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

Is it more than just a dislike of the subject? We had this teacher at school called Bailey. His job was to teach us German. He was nick named Basher Bailey as he seemed to delight in using the slipper on boys backsides. Corporal pinishment was alive in those days. We hated the subject because we hated him. When he left he was replaced by a man called Hallworth. Hallworth told jokes, played music and involved us in the language. I'm not saying that this is the case, as all cases are different. A boy called Clive Russell used to play truant as he was bullied, and not being very bright he thought the others would mock him for his low marks and inability to learn. I'm not saying any of these are right, just ideas.
I wish you good luck and all the best with him and I sincerely hope everything works out in the end, as I'm sure it will. You should not blame yourselves. This is something he has done without your knowledge.You come across as very caring and supportive parents.

Good morning
A will have to repeat the class, and he'll go to the next lower school type. We've three types of schools here : down, middle, high. He'll be middle then, which I think is what he wanted right from the beginning. He thinks he'll not have to learn then, which isn't true, everything will be a lot more difficult for his future, but alas, it's his choice.

Well I'm sure he'll have your support what ever he decides to do.Trying to force children into something can often lead them to take to opposite track, or rebel.
I suppose, really, it depends on what he wants to do for a living. Although as a school boy of 13 I didn't have a clue of what I wanted to do.
Colleen's son is a civil engineer. He earns wads a year and tours the world in his job. He wasn't very happy in school and his father made him go to a tutor every Saturday morning. He is very clever, I grant you But he is a very seriuous type of person and you often have to explain jokes to him. Her other son left school without a certificate of any decription. He now has his own business in Florida and has nearly 100 staff under him. Go figure you know. You never can tell.
You have my best wishes, as indeed A does, for a good future.
Ideal curiousity, why do you call him

Because he's the one who does the cooking now and then. He does have his strong points, you know, he's very creative, and helpful.

Then is there no way you can use these strong points to help him, or encourage him, to smother the bad points. Does he want to take up catering? If so point out to him the need for the other lessons in his choosen career.
If he doesn't want to go into catering, fair enough, it was just an idea.

I don't think he has an idea what he wants to do after school, I didn't exactly know when I finished school, leave alone when I was thirteen.

Nope, nor did I. I just sort of drifted into this job. Better than a friend of mine who became a postman, I suppose. I said to him I'd sooner walk the streets than be a post man. he replied it's the same thing, which sort of ruined the joke.

But he was right, wasn't he ?
It's way too early to start worrying about a job for the lads, we'll see what options they'll have in a few years.

Of course, there's plenty of time yet, you start pushing and you'll loose them. A friend on the island of Sheppy in the county of Kent has two children. I was best man at his wedding, we went to school together. His son looked like he was going the wrong way and couldn't wait to leave school. He didn't stick in a job longer than a few weeks at the most. We were all very concerned. Then one day he joined the police force and now has a steady job, good future and has found himself a nice girlfriend and settled down. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow.

Yes, and believe me, I'm glad I don't
I think we give our kids everything we possibly can give them, first of all very much love, and so far, they have turned out well.

In that case you are giving them everything. Most likely just a phase. Be positive, I'm sure they'll be ok. I'm sure my father despaired of me at some stage. He was always proud of any achievement, no matter how little and would boast of it. That is enough to help bolster and support a child. I lost him when I was 15. He never saw me go to work, or discovered what job I took, or was there for advice or help. Still I think of him and what he would say. You give that to your children. What would my parents say and do in this situation. It's the best thing you can give. Love support be there. He'll be ok. I didn't turn out so bad. A good job with a well respected employer, good friends and a great social life. Alright, I could do with more money, but that's a universal problem.

So true,we all could do with more money, but would we be any happier ? I don't ask for much, just the odd visit to London now and then
Btw, do you know exactly when you'll go to the US yet ?

That's up to Colleen. She is dithering.It is up in the 90's out there at the moment. I suggested later in the year, like September when it'll be cooler. But she says the cruise may not be on then. Typical women, can't make up her mind.Oppss. Forgot I was speaking to one. For Christmas she gave me a special present. She let me be right for 24 hours.

That was a very generous gift
I'm only asking cause I would really love to meet you in July

I have nothing in my diary, but Colleen has sort of taken charge of that. I get to her house and she says we are doing this, or we are going there and it's all been arranged., It would be nice to meet up again. My shift rota says I'm late shift, which is 1030 till 2130.

What about Friday, or Sunday, same shift on all three days ?

Sunday is same. Friday is 0845 till 1900

Then I could maybe seek you out on friday afternoon for a ? We can think about it nearer the date.

Must dash now, maybe back later.

We are talking about 16th July, aren't we?