General Chat

that's really nice Anne :-)

Do you know I don't think I have heard anything good said about the YTS since it finished except by me, I always seemed to be a lone voice supporting it. Shame we don't have something like it now.

And it is great to know that all our children are happy in their lives.

I forgot to add:
We always knew that my eldest and my youngest were fairly academic and would do well in further education.
We did not have the same vibes re our middle daughter. As a young girl, she simply scraped her way through school achieving basic exam results.
Of the three, this is the one who has attained a 1st class honours degree, was awarded the University Medal for Academic Excellence, and is currently studying for a Masters Degree.
Just goes to show that they don't always turn out as you expected!

Yes the good old YTS, brought in by Margaret Thatcher's government. ;-) It gave a lot of youngsters a good start in their working lives. Interestingly, at the time, some criticised it as exploitation, in the same way some do nowadays about work experience.

My daughter is so like my late mum. She has to be centre of attention even when she is reading a book. There is somebody on Genes who claims to be a drama queen, but I am sure she would fade into the corner compared to my mum and daughter. Daughter, a primary teacher by day, organises everybody and loves putting on modern dance shows in local theatres which are always sold out.

Son is very sensitive like his mother. Really lovely person who never has a bad word for anything or anyone. Prefers to stay out of the limelight. But all of his work colleagues say things to me like "oh, you're his dad. I would never have guessed. He is such a nice, quiet man"

YTS got so much stick and became so political that various governments had to keep rebranding it, but it was a thoroughly good kickstart. Son went on a Prince's Trust course in Daventry 8 years ago and that was what he needed. His confidence increased enormously and when we saw him present what his team had done (in front of Mayor, MP and about 60 others) it was one of our proudest days :-) Even more than his graduation in 2008.

If I Had my Child To Raise Over Again
by Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I’d finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars,
I’d do more hugging and less tugging.
I’d see the oak tree in the acorn more often,
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d model less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love