tools of the trade

it's that time of year again - presents for the teachers. my friend A. kindly collected £218 from all parents and proposed to buy £60 vouchers for the 3 teachers plus £20 each for the 2 teaching assistants plus £18 to spend on thank you cards (don't get me started on the English & their cards) & gift bags. the email has gone out to all parents but apparently i'm the only one entering into a correspondence with her about how the numbers don't add up and how to split the funds otherwise. it ends in a phone call - £50 each for the teachers, £25 each for the TAs and then a bit for gift bags and cards. Sorted. A. says that's why they made me a professor and her redundant. Yeah right.

Conversation turns to my children. I try not to, but sometimes i still do, worry how their unfavourable circumstances might impact on their happiness as they grow up. they're happy enough now, but what if / when they're teenagers and..... etc. At which point, A. reminds & silences me. of course in an ideal world you want to shield them from anything bad - but that's not possible. the human race is very resilient. my children are incredibly grounded and sensible. so - as a mother i provide stability and give them the tools of the trade for coping with life as it happens - and i have just entered into a life changing thing that will create even more stability. chances are, they'll be fine. 

we made a pact. i'll check her numbers, she'll provide my wisdom. sounds like the perfect deal to me :-)