New Beginnings

I don’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions but it is my intention, as we have settled into 2018, to re-establish some kind of regular writing. I started the blog as a record of the ramblings of a mum of two teenagers. I will share with you some of my anecdotes…

Turning 18

Whilst the 18th birthday was a family affair, the following weekend was when the real fun began. When I was younger, so many years ago apparently, a night out usually revolved around a disco, which started around 8pm and was over by midnight, or if it was a really good night, 1am. Then it was home.

This is not the case with the newly-turned 18-year-old. Now it is all about going to a club. Now, at the time I am thinking about settling into my pjs, my 18-year-old is getting ready to go out – I resist the whole ‘You’re not wearing that!’ or ‘What are you wearing over that?’ and instead say something positive like ‘That’s a nice top.’

But clothing isn’t the problem. I have made the mistake of asking her to message me when she is on her way back from the club – in the very small hours of the morning. I learnt the hard way that this is not a good move because there is only ever one of you that is worried when the message doesn’t come.

As I lay there, my brain becomes a cacophony of different alarm bells shouting different things, all of which I try to ignore. The clock passes through several hours, 1am, 2 am 3am and onward to 4am. During this time,  I pick my phone up and put it down, pick it up…and put it down. In the end I send her a quick message: Hope you had a good night. It isn’t even as if she is coming back home – she is staying with her friends but this doesn’t necessarily make it better. Of course she is OK. Of course she’s had a good time. Of course I’m the one who’s so very tired the following day and who wished I had snuggled into bed and slept. Peacefully.

Lesson one – don’t ask the teenager to message or call. You’ll remember, but they most certainly won’t…

 

Storms

This year the Met Office decided that it would be a good idea if our storms were named, in line with other parts of the world. Since this happened we seem to have had more than our fair share of Atlantic trouble, causing untold and unprecedented damage to houses and businesses, predominantly in the north of the UK.

I don’t believe that giving these storms a name has suddenly made them feel more welcome at our shores. However, maybe they have become more memorable somehow: anything with a name resonates with us far more than a nameless entity. How can we be afraid of something named Gertrude? I’m sure she was the cow in The Magic Roundabout!

Of course, we have witnessed the greatest El Nino phenomenon for many years this year, meaning that Blighty has been buffeted by severe storms dragged from way down in the Tropics. I don’t know how long this effect usually lasts for or whether the severity of the phenomenon means that the storms here in the UK will last far longer this year, but this winter will certainly remain etched in people’s memories for many, many years.

Perhaps we shouldn’t name them next year…and maybe they’ll stay away!

The art of never giving up

It’s funny. I spend my days encouraging the children at school to keep trying – to never give up.

I have started a course on how to build a website and all had been going well. However, the trouble with computers is you need to know and understand a whole new language to really get to grips with them. Let’s face it, you wouldn’t start learning how to repair a car or carry out an operation without speaking and understanding the particular language to a high level. The course is for those who have very little knowledge of computers. I have discovered I have even less than the ‘little knowledge’ required!

So I’ll practise the mantra: I must not give up…I must not give up…I must not…while resisting the urge to throw said computer out of the window. Perhaps a glass of wine may help…?

I’ll post back with a progress report.

Roald Dahl Day

Tomorrow, our school mark Roald Dahl Day by inviting staff and children to dress up as their favourite Roald Dahl character. The theme is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the children will be making chocolate related treats. The work will include designing the packaging and writing an advert for their chocolate. There is certainly a buzz about school!

It is lovely that Roald Dahl’s books still find a place in children’s hearts at a time when computer games take precedence in their lives. Long may his books continue to inspire and entertain.