Oh, the terrible guilt of enjoying the holiday sunshine, when my teenager is up to her neck in GCSEs
I'd forgotten one thing – the terrible guilt. Maybe it's because the Easter holidays weren't sunny last year, or maybe it's because the youngest is my favourite (I am joking), but the guilt is just hideous. It's like having a little Cinderella in the house, except I'm not the audience – I'm the evil stepmother. Fancy going to the beach, or to a party? What about a lovely lie-in, and then some re-runs of The Office? What about a ball – you know there are some great balls on? Everyone can do exactly as they wish, except Cinders upstairs, who's trying to memorise the whole of Great Expectations, while the rest of us – even the people who did the same text last year – sit around going: 'Is that the one about the orphanage and the porridge?'
We can't even do positive visualisations of the summer, when it'll all be over, as that just reminds the poor rag-dressed creature of the time period between now and then. Really, the only way to offset this guilt would be to memorise Great Expectations myself. But I don't want to. The sun's out.
Zoe Williams is a Guardian columnist
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
18 hours ago
- The Guardian
Sudoku 6,952 hard
Click here to access the print version. Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. To see the completed puzzle, buy the next issue of the Guardian (for puzzles published Monday to Thursday). Solutions to Friday and Saturday puzzles are given in either Saturday's or Monday's edition.
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
People aged 60 or over: tell us about your pets and what they mean to you
Whether you have a two-month-old puppy or an ageing cockatoo, we're interested in finding out more about people over the age of 60 and their pets. What type of pet do you have and how long have you had them? Is it your first pet or have you owned several over the years? We would also like to know what your relationship with your pet is like. You can tell us how about your pet and what they mean to you by filling in the form below. Please include as much detail as possible Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Marjory from near Glasgow shares her secret after turning 100
Giffnock resident Marjory Davies enjoyed celebrating the occasion last month with a stay at Seamill Hydro Hotel in Ayrshire. She then followed this up with a party with friends and neighbours in the communal lounge of her retirement complex, Hilltree Court. Marjory enjoyed a party at her retirement complex (Image: Sourced) Marjory said: 'I've had the opportunity to experience so many different things, but I don't like a fuss or maybe just a little, but I want to be recognised as a person too, not just for turning 100.' Marjory was born on June 3, 1925 and grew up Bellshill in North Lanarkshire. She displayed a flair for language early on, becoming a favourite of her primary school headmaster with her love of poetry and ability to recite many poems in front of the class. READ NEXT: Pair from near Glasgow find friendship at care home As an engineer, her father was deployed to Birmingham to work on Operation Pluto (Pipeline Under the Ocean) during the Second World War, building oil pipelines under the English Channel to supply fuel to the Allied forces in France. Marjory studied English and French at Birmingham University, and after graduation became a teacher at a girls' school. READ NEXT: Residents hit out at 'shocking' state of cemetery She met her husband Idris in 1972 and then settled in Wales with their son Jeoffrey. Their shared love of rambling took them to many places, with Marjory confessing that she loves to explore. 'If I see a path I want to follow it and see where is goes,' she explained. 'I have a fascination for maps.' Marjory enjoying her party with her cousins Winfred and Deirdre (Image: Sourced) She believes that 'getting to know people and taking an interest in them' is the key to reaching a century and her best piece of advice for younger people is to 'be open-minded.' The most important invention she has seen in her lifetime is the telephone. 'I was 20 years old before we had one,' said the centenarian. Marjory's daily life includes needlework and gardening, which she 'does a lot at Hilltree Court.' She credits the complex with keeping her active and social. 'I've made some lovely friends and I enjoy all the social activities,' she said. 'During Covid, I felt very lonely and isolated, which is what drew me to Hilltree Court. '(I wanted) to be nearer family and make new friends.' Claire Winter, the Hilltree Court estate manager, knows Marjory well and praised her thoughtfulness. 'She always dropping cards through people's doors if they are unwell and sending her love,' explained Claire. 'Marjory always takes an interest in people and really listens to what they have to say. 'She really is an inspirational lady.'
