Children Tell The Truth..Pity Adults Can't
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
June 17, 2011 7:02pm CST
As you know my Mum is due to be "potted" from work due to her being 65. Now, the kids in her care (she is in charge of a school kitchen) learned about this on Friday as her workmates "insisted" she wore a huge badge with "I Am 65" written on it.
When she arrived in the Nursery with a trolley full of food the Little Ones ran over and one said, "Are you 65 Margaret?" to which she replied, "No, I'm wearing this for a bet!" to the sound of them all laughing.
Now, this had an effect on the whole school as word got round about Mum's huge badge, so, at the main lunch-time what did the kids do (oldest of them being 11 years old)? Give her loads of cards that they had MADE for her that morning. How sweet is that?
Mum had told the kids that she is due to be "potted" and had to explain what that meant. Once she told them what it meant they weren't happy about it and will "go on the computer" presumably to set up a petition for her reinstatement, I don't know.
She has kept all the cards the children made and one - in particular, made her cry.
It said that if she were to go she would be sadly missed and that the kid in question "will go on packed lunches" if she goes.
Aren't they wonderful children? They are all from a deprived area of Blackpool and they all love Mum dearly. I cannot get this image out of my head of a huge petition being drawn up and a massive banner going across the dining-room which says, "We Love Margaret - Please Let Her Stay!" and the local rag being invited in to document it all. How I would love that to happen in real life!
As for the Headmaster and those "in the office" no sign of them on Mum's Big Day, cowards that they are.
Mum does have a lot of backing from various teachers, though. I only hope they can place some weight on her campaign to keep her job.
Now, this had an effect on the whole school as word got round about Mum's huge badge, so, at the main lunch-time what did the kids do (oldest of them being 11 years old)? Give her loads of cards that they had MADE for her that morning. How sweet is that?
Mum had told the kids that she is due to be "potted" and had to explain what that meant. Once she told them what it meant they weren't happy about it and will "go on the computer" presumably to set up a petition for her reinstatement, I don't know.
She has kept all the cards the children made and one - in particular, made her cry. It said that if she were to go she would be sadly missed and that the kid in question "will go on packed lunches" if she goes.
Aren't they wonderful children? They are all from a deprived area of Blackpool and they all love Mum dearly. I cannot get this image out of my head of a huge petition being drawn up and a massive banner going across the dining-room which says, "We Love Margaret - Please Let Her Stay!" and the local rag being invited in to document it all. How I would love that to happen in real life!
As for the Headmaster and those "in the office" no sign of them on Mum's Big Day, cowards that they are.
Mum does have a lot of backing from various teachers, though. I only hope they can place some weight on her campaign to keep her job.2 people like this
5 responses
@free_man (7330)
• United States
19 Jun 11
Hi Janey. I hope they get your mum reinstated too. 65 don't mean a thing it is a number but the politicians set this as a retirement date to get off from paying an experienced person. They would rather hire some young person that don't know half of what an experienced person knows. That card would have made me cry too. I hope and pray that they let your mum stay on staff and keep doing something that it seems like she really enjoys.
@free_man (7330)
• United States
20 Jun 11
Hi Janey. I say what I feel and I get the impression from your post that your mum is a very kind and loving woman and think she will be great at what ever she does with her life. Just because she is a certian age don't mean she is done with life. Me I won't quit till I am cremated.....LOL You are quite welcome my friend! 
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Jun 11
I do too and thanks for those kind words, it means a lot!
1 person likes this
@daonepro (2)
• United States
30 Jun 11
Great story. I feel that it is much easier for children to tell the truth because they do not understand some of the trouble and pain one may cause by being truthful. As we grow we tend to understand that saying what you really feel will bring out negative results most of the time.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Jun 11
Thanks. Mum's next course of action is to go through an Employment Tribunal regarding an Unfair Dismissal Claim. If she is successful she will be entitled to 8 week's pay, which isn't much but better than nothing.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
18 Jun 11
She rang me again today after having a successful shopping trip (for once) and she was extremely upbeat. I like it when she's like that as getting upset doesn't help her cause, so to speak.
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
18 Jun 11
Awwh how sweet and am sure it made her feel great that the children really appreciate having her there. I do hope that it works as hard working and caring individuals these days are hard to come by, let alone hard loyal one as she.
I am happy to hear that she has the support from the children and several teachers too. I will keep my toes crossed for her as my fingers will be typing a response towards the good news that she can stay. 
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
18 Jun 11
Thanks very much.
Mum is far more resilient than she thinks she is. She rang me earlier to say that she'd had a productive morning at the opticians (amongst other things) so it was lovely to hear her upbeat voice on the telephone.
Mum is far more resilient than she thinks she is. She rang me earlier to say that she'd had a productive morning at the opticians (amongst other things) so it was lovely to hear her upbeat voice on the telephone.
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
18 Jun 11
What a moving scene that was!I am deeply affected by it.Kids ,oldest of them being 11 years old,unexpectedly could make cards to give your Mum as a present,even one of them said such a word,"will go on packed lunches".All shows that Your Mum enjoys great popularity and is very conscientious in her work at normal times,so she won sympathy and support from various people.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
18 Jun 11
I would've loved to have seen it myself. It's a great example of how well she's thought of there, especially by the children. As far as she is concerned, the children come first and always will.
If she does get "potted" she is seriously considering temporary fostering. This could involve a child that needs a home for a couple of nights whilst their parent is in hospital for an operation..for example.
Mum would be brilliant (and my Dad too of course) at this as the pair of them will be deemed to old for permanent fostering.
What do you think to that idea? She would get paid for doing it but she's also get so much enjoyment out of helping others, which is what Mum is all about.
1 person likes this
