Guardian column on Sixth Form open day

[Summertimer]

Reading the first para , I thought it was sad that the author had such a poor relationship with her daughter.

Then I read the rest, a truly embarrassing mum. Sounds like she got away with it on the day, but now it’s the subject of an article in the press 😔

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/23/i-bumped-into-liz-truss-at-a-school-open-day-it-was-super-awks

I'm guessing you don't have a 15/16 year old child? The first paragraph is a mildly amusing and relatable cliche that a million parents with healthy family relationships have experienced: the stage where anything the parent does is excruciatingly embarrassing to their teen. Or maybe you have a teen who didn't go through that stage?

I recognise the general teen mode but at an open day of this kind 99% have one or more parent with them and few parents would stand there asking nothing. University open days are a bit different - my DS went to several, some in his own, some with me. I mostly attended the sessions aimed at parents. At sixth form college level open days our DS expected us to be with him and to be also asking questions etc. Yes, he also expected us not to be embarrassing, it was a given.

The author is clearly an embarrassing parent to have in situations like this even if she is hamming it up in this article. There is much to take with a pinch of salt here though - the assertion that ‘nobody wants to do further maths’ for example. At the very least, it confirms they weren’t visiting our local sixth form college. Before anyone says, yes I consider it a possibility they would be broadly in catchment based on other stuff Zoe Williams has written. Further maths was very popular amongst last yrs cohort

You know it's just meant to be funny and probably not at all truthful?

I do indeed and it’s quite amusing. I wouldn’t esp like be her child though. Generally, her more serious columns , rather than these for laughs ones in the G2 section, are better

I never thought I would find myself feeling sorry for Liz Truss, but on this occasion she should have been allowed some anonymity - for her daughter's sake, if not for her own.

The article reflects badly on its author.