In at The Deep End.

Wednesday 18 July 2012
I'm not really sure why I volunteered to help with the school trip to The Deep in Hull but I did.  I do remember before volunteering thinking "you don't need to do this, your son will not thank you, walk away now".  But the words came out before I knew it and then I found myself getting all worked up because I really wasn't sure what I was letting myself in for and why I was doing it.  It's not that I don't like kids - I just couldn't eat a whole one.


So what do you wear on a day like this with 50 or so 6-7 year olds?  You pick a pair of not too holey jeans - so not the ripped at the knee ones because I'm sure it's not the done thing to look scruffier than the kids and a stripy top and Converse or the equivalent.  Just like two of the other volunteer mothers who were also wearing the same but in different colourways -this must be the school trip uniform of choice for mothers all over North Yorkshire.  I did take my Gap trench with me but left it on the coach as I figured I would be warm enough running after small children.  Oh and an old hands free messenger bag which came in handy for fitting in unfinished lunch bits which they wanted to take home with them, and which they promptly forgot about once they were safely ensconsed in my bag.  I'm glad I am writing this post as this has reminded me to remove the half eaten slice of cake and slightly squished satsuma from my bag before they take on some kind of weird mutated form.


Jack Wills Striped Spurrell Breton Top 2011
New Look Straight Leg Jeans
Grey Linen Mix B+AB Messenger Bag
Taupe Converse

I do like their labels!
I like the little touches which make garments interesting.

I can recommend the Jack Wills Breton tops if you're looking for a new place to buy yet another stripy top.  The cotton is of a nice thick quality and they usually have nice contrast binding trim on their collars and hems.  Mine has washed and kept its shape really well.

It has seen better days but I don't mind sticky mitts on this.

My old B+AB linen mix messenger bag is a trusted friend which I picked up in one of the Hong Kong malls on one of my family visits.  It is very light and not too big (remember the palaver with the Plumo shadow bag?) and it washes well - it has had a big streak of bright green poster paint across it before when I wasn't paying attention and I brushed past the painting table at nursery.  


Anyway, I was entrusted 4 boys in my care and the bonus was I didn't manage to lose any (pat on back to myself) though I wouldn't have minded losing one small awkward one who was hungry when we arrived at The Deep and had a mawk on until he was fed.  I managed to avoid the debate over which two fingers facing which way round was "swearing and rude".  I was only hit by one small sweet on the coach.  And I admire the sheer ignorance of the dad who turned up on the coach with a newspaper expecting to read it.  What planet do dads come from?  Actually, I mustn't be mean - at least he was a dad volunteering.  Most dads run screaming from the very thought of helping with small children (a bit like me when I have my normal head screwed on).


Also, I have learnt from today's experience that if I ever volunteer to do something like this again - I will wear ear plugs and bring a carefully concealed taser gun to deal with any small person who dares to get a mawk on with me.  Besides what am I thinking ... volunteering again?  Must be like childbirth - time is a good healer I hear.


Gift Bag Goodies


Last note.  One of the entrusted children, a lovely boy called James was so well behaved, I sent his mother a text to say as much.  She was absolutely delighted to hear this as I would be if it happened to me (chance would be a fine thing).  Quite often we hear when someone or something is bad but how often do we compliment and actually acknowledge the good to someone?  It's nice to make someone's day :o)



12 comments

  1. Haha! As someone who has spent a sizeable portion of the years from 16 - 24 working as a "child wrangler," I totally sympathize! Always love your stories...

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    1. Rachel. Total respect for having done this "child wrangling" thing for that length of time. i think I would have lost my sanity and my hearing within one week of attempting it.

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  2. Hi so nice to meet you, I came through Chocs and Candy. Jody here. Love your kid herding outfit (I can never resist a stripey shirt) Props to you for getting through the day so beautifully. My one necessary accessory is a stiff cocktail after they all leave.

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    1. Hi Jody. Lovely to meet you! I've been following your very funny account of your cycling holiday through France since Marlene introduced you on her blog and I've been thoroughly enjoying it. No one can resist a stripey shirt can they? It certainly seems to have struck a chord with many of the blogging community. I tell you, I could certainly have done with a drink when I got home and I don't even drink much! Total lightweight.

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  3. I'm quite excited about future school trips! Looks like you had the perfect outfit planned. Love the bag x

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    1. Hi, this was my first trip. It was deafening. But enjoyable and satisfying in a strangely weird way. Not sure when I will be up for another one but never say never!

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  4. Gosh you are very brave to volunteer, well done you! Love love love that bag and such a nice touch to text James' mother I bet she was so proud.

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    1. She was over the moon. She sent me a text to say how lovely it was to hear something like that about your own child. And it's nice to know other people like my tatty old bag - it does serves me well.

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  5. Enjoyed reading your story! Very brave of you to volunteer...I usually run for cover when I hear the teacher needs help!Your outfit looks great...love the bag:)
    ~Anne

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    1. I normally lower my head and walk off muttering "busy, busy, busy" or words to that effect so I don't know what came over me. At least I can now say, been there, done that, just need to find the complimentary tee now!

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  6. LOL! I can always count on you to give me a good laugh. I will make a note to bring a taser and perhaps a slingshot for self defence. Lil L's teacher made a beeline for me once and I realized I was in trouble. She basically twisted my arm and I felt so guilt ridden having ran away from any mentions of volunteer that I succumb to the torture.

    I couldn't agree more about giving compliments as this is often forgotten in lieu of criticisms.

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  7. I think I do this once a year. Last time I did anything for Ben's class, I had my arm twisted as well. I had to do the talk about the Chinese New Year to the class (I understand from one of your posts, you did too - think I made the same dragon too). Grump Meister laughed his head off as he found me frantically googling everything I could on the Chinese New Year because he knew that I knew nothing. He often says he's more Chinese than I am.

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Susie So So