Saturday 24 September 2011

Why all children should carry a handkerchief.

 If all children carried a handkerchief (and knew how to use it) I am sure I would not now have my first stinking, rotten cold! Week 3 back at work and I am suffering from the worst EVER cold - sore throat, stuffed up nose then streaming nose - (Got the picture yet...shall I go on?) After the long (sort of ) summer, I had forgotten how bad the common cold could be (this is no COMMON cold - this is man flu - well woman flu!)). I mean - where does all this runny stuff come from.....? Slightly indelicate I know but that is how I am feeling.

I thought I had done everything to protect myself from the first round of germs. I have had the early nights and long walks in fresh air, eaten jars of extremely expensive manuka honey, taken fish oils and flower oils, dosed on vitamin C and gorged on fruit.  I have improved my fitness and heart rate and blood pressure by taking regular exercise - and still the dreaded cold bugs get me. IT'S NOT FAIR!The children arrived back this term sniffing and snotting from day one. I suppose I notice it more as I work on a one to one basis with the little dears. I see the yucky fingers being wiped across the nose and then under the table. I get the full experience of an exploding sneeze that often comes without warning and sprays the whole of the working area. (The Curate informs me that the flying droplets are exiting the nostril at a velocity of aproximately120MPH.) What amazes me is that the children seem oblivious to the effect they are creating. Perhaps we should do a school project on this. (mmm .... coloured dyes...possibilities for measuring distance and speed - maths..or art work....!!)

The modern child seems to have little idea of what a tissue (let alone a handkerchief) is for. The new box of tissues in my room is now empty. The children may daintily dab their noses (when asked) but then they will drop the tissue beside them never to be touched again. Others recoil from having to bin a used tissue - even if it is their own. As for arriving with a handkerchief of their own - not a hope. In fact the notion of a cloth handkerchief seems historic to many children. Sleeves, fingers and back of hands are a far better substitute.


I think I should start a campaign - USE THE HANKIE! 





(Moaning over.......and I don't feel any the better for it!)





Whisky toddy next. 



6 comments:

  1. Love the picture! My teenagers have managed a throat infection,sick bug and a cold since the beginning of term,passed on by classmates.

    I think parents are not as keen to keep them home. When they were in English Schools I got phone calls complaining about attendance if they were off.Thankfully Scottish schools let them get well.

    Hope you feel better soon,infect them back...the little b's!

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  2. Wish that I could return the favour - a few less in the class is always welcomed by any teacher! It is amazing how they are all deemed well enough to be in school these days - "it's only a cold after all!"
    The Scottish schools have been back a bit longer than us, I believe, but throat infection,sick bug and a cold is pretty good going.

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  3. Nothing left to the imagination! I remember as a small child [last century! in fact the first half of early last century, but just] going to school with a handkerchief pinned to my dress ... as did everyone else.
    I think that perhaps polio was on the rounds on that occasion.
    Is it the children's fault, or the parents for not teaching such a basic?

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  4. Poor H! My husband used to reckon he was lucky if he got to the end of the second week of any term without having caught a cold. My sympathies.

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  5. I blame the teachers... (not really!). Hope you feel better soon.

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  6. I still have my hankies from when I was a child. Some have my initials, some have my name. I even have a set labeled for every day of the week. You are so right. Too bad they have faded away. Meanwhile, I hope you are better!!!

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