GJ’s rant on the week that was……

To be honest Dear reader , I’ve been spoilt for choice this week…hotels, the way some folk care for their dogs ( or don’t as the case may be 😠)….but the headline that sent me spinning skywards ….and my first choice….was this one …

Firstly, I had to look up who are these special Gen Z that would make the powers that be bow and scrape before them. Well, apparently Gen Z refers to the generation of people born in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s .

Why, I ask myself, do we need to appease this generation ….and what use is a teacher who is present nine days out of ten, has lie ins and works from home . Have we gone completely mad? I want my grandchildren taught by someone who is present in the class room five days a week, and for the duration of the school day during term time .. thank you very much if it’s not too much trouble .

No one said teaching is an easy job …I am full of admiration for the teachers of our children , I think they have a tough time of it…..but when you enter that profession you know what you’re going into . Like nursing, medicine …the list goes on – are we going to try and attract Gen Z into those professions by offering WFH, lie ins and nine day fortnights . If we are, can I just point out there will be an issue with the morning drug round/ bed baths/surgery if the nurse/doctor is having a lie in 🙄

On the subject of the teaching profession ..as a parent I expected ( and was fortunate enough ) to send my children to school to learn academic skills. Apparently now one in four children starting school are not toilet trained- that is a disgrace …seemingly one in four parents believe it is a teacher’s responsibility to toilet train their little darling …well not in my book, it isn’t. In my book , if your child isn’t toilet trained they shouldn’t be allowed to start primary school. End of!

In the same vein ( oh what a lot I’m getting off my chest 👏👏) what is all this about children in school being allowed to identify as whatever they want to be? Why should our teachers and other pupils lives be affected because a child demands to identify as a fox at school? …and excuse me , but when did a child get to demand anything at school? When I was at school you respected the authority of those in charge …challenge their authority??? Not on your life ( or knuckles 😉 if you knew what was good for you !!!

If a child wants to identify as a cat at home, fair enough, it’s their parents problem- but not at school ; it isn’t fair to interfere with other pupils learning ( unbelievably I heard there may also have been a litter tray involved in that case …..and don’t ask me what I know you want to ask. I don’t know nor do I want to know 😠😠😠) and the running of the school. I’ve heard of a child in another secondary school insisting ( insisting for goodness sake, how dare they!) on identifying as a wolf …now just as a matter of interest, has anyone considered the prospects of a wolf/cat working in the big wide world ?…because I am pretty sure I have never heard of a wolf or a cat ( or any other animal for that matter!) succeeding as a lawyer/nurse/gardener/train driver or undertaking an apprenticeship of any sort…..it all reverts back to the preparation ( or lack of it ) of our young people for life in the real world ……. Wolves are beautiful animals and have very strong social and family bonds …sadly no human can truly mimic their behaviour …so in my book, if you insist on identifying as a wolf, head for the nearest animal park !

What I will say about this Gen Z is that not all members of this generation can be tarred with the same brush ….I know many Gen Z’s ( well I didn’t realise I did until I found out who they were ) who have the same approach to work as my generation . Clearly however there are some in this generation who are very precious and must be treated with kid gloves . I’m afraid they haven’t been raised to be prepared for the real world …the real world isn’t always a kind place where everyone says “ yes” to you, and I feel strongly that as a parent your role has to be to enable your child to cope and survive in the big wide world.

I remember a friend of mine telling me a tale of one of his work colleagues. He was older than many of his colleagues who were of the Gen Z generation. They had attended a training day that in his words had been taxing to say the least! However, to his surprise, when he said cheerio and see you tomorrow to one of his colleagues, she informed him she couldn’t possibly come to work the next day following such a tough day. He was a little surprised at her reaction, but when she informed him she had told their employer she was taking a mental health day to recuperate , he was completely shocked.

I understand what it is to have to step away and reset…I have had to do it myself in the past … but my point is if a stressful day’s training knocks you off kilter, maybe you should reconsider whether you’re in the right job!

Goodness is that the time ? So much for a short rant ….well, I feel better !!!!

Until next time …when what what will it be …we’ll have to wait and see!!!