Conversation:

Major probs - as ever - with my son. School trip to a local power station had been mooted, and the teacher had asked me as classrep (and female adult) to come along. Which I was delighted and excited about.

The date drew ever nearer...I reminded him on a daily basis to bring home the consent/ details from. Which he consistently forgot to do.

Today was the day of the trip. I reasoned - if he's forgotten the paperwork, he cant go. Which means I cant go. Which means...oh all sorts of other rearrangements of lunch/ gym/ French class plans. Plus the teacher was off yesterday so the trips probly off anyways.

Phoned teach mid-morning, after coffee time girl-talk analysis. He persuaded me to come along (with son). Consulted my online astrological advisor (AstroAbby) who advised "seize oportunities, do not ask questions", and went with good grace.

Had a fab time - it was a brand new Turbine a gaz et vapeur, very shiny and awesome, run by 12 people and a computerbank, provides 25% of Luxembourg's electricity.

Got my son to devise his own punishment, which I stipulated had to be written, as it was a paperwork error on his part which led to all the anguish.

He wrote a great piece on the domino effect of his neglect on all these other people's lives.

We then cleaned the house together, and cooked steak and chips, and had a real "quality time" dinner together.

Should I have been stronger and stuck to my guns and refused to let him go? Naw I'm happy with my choices.

We have little "family hand signals" - thumb and forefinger in an O for "OK", waggling straight hand for "not OK" etc (useful at the swimming pool, skateboard park ..)We recently added a new one - a small circle drawn in the air by forefinger to mean "hug".

Today at the powersation was the first time my son used it to me.

Sounds like a more proactive solution compared to the belt I used to get.

-- DoctorMO --

*frantically scribbling notes*

Liam.