts have been targetted at boys aged 10-13 and this also meant I delayed my daughter being allowed out on the streets on her own by another year, although I do allow her out with her brother or older children as long as they stay where they can hear me (this allows quite a lot freedom because I shout very loud, surprise surprise!). However neither of them would have been allowed out on their own in London and so have enjoyed freedoms in the last few years that they would not have had there. This I am happy about because it must be truly suffocating to be a child that is not allowed because of locality circumstances, to roam the streets with their friends as they get older.
Gavin, you can get PS2's these days for less than £40. Put your hand in your pocket, you meanie!
I hope I didn't hover too much over my kids either.
I think they were about 9 or 10 before I allowed them to walk into our small local town with a friend, and about 13 or 14 before I let them go into Ipswich on the bus with friends. ( No mobile phones then !)
I don't think I'm going to be a hoverer, I also don't think I'm going to be a chain mail fashioner. However, diarama not that's a different thing altogther i am currently making a farm for Eben's birthday Monday week. I can't wait until i can by me... sorry the boys a train set. Oh the possibilities.
By the way Gav if you want to save a couple of quid at Christmas give him a voucher which entitles him to a PS3 as soon as it's out. It's bound to be delayed again, so you may be able to put it off until next Christmas
My sons have put their names down (at local pooter store) for the PS3. Latest info is that it will be available in March - wait and see!
P.S. Think I've cracked it Gavin - although is there any way I can change my user name so that it can be just plain Sarnia?
Try another comment here Sarns I've edited the display name so the new one should just say Sarnia as well but with the image and the click through.
Testing, testing!
Hurrah!
This will interesting, Sarnia and Gavin both with access to the blog Hmm....
Lucy, I suppose he has to find something to do whilst locked up in Sarnia's garage.
I'm hoping to buy my freedom....
Her dizziness can change the password whenever she wishes now... With help, perhaps! ;-)
Gavin, have you always suffered from being a sucker? You know she just acts the dizziness bit? Sharp as a bloody razor is our Sarns. Make no mistake!
I'll keep the password as is for the time being as it is sooo useful having Gavin pop in to do maintenance!
And you Mags are just a cuddly, wuddly bunny wabbit!
Oh btw - did you see my post to you about a book recommendation (on the chutney thread I think).
If not here it is again:
The Observations by Jane Harris.
It's her first novel and I really enjoyed it - I think you might too.
Thanks Sarnia. I've made a note of the name and title. What's it about? If you can bother that dizzy little head of yours of course.....
She's just done her first link Mags!
Augustus must be a very happy Emperor!
Now Mags I told you not to go funny over Rupe's tomatoes!....
Has Sarnia added Augustus all on her own or did you help her?
Go on spit it out.
I have to say Gavin, you are putting yourself about a bit these days. Are you on rations in your personal life or something?
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