Half Term Blues
Picture the scene:
My son is aged 12 and is into Green Day, Red Hot Chillis and similar bands. He plays the electric guitar and messes about on drums and is generally a very cool kid. He is developing his own sense of style which I am very happy to encourage; at the moment he looks like a small version of Billy Joe Armstrong, namely black jeans, studded belts, black tops, red tie, studded dog collar, spikey hair etc. (He drew the line at eye-liner).
I am on the chubby side, with a boring hairstyle, no make-up, comfortable practical combat trousers, and a long-sleeved t-shirt, with a fleece jacket over the top. I’m also towing along the seven-year-old sister of the above; she can whinge for England, or she ought to, the amount of time she spends training!
In order for son to develop the look, there are two shops in our city where a large range of nu-rock/punk/goth etc gear can be purchased. I’m sure many of you young’ins can imagine what kind of things they stock. The other thing you need to know is that I am on this shopping trip because it is the half-term holiday.
So son is cruising around this shop called Void, completely not noticing the leather and PVC bondage gear, the basques and six-inch stiletto heeled boots. He’s looking at band sweatshirts, belts and jewellery, planning how to spend his £15, and trying to pretend that his mum isn’t standing by the door looking like a complete spare part. The really funny thing is though - I am standing in a line of similar Mums, making remarks like “But do you think it will wash well, dear?” and the shop is full of boys and girls doing the same as my son and rolling their eyes so much they are practically falling out of their sockets.
Meanwhile the 7-year old daughter has spotted a rather fetching pair of pink-fur covered handcuffs.
“Oooh Mum” she says, “They look kewl. What are they for?”
Mother chokes.
“Um, well I think its something for when you love someone, you can play at being handcuffed together” (A good attempt I feel)
“That’s great” replies my little cherub “I’m going to get some and then me and Daddy can use them ‘cos I love him very much”
Call an ambulance for the old lady having a fit on the floor!
My son is aged 12 and is into Green Day, Red Hot Chillis and similar bands. He plays the electric guitar and messes about on drums and is generally a very cool kid. He is developing his own sense of style which I am very happy to encourage; at the moment he looks like a small version of Billy Joe Armstrong, namely black jeans, studded belts, black tops, red tie, studded dog collar, spikey hair etc. (He drew the line at eye-liner).
I am on the chubby side, with a boring hairstyle, no make-up, comfortable practical combat trousers, and a long-sleeved t-shirt, with a fleece jacket over the top. I’m also towing along the seven-year-old sister of the above; she can whinge for England, or she ought to, the amount of time she spends training!
In order for son to develop the look, there are two shops in our city where a large range of nu-rock/punk/goth etc gear can be purchased. I’m sure many of you young’ins can imagine what kind of things they stock. The other thing you need to know is that I am on this shopping trip because it is the half-term holiday.
So son is cruising around this shop called Void, completely not noticing the leather and PVC bondage gear, the basques and six-inch stiletto heeled boots. He’s looking at band sweatshirts, belts and jewellery, planning how to spend his £15, and trying to pretend that his mum isn’t standing by the door looking like a complete spare part. The really funny thing is though - I am standing in a line of similar Mums, making remarks like “But do you think it will wash well, dear?” and the shop is full of boys and girls doing the same as my son and rolling their eyes so much they are practically falling out of their sockets.
Meanwhile the 7-year old daughter has spotted a rather fetching pair of pink-fur covered handcuffs.
“Oooh Mum” she says, “They look kewl. What are they for?”
Mother chokes.
“Um, well I think its something for when you love someone, you can play at being handcuffed together” (A good attempt I feel)
“That’s great” replies my little cherub “I’m going to get some and then me and Daddy can use them ‘cos I love him very much”
Call an ambulance for the old lady having a fit on the floor!