I haven’t watched Nanette. I want to watch Nanette. I should watch Nanette. From the trailers, it seems like a soul-searing look at one woman’s story. Someone who is, in her own words, “gender not-normal”. “I don’t identify as transgender. But I’m clearly gender not-normal. I don’t think even lesbian is the right identity for […]
Category: After School Conversations
More than reading, writing and arithmetic
My son is in his final year at primary school. He is a solid, average student. He isn’t the highest achiever in his class and has had some intensive academic support at school to keep him in the middle. His local public school is not as well resourced as the expensive private schools, but I […]
“Look for the helpers”
I was asked to attend a Civic Leaders meeting recently for a colleague who could not make it. It was in Auburn and held after hours. I could not get someone to look after my son in time. I left early to pick him up and he came with me. It was an important meeting. […]
He did not always devour books
Him: My friends and I have just started reading Lord of the Rings. Me: Really? You don’t find it too hard? H: Nah. It has old words like thus and nay and stuff. But that’s ok. M: what do you like about it? H: It looks really cool in my imagination. He had difficulties with […]
Our Double Bass Player
It started last year. The double bass player at our son’s school was in year six and about to leave. The strings and orchestra group was soon going to be without that deep sound that rounds out their music. There’s no glory in the double bass. They play the rhythm as the rest of the […]
After school conversations
It’s a four year old conversation. Our boy was in Grade 2. His teacher was asking the class to prepare a short talk every two weeks. “So,” I ask. “What are you going to do for your school topic talk this week?” “What I would do if I ruled the world,” he responds. “Oh, I […]
Ice cream and good news at midnight
It was a big day for my husband. He started work at 9am and came home after 11pm. He produces the nightly news at one of the TV stations here in Sydney and it was the first night with new graphics and a new set. He was happy with how the day went, but was […]
Superheroes and their special powers
We’re at the Art of the Brick exhibition. It’s a while ago, during the school holidays. We’re weaving through the crowds, looking at intricate lego models of heroes and villains. I turn and ask our boy, “What would you rather be? A superhero or their sidekick?” He responds, “The sidekick I think…” The sidekick is usually a […]
Durian
We are waiting for his father to finish work. It’s a Friday night and we’re treating ourselves to a cheap meal out. We’re both in the car outside his workplace, but his father is taking ages to leave the building. I’m bored. He’s bored. I turn to to our son and ask him the first […]
The Supermoon
Can you see it? It’s there in the distance between the buildings. A faint white ball rising through a cloudy sky. It was taken last year, on the 14th of November. All morning the radio was full of talk about it. The Supermoon. It was going to be the largest moon in almost 70 years […]
Chores
His father asks him to take the rubbish down to the bins. “But I did that yesterday,” our ten year old reminds his dad. “I know,” he shoots back. “You did a great job. So I’m asking you to take it down again today.” The boy thinks for a minute, then asks solemnly, “How do […]
Multitasking
It’s getting late. We pause our game. “You have to read your book now. It’s homework,” I remind him. “Ok,” he says casually. He grabs his book with one hand. The other reaches for the dice. “Nope, you cannot read your book and play monopoly at the same time.” “That’s ok mum,” our ten year old […]
