Diary Of A Modern Gran | Teeth Cleaning At School
“Supervised toothbrushing could be brought into school classrooms across England under new Labour proposals to improve the nation’s oral health.”
I was eating my very healthy cereal when I read this. It made me pause mid-mouthful.
It so happens that my grandchildren are really good at cleaning their teeth now, but there was a time when, on granny days, I used to chase Rose and George round the house with the toothpaste!
Then my daughter and her husband bought novelty toothbrushes, and now they love cleaning their teeth! In fact, the other day, when I was looking after them overnight, they reminded me that I forgotten to remind them!
But I can’t help thinking about these proposed school toothbrush lessons. In one way, this could be a great idea. It might encourage the would-be abstainers to develop regular healthy habits.
They might also be taught how to do it properly. Tooth-brushing techniques seem to change every few years, don’t they? In my day, it was a simple “up and down”.
However, I do wonder about the practicalities. Can you imagine having to label a toothbrush along with all the other school uniform? What if the label comes off? The thought of sharing someone else’s toothbrush by mistake makes me shudder. In fact, I think I’ve just gone off my breakfast. The great thing about being grown-up is that we can do things for ourselves!
If you’ve got any thoughts about cleaning teeth at school or if you have some tips on how to get reluctant teeth-cleaners motivated, do email us at moderngran@dcthomson.co.uk
Meanwhile, this has been a bit of an inside-out week. Now my grandchildren are at school, I’m needed more in the holidays than the term-time. So I just do one afternoon pick-up a week. But the other day, my daughter asked if I could do one of the morning runs as she had an early meeting.
“Of course I can,” I say, wondering if I can still fit in my 7am swim. Over the last few years – after moving to the sea – I’ve become addicted to going up and down the bay and back with my granny friend who lives over the road.
We swim all the year round. In fact, I must confess to having three wetsuits for different temperatures and can now talk about “543 thicknesses” in a way that I never used to when I lived in a city.
It’s become my way of meditating and getting through the tricky parts of life.
So I ring my swimming buddy. “Would you mind going at 6.30am instead of 7?” I ask her. She has four grandchildren so totally understands.
Jane’s about to take the plunge
“Sure,” she says. So there we are, going down to the beach just as the sun is rising. It’s not the brightest of days but there’s still something very special about it.
There are usually about two or three of us down there, but we find ourselves bumping into new faces because of the earlier time. I recognise one as a grandad who is about do the school run too!
Then I dash back home, shower and get round to my grandchildren’s place. Phew! I’m there on time. Somehow, the idea being late for granny duties is more worrying than when I was younger and rushing to work at a woman’s magazine in a smart London office.
The funny thing is that the drop-off at school seems very different from the afternoon collection. For a start, I’m not entirely sure whether I am meant to be going into the classroom or if I should just leave them at their different gates. I don’t really like to do the latter. But then Rose sees three of her friends, and I see a sudden almost-adult expression coming over her face as she walks beside them across the playground.
But George is younger. I’m definitely not letting him go in alone! I should point out that this is still the beginning of a new term and they’ve moved into different classes so I’m not quite familiar with the ropes.
“You don’t have to come with me,” he says. Is he just saying that because he doesn’t want me to embarrass him?
But I want to make sure he’s safely inside so I walk with him to his classroom. It’s rather good actually, as I meet his new teachers. Again, I see a different side of George as he sits down quietly and starts working. It makes me realise how grown-up they’re becoming.
Then, on my way out of school, a mum taps me on the shoulder. “Excuse,” she says. “But do you know you’ve got seaweed in your hair?”
Whoops!
Later in the week when I do the afternoon pick-up, my grandchildren are full of excitement after what has clearly been an inspiring history lesson.
That was one of my favourite subjects too! Do you get excited like I do when your grandchildren like the same things?
“Were you alive when Queen Victoria was on the throne?” asks Rose from the back of the car.
“No,” I say, trying not to laugh because I don’t want her to feel silly. “She lived at least a long time ago.”
Then I realise that she only died about 50 years before I was born. That’s scary!
“And was Queen Elizabeth a baby when you were growing up?” continues Rose.
“No,” I say again, trying not to smile. “In fact, your great-granny used to tell me that she stood outside the cathedral when she was crowned. They were about the same age.”
Rose and George lose interest, but it makes me start thinking about time again. It’s a strange thing, isn’t it? As children, we find it hard to get a grasp of what happened when. But as we get older, we find out that past events weren’t as long ago as we thought.
Which takes me onto memories. Does your computer keep coming up with “Memories” – photos which you took years ago?
Mine too. It did the same to my 99-year-old father who used his iPad until just before he died last year. “I don’t like to see these pictures,” he’d grumble.
I used to wonder why but I’m beginning to get the same feeling. They are a stark reminder of how much life has changed in so many different ways.
“I used to feel like that,” says a granny friend, “and then I decided I would celebrate these computer memories because they show us how far we’ve come in a positive way – especially when it comes to looking after grandchildren.”
She’s right. One of my “memories” last week showed a very young George who seemed quite shy. Now he’s a confident little boy who is shooting up – in fact, he urgently needed a bigger pair of trousers at the weekend for school.
Another “memory” picture has just flashed up! It’s of a dear friend who I’d known from my first marriage.
She and I have stayed in touch all this time. She’s not a granny yet, but she’s always interested in Rose and George because she knew my children from when hers were little.
I give her a ring. “I’m coming up to London for a couple of days in November,” I say. “Shall we have lunch?”
“That’s wonderful,” she says. “I’d like that!”
I’ve a feeling we are about to make some more memories…
Agony Gran
“My new grandson has Down’s Syndrome. It’s been a bit of a shock and we’re all getting our heads around it. He’s the most beautiful little boy and we love him so much that it actually hurts. But I can’t help feeling really worried about his future.” Name withheld
Jane says:
First of all, congratulations on your grandson. But I empathise with all the different emotions which you must be feeling. I expect you also want to provide emotional support to your son and daughter-in-law too. It can’t be an easy time for you all.
I’d like to tell you about a friend with a Down’s Syndrome granddaughter. My friend was also really worried when she was born.
Now she is a bright, alert and extremely loving eight-year-old with a great sense of humour. She’s in a mainstream school and is doing well. Everyone in the family adores her.
My granny friend and her family got a lot of practical and emotional help from the Down’s Syndrome Association, www.downs-syndrome.org.uk. Tel 0333 1212300.
I hope this helps.
The Things They Say
“I was complaining about my job recently to my daughter without realising that my fifteen-year-old grandson was listening in.”
“Granny,’ he said seriously, “you ought to talk to our school careers counsellor. She says you can go in all kinds of directions nowadays.” Pat from York
Great advice! We agree. Talk about wise heads on young shoulders…
Grandparent Tip
Thanks to Anne who sent this in.
“I’ve just discovered a radio station called Boom Radio which is perfect for my 60-plus age group! The DJs are names which we will all remember such as Michael Aspel, David Hamilton, Judi Spiers, Simon Bates and Graham Dene. I really recommend it. My grandchildren and I love dancing around. They also like the stories from my youth when I’d go to discos!”
Your email made me tune in, Anne. You’re right. It’s great!
Days Out With The Grandchildren
Need inspiration for the half-term school holidays? Head to Wonderlab, the Brammell Gallery, York.
Build a rocket and step into a human wind tunnel. Wow. Sounds amazing!
Let us know about attractions in your local area.
Feedback – Booster Jab or Not?
“I sympathised with the reader who is concerned about hanging out with her friend who hasn’t had the booster. I don’t meet up with friends who haven’t had theirs.” Name withheld
Family News
A baby from Liverpool with a rare blood cancer has been matched with a suitable stem cell match. Isn’t that wonderful! We wish them luck and good health.
Children’s Book Of The Week
Kindness Is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego, £9.98.
It’s never too soon to teach children kindness, empathy and compassion. This rhyming book with colourful illustrations is a lovely way of doing this.
If you’d like to get in touch with us about your favourite children’s book, or life as a grandparent, do email us at moderngran@dcthomson.co.uk.
Jane Corry is a journalist and award-winning author. Her latest novel is Coming to Find You.
Coming To Find You is told from the points of view of Elizabeth, who lived in Tall Chimneys by the sea during World War 2, and Nancy who lives in the same house in the present day. This Sunday Times bestseller is published by Penguin, £8.99. Available in print, digital and audio.
