Thursday 5 March 2009

The green eyed monster that is envy.....


I have been touched this week by the green eyed monster of envy. Let me explain.Children applying to Secondary schools discovered, this week, which school they had been allocated.Son#1 will be going to our local state school. It is a good school, he and we loved it when we went to see it and everything about the whole situation is great.


However, most of his friends will not be going to this school. They took exams for Private schools and all passed. They will be going to a private school in September. My son is bright enough to have passed the entrance exams, but we cannot afford to go private. I felt a little sorry that we could not offer son #1 this option, but I know that he will do just as well where he is going.


However, today I had a little peek at the private school web site. I don't know why... well, I do know why... I wanted to see how much it cost. And I was gobsmacked. Can you guess? Per term?With travel costs and so on it will be costing over £5000 per term. £5000???!!!! I was just blown away that people have that much money sloshing about to pay for school. I struggle to pay £100 for school lunches each Half Term and a summer holiday is not even a twinkle in our eyes right now. So to be able to fork out £15,000 + extra each year for one child's fees is amazing.


Perhaps, well, probably, I have been naive. And yes, I envy the fact that they have that sort of money. That would be incredible to me. I hate this feeling of envy and I hope it won't last long, because I know that we don't have that option and we are very fortunate to have been allocated a great state school. In fact, maybe they should be envious of my son, because he will get a great education within 5 minutes walk from his house... for free.But right now, despite the fact that I know we are lucky, so much luckier than many, I want to have money like that.How shallow am I???

4 comments:

Kork said...

Not shallow at all! I think it is totally normal to want more money when it pertains to our children...

After all, you don't want it so they can buy clothes, or dash around the world in high style like Paris Hilton...you just want the best education for them...

And maybe the parents of those other boys are not so well off as they appear to be...I know lots of people who make choices based on appearances, not the priorities I've placed as "top o' the list"...

SO...stop feeling badly, and remember that a free education with parents who will be involved is often better than the most expensive of schools...

Balou said...

I think it's natural to feel this way. You at least have a good excuse - you have kids that you want the best for. Without kids, my green eyed monster is very selfish in that I want that money for myself. Can't imagine having an extra 15,000 in a year. One thing that sets you apart from some, you won't let that green eyed monster eat you up. :)

Gail said...

You are not shallow! Every one of us would feel that way. Just let it go and know no matter where your #1 flower is planted, he will grow.

Unknown said...

Hi Kork... I wouldn't mind some new shoes though.... S

Hi Balou... you're right... I won't get eaten up by the monster! S

Hi Gail... my #1 flower? That's lovely! I will think of him like that from now on! S