When the kids are united

After a rocky few months the kids are starting to find their feet and set themselves some goals for the future.

Following Georgina’s shock announcement at the start of the year that she was finishing Chemistry her self-confidence has grown enormously.  Georgina has really grasped the nettle about finding a job to fund her gap period to next September.

One of her inspirations came from her first visit to the Job Centre.  When Georgina returned she commented

“Dad it’s a bit demeaning”

“Well more of an incentive to get a job quickly”

In fairness to the Job Centre they have treated her well and gave some useful advice.  Georgina responded really well.  She uploaded her CV on to the job centers web page and just clicked the button to submit her application for almost every suitable job.  Well over 50 job applications.  Not many responses.  But she kept going.

The irony of the whole story is that she has now got a job - at Primark.  The same Primark she had worked just a few months ago.  I have seen Georgina grow in self-confidence over the past six months and this new episode has developed this newly found self-confidence.

Anyone who has known Georgina through her life see her as an enigma.  A very intelligent and beautiful looking girl but lacked any real self-confidence.  Little “self doubt” demons would set up camp in her head.  By applying for jobs and attending interviews she has overcome these demons.  In the case of Primark she walked in, asked to speak to HR and asked if they had any jobs!  A few days later they contacted her and have given a job in the “shoe department”.  You cannot believe what a big step this is for Georgina.  Massive! 

Just when you’re thinking that Georgina has made a step change along comes yet another surprise.  An even bigger one!  The one thing I didn’t think she would come to terms with is the thought of presenting to a group.  We all know how terrifying this is to experienced people let alone a young person.  Not many of us our naturals.   

Even though she had worked at Primark for three years Georgina had to go through the new employee induction process.  When she came home from induction on Friday she found me and said

“Guess what I did today dad?”

“No idea darling”

“I presented the health and safety to do with working on the tills session to the group”

I was stunned!  For a second I was speechless.  I then just hugged her.  I honestly thought she would never present to anyone.  The demons were just too deep rooted in her head.  You could have blown me over

“Wow!  You did what? How do you feel?”

“Ok!  I was vey nervous but thought well I could sit here and cry or give it a go”

Unbelievable.  I cannot tell you how proud I was of her.  I know how difficult this must have been for Georgina.  Caroline and I would agonise over how we could deal with this for years.  Well we can honestly say now she is along the road.  The first step is always the biggest.

Joe has been moving along at his pace.  I was a bit concerned after attending the schools parents evening.  Concerns about Joe being behind on coursework.  Although once submitted his work is of a high standard.  So you can imagine afterwards we have had a few words about “getting motivated”, “showing some urgency”, “letting the teacher down”.  You know me on and on!

So last Monday when we embarked on the long journey to Falmouth University for Joe’s placement interview I was trying to restrain myself from nagging him.  I did well until we come out of Exeter Services on the M5.

“Right come on Joe.  You got to get your act together. Have you thought of the questions that they might ask?”

“Don’t worry about it Dad.  I will be alright”

“Ok Joe.  Don’t forget this is important”

I couldn’t nag him anymore.  I didn’t want to build the pressure too much. Well its down to him now I thought.

Falmouth University is a very modern University campus, excellent facilities and all the kit needed to fulfill the Film course.  The lecturers made it clear that they take on the “person” not necessarily the “academic” and that the interview was an extremely important part of the process.   Joe was first on!  I went for coffee.

Twenty minutes later I received a text “I’ve finished”

He looked a little flushed around his cheeks.

“How did it go?”

“Alright”

“Great what did you discuss?

“I discussed with the lecturer diversity in films especially the role of the disabled!”

“Oh!  Anything else?”

“I told her I had started a foreign film club in the sixth form.  We have watched 20 foreign films.  So we discussed some of them”

Like every Dad I hoped that these foreign films weren’t the Swedish type!

“Oh!  You’ve done what?  Wow! Did you talk about Tarantino?

“Yes.  We talked about my project on him”

“Wow!  Well done.  Sounds like it went really well”

“Yeah”

I looked at him.  He’s already 6 feet three inches.  He was pleased with himself and was walking as though he was 8 feet tall.  I was really proud of him.  All my concerns about him disappeared for a moment.  Where did all this knowledge come from?  Had I gone into the wrong room? Clearly not.  I guess that Joe communicates to me on a “need to know basis”

Georgina and Joe are both making progress despite as difficult a period as any young person could have had.  They both have a big year in front of them but at least we are now moving in the right direction.  Undoubtedly there is some spiritual guidance coming from somewhere to succeed and to do the right thing.  Keep going kids!