h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm off to Leeds for five days for a course. Leaving little with mum and dad who have come over from the Isle of Wight to look after him. This is the first time they've been here for about four years. I've spent the past couple of days cooking and doing my best to prepare them for taking the lad to school, remembering that Wednesday is swimming, Thursday is PE and Saturday he goes to a party. Not forgetting that the bins go out on Thursday morning. Poor mum is panicking about the thought of cooking a chicken tomorrow. I will probably do it. They came over last time to look after him for me when I was on another course - usually we go over to see them there. I'm hoping that they can sort the food out properly. I can't remember really worrying last time - I wonder if I went away or if I was just away past pick-up time.

You're all getting older.

Little will end up ruling the roost.

It's worrying. As your mum's been cooking chickens since before you were born, you'd think she'd be used to it.

But my mother says that she found my dad sweating with worry at 3 am one morning thinking about how he was going to negotiate a new set of traffic lights in the next town which he'd heard about. And this from a man who'd spent 50 years at the wheel as a travelling salesman.

I'm sure everything will be fine After all, they brought you up without your help, didn't they

In fact if you were anything like me, you were a hindrance more than a help -

Relax, chill out, and enjoy the break. After all, little has been away from you before and I am sure he can tell his Nan and grandad all they need to know.



Websailor

Hi TC and Websailor !

Mum hasn't cooked a chicken in many years, as dad told her some while ago that he didn't like them. However, the news is that she made a good job of it and it was the best chicken that both of them had tasted in an awful long time.! The instructions worked, then ...

I heard something really funny when I got back ... I asked mum how little had got on with his homework and was told that they'd forgotten until a couple of days ago. Mum said that when she asked him, he said, 'You have to threaten me first' and then when she did, was told that the threat was not strong enough! Came as a real eye-opener, I can tell you.

Traveller in Time releived
"Glad that is the only 'problem' on returning home "

Oh,

Thanks for the Out of the mouths of babes etc. You will have to rethink your strategy - whatever do you threaten him with

Would it work on my husband?

Hope your course went well, and your car stayed safe.

Websailor

Oh,

Thanks for the Out of the mouths of babes etc. You will have to rethink your strategy - whatever do you threaten him with

Would it work on my husband?

Hope your course went well, and your car stayed safe.

Websailor

wasn't quick enough to spot error!

WS

Dear ZSF

Sorry I did not reply before but I was on holiday.

I hope that the course went well. You are certainly getting onto lots of courses!!

Also I am sure that little enjoyed having his grandma and grandpa with him

Sorry also to hear about your ankles and the accident with the window. Your must be careful.

to you all

Christiane
Also Ran1

Hi TiT, Websailor and AR1

What do I threaten him with? Generally, they're 'until' ones, eg, you can't watch TV/do something else you want to do until you've done your homework/had your breakfast.

There is another class of threat, which is the fine - which depends on the seriousness of the offence. We cured him of his bottom lip by a 2p fine. Rudeness is generally 20p, unless it's really rude, when it might be 50p. Biting (it happened a couple of weeks ago - first time for ages) is 50p. Mind you, once we've set that type of fine, anyone that does it (and is seen or heard), it applies to everyone. The really funny one is 'yeh' (instead of yes) - Roy keeps getting caught by that.

The other really good one is counting. It works like this. I want him to do something and he doesn't want to do it (go to bed, get in the car, etc), I count to 10 and if he hasn't done it by then, there's a punishment. I've used it so often that these days, I don't even have to specify what the punishment is.

Websailor, you're welcome to use any of these corrective methods - do let me know how you get on!

Yes, little liked being with his grandparents and I think the really enjoyed being with him. Hopefully, we'll get to see them before the summer holiday ends.

One ankle is fully better, the other almost it. The black on my little finger has half grown out, so I'm getting better.

o/

Thanks for the tips ZSF, I will think how I can apply them to hubby but I think he's past help!!

Glad you are recovering from your various mishaps.

Take care,

Websailor

Another technique I use now to get him to do work is to put a timer on him. He has some 5 minute writing tasks, so the stop-watch really helps there and he enjoys the challenge.