It will all be back to normal - that should be in your thoughts.
My Son had to do a class reading topic of his choice.
He has been nervous about it. He's always confident and outgoing.
I read his write-up and it was brilliant. All cue cards perfectly structured from beginning to end.
I asked him if he's done classfront talks before - he said yes and I was really nervous.
I said did anything bad happen? Did the world end when you did it?
He laughed and said no.
I said there you go then. The more you do it the less you'll care.
So, I said you'll probably have to do it to the teacher instead - as luck would have it she rang this morning to make appointment. I said he's smiling so I wouldn't be surprised if he does it today.
She said that's brilliant. He has been doing all of his work and completed it apart from a task set today by another teacher - son says " I'm working on it now miss."
Anyway she said does he want to do it now?
I'll get the form.
He got his cue cards and looked at me pointing to his chest and blowing outwards.
I said you'll be fine. You can nail this.
I sat and listened.
His talk was on ... origins of rap.
Something he listens to but I stay out of as it can start power struggle rows.
From this talk though, he taught me something about himself.
After his talk, teacher had already told him she was going to be asking a few questions based on his talk.
So she asked him what interested him in that type of music.
He said its the way they use music to tell their story. I find a lot of their backgrounds interesting.
She asked what Rap brings for people he quite rightly said fashion and brands is another part of what they promote - brilliant!
She asked if he had a favourite rapper - he said I listen to so many of them it is hard to choose but I like Eminem.
She asked what was it about him that he liked - he said well it's the way he puts his lyrics together and he's really the only one who is...he's...he's different because, you know all the others are uh...they are African- American and...
I couldn't watch him struggle so I had to speak out and said " I think I know what you are trying to say and it is fine, you can say it.
Then he said " he's white."
His teacher said you felt like you couldn't say that but there is nothing wrong.
Then she said, you may well know that rap can be quite a controversial issue. What would you say to people who have those views?
He said a few things about what was being referred to and then he said "Looking at those issues, you need to realise not to go out and do those things if you are involved in an argument or trouble."
I felt relieved and realised he is proving all the time to be responsible and mature.
Teacher praised him endlessly and she praised me and thanked me for seeing that he gets his tasks completed. I said I'm proud of him as I said to him immediately after he finished.
She said I make a point of telling the children to say ' end of talk' but I knew with him he was at the end because he relayed quite beautifully ' and I conclude my talk' by saying... which proves he really worked on his cue cards and presentation. It was well organised.
My son was constantly smiling after and said Mum, I feel happier now I've done it. And she liked it too!"
Proud day today.