Diary of A Modern Gran | Granny Remembers School Outings
‘Gan Gan!’ says seven-year-old Rose excitedly when I go round to help out with tea. ‘We’re going on a school outing next week. Guess where we’re going?’
‘I don’t know,’ I say.
‘The zoo!’ chips in five-year-old George. ‘And I’m going too.’
‘Oh my goodness!’ I reply. ‘How exciting.’
But the truth is that inside, my heart is beating a beat. I’ve always been a bit nervous about school outings, to be honest.
Maybe it’s because my imagination tends to run riot at times. Perhaps it’s also because as a young journalist, I was often asked to write what we called TOTS stories – triumphs over tragedies.
These usually involved families who had somehow managed to get over adversity. The one that stands out in my mind is the grandson who donated a kidney to his granny. The operation was a success.
So my mind is constantly thinking of the ‘What If’s’ in life.
As a young mum, my panic mode went into over-ride when my eldest son was 7 and I received a letter informing me about the forthcoming school trip. They were going on a canal in a barge with the appropriate number of helpers.
But my son was a year younger than the others in his class (he’d only just turned 6). He’d never been on a school trip before. I kept worrying about what might happen if one of the adults wasn’t looking and my son fell in the water.
So I’m afraid to say that I called school to say he had a ‘cold’ that day.
But I felt terribly guilty. So the following year when the annual school trip came up, I told myself not to be so silly and waved him off.
Years later, I confessed this story to my son.
‘Mum!’ he said. ‘How could you?’
All I can say is that at the time, my fears felt horribly real.
So when I became a granny, I was determined not to worry. Yet the weird thing is that you almost worry more! Do you find that?
It so happens that I am away when Rose and George go on their school trip. But of course, I ring them on FaceTime at teatime to see how it went.
‘It was brilliant!’ sings Rose, dancing around on the screen.
‘Yes,’ says George. Then he adds naughtily, ‘We saw some snakes.’
(George knows I’m not keen on reptiles. It’s a running joke between us because he happens to be fond of them. In fact, one of his grandfathers bought him a huge rubber thing which he constantly teases me with.)
I can’t help feeling a huge sense of relief that all went well even though I know that their wonderful school staff and helpers will have watched them like hawks.
‘Where are you, Gan Gan?’ asks Rose.
‘I’m in Spain for four days, writing and giving a talk,’ I say.
‘Is it like a school trip?’ asks George.
‘In a way,’ I say.
‘Have a lovely time,’ they chorus.
‘Be careful, Mum,’ says my daughter. ‘We miss you.’
Ahh.
‘I miss you too,’ I say.
In fact, she saw me sooner than we both thought. My flight was delayed and then the journey back from the airport was fraught with problems. I found myself stuck about twenty miles from home without any transport.
‘I’ll come and get you,’ said my daughter. So even though she’d been working all day, she jumped in the car and came to rescue me.
How lovely is that?
Do you have any stories about school trips? We’d love to hear them. You can email us at moderngran@dctmedia.co.uk
Ask Agony Gran
I’ve got to go into hospital for a hip replacement and am nervous about the operation. It also means I won’t be able to help out with my grandchildren who are eight and six. I usually collect them from school and give them tea. My son and his partner have found a local childminder but I can’t help thinking I’ve let them down.
Tina, Sheffield
Jane says: ‘I can understand how you feel, Tina. I’ve been in that situation too, although it wasn’t my hip.
“The first thing I’d say is that sometimes we just have to accept that we need medical treatment. There are so many people who are waiting for it that we are very lucky if our turn comes up.
“Yet of course, that doesn’t take away the apprehension. Deep breathing and imagining something nice can help. Perhaps you could also talk to others who have had hip operations. They might reassure you. I’m afraid we’re all coming to the age when our bodies need the odd repair every now and then.
“As for looking after the grandchildren, you son and his partner seem to have it sorted. They don’t want you to worry, so perhaps you can make them feel better by doing exactly that.
“Good luck with the operation. Everyone I know (including my husband) says they feel like a new person afterwards. Do let us know how you get on.’
The funny things they do and say…
Thanks to Hilary who emailed this in:
I recently dug out a pair of old trousers to wear in the cold weather and wore them to pick up my 3-year-old granddaughter. They are baggier than the ones I usually wear.
“Oh Nanna”, she said, waggling the loose fabric, “I think your trousers have outgrown you!”
We loved this! Thank you. Please keep sending in your ‘funnies’ everyone! moderngran@dctmedia.co.uk
Family news
On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be a series of more teachers’ strikes throughout the country. Some schools will be closed or partially closed.
Does this affect anyone in your family? What do you think of the strikes? Let us know at moderngran@dctmedia.co.uk
Feedback
Thanks for your emails about how children learn grammar at school nowadays.
‘I love the idea of ‘dressing up’ as an adjective ‘ (as described in your last column). I thought it was a great way of helping children understand what an adjective means. If I had to dress up as one, it would be ‘busy’!’
Angela, Watford
‘I don’t understand the logic of modern reading methods like phonics. When I was a child, I learned to recognise words by reading a lot. My own children did the same.’
Ann, Lancaster
Where to take your grandchildren
Pic: Shutterstock
Babbacombe Model Village
This is one of our favourites! My grandchildren loved the tiny houses and watching moving figures and objects. So did the adults. In fact, I’m definitely going back!
Babbacombe Model Village, Hampton Avenue, Babbacombe, Torquay, Devon TQ1 3LA UK
www.model-village.co.uk
+44 (0)1803 315315
Children’s Book of the Week
Granny And Bean by Karen Hesse
Illustrated by Charlotte Voake
Walker Books, £12.99
For 3-7-year-olds
A lovely rhyming story about a granny and grandchild as they explore the seaside, look for hidden treasure, meet a dog and then go home for tea.
Jane Corry is a journalist and author. Six of her novels have been Sunday Times top ten best-sellers. I MADE A MISTAKE is about a live-in granny who tries to save her daughter-in-law from making a mistake. For more details – and a free short story – see Jane’s website at www.janecorryauthor.com.
