I Got Issues

The elephant in my room.

It started with a simple question.

"How is business going?"

Not sure if we are ever ready for the answers that come from such open-ended questions. In my mind, I expected a simple "Good." Or "Tough." With a very brief explanation to follow.

Instead, this turned into a one-hour conversation with my Bolt driver on the way home. The first twenty minutes were quite engaging. The next twenty, mostly him talking with a few comments from me. The next twenty, no contribution from my end, just the occasional "Mmm..." to reassure him I was still there.

But was I really?

Don't ask about the last thirty minutes. A feeling of annoyance. Brain fatigue. Every nerve screaming, "Please...just shut up!"

I instantly regretted my question. I was aiming for brief pleasantries, not a full business concept, proposal, wins, failures...and future projections.

So this morning, I received a call from my daughter's school just to confirm a payment I had made the previous day. The call lasted almost half an hour. It got disconnected. I called back. She didn't pick😏 Never mind...no call back either.

Now you're probably wondering how a one-minute conversation stretched into over twenty minutes.

Now, the four-day school trip.

Two days ago my gal proudly declared, "You know, Mum...our class will win."

Immediately, I'm thinking she's talking about grades. Some academic competition.

She continues, "We have the most students who have paid for the trip."

The hell!

What kind of competition is that?

Never mind...I hadn't even paid for it yet🤷🏾‍♀️

Then I found myself wondering what happens to the parent who genuinely can't raise the money.

A serious frown crossed her face. Almost like she had quietly started giving up. Maybe...just maybe... her mum wouldn't manage this time round. I could almost see the emotional toll on her.

She had already told me how she and her friends had planned where they'd sit on the bus. The accountant later mentioned another child who had approached her to reserve a room so he could share it with his friend instead of just any classmate.

Then I asked the accountant the very same question.

"So what becomes of the child whose parent can't afford the trip?"

I already know the textbook answer.

"Sit your child down and explain that your current financial situation doesn't allow it."

What a wonderfully correct answer😏

Or, as social media would probably put it...

"Why take your child to a school you can't fully afford?"

Just...

Wow.

Or perhaps the more objective advice.

"Raise a strong child. Teach them that life isn't easy. You don't always get what you want. Life isn't fair."

Never mind the esteem issues. Apparently it's good to clap for others until it's finally their turn.

Isn't it always easier said than done?

So there I was at 9 p.m., texting a dear friend to come to my rescue and lend me the money. She came through immediately. No hesitation.

All I could text back was,

"What would I ever do without you?"

Then there is the financially literate class that would quickly remind us,

"Borrow only for emergencies."

My child's self-esteem is...

So yes, twenty minutes venting to the accountant. Letting her know my issue wasn't really the amount. People can argue whether it's expensive or not.

My issue is the pressure these payments place on children.

Schools know very well these kids don't have after-school jobs, yet they capitalize on one thing they know almost every parent fears.

No parent wants their child to become the outsider.

So now I'm sitting here analysing.

Wondering.

For schools, which one carries more weight?

The educational trip?

The money collected from parents?

Or the well-being of the child?

While I could probably come up with one answer... or several... one word keeps coming to mind.

Controversy.

I sometimes wonder how many elephants fit inside a room.

Apparently...

As many as we all agree not to mention.

We walk around them. Adjust our seats. Lower our voices. Then congratulate ourselves for keeping the peace.

So never mind this topic is controversial too.

No one wants to be branded controversial.

My conclusion?

I got issues.

I understand why a call back from the school accountant was never going to happen. Because, just like my Bolt driver, she accidentally opened a can of worms by asking,

"How are you?"

She probably expected,

"I'm fine."

And what's with Taurus personalities always being cast as the villains?

I didn't say it.

It's on record.

Search it.

Maybe that's a story for another day.

Today, though...

I got issues.