I was the recipient of domestic abuse. So difficult to say - harder to accept. Even now, almost ten years after I 'escaped' I still feel a little - silly, I suppose - saying it. Thinking it.
I think my reluctance stems from a few reasons. One (and this will sound terrible, even though it is true) I'm middle class. It doesn't happen to 'us'. It happens to others. On council estates (this from a woman who was born on one). One has a mental image of a garden filled with rusty cars and other detritus and stray dogs (although that doesn't seem to happen a great deal any more), unkempt houses and people milling about at all times of the day and night, beer can in hand. Raised voices as well as fists.
Another reason is the fact that one equates domestic violence with physical violence which is even more ridiculous from my standpoint since most of the violence I was blessed with was, in some ways, far more damaging. If I, a victim (how I loathe typing that word. Not because of any strong sentiment regarding my not being a victim but because it seems wrong, belittling all those women - and men - who arrive at casualty with broken bones and bruises) have difficulty accepting my former position then how on Earth do I expect others to? Mind you, I can be delightfully contrary.
Despite how I try to dress it up, bundle it away in the furthest corners of my mind the fact remains that I was abused and the effects remain. It is very frustrating (actually that is a huge understatement; I'm furious with myself for allowing it to still hang over me but, although I believe I'm better than I was, it still hangs there, like dear old Damocles' sword) and I wish I had the ability, the strength to change and become a powerful Amazon. Unfortunately I'm not of that mould I am a wimp. A coward - even Flavia's guinea pig has me sussed and under his tiny paw. Sometimes I catch myself thinking that next time I'll do things differently - only to remember that (as far as we know) there is no next time. Just this one and I can't help feeling I've blown it.
I don't want Flavia to make the same mistakes. I think she's stronger than I ever was (which is good); she doesn't appear to worry about being ridiculed because of her personal style and doesn't pull punches (whilst I'm always terrified of giving offence).
If there is a next time I hope I remember enough to know I need to kick butt. My turn to be the kicker rather than kickee!
Wednesday 5 December 2012
Monday 3 December 2012
A Supermarket Rant(let)
What have they got against pedestrians? I don't care what they say, how they prate about 'carbon emissions' and doing their bit - what about boring, basic stuff? I have yet to come across a supermarket that has trolley bays right next to pedestrian exits; they're placed solely for the convenience of the driver and to hell for the rest of us.
Since we don't have our own transport I've pondered this problem for a while and have decided it's all down to money; there is a limit to how much a pedestrian can carry/pull even if they're going by bus. In the store you're limited by the knowledge that if you impulse buy then you will most assuredly regret it - sometimes even before you've left the shop. It's amazing how that extra bag of onions or those yoghurts found nestling at the back of the reduced to clear section can take up space (and multiply their weight an infinite number of times). That being the case we aren't so desirable as customers. So we are abandoned meters away from the way out. I have no doubt whatsoever that the planners (all of whom are drivers) would argue that the trolley bays are close to the exit. All I can say in answer to that is that they've never had to lug shopping. Sometimes every centimetre counts!
Mind you, I also find it highly frustrating that, after hauling your shopping out of the trolley (the sides of which have, miraculously, grown in height) you then find the contraption on the handle does not fit that on the chain (or there was the wonderful time Tesco had two different types of theft deterrent and, of course, they were incompatible). So you can either abandon your trolley (with token or £1.00) or put your shopping back into it and start pretty much all over again whilst using language that would make a Russian sailor deeply envious and probably propose marriage. Then one can indulge in the, 'find the lock that fits,' game (all the while casting desperate looks towards the road because you know full well this will be the one and only time your bus is actually early, you also know the driver will not only not wait for the timetabled departure time but will take what appears to be highly perverse satisfaction from ignoring the desperate knocks, pleas and supplications you perform outside the door).
In an ideal world the trolley bays would be placed in areas most convenient for the shopper (mind you, in an ideal world the trolleys would have sides that folded down or, better still, converted into a ramp to try to protect your arm/shoulder muscles from developing like Arnie's) but then when do supermarkets ever consider the consumer? They claim to, I know but we, the customer, know that it's a load of hooey. Like changing the packaging or moving displays from one end of the shop to another they just like messing with us. I am still trying to understand why cottage cheese in Asda is placed with the sandwich fillings, on the opposite side of the aisle to all the rest of the cheeses. It's a mind game, some highly evolved form of intellectual warfare and they're winning.
When Flavia rules the world (I'm too old, tired and lazy to go in for the whole world domination thing...I'll let her do it and just reap the rewards for myself) I think I'll create the biggest supermarket of all time, make things as awkward as possible regarding displays, goods and (of course) access - and egress - and then put all the supermarket bigwigs in there. Not only would it give them some hint of what it is like for mere mortals such as myself the satisfaction would be immense. Hell, I might not even charge to watch!
Since we don't have our own transport I've pondered this problem for a while and have decided it's all down to money; there is a limit to how much a pedestrian can carry/pull even if they're going by bus. In the store you're limited by the knowledge that if you impulse buy then you will most assuredly regret it - sometimes even before you've left the shop. It's amazing how that extra bag of onions or those yoghurts found nestling at the back of the reduced to clear section can take up space (and multiply their weight an infinite number of times). That being the case we aren't so desirable as customers. So we are abandoned meters away from the way out. I have no doubt whatsoever that the planners (all of whom are drivers) would argue that the trolley bays are close to the exit. All I can say in answer to that is that they've never had to lug shopping. Sometimes every centimetre counts!
Mind you, I also find it highly frustrating that, after hauling your shopping out of the trolley (the sides of which have, miraculously, grown in height) you then find the contraption on the handle does not fit that on the chain (or there was the wonderful time Tesco had two different types of theft deterrent and, of course, they were incompatible). So you can either abandon your trolley (with token or £1.00) or put your shopping back into it and start pretty much all over again whilst using language that would make a Russian sailor deeply envious and probably propose marriage. Then one can indulge in the, 'find the lock that fits,' game (all the while casting desperate looks towards the road because you know full well this will be the one and only time your bus is actually early, you also know the driver will not only not wait for the timetabled departure time but will take what appears to be highly perverse satisfaction from ignoring the desperate knocks, pleas and supplications you perform outside the door).
In an ideal world the trolley bays would be placed in areas most convenient for the shopper (mind you, in an ideal world the trolleys would have sides that folded down or, better still, converted into a ramp to try to protect your arm/shoulder muscles from developing like Arnie's) but then when do supermarkets ever consider the consumer? They claim to, I know but we, the customer, know that it's a load of hooey. Like changing the packaging or moving displays from one end of the shop to another they just like messing with us. I am still trying to understand why cottage cheese in Asda is placed with the sandwich fillings, on the opposite side of the aisle to all the rest of the cheeses. It's a mind game, some highly evolved form of intellectual warfare and they're winning.
When Flavia rules the world (I'm too old, tired and lazy to go in for the whole world domination thing...I'll let her do it and just reap the rewards for myself) I think I'll create the biggest supermarket of all time, make things as awkward as possible regarding displays, goods and (of course) access - and egress - and then put all the supermarket bigwigs in there. Not only would it give them some hint of what it is like for mere mortals such as myself the satisfaction would be immense. Hell, I might not even charge to watch!
Friday 30 November 2012
The homing instinct
As I get older my desire for a place of my own increases. Simon never worried about it; his father would suggest on rare occasions that we take out a mortgage and become landlords but it never happened. Simon was too busy buying Very Nice stuff for himself and was secure in the conviction that the Church would look after him come what may. I, being downtrodden and terrified of my own shadow let alone anyone else's dutifully kept quite and, to be honest, the housing market scared me. How I managed in front of a class (or classes) every day continues to befuzzle me.
Now I'm 48 (I'm clinging to the 8 until I have to let it go at the very last second), sick, damnably poor and at the whim of landlords. It is a frustrating experience. Despite ourselves, Mark and I cannot help but play a game in which we state what we would do if this were our property. Maybe we both have a masochistic streak, I don't know.
Magnolia sucks. I like the flower but the colour - ugh. I'd prefer stronger ones but, of course, changing the colour of the walls is pointless. I had great fun in a former rectory and went wild with period colours, painting after I'd put Flavia to bed or before she woke in the morning but at least then there was some security of tenure. I feel a tad embarrassed sometimes when Flavia's friends turn up and the window frames are quietly rotting, the paint chipping and slightly stained but cross my fingers and hope they know we are merely tenants. We could, of course, ask the landlord to redecorate but what would be the point? If they agreed then the colour choice would hardly be ours and it would, in all probability, result in the rent going up. The advantage, of course, is that if we add an extra scuff or two it is unnoticeable.
The only change we've made is to have loft insulation installed. There was none but being poor does have some advantages - under the Government scheme we got it done for free. Unfortunately they don't have a similar scheme for double glazing or solar panels but there we go.
It's the lack of security that bothers me most. At any time our landlord could decide he wants to sell the house or convert it into flats or a brothel or - well, just about anything. We have a stack of boxes cluttering the former outhouse and neither of us want to let them go; last time we gave our boxes away our landlady decided she wanted to sell the house and gave us a couple of months' notice (ouch). It took us longer to move than we had anticipated and drove home the knowledge that neither of us is as young (or as healthy) as we once were which really made us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
So we accept the tired paintwork, the little bits crumbling here and there and enjoy the house as much as we can. There is, however, one advantage to being a tenant - double glazing salesmen can't get away fast enough!
Now I'm 48 (I'm clinging to the 8 until I have to let it go at the very last second), sick, damnably poor and at the whim of landlords. It is a frustrating experience. Despite ourselves, Mark and I cannot help but play a game in which we state what we would do if this were our property. Maybe we both have a masochistic streak, I don't know.
Magnolia sucks. I like the flower but the colour - ugh. I'd prefer stronger ones but, of course, changing the colour of the walls is pointless. I had great fun in a former rectory and went wild with period colours, painting after I'd put Flavia to bed or before she woke in the morning but at least then there was some security of tenure. I feel a tad embarrassed sometimes when Flavia's friends turn up and the window frames are quietly rotting, the paint chipping and slightly stained but cross my fingers and hope they know we are merely tenants. We could, of course, ask the landlord to redecorate but what would be the point? If they agreed then the colour choice would hardly be ours and it would, in all probability, result in the rent going up. The advantage, of course, is that if we add an extra scuff or two it is unnoticeable.
The only change we've made is to have loft insulation installed. There was none but being poor does have some advantages - under the Government scheme we got it done for free. Unfortunately they don't have a similar scheme for double glazing or solar panels but there we go.
It's the lack of security that bothers me most. At any time our landlord could decide he wants to sell the house or convert it into flats or a brothel or - well, just about anything. We have a stack of boxes cluttering the former outhouse and neither of us want to let them go; last time we gave our boxes away our landlady decided she wanted to sell the house and gave us a couple of months' notice (ouch). It took us longer to move than we had anticipated and drove home the knowledge that neither of us is as young (or as healthy) as we once were which really made us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
So we accept the tired paintwork, the little bits crumbling here and there and enjoy the house as much as we can. There is, however, one advantage to being a tenant - double glazing salesmen can't get away fast enough!
Thursday 22 November 2012
Of Proms, Promises and Maternal regrets...
Flavia is having bouts of Prom fever. Yes, I know it is far too early and I have (in my previous life) castigated girls who were more interested in transport and necklines than their upcoming GCSEs but I do understand and if she has to get slightly absorbed then it's better now than in May.
It is, however, somewhat amusing. Initially she wouldn't be caught dead at the Prom; then came the (dismissed) news that one of her friends was planning a preparation party before they were driven with great pomp to the venue. Nothing for a while but finally I was informed that Kourtney (another friend) was very keen to go and Flavia was considering going with her as a favour. A week or so later, Kourtney was apparently claiming that the desire to attend was Flavia's. Now there appears to be little doubt - they're going.
Flo's picked out a dress (over £100.00 but Simon, in a burst of generosity and, I suspect, conviction that tomorrow never comes has offered to pay for it). It is incredibly pretty. Neither is it tacky or of the, 'see my wares' variety.
I used to dismiss Proms; we didn't have them in my day (death knell phrase) and I couldn't really see the point but in my autumnal days I am feeling more generous. My reasoning is simple (and it's why I haven't shot Flo's choice of dress down in flames even though she could quite easily get away with a £10.00 variety from Peacocks or wherever).
I've never been to a party. Never dressed up and gone out and had all that anticipation and excitement that comes with it. I've seen these things in films - watched School for Scoundrels with Ian Carmichael only the other day...people actually dressed like that to go to dinner???? - but the closest I've ever got was a staff party at Simon's erstwhile school where jeans and drunkenness seemed to be the order of the day (sigh).
It's probably my mother's fault; she reared me on musicals and films from the 1940s where women wore court shoes (that in itself explains something), always seemed to be chic regardless of their occupation and regularly went to sophisticated, magical places. Whilst I never actually envisaged myself as Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly (ahhh, wouldn't that be exquisite?) the impression remains. I'd love to go to a party; I'd love to wear a glamorous frock or gown, be coiffed and primped and feel confident in myself as I dance and scintillate throughout the evening. It appeals to the very depths of my feminine core and I mourn that it can never be. I'm forty-eight (nearly forty-nine) and whilst I appreciate that age has little to do with it, it does mean I've managed almost half a century without being within even a whiff of such an occasion. My chances, therefore, are decreasing. Hell, it's ten years since someone other than Mark cut my hair so there is no way I'd ever be in the position of going to a glamorous party.
So, with my opportunities of wearing a stunning dress and feeling more Cinderella-like than the female herself my sympathies are very much for Flavia and her friends. So what if she spends a fortune on a dress she'll only wear once? In forty, fifty, sixty years time she'll have the amazing memory of it and how she felt when she had it on and I'm damned if I'll take that away from her. I just hope Simon doesn't renege on his promise as he usually does.
It is, however, somewhat amusing. Initially she wouldn't be caught dead at the Prom; then came the (dismissed) news that one of her friends was planning a preparation party before they were driven with great pomp to the venue. Nothing for a while but finally I was informed that Kourtney (another friend) was very keen to go and Flavia was considering going with her as a favour. A week or so later, Kourtney was apparently claiming that the desire to attend was Flavia's. Now there appears to be little doubt - they're going.
Flo's picked out a dress (over £100.00 but Simon, in a burst of generosity and, I suspect, conviction that tomorrow never comes has offered to pay for it). It is incredibly pretty. Neither is it tacky or of the, 'see my wares' variety.
I used to dismiss Proms; we didn't have them in my day (death knell phrase) and I couldn't really see the point but in my autumnal days I am feeling more generous. My reasoning is simple (and it's why I haven't shot Flo's choice of dress down in flames even though she could quite easily get away with a £10.00 variety from Peacocks or wherever).
I've never been to a party. Never dressed up and gone out and had all that anticipation and excitement that comes with it. I've seen these things in films - watched School for Scoundrels with Ian Carmichael only the other day...people actually dressed like that to go to dinner???? - but the closest I've ever got was a staff party at Simon's erstwhile school where jeans and drunkenness seemed to be the order of the day (sigh).
It's probably my mother's fault; she reared me on musicals and films from the 1940s where women wore court shoes (that in itself explains something), always seemed to be chic regardless of their occupation and regularly went to sophisticated, magical places. Whilst I never actually envisaged myself as Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly (ahhh, wouldn't that be exquisite?) the impression remains. I'd love to go to a party; I'd love to wear a glamorous frock or gown, be coiffed and primped and feel confident in myself as I dance and scintillate throughout the evening. It appeals to the very depths of my feminine core and I mourn that it can never be. I'm forty-eight (nearly forty-nine) and whilst I appreciate that age has little to do with it, it does mean I've managed almost half a century without being within even a whiff of such an occasion. My chances, therefore, are decreasing. Hell, it's ten years since someone other than Mark cut my hair so there is no way I'd ever be in the position of going to a glamorous party.
So, with my opportunities of wearing a stunning dress and feeling more Cinderella-like than the female herself my sympathies are very much for Flavia and her friends. So what if she spends a fortune on a dress she'll only wear once? In forty, fifty, sixty years time she'll have the amazing memory of it and how she felt when she had it on and I'm damned if I'll take that away from her. I just hope Simon doesn't renege on his promise as he usually does.
Thursday 15 November 2012
Guilt: Who would be a mother?
I hold my hands up in admission - I am a guilty person. If the Police are behind me when I'm driving I automatically feel guilty even though I have insurance, road tax, a road-worthy vehicle and my driving is exemplary. I'm a knee-jerk apologiser (as opposed to an apologist. I wish) which is annoying because, since my mother also apologises for everything, even things far beyond her scope of influence, I know how frustrating it can be to the listener. I try not to do it but - sorry!
Over the last few years I have, both silently and on occasion to her face, apologised to my daughter for landing her with such a sorry excuse for a father and I do feel terribly guilty about it. The activities she loved to do are no longer within her reach because of funds (or lack thereof); her father is incredibly, awe-inspiringly self-absorbed. He wants her to go to Oxbridge and become a barrister because he didn't have the nerve to take the entrance exam and it would sound so good, 'my daughter, the barrister.' Right now she is certainly interested in the Law but at the fuzzier end of the lollypop so to speak. He once pointed out to her that, under our influence she'd be lucky to be a waitress in a roadside diner (our response was to tell him she wanted to open a tattoo parlour - hey, got to get one's kicks somehow and since I'm not allowed to kick him, the least that can be allowed is a little tail pulling). I've apologised for his violence (physical and verbal) and the fact that he does everything within his power not to pay child support (I worked out the other day that it comes to somewhere around £1.00/day) because of his loudly voiced poverty but which doesn't stop him going on a few holidays a year and buying Very Nice Clothes Indeed (do not get me started on the CSA!)
I have also experienced guilt at the knowledge that her weakness for asthma and migraine comes from my side (oh, joy) but now, I gather, I should kneel before her in abject abasement. The Experts have decreed that migraines come specifically from the maternal side. Not only that, but giving Calpol to a child can trigger asthma. I should think the number of mothers who didn't give Calpol to their children (certainly those of Flavia's age) are infinitesimal - damn, it was actually strongly recommended after the first MMR jab (yes, she had them and I watched with dread for any negative signs). So she is doomed three times over. I say mothers gave Calpol because for the most part that's true; fathers are, generally speaking, more hands off and, I am convinced, less likely to have the Guilt Gene.
They (the ubiquitous, put them against a wall and shoot them 'They') also blame the mother for a child's autism. Caught the 'flu whilst pregnant? Your fault! Have a drink whilst pregnant? Condemning your child to a lifetime of idiocy and low-paid work (unless they manage to get into banking or politics). Not enough sunshine? Higher risk of Junior suffering from MS. And that's before birth. After that the pressure is even greater: certain foods could give children cancer; making them eat fish could reduce the chances of asthma but if you shout at them (something I've tried hard not to do but I can't, hand on heart, say I've never snapped) you can increase the risk of not only asthma but also cancer and heart disease. As if we haven't got enough to bear. Whatever we do for our children, however pure our intentions we get blamed and have to suffer the mental flagellation for the rest of our lives. It's amazing the human race has survived this far!
The thing is, most of us do our best. No alcohol. No soft cheeses (admittedly that wasn't hard for me - I prefer hard British to soft Continental), no cheesecake (argh). Months before becoming pregnant I checked with the doctor as to my meds, only to be told by a different doctor three months into the pregnancy that Migraleve causes miscarriages - something I really needed to hear since I didn't get morning sickness but daily, blinding migraines. Yet still we're being told we are to blame for whatever may happen to our children - not only now but in decades to come. In fact, we - the female of the species - are specifically to blame for problems our grandchildren will have. If that isn't kicking us when we're down then what is?
The only bright spot is that I'm not OCD with regards to cleanliness. We don't live in squalor, despite what my ex-husband might say and think (but this is a man who measures the distance from the edge of his desk to his pens, pencils, ruler and pad of paper) but things have a tendency to be messy. It doesn't matter how tidy I might be, Mark and Flavia have a far, far higher tolerance level to clutter and junk generally. Thus I have a choice; either work myself into a state of permanent exhaustion (easier done than said with my medical history) or try to take it philosophically rather than falling into a depression). Now, They have decreed that an ultra-clean house can actually help to cause allergies.
Finally something that won't be keeping me awake at night. Only another hundred or so Guilt Trips to go.
Tuesday 13 November 2012
School and the necessity for lying
I know, I know, a hideously long time since my last update but it was not intentional; more a tree falling in the forest moment (or moments) coupled with playing with my meds. I keep hoping I can reduce doses and my body keeps telling me where the door is! That, coupled with a torn muscle in my calf - frighteningly easy to do if one has Sarcoidosis - and a cold plus Flavia's GCSE mocks and I gave in. Or gave up. Depends upon one's point of view. However, muscles, aches, pains and meds notwithstanding I am again...well, I was going to say thrusting myself into the fray but I think cautious toe-dipping is closer to the truth and, if I'm honest (and I do try to be - I'm a lousy liar) more in character. I'd love to be the sort who strikes out boldly and takes risks and I'm always mentally cat-calling at those in films who just stand there waiting for the tidal wave/alien invasion/bomb blast/lava to overwhelm them but I'm also reasonably sure I would do just that. I would like to imagine I'm the sort who would be cool, calm and heroic in a crisis but I know it just isn't the case. Cowering in the corner is far more my style unfortunately.
As I say, Flo has had her mocks - sort of. She managed just over a day but then fell (figuratively if not literally). The dreaded migraine came visiting. She did go in for the second day but the school 'phoned around 10.30 to say she had to go home. Or come home. Whichever it is (my spelling and grammar used to be reasonable but the Sarc has put paid to that. Or at least, that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!!) I felt a little annoyed, actually (rephrase that - considerably annoyed). Because of the Sarc and FMS (etc) I am unable to work any more. Three darling, sweet doctors have told me that and, although being categorised as 'retired due to ill health' is lowering - especially when one is still (just) in one's forties - I can't argue with them. Or I suppose I could but it is too much effort and thus too much energy. Thus we are poor. Beyond church-mice poor. Poor old Flo tried to tell the school she was willing - I can't say happy...how many of us would be happy having to stay in our place of employment when feeling lousy? - to stay in school until she could catch the school bus home but they were having none of it. She 'had' to come home. Which is all well and good but they wanted me to collect her.
This is part of what annoyed me. Being formerly in the trade I understand that they are in loco parentis but they were rather assuming that 1. I was not in work and 2. I was mobile. There are days when I'm not although pumping myself full of painkillers does help in that regard. If I couldn't collect her they would put her in a taxi and I'd have to pay for it on her arrival. This is where I boggled (I can be good at boggling. I've practiced it for years). Excuse me? How many people in today's economy have £20.00 lying around let alone those whos children are eligible for free school meals and for whom I have to ask assistance for any trips? The arrogance was breath-taking. Whilst I know we are at the reasonably extreme end of the excess funds spectrum I know we are not alone - £20.00 is a lot of money - hell, it is the cost of their (extremely overpriced) sport sweatshirt.
However, I did what any mother would do and girded my loins to head north, taking money out of the rent to do so and giving thanks that at least it wasn't raining - in itself something of a novelty. I kept Flavia abreast of my progress via text (about the only function on a mobile 'phone I can cope with) and, sure enough, as I approached the school she appeared. Which rather begs the question of why did I have to collect her? Okay, she didn't have the money for the train journey home but apart from that niggling little issue my question remains. I didn't have to sign her out. I didn't have to announce my presence in sonorous tones. I didn't even get as far as the school door. So why was it imperative that I spend over £5.00 we didn't have to make the hour's round trip?
I have the utmost respect for admin staff in schools but I can't help wondering if this was some sort of power-trip. From now on, Flo takes £2.00 to school with her and if she gets ill again I shall tell her to lie and say I'm at the school gate. I dislike lying and have always tried to teach her that the truth is best but in this instance I shall bow my head to necessity and accept that to survive in the world it is a requisite and often admired skill. Unfortunately.
As I say, Flo has had her mocks - sort of. She managed just over a day but then fell (figuratively if not literally). The dreaded migraine came visiting. She did go in for the second day but the school 'phoned around 10.30 to say she had to go home. Or come home. Whichever it is (my spelling and grammar used to be reasonable but the Sarc has put paid to that. Or at least, that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!!) I felt a little annoyed, actually (rephrase that - considerably annoyed). Because of the Sarc and FMS (etc) I am unable to work any more. Three darling, sweet doctors have told me that and, although being categorised as 'retired due to ill health' is lowering - especially when one is still (just) in one's forties - I can't argue with them. Or I suppose I could but it is too much effort and thus too much energy. Thus we are poor. Beyond church-mice poor. Poor old Flo tried to tell the school she was willing - I can't say happy...how many of us would be happy having to stay in our place of employment when feeling lousy? - to stay in school until she could catch the school bus home but they were having none of it. She 'had' to come home. Which is all well and good but they wanted me to collect her.
This is part of what annoyed me. Being formerly in the trade I understand that they are in loco parentis but they were rather assuming that 1. I was not in work and 2. I was mobile. There are days when I'm not although pumping myself full of painkillers does help in that regard. If I couldn't collect her they would put her in a taxi and I'd have to pay for it on her arrival. This is where I boggled (I can be good at boggling. I've practiced it for years). Excuse me? How many people in today's economy have £20.00 lying around let alone those whos children are eligible for free school meals and for whom I have to ask assistance for any trips? The arrogance was breath-taking. Whilst I know we are at the reasonably extreme end of the excess funds spectrum I know we are not alone - £20.00 is a lot of money - hell, it is the cost of their (extremely overpriced) sport sweatshirt.
However, I did what any mother would do and girded my loins to head north, taking money out of the rent to do so and giving thanks that at least it wasn't raining - in itself something of a novelty. I kept Flavia abreast of my progress via text (about the only function on a mobile 'phone I can cope with) and, sure enough, as I approached the school she appeared. Which rather begs the question of why did I have to collect her? Okay, she didn't have the money for the train journey home but apart from that niggling little issue my question remains. I didn't have to sign her out. I didn't have to announce my presence in sonorous tones. I didn't even get as far as the school door. So why was it imperative that I spend over £5.00 we didn't have to make the hour's round trip?
I have the utmost respect for admin staff in schools but I can't help wondering if this was some sort of power-trip. From now on, Flo takes £2.00 to school with her and if she gets ill again I shall tell her to lie and say I'm at the school gate. I dislike lying and have always tried to teach her that the truth is best but in this instance I shall bow my head to necessity and accept that to survive in the world it is a requisite and often admired skill. Unfortunately.
Wednesday 12 September 2012
High Days and Holidays
It's Flavia's birthday today. She's 16 (and, as she solemnly told me, next year will be 17....no!) and yesterday was our (Mark and I) wedding anniversary. We've been married for eight years, which isn't bad...longer than any of his other marriages. By this point in my marriage to Simon (pause whilst I try to work out exactly where we were...he was such a difficult employee that we moved, on average, every 18 months so it's a case of working out where we were as to when something occurred, and if that isn't sad then what is?). I know. 1994. Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil. By this stage he'd kicked me out a few times, I'd left a few times (and crawled back since I felt I had no-where to go) and within the year I'd felt so isolated and depressed I'd taken an overdose of sleeping tablets. What a riot.
Anyway, back to the topic in hand. Flavia's birthday. We celebrated on Saturday, which I thought was pretty good going since initially (and until a week beforehand) we hadn't thought we could commemorate it in any way whatsoever - cash (or the lack thereof) being what it is. However, we managed to wangle things so that she could at least invite a few friends over. My family didn't do birthday parties - we (brother, sister, parents and self) would have tea and a cake but that was pretty much it so I'm a bit at a loss to know what to do. When Flavia was younger I'd organise stuff and hand out party bags at the end and the last couple of years or so she's had sleepovers and dvds but most of the time I'm guessing. And, I have to say, Flavia is very good. She knows our financial situation and doesn't ask much - her friends go to restaurants or the cinema or bowling or whatever (or two out of the three usually) but Flavia knows that if we go to the cinema once a year then that's a big deal. I hate life being so constrained and know her life isn't as rounded as it should be but can't think what else to do.
This year we worked out we could just about manage pizza, cake and ice-cream. Because it was a last minute thing only five of Flavia's friends could turn up but, after meeting in Cardiff (at Waterstone's, their congregation point of choice) then came back for the aforementioned food and to watch dvds. By seven o'clock every one had gone home. Mark and I sat outside and listened to them chanting the words to The Big Bang Theory and I couldn't help but smile - and be very grateful. The time may very well come when Flavia gives me the nightmares of other parents' but right now I am lucky. Yes she can be a pain but (so far) I don't have to worry about drink, drugs or sex. The hardest thing at the party was the own-brand coke from Asda and the nice thing was that no-one gave a damn. The girls were quite happy, we were happy. I don't know whether it has anything to do with how they've been raised (although other parents seem to do exactly the same thing and have the Offspring from Hell) and 'class' doesn't seem to mean anything either, inasmuchas brats can be from a sink estate or go to an independent school but they still manage to get their grubby little mitts on booze and drugs. It could, of course, simply be because we're boring. We don't drink (either in the home or out...not because we're teetotal but simply because it costs money and there are better things to spend one's filthy lucre on than alcohol), we don't go out a great deal (again, it costs money) and we live simple lives. It could be because I had such a sheltered up-bringing (I was seventeen before I found out what a French kiss was - not through experience but by hearsay) but I don't see why. Girls from families as sheltered as my own have led 'interesting' lives and been pregnant by the time they reach Flo's age.
So, now my daughter is sixteen. Technically able to marry (with consent) and I feel ancient. I remember what it was like to be that age and although I'm grateful Flavia is nowhere near as green as I was at that age, I worry for her. She hopes to go to University (Simon has, after all, informed her not to worry about the financial aspect since he is going to win the lottery. The annoying thing is he probably will) and, whilst I know she needs to grow (roots and wings and all that) it's scary. I don't like the knowledge that at some point she'll be hurt. At some point her heart will be broken. Bad things will happen to her and I won't be able to protect her. She's stronger than I am - a bit stroppy, which is good. Takes after her maternal great-grandmother in that regard (an Irish redhead!) so I hope she won't be taken advantage of quite so much (too much to hope she won't be taken advantage of at all. She's human, after all) and I keep my fingers crossed that she is resilient. She gives the impression of being so, but impressions are awfully deceptive.
After all, her father gave the impression of being a decent man (to some, at least) whilst in reality he was/is a sociopath. Hopefully there's just enough of her father in her to enable her to survive - but not so much that she will be as selfish, ruthless and cruel.
Anyway, back to the topic in hand. Flavia's birthday. We celebrated on Saturday, which I thought was pretty good going since initially (and until a week beforehand) we hadn't thought we could commemorate it in any way whatsoever - cash (or the lack thereof) being what it is. However, we managed to wangle things so that she could at least invite a few friends over. My family didn't do birthday parties - we (brother, sister, parents and self) would have tea and a cake but that was pretty much it so I'm a bit at a loss to know what to do. When Flavia was younger I'd organise stuff and hand out party bags at the end and the last couple of years or so she's had sleepovers and dvds but most of the time I'm guessing. And, I have to say, Flavia is very good. She knows our financial situation and doesn't ask much - her friends go to restaurants or the cinema or bowling or whatever (or two out of the three usually) but Flavia knows that if we go to the cinema once a year then that's a big deal. I hate life being so constrained and know her life isn't as rounded as it should be but can't think what else to do.
This year we worked out we could just about manage pizza, cake and ice-cream. Because it was a last minute thing only five of Flavia's friends could turn up but, after meeting in Cardiff (at Waterstone's, their congregation point of choice) then came back for the aforementioned food and to watch dvds. By seven o'clock every one had gone home. Mark and I sat outside and listened to them chanting the words to The Big Bang Theory and I couldn't help but smile - and be very grateful. The time may very well come when Flavia gives me the nightmares of other parents' but right now I am lucky. Yes she can be a pain but (so far) I don't have to worry about drink, drugs or sex. The hardest thing at the party was the own-brand coke from Asda and the nice thing was that no-one gave a damn. The girls were quite happy, we were happy. I don't know whether it has anything to do with how they've been raised (although other parents seem to do exactly the same thing and have the Offspring from Hell) and 'class' doesn't seem to mean anything either, inasmuchas brats can be from a sink estate or go to an independent school but they still manage to get their grubby little mitts on booze and drugs. It could, of course, simply be because we're boring. We don't drink (either in the home or out...not because we're teetotal but simply because it costs money and there are better things to spend one's filthy lucre on than alcohol), we don't go out a great deal (again, it costs money) and we live simple lives. It could be because I had such a sheltered up-bringing (I was seventeen before I found out what a French kiss was - not through experience but by hearsay) but I don't see why. Girls from families as sheltered as my own have led 'interesting' lives and been pregnant by the time they reach Flo's age.
So, now my daughter is sixteen. Technically able to marry (with consent) and I feel ancient. I remember what it was like to be that age and although I'm grateful Flavia is nowhere near as green as I was at that age, I worry for her. She hopes to go to University (Simon has, after all, informed her not to worry about the financial aspect since he is going to win the lottery. The annoying thing is he probably will) and, whilst I know she needs to grow (roots and wings and all that) it's scary. I don't like the knowledge that at some point she'll be hurt. At some point her heart will be broken. Bad things will happen to her and I won't be able to protect her. She's stronger than I am - a bit stroppy, which is good. Takes after her maternal great-grandmother in that regard (an Irish redhead!) so I hope she won't be taken advantage of quite so much (too much to hope she won't be taken advantage of at all. She's human, after all) and I keep my fingers crossed that she is resilient. She gives the impression of being so, but impressions are awfully deceptive.
After all, her father gave the impression of being a decent man (to some, at least) whilst in reality he was/is a sociopath. Hopefully there's just enough of her father in her to enable her to survive - but not so much that she will be as selfish, ruthless and cruel.
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