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

My eldest son applied for a school to become a nursery nurse in February this year. The situation is dire, although nursery nurses (especially male ones) are in high demand, there is just one school for all of Frankfurt offering the education they need. The school itself (or their administration) is totally chaotic. First, they invited him for a two-year class in addition to his job. (The education takes generally three years). He went there. Then they told him he was too young, and why he had applied for this calls. He hadn't, so he couldn't tell them. He still wrote the exam and did the interview. Then he was invited for an even shorter class of only one year. So again, he went there, did the exam and all. Then, months later, he was told that he was on a waiting list. That was the last he ever heard.

Now the situation here at home got increasingly worse, with my husband once again threatening to show him the door and keep the key.
Something had to happen, so I asked him whether he'd be happy to try to get an education as a nurse for the elderly. he agreed, although it's not exactly what he wants to do.

I called the institution offering an education for this. They told me that yes, there are still some places vacant, but he'd need to find somewhere for the practical part, they only do the theory.
So I spent a day last week calling homes for the elderly all over Frankfurt. In the end, I found one who'd be willing to take him on - if he had a place in the school.

Vicious circle: school demands they have a place for the practical part, practical part demands he has a place in school.

Well, I asked him to call the school again, telling them that he may get a place in the other institution.

They emailed him what he needs to bring and invited him to an interview today. That was yesterday.

I managed to get an appointment at the for him, because he needs to prove that he is physically able to do the job.

I altered his application (which we had delivered at the other place only last Friday), and printed out all the documents and copies they asked for.

Anyway, he went there this afternoon (with some documents still missing because I don't even know where his birth certificate is, and the certificate of good conduct takes weeks after you've requested it).

He had an interview, and hat to sit through an exam. There were two more applicants.

He isn't too sure about the exam, essay writing really isn't his cup of tea.

Anyway, they said he'll get to know on Thursday or Friday (at the latest).

Please, keep your fingers crossed they'll accept him. I'm totally worn out with all the rushing around, writing applications and CVs.

to him, fingers crossed (and thumbs pressesd).

Fingers crossed, Bel.

*fingerscrossedsmiley*


I wish him luck that he gets the results he needs


lil x

And I won't even be here if he only finds out on Friday.

I *so* hope they'll accept him.

*fingers crossed* and

GB

Fingers crossed!

Fingers crossed.

*crosses fingers*

Thanks all. With people all over the world keeping their fingers crossed for him, he *must* get the place. I hope.

My fingers are crossed, too. And my toes.

Good luck to him!

TRiG.

I also wish him the best of !!!


I will also hope for Dad to get a bit more patience.....

Contrary to widely held opinions elsewhere, Germany really is this badly organised. We have been through several things of this sort with my 3 boys - Universities and the (now no longer obligatory) national service. If they want(ed) to opt out of military service and do the community service option, they had to find their own placement and jump through similar hoops to Bel's son.

I do hope he gets in to both the home and the college to do the training, Bel. Will he still be living at home? Once he gets into the college and starts his course, I hope for your and his sakes that he sticks at it. It really is a tiring and frustrating job, but everyone who does it finds it very rewarding. He will go through several phases of doubt.

Luckily, I have never had to encourage or force my kids into anything, although I think my husband who runs the financial side has often been close to tearing his hair out.

These past weeks I have, however, been sending off my youngest son's university applications in his absence. He left all the papers in his room, ready copied and endorsed where necessary, so all I had to do was address the envelope and print out the form he mailed me from Mexico and post that off with all the right documents. He got accepted so I must have got it right. I'd better keep the details of that to my journal rather than clogging up Bel's with it.

Anyway, all the best to all of you, Bel. Don't keep us waiting too long with the results!

Don't worry, TC, you're not clogging up my journal.

You are lucky that your son did it all himself. My youngest son does everything, too. My eldest needs me to do it, or to gently push him. He wouldn't get anything done without me.

Oh, and thanks everybody.

I'll let you know as soon as possible what the outcome was.

I really wish for the best for your son Bel!

fingers crossed, double crossed (not that way)and treble crossed

I know what it's like to be in that kind of career netherworld. Got my fingers crossed for you both.