Never say never...

AS much as I'm absolutely LOVING being a stay-at-home mum right now, the novelty is slightly - just slightly - starting to wear off.

When I'm not filling in forms or closing down bank and store card accounts, my newfound but shortlived role of daytime couch potato is plagued by those really annoying TV ads for "no win no fee" personal injury claims, cough syrups and celebrity fitness DVDs.

I'm brainwashed by them - I know off by heart the numbers of every finance and self-proclaimed debt-busting company on the planet and I have mentally taken on board the fact that as soon as I get out to Melbourne, the first class I join will be an aerobic one (I can hear the sniggers from former Leader colleagues right now!)

Eastender Letitia Dean, ice champion Jane Torvill and even Claire from Steps are hammering our screens with details of their fitness regimes that put them firmly back on the road to tip top perfection.
Even Mr Motivator is back in the limelight attempting to kick our butts to take a more healthy lifestyle on his comeback trail.

My TV ad annoyance was kept at bay yesterday though, as I'd been asked by my sons' school to help out on a coach trip to see a local panto. I pencilled the date in my fit-to-busting diary and turned up at the school to take charge of my group.

Looking after someone else's children is a huge responsibility but one I enjoyed no end. Having two boys myself, I melted when the four girls I had to keep a watchful eye over competed for my attention.
"Mrs Pugh, Mrs Pugh .... Do you know my name?" .... "Mrs Pugh, Mrs Pugh .... Are we ready to go yet?" .... "Mrs Pugh, Mrs Pugh .... Can you touch the ceiling in this classroom?"
Being a cat's whisker over 6ft, the answer to this latter request was a yes and they stood there, all open-mouthed and in awe.

They were so well-behaved and I enjoyed myself that much, I'm now considering a change in career. I'm tempted to swap my keyboard for a classroom, taking a back seat to the teachers and helping out Australia's little cherubs with their cutting, sticking and reading.

They say never work with animals or children. I really can't see where that came from because from where I was standing yesterday, working with children could be the most rewarding job I've ever done.

Never say never...