'OLD BOLLOCKS' DAY

I was going to start this blog by apologising for it's title, but I have decided that there is no need for an apology.

I have read a couple of news articles today one of which totally rattled my cage, and I asked myself:

Is it about time that we have an annual day off, like a Bank Holiday, from our normal daily duties to consider what are we doing to our children? Should this day be called 'Old Bollocks Day'? from the saying 'what a load of old bollocks'.

The article that really rattled my cage was:

"New pupils should start secondary school in June".

My first thought was fantastic they are going to scrap the hideously long summer holidays - but then I read on, and this is how the article went:

"Children should start secondary school three months early to ease the 'Trauma' of the step up from Primary education, ministers have been told". For me that first sentence prompted the thought 'what a load of old bollocks'. But then there was more

"Pupils should be given extra time to adjust to the more intimidating atmosphere of large schools, older children, mixed timetables and specialist subjects, it was claimed" Yes second sentence - bollocks! and on it continued

"Academics recommended that 11 year olds should move to secondary school in June rather than at the beginning of September, to overcome the negative effects of the transition. Researchers suggested that many children lacked the 'emotional resilience' to cope with the change. The anxiety and subsequent loss of confidence could have serious and permenent impact on their exam results and behaviour"

TRAUMA, NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF TRANSITION, EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE, ANXIETY, IMPACT ON EXAM RESULTS, BEHAVIOUR. - what a load of drivelling Bollocks!

Many generations of children have coped absolutely fine with the transition from primary to secondary school. Did we all suffer trauma, negative effects, anxiety etc. The answer is NO.

It is only now in my mid 40's when I read articles of such a nature that I feel 'traumatised and full of anxiety' as I think what are we doing to our children. It is part of life, part of growing up, part of our progression into adult life to move on to secondary school, so lets just get on with it.

My son was 'traumatised' by falling down the loo when he was first learning to use the 'grown up' toilet for a number 2. Do I wipe his bum for him now - NO - he has learn't to get on with it himself.

For Generations children have left primary school in the July and started at secondary school in the September. Have we generations of traumatised, anxiety stricken adults - NO - we just got on with it .

So why don't the 'academics' study more important things like the fall in standards with the 3R's, or better still why don't they just take time out and reconsider their careers when we have our first UK 'Old Bollocks Day'

Don't pamper our children. Teach them it is a big world out there and they have to learn to deal with it. Let us help them through life with love, care and understanding so that they become confident adults.

The final name of the day will need to be changed as I would not want to traumatise any children by using a rude word and I would not want to cause any feelings of anxiety to the male members of our society by associating the day to their bodily parts.

Sorry, maybe I should have said 'male population' rather than 'male members'!