First job interview.

Shoes polished by mum....tie donated by dad....CV typed up by mum....picked up and driven to appointment (on time) by dad...

A 17 year old's first job interview. He seems to be completely unphased by the whole thing. Maybe he has nerves of steel, maybe he doesn't know fear, maybe he doesn't know failure.....

Over the summer holidays he attended a course in lifeguarding at the local swimming pool and passed his exam and tests, so now is a card carrying, qualified lifeguard. He is today attending an interview to be a part time lifeguard, after school, weekends, holiday times etc.

Beneath all the bravado and facade of coolness he is actually very observant and has a keen sense of justice and responsibility. He also quite relishes responsibility ( especially if there are any young damsels in distress who need rescuing), so I think he would be very good. But then I am his dad so I would say so.

Anyhow it strikes me that between the ages of 15 and 19 they have a lot of growing up to do. Two significant landmark birthdays, GCSE's, A levels, driving licences, career choices, further education options, voting rights, legal responsibility, bank accounts, entry to pubs, alcohol etc. etc. It's all new to them and unsurprisingly they don't get it right all the time, and it may be somewhat baffling for them.

So as parents we still worry for them, pick up the pieces, guide them in the right direction, persuade them not to wear white socks with their suit today, find their stuff for them, get them there on time.

One day they will be self sufficient.

Roll on that day.