Feeling a lot better than I have for most of the week - hopefully will be well enough to go to work tomorrow.
Roll on Wednesday at 9pm - I shall be starting my annual leave.
Just had a strange phone call from British Gas - to do with my electric bill - it seems they haven't yet received my payment .. grr .. thought internet banking was supposed to be quicker! The guy on the phone was calling to find out when I was paying it and when I told him that I work for them, he was still trying to give me telephone numbers that I could ring and check on my payment.
Ho hum ....
Have sent my 11 year old on an errand to the town - didn't fancy the walk myself, so I've given her two parcels to post - having sold some more books via www.greenmetropolis.com and gave her some Love2Shop vouchers for £15.00 and told her to buy herself some clothes with it, she has to be back by 1pm - let's hope she can do it!
It brings back memories of when I was a youngster - before I was her age, my Mum used to send me the three miles into town on a Saturday to do some shopping, I used to ride my bike into town, load up with shopping and cycle home.
There was an article on the bbc website recently about kids not being allowed to do anything or go anywhere on their own these days because of fear of what will happen to them - I want my daughter to grow up well rounded and without the neurosis/fear that is so instilled in our children these days.
So I am gently teaching her how to stand on her own two feet - a frightening number of children do not know how to buy a stamp, a loaf of bread or a newspaper. How did this happen? I was buying all of those independently at the age of 7. These are all life skills and need to be taught.
I find that more frightening than many of the other so called 'threats' out there.
Hell yes! I am paranoid that some one will come along and steal my daughter away from me, I am terrified of what could happen to her 'out' there but if I allow my own neurosis to take control of me I will be ruining her life for her.
Clearly if anything did happen to her I would be heartbroken and blame myself as would any normal parent but if I wrap her up in cotton wool and try to protect her from everything, she will learn NOTHING about how life really works. It's a hard battle and something that I am coming to terms with on a daily basis.
Teach your kids to be independent - teach them that life can be painful and difficult but teach them all the same. Don't wrap them up, don't protect them from everything, be sensible and try not to frighten them with Stranger Danger tales all the time. Give advice (can't guarantee they'll take it), but most importantly be there when they need you.
Bring back the Tufty Club - bring back the Green Cross Code Man, bring back those videos we were shown in school about 'the Dangers of' Building sites, railway tracks, quarries etc ...
But most importantly - Bring back a carefree childhood!
