Attendance

Friday school pick up is never straight forward. This week three girls came running out of school.

Sam was waving a piece of paper at me, “Mummy, my class won the attendance cup and we are going to the movies on Monday! That’s our prize – a trip to the movies!”

Emily is also waving a piece of paper in my face, “Me too! I got an individual 100% so I am going to the movies too!”

Anna is in bits. Tears, shouting, a face so contorted it could only be the result of deep felt frustration. “It’s not fair. I don’t get to go. It’s not fair.”

All the way home I try to console her, offering her a mummy-Anna only trip to the cinema and, of course, an ice cream when we get in. By the time she’s finished her ice cream she is thinking straight and comes to see me in the kitchen.

“Mummy,” she says. “It really is unfair. Because Sam had covid and I had covid, but Sam got it during half term and I had it during term time, and that’s why I’m not going to the cinema. And I did all the work the school sent home. Also, I don’t understand why the teachers would want sick children to go to school, when they can spread germs. And, it’s not the kid who decides whether they go to school, it’s the parents.”

She pauses. She is right, and I tell her so. I tell her I completely agree with her and give her a big hug.

“But anyway, I’d much rather go to the movies with you. So I’m glad it’s unfair. I win.”