Why I'll never conform

The weekend before my kids break up from school I'm taking them away on a short break to Malta. The little ones in primary will be missing two days of Health Week ie sports day and activities so their education won't suffer. My elder ones may miss a few lessons but it's nothing they can't catch up on their return.They're smart and they won't fall behind.

I've just had their school reports back. Sweeping grade ones and a sprinkling of twos across the board. My eldest two smashed their GCSEs with 7,8 and even the odd 9 grade ( which only the top 2% of the country achieve apparently) Their education hasn't suffered.  

I have taken them out of school in term time since as far back as they started, as and when it suited my family. Mostly for financial reasons; booking eight flights is two thirds of the cost cheaper without the holiday price hike that airlines enforce on us. But go on, fine me, I dare you, it's not like I am used to being taxed for living my life, I recently saw my bank account being drained of funds all to HMRC, three types of taxes all trussed up with different names. I don't mind paying my way in life, we have a lot of services I am grateful for.... but the government is robbing hard working families of all of our income. Simon says we're glorified tax collectors and nothing else. I have to agree. 

I'll continue to live life on my terms and I am hoping my children do the same. They're encouraged to be free thinkers.

People in general are in a mess. Years of conditioning of being told what to do, when to take their lunches, when they can squeeze a week or two off work, how to behave etc. More and more of us are skipping lunch while we continue to work through. As our blood pressure rises, so does the workload. We're treated like children even as adults. No wonder there's so many people suffering with anxiety and depression, people aren't allowed to breathe.

We're born with no limits. All babies need is to eat and sleep and be shown love. We forget that as we develop into fully grown adults.

As soon as we can talk we're told not to talk, as soon as we can walk we're told not to run. How can we ever express ourselves when we're constantly barked at with negative orders: Don't wear that, Don't do that, don't dress a certain way. How many people remember a teacher who told them they'd "never amount to anything" or something along those lines. We're shrouded in negativity, it's a safe place to hide and feeds our comfort zone.

As a teenager I knew I didn't want to ever wear a suit for work and that's one of the reasons I chose to be a journalist. I knew I wouldn't be chained to a desk and that I would get some flexibility in my wardrobe. On my first day in the newsroom as junior reporter I was sent out to find a front page lead and not return until I had. I left the office, found a story within hours and returned to the office two days later having spent the following day at the cinema. My editor was none the wiser and impressed with my lead, and I felt a little triumphant for my private rebellion.

Yesterday I went to a business meeting in a tracksuit. Ok it was a designer one, but everyone else wore their corporate uniform. Did it hamper my business opportunities? Of course not. Because I was in a room with enlightened like minded creatives. I refuse to conform to how society expects us to be. I will fight and scream to keep my individuality. But in another situation earlier in the week at an incredibly grey networking meeting I felt out of place. Screw them and their narrow minded tie-knotted judgements.

My children are screaming out for a holiday, they've been battered with exams, they're ready for a break. And so am I. I travel a lot for my business and at times it is exhausting. The stress of running events is off the scale, the worry of running a business is through the roof, sleepless nights, early starts, conference calls in the middle of the night with people across different time zones. Chasing late invoices and worrying if they'll come in in time for the next bill is relentless. I am ready for a holiday too and the threat of a fine from school won't prevent me from getting on that plane with my family. Just watch me.

Holidays give you free thinking, make you more creative and reminds you that you're alive. Getting away from it all can do wonders for your mental health. It's also good for my marriage as it's the only time my husband and I share a bedroom!

The education authority doesn't really believe that your child is hampering their education by missing a day or two of school. They're filing reports for the government racking up brownie points for having the most attendance. It's all about ticking boxes and winning grants. Nothing to do whatsoever with their education. It's another tax on hardworking families.

I am a parent, I want the best for my family and I'll decide when I take my family on holiday thank you very much and this weekend suits us. Happy memories for my children enjoying long coastal hikes and experimenting with new languages and food are far more productive than siting in a classroom watching a video days before the end of term.

I'll never conform, by surrendering to society's expectations and you're putting a lid on your dreams. 

Remember those limitless possibilities you believed as child ? They're still out there. Replace should with could. Can't with can.....and everything is possible

Happy holidays to you

#bememorable

• 7/12/2019

•  Comments

• The weekend before my kids break up from school I'm taking them away on a short break to Malta. The little ones in primary will be missing two days of Health Week ie sports day and activities so their education won't suffer. My elder ones may miss a few lessons but it's nothing they can't catch up on their return.They're smart and they won't fall behind.

• I've just had their school reports back. Sweeping grade ones and a sprinkling of twos across the board. My eldest two smashed their GCSEs with 7,8 and even the odd 9 grade ( which only the top 2% of the country achieve apparently) Their education hasn't suffered.  

• I have taken them out of school in term time since as far back as they started, as and when it suited my family. Mostly for financial reasons; booking eight flights is two thirds of the cost cheaper without the holiday price hike that airlines enforce on us. But go on, fine me, I dare you, it's not like I am used to being taxed for living my life, I recently saw my banks account being drained of funds all to HMRC, three types of taxes all trussed up with different names. I don't mind paying my way in life, we have a lot of services I am grateful for.... but the government is robbing hard working families of all of their income. Simon says we're glorified tax collectors and nothing else. I have to agree. 

• I'll continue to live life on my terms and I am hoping my children do the same. They're encouraged to be free thinkers.

• People in general are in a mess. Years of conditioning of being told what to do, when to take their lunches, when they can squeeze a week or two off work, how to behave etc. More and more of us are skipping lunch while we continue to work through. As our blood pressure rises, so does the workload. We're treated like children even as adults. No wonder there's so many people suffering with anxiety and depression, people aren't allowed to breathe.

• We're born with no limits. All babies need is to eat and sleep and be shown love. We forget that as we develop into fully grown adults.

• As soon as we can talk we're told not to talk, as soon as we can walk we're told not to run in. How can we ever express ourselves when we're barked at with negative orders:Don't wear that, Don't do that, don't dress a certain way. How many people remember a teacher who told them they'd "never amount to anything" or something along those lines. We're shrouded in negativity, it's a safe place to hide and feeds our comfort zone..

• As a teenager I knew I didn't want to ever wear a suit for work and that's one of the reasons I chose to be a journalist. I knew I wouldn't be chained to a desk and that I would get some flexibility in my wardrobe. On my first day in the newsroom as junior reporter I was sent out to find a front page lead endnote return until I had. I left the office, found a story and returned to the office two days later having spent the following day at the cinema. My editor was none the wiser and impressed with by lead, and I felt a little triumphant for my private rebellion.

• Yesterday I went to a business meeting in a tracksuit. Ok it was a designer one, but everyone else wore their corporate uniform.. Did it hamper my business opportunities? Of course not. Because I was in a room with enlightened like minded creatives. I refuse to conform to how society expects us to be. I will fight and scream to keep my individuality. But in another situation, earlier in the week at an incredibly dull networking meeting I felt judged for my wardrobe choice. Screw them and their narrow minded tie-knotted judgements.

• My children are screaming out for a holiday, they've been battered with exams, they're ready for a break. And so am I. I travel a lot for my business and at times it is exhausting. The stress of running events is off the scale, the worry of running a business is through the roof, sleepless nights, early starts, conference calls in the middle of the night with people in different time zones. Chasing late invoices and worrying if they'll come in in time for the next bill is relentless. iI am ready for a holiday too.and the treat of a fine from school won't prevent me from getting on that plane withy family. Just watch me.

• Holidays give you free thinking, make you more creative and reminds you that you're alive. 

• Getting away from it all can do wonders for your mental health. It's also good for my marriage as it's the only time my husband and I share a bedroom!

• The education authority don't really believe that your child is hampering their education by missing a day or two of school. They're filing reports for the government racking up brownie points for having the most attendance. It's all about ticking boxes and winning grants. Nothing to do whatsoever with their education. 

• I am a parent, I want the best for my family and I'll decide when I take my family on holiday thank you very much and this weekend suits us. Happy memories 

• for my children enjoying long coastal hikes and experimenting with new languages and food are far more productive than siting in a classroom watching a video days before the end of term.

• I'll never conform, by surrendering to society's expectations and you're putting a lid on your dreams. 

• Remember those limitless possibilities you believed as child ?they're still out there. Replace should with could. Can't with can.....and everything is possible

• #bememorable

•  Comments