Guilt Free Railing 7

[WouldBeGood]

Perhaps needed

rookiemere. Take heart. The majority of current cases are in people younger than 30. Once vaccinated they will get fewer cases and transmit less and once schools break children will hopefully get fewer cases too.

Although we won't have the carefree holiday we'd hoped for we will get there.

Linda Bauld is annoying me on tv now. OBE for reading the publicly available data and giving her opinion on it. Any of us could do that. She's pretending to be a football fan. Aye right

Happy Monday, railers Glad to read of nice, if not entirely normal weekends/ holidays/ sunburn. And happy belated birthday elephant !

I've given up hope of moving down tiers, frankly. It's shit - but I'm just holding my breath no one goes back to tier 3, which is much shitter. Like rookiemere I can't quite believe we're in this situation a year later, when we're so much further on with the vaccine - yet still have the "can we/ can't we" anxiety as to whether we're even going to be able to travel - even when perfectly healthy. I've got the isolation fear too. We're going down south the Sunday after term ends, so am holding my breath no one gets close-contacted from now til then. I can't quite bring myself to do the precautionary isolation thing - but I also am in a huff that that's the only way we can guarantee the government can't forbid us from going! I've even bought travel insurance - for 4 nights in York. Hardly a risky prospect, usually.

Anyway, I'm having my hair cut tomorrow. Was putting it off, hoping the requirement for masks would go, and then I could have something more exciting done colourwise. But my hair would be past my bum if I waited for that now I think - so I'm in for a quick and dirty cut and aiming to spend as little time in there as possible. But hopefully my hair will look better afterwards not a high bar, frankly.

Also railing at the football. DS doesn't like football, and gets very upset when his friends talk about nothing else. Yet "as a treat" the class are being allowed to watch the game this afternoon, because it's such a historic occasion . He was in tears on Friday afternoon because that's his idea of hell. We had the "we all have to do things we don't like doing" chat, but I was in two minds about just collecting him at lunchtime and taking him to the rope park or something - to do something that is actually a treat for him, and not just a treat for some. And of at least some value to his health and education, rather than having some kind of football based nationalism enforced. But I don't want to be That Parent.

resilience. I think it's disgraceful that schools are showing football matches. Does the tyranny of football reach everywhere now?

I'd be tempted to take him out of school too, but a difficult decision. Could he do something else quietly while the religious worship is on?

I wouldn't worry about being "that parent". I'd happily take mine out for the afternoon and make sure the headteacher was aware that I was not happy about school work time was being wasted on a totally irrelevant subject.

I'm taking mine out from prize giving as he hasn't worn proper uniform all year ( can wear sports stuff on days he has PE or games so has managed to avoid) so I'm not forking out over £100 for him to sit in his classroom to watch on screen the usual suspects get their awards and run the risk of another day in school for self isolation detection.

I think it's quite nice if there is the option to watch the football- lord knows there has been little cause for celebration this year - but the emphasis needs to be on the optional aspect of it.

Thanks for understanding me mibbe! He could maybe sit and read or something, but not sure it will be a quiet environment! And obviously can't go into another classroom or anything, cos covid and bubbles and stuff. I'm sure he'll cope, and it may well be made a Learning Event, so they have to do writing about it or something in the rest of the week. If they do that, I suggested he watches the fans and so on - as he's worried he may have to give a blow by blow account of the game and he doesn't really have the vocabulary for that - though neither would I! ("They kicked a ball around for a bit and no one scored any goals"). However, he'd be totally up for writing about anyone in the crowd with taps aff, and inane slogans written on their chests.

@Justmuddlingalong

I wouldn't worry about being "that parent". I'd happily take mine out for the afternoon and make sure the headteacher was aware that I was not happy about school work time was being wasted on a totally irrelevant subject.

Yes, this is true. Though the last 2 weeks of term are usually just watching films anyway! Which, bizarrely doesn't bother me as much - even though, at P5 it's hardly Hamlet or Chekov. But then, they do talk about the films afterwards, and discuss themes from them - so I hope they at least try to do something like that if it IS enforced.

I'm glad some kids are getting the option to watch it. They surely deserve a bit of fun, it's so close to the end of term, plus it's a really big deal for sport in Scotland.

Our school isn't doing it and my son is gutted he'll miss at least the first half. I think it could be massively inspiring for kids.

I'm pinning all my hopes on it being a gorgeous summer for weather here. On the whole, it seems a safer bet than covid restrictions!

Glad mrgrovee slowly improving.

The single best thing about the euro football for me is that other things are quieter - got last minute lunch time tickets for botanics on Saturday thanks to the football.

They can all fuck right off with the football going ahead today, fans in stadiums, fans at viewing events, football being shown in schools and allowing pupils to come to school in Scotland kit for sports day, yes really!! Can’t go and watch the sports day though, but football exempt from all the restrictions. As are G7 delegates. So many double standards. If SG dare to put us back a tier or further restrictions due to this covid-exempt football festival, I’m done. That will be my tipping point. No more compliance.

Yes, yes, having the option is great for those that want. And I'm sure in most years that's how it would work out. There would be a "football room" (or hall) and those that didn't want to watch could go outside, or do games, or art stuff or something they find fun instead. But as the classes are all bubbled there isn't the option for splitting off like that (and no spare teachers to supervise outside at the moment as quite a few are isolating along with a class). Just another way the various restrictions in schools are making things more rubbish this year.

Of course it's not the biggest deal - and, yes, some celebration and optimism and inspiration is great for those who like to celebrate in that way. But for others, the raised voices and heightened emotion that goes along with that celebration - albeit good natured and pretty well controlled in the classroom, I'd hope! - is quite stressful and unpleasant (though I'm sure if there were any actual SEN that made it unbearable, those could be accommodated). Of course children have a right to enjoy it, but it is hard on those that don't actually enjoy it!

Is it hard though? Or just a bit boring? Like lots of things in school. And I'm sure they can still read/write/draw. Their eyes won't be forced open Clockwork Orange style or anything.

The single best thing about the euro football for me is that other things are quieter - got last minute lunch time tickets for botanics on Saturday thanks to the football.
Ha! Yes... This was kind of why I was thinking of an illicit trip to the park. It's usually so busy, especially if the weather's good - but I bet we'd have it to ourselves between 2 and 3.30 today!

The penny didn't drop on Saturday until my dd found one lone dad who pointed out it was quiet due to football. Get in! The parks were quieter too.

@SoMuchForSummerLove

Is it hard though? Or just a bit boring? Like lots of things in school. And I'm sure they can still read/write/draw. Their eyes won't be forced open Clockwork Orange style or anything.

I think it can be both. I imagine it'd be quite hard for anyone from the Czech Republic in the class (I know DS has Hungarian, Italian, Dutch and Polish classmates, but I don't think any Czechs). Or for anyone who is intimidated by shouting, or who hates seeing their friends change character when watching. And no, they won't be forced to watch, but they will be forced to be in the same room as the watching - and may or may not be allowed to do something else while it's on. It's not North Korea or anything. But it is a real treat for some and a real bore for others. Just like sports day, or poetry week, or prize giving I suppose. And I can rail against those too

We definitely won't be watching the footy and DS is too young for that but I would happily take him out of school rather than sit in a classroom and watch it!
Make the most of a day where its quiet elsewhere! 😂

I quite like the idea of football watching. I’m getting quite into the whole tournament and have ordered flags 😂

DS’ school has said they can wear Scotland tops up school: cue him announcing he’s going to wear an England one - fortunately he does not own one!

It will be divided loyalties here on Friday night as he will be supporting England and DP is, shall we say, not an England fan 😂 One of my flags is an England one, so he will love that!

Been to the vigorous class at the gym. No I’ll effects from yesterday’s jag, but boy it’s a hard class! 20 minutes of madness.

12,000 fans at Hampden today. 12,000.
But don’t you dare turn up at the school gates without a mask or ask to watch your child participate in sports day. 😏

Yeah, it’s ludicrous.

I’m happy the football is open but think all these other things should be too. It’s really shite to miss these milestones, and wholly unjustified.

Why would it be hard though? There are kids from Poland, Russia, England, Hungary, etc etc, in my kids classes - I'm sure they're already pretty clear that they live in Scotland. They don't get the vapours on St Andrews Day or Burns Night.

*Yeah, it’s ludicrous.

I’m happy the football is open but think all these other things should be too. It’s really shite to miss these milestones, and wholly unjustified.*

Agree

I grew up in Ayrshire when Ally MacLeod and then Craig Brown were in charge so football obsession in school is pretty normal for me. Once got into terrible trouble for autograph hunting when Alan Rough was in the playground and I was late back to class.

I'm sure it is educational. DD's babybells have flags on them atm which she insists on researching while making her packed lunch. We also have to pick a favourite for any match I watch and there is always a potted geography lesson to justify my choices - except for Italy which is just cos they have so much style.

@SoMuchForSummerLove

Why would it be hard though? There are kids from Poland, Russia, England, Hungary, etc etc, in my kids classes - I'm sure they're already pretty clear that they live in Scotland. They don't get the vapours on St Andrews Day or Burns Night.

That's not quite the same, though. St Andrews day etc is a celebration of Scottish culture/ Scottishness etc. Which, as that's the country you live in, is fine. No competition or xenophobia or anything. Just saying "Scotland is great". Which we can all get on board with.

Football, though, is the vast majority of people in a room absolutely willing the country where you/ your parents were born, that you may well have a lot of love for and affinity with, to lose the game. And expressing that desire for 90 minutes, with varying degrees of volume and cheers/ groans. It won't be violent or nasty in a classroom, obviously, but I can imagine that feels pretty uncomfortable - especially as a child, with friends closing ranks against you and supporting the other team (potentially, of course. I'm assuming in an actual situation like that the children would show some sympathy and some would also "support" their classmate's team, even if they wouldn't naturally, because children are generally nice like that).

It's not like an actual team game where half the class win and half lose, so you can share your joy or frustration with the others. Having 26/27ths of a class wanting one outcome could well feel a bit hard for the 1/27th - especially if the outcome is totally out of their control. If you win, you wouldn't be able to celebrate because your classmates would be upset, and if you lose you'd have to deal with celebration from the others, which may be seen as gloaty with sufficient numbers/ characters... But, hey, that's life. Never too early for children to learn important life lessons that it's difficult having a different opinion or being set apart in some way from the majority, and that sometimes we have to do things that we don't like doing because other people like doing it.

I'm glad England/ Scotland is after the school day. Though I imagine that would at least be a bit more evenly matched in DSs class.

So I think what you're saying is, we shouldn't let any Scottish kids watch the match at school, in case there's one Czech kids who feels uncomfortable.

I also think you've got a massively depressing and warped view of 'supporters'. They are supporting their team to win, of course they want the other side to lose. It's a bloody competition!

Christ alive, I can't get over how seemingly fun and pleasant things for kids can get twisted. Considering how the vast majority of people on Scotsnet have moaned for 18 months about wanting their lives back, some of you are fair no happy when it begins to happen.

Over 2 decades since Scotland was at a major tournament so it’s expected all this hype.
I do not approve of the fan zone set up when school & Uni students are missing out in so many firsts.
If my child was not into football I’d take them out today without any hesitation, there not going to miss education and they will be miserable.

We had a ballot for a free half day off today quite a few of my staff like football. Those that are working will get a free half day another time.
Now if it was rugby I’d be off like a shot, however,
Yes sir I can boogie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

This is the railing thread right 🤷‍♀️