See The World… Maybe

Hey Friend,

How are you? The UK summer has put in an appearance for a bit, and I live in hope that it will be here to stay for the whole of August!

Speaking of summer, holiday mode is well and truly underway, which brings with it the constant requests for food, occasional ‘I’m bored’ statements and the phrase: ‘But it’s the holidays!’ repeated whenever I say it’s time for bed.

So far, we’ve been to the cinema to see Despicable Me 4 (disappointing in comparison to the previous instalments), visited a food festival with extended family (including free rum punch, music and a very expensive ‘Hook-a-Duck’ resulting in a pretty average prize); watched a lot of the Olympics (including obligatory shouting at the TV), walked in the park and played endless amounts of games. It’s been a fun time and I’m looking forward to more laughs and memories.

So, I know it’s been a while since I posted (I say that a lot, I know) but it hasn’t been for want of trying. I’ve felt a bit stuck for a little while now, when it comes to writing. I entered a few competitions, got knockbacks from all of them and haven’t really found the gumption (yes, it’s an old-fashioned word, but I like it) to try again. I’ve read a number of books – some I’ve been so desperate to mark as finished that I’ve just skimmed great big chunks to get to the end. Then that makes me think – ‘Surely what I’ve written makes more sense than this? Surely I am not that repetitive and know how to use show-not-tell well? But it’s all relative, isn’t it? Because for all the one-star reviews agreeing with me that the book I’ve just waded my way through is poor, there are hundreds – maybe thousands more giving five-star reviews and saying how amazing it was.

So, I’ve decided to borrow a phrase from a very popular brand and just do it. Forget about comparison. Forget about whether it’s good enough. Forget about what other people think and just. Do. It.

And here I am, getting on with it and writing this post. Hopefully you’ll enjoy 😊

Older Miss has requested to go Inter-railing through Europe next summer with her bestie. She wants to go for a whole month…

She will be eighteen-years-old by then and I know a lot of people will say, “Well, she’s old enough to do what she likes.” But that’s not quite the way we do things. I mean, I’ve always told my children that society may say they’re adults at eighteen, but to me, they’re children as long as they have a ‘teen’ in their age.

I imagine that’s not a popular view, but that’s me – going against the curve 😉

I don’t take it for granted that OM asked to go and I’ve told her that. It’s respectful, it’s honourable and it shows she still values my opinion. I decided to ask the family their views when we met up the other week.

My brother’s girlfriend pulled a face when I asked her. It was a face that said “Hmmm… not sure about that.” OM jumped to action immediately, trying to dispel all of her reservations. She landed on a slightly shorter time-frame, but to let OM go.

OM – 1 Mum – 0

I then got the opinion of my niece-in-law. She gave an emphatic ‘YES’. She said my children are a credit to me (cue my teary eyes), OM is sensible and this is a great opportunity for her before she goes to university and starts working.

Family member after family member when asked, did the sharp intake of breath and ‘the face’, but all of them were in agreement that OM should go.

It took me by surprise. I thought I knew exactly what they’d all say and I was wrong!

Except for one of my brothers. He didn’t fail me with his very simple, ‘Nah mate. She’s not going.’ Conversation over!

I’ve always said to my children that I want them to travel, see the world, try new things. But I guess in practice, it’s a lot harder to let go.

I haven’t agreed but – and this is the thing OM is most interested in – I also haven’t said no.

You may have noticed that the ‘Just do it’ phrase isn’t playing much of a part here. It’s more of a ‘Just think about it’ type of situation.

So, go on, do your worst. Tell me how wrong I am and fight OM’s corner. Or maybe, maybe there’s someone who thinks I’m right to be cautious? Either way, comment below and let’s talk about it.

Speak soon x