Nice People Thread No. 14, all Nice and Proper

Spirit_2

michaels wrote: »

I guess it might be possible to find a second hand car with the appropriate modifications already made rather than having to wait for one to be converted as a temporary measure to get you back on the road asap?

I hadn't thought about that, but the assessment centre has a motability dealership so I will ask them.

I was commenting to OH about an adaptation to a car steering wheel that I saw today. OH said it was a crook lock! He added that it was totally unecessary on a Renault.

Doozergirl

Urgh. Filing. Not cool.

michaels

That is fascinating PN.

Literary NP parents. Came across a copy of the Silver Sword that I read when I was a child (probably not this copy) and thought it would be really relevant to read it with the kids in the current circumstances. Have done the first 3 chapters about the father escaping from prison and DD2 aged 9 says it is scary and she would rather not hear the rest. Now I think it is 'good for them' and that reading should be challenging but am I being unfair? TBH I can't remember exactly how old I was when I read it and how unpleasant it is - should I carry on?

Spirit_2

michaels wrote: »

That is fascinating PN.

Literary NP parents. Came across a copy of the Silver Sword that I read when I was a child (probably not this copy) and thought it would be really relevant to read it with the kids in the current circumstances. Have done the first 3 chapters about the father escaping from prison and DD2 aged 9 says it is scary and she would rather not hear the rest. Now I think it is 'good for them' and that reading should be challenging but am I being unfair? TBH I can't remember exactly how old I was when I read it and how unpleasant it is - should I carry on?

i cannot read or watch anything that builds tension or anxiety. OH will not holiday where resorts are a seperate infrastucture to local poverty.

It is not hiding from the challenge of reality but a bit of self preservation.

Would your daughter be happier with nina bawdens, when hitler stole pink rabbit or morpurgo's war horse.

michaels

Spirit wrote: »

i cannot read or watch anything that builds tension or anxiety. OH will not holiday where resorts are a seperate infrastucture to local poverty.

It is not hiding from the challenge of reality but a bit of self preservation.

Would your daughter be happier with nina bawdens, when hitler stole pink rabbit or morpurgo's war horse.

We did 3 more chapters but DD2 seems to be struggling in exactly the way you suggest even my telling her it all end swell doesn't help. It is interesting that you could make life and death decisions in your job but find fiction so difficult. I don't know the other two books you mention (beyond all the publicity for the War Horse play) but will check them out. Thanks

Loanranger

I am with Spirit on this. I had to stop reading the Bourne Trilogy because the tension was too much. Last week I had to stop watching Gravity on DVD for the same reason. I will not read anything nor watch anything that involves any kind of cruelty to any animal or child. Even cruel treatment to adults is beyond my threshold these days.
I think you should maybe allow your daughter to chose for herself if she does or doesn't want this book at this stage.

Loanranger

To add, the advert currently on TV for British Heart Foundation is deplorable in my humble opinion as children may well see it. A child's worst fear is that one or more parent will die. This ad is about a father's death.

ukmaggie45

michaels wrote: »

Literary NP parents. Came across a copy of the Silver Sword that I read when I was a child (probably not this copy) and thought it would be really relevant to read it with the kids in the current circumstances.

Just read the Plot Summary on Wikipedia...

I think if your daughter doesn't like it I would cease and desist from reading it to her. And the fact that similar is happening now, as you acknowledge, probably makes it even worse for her to listen to. It sounds like very scary stuff for a 9 year old to me - I'd have found it frightening at 11 and older.

If you want to read some historical fiction to her, I suggest going for Rosemary Sutcliffe. Her Roman books are wonderful, I'd particularly recommend The Eagle of the Ninth. But she does cover other historical times as well. I started reading Sutcliffe when I was (just) 11, suggested in a reading list my school gave out to First Years. I think that read out the story would be fine for a 9 year old.

With my best regards to you for engaging with your daughter - just she is young to be looking at what is happening with refugees in Europe at the moment. Let's face it, it's hard for many adults to take in what's going on.

Cyber hugs to you and your family from the wilds of Wales.

Generali

TBH I don't think I'd force one of the Generalissimos to have a book read that they found scary. The Boy gets very angsty about stuff like that. The Girl (younger) not so much.

silvercar

Generali wrote: »

TBH I don't think I'd force one of the Generalissimos to have a book read that they found scary. The Boy gets very angsty about stuff like that. The Girl (younger) not so much.

I wouldn't either. Books are good for winding down at bed time, the last thing you want to do is create nightmares or discourage any love of books that you are trying to encourage.

DS2 was terrified by "where the wild things are" even though DS1 enjoyed it.