Teach them well, and let them lead the way.
I wrote these words some years ago, and some bloke ruined them by making them into a cheesy song.
I've always known that children have a capacity, on certain days when all factors are running in their favour, to appear for a short while to be less than unpleasant. No-one could accuse me of being unrealistic or unkind in saying that. well, that's not quite true, is it? Probably most people would say that it is a very unkind thing to say, and you'd be right, because children are our future.
Actually, that lyric annoys me immensely. Not just because it juxtaposes “are” with “our”, but because it appears to invalidate us adults - and we're clearly better. It's always bemused me that when small children bring their pictures back from school, parents fall over backwards to say how good they are. What planet are they on? Is it any wonder that so few of the world's greatest artists are British?
If the youth of Britain learn that this...
...is a really good picture and that they are very clever - then what hope is there? We have sealed our fate as a nation of poor artists. Surely, we should tell them that this picture is totally rubbish, and ask them to produce better work. It's a very simple procedure, but if we consistently ask for work which is a even just a little better than at present, surely the teaching puzzle is solved already? The answers seem so simple, and yet society fails to learn.
I am not a father at present - nor have I ever been a father.
I think I've already demonstrated that I have the key parenting skills required to get my children to behave and produce quality work, but despite my obvious aptitude, I doubt I shall ever enjoy the delights of parenthood. This is perfectly fine, and I am well used to the occasional sadness that this life-decision brings. I once wrote a “Lullaby for the child who would never be.” It is a sad and wistful little piece. Anyway, I digress. (more a statement of fact than an apology of any sort)
Pictured left here, you'll see some kids and a strange man. He's actually a very nice man and possibly the best man ever, since Roy Castle. (But I would never say that - not in public anyway.)*
The kids are largely his work, although a lady did take some small part in it. The real point of this posting is that I find, in this middle stage of my life, that I like kids more than ever I did. I see the good in them, and respect their boundless energy. I see the potential in their creativity and how they still have the chance to make something of their lives.
The thing I find truly amazing is that they might spare some of their busy time to interact with me, the fat bloke in the corner. Not only that, but to want to show me their games and stuff, and treat me like I was even half worthy to occupy their excellent kids world - well, that's extraordinary. Sure, not something I could handle 24/7/365, but quite a nice way to spend maybe a Sunday afternoon, or something.
Who knows? Maybe I'll eventually qualify as some sort of mad uncle. That might be cool.
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*I find it much easier to write this blog if I pretend no-one reads it.
Our kids DO see you as a kind of bizarre yet special uncle. They like you very much indeed, despite my careful warning and blunt advice to them. But that's what makes them kids isn't it. They adore you, and see you as a kind of walking soft play area.
Posted by: Jason | September 27, 2005 at 07:55 AM
I liked this a lot! I felt a small tear well up in my jaundiced old eye.
Posted by: Tim the Enchanter | September 27, 2005 at 11:23 PM