Grandma Jane’s( GJ’s) rant on the week that was ….

I know , I said you wouldn’t hear any more from me …well for a while at least. The problem is, I hear stuff on the news and my little brain starts whirring ! “ What?” “ You must be joking” “ The world’s gone mad” …so I decided that rather than suffer brain burn out with all these thoughts …I’d put them down on paper to share with you …it is of course entirely up to you whether you read them or not 😉

So what got my goat this week ….well, a 12 year old boy has been convicted for his role in the Manchester riots ( not surprisingly the youngest person to be convicted) just a minute , a twelve year old boy ….. Stop right there …..what the hec is a child of that age doing anywhere near the riots . Look, I know I’m perhaps a bit old in the tooth, and things have changed since I was twelve ( they’ve clearly changed since my own children were twelve 🙈🙈) …and of course the obvious question is what were his parents doing / thinking allowing him to be where he was ? Now I have no idea of his family background …there is obviously something drastic missing …and in fact his court case had to be postponed because his mother was missing ! She had gone to Ibiza on holiday ….I rest my case …but the Judge didn’t rest hers . The case was delayed so it could be heard on Mum’s return with Mum present ( you couldn’t make it up could you?)

The outcome …well Mum was ordered to pay £1200 and attend a six month parenting course (maybe financially penalising the parent is the way forward …it would at least make them think twice about taking some responsibility for what their children are doing) I’d suggest it’s a little bit late for a parenting course and I would also suggest she needs a lot more than six months . I’ve come to the conclusion that some parents whether single, double or any other combination think children bring themselves up! They don’t …nor do they ask to be born …so if you bring a child into this world it is your duty to guide them appropriately ( and yes children don’t come with instruction manuals and I dare say his mother has her own problems but at some point the circle has to be broken and it can be broken) . Personally I think being a parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world …but it can also be one of the most rewarding ! We know that some children go to school hungry, not having had any breakfast …well I’m sorry but I don’t think there is an acceptable excuse for that . Breakfast cereal , milk, bread, butter and jam does not break the bank and I would suggest it’s rather that the parents can’t be bothered rather than an inability to buy that is the problem ( and if it is financial that is what a food bank is for and I have absolutely no problem with that) Having said that , a friend of mine was on her way into her local supermarket when she overheard two women talking. One said to the other “ I’m just popping in here for some bits, anything you want?” Reply “ No , I want to go out this weekend, so I’m going to the food bank” Priorities all wrong 🙈🙈🙈

I heard that a psycho/logist/analyst/therapist ( not sure which one ) had told a friend of mine that you should never leave a baby to cry ….it causes brain damage . Well forgive me but that is bunkum ( oh that appears to be a real word!!) . If that were the case , I would be sitting rocking in a corner . Why ? because as a baby , I like many of my compatriots, was brought up under the school of hard knocks. As a baby, after I was fed, had had my nappy changed and been winded , I was put in my pram ( during the day of course) and then put out in the garden and out of earshot of my mother. The timer was set for four hours when the process would be repeated . Basically, cry if you want but it won’t get you anywhere . Did it do me or anyone else any harm …maybe it did, but I’ve reached the age of 67 years old and I might be a little crazy…but brain damaged….I don’t think so !!!

That is my rant for this week….and for the benefit of your eyes and ears I’m going to stop …but will leave you with something to make you chuckle !