Last week, as I battled for a parking space near school, I noticed the 4 year old getting out of the OAP Childminder’s car. As they live near school and walk every day this indicated that they had been out for the afternoon. I silently hoped it had been to the park or somewhere where he could roam free and expel energy.
Of late Mr OAP has been ill, so jolly jaunts have been kept to a minimum, which has been reflected in the 4 year old AKA The Caged Animal’s behaviour. He has been returning home with excessive energy and has spent long periods of time bouncing on the trampoline and riding his bike when the sun is shining. When the rain is pouring he paces the house crying and being incredibly grumpy.
So, as I got out of the car, and joined them for the short walk to school, I excitedly asked where they had been.
Me “Ooh, looks like you’ve been out, it’s been lovely weather too. Anywhere nice?”
Mrs OAP “Rheumatology”
And with that I took my boy by the hand and knew we were in for a long night of bouncing.
3 Comments on "AKA The Caged Animal"
Ack! hope the bouncing wasn’t too ferocious.
Oh dear. It depends on whether you both feel she’s providing a service or doing you a favour, but maybe another time you could say something. It won’t come over as a complaint if it’s good-humoured but rueful – as in your final sentence. She’s presumably under pressure with an ill husband, but may not realise you have the problem later, as well as an unhappy child. Poor little boy. The waiting room of a rheumatology department is no place for a child.
Oh dear! Not the words every mother longs to hear …..still, maybe he’ll be a doctor when he grows up, with all the practice in hospitals?!