London was busy with children today – half-term happy and full of sunshine. I met a few of them during the tube journeys I made.

The first family included three boys of primary school age, and two adults. They all remained calm during the few stops I was with them. Perhaps this was due to the middle child, aged around six, who seemed to be studying a copy of a medium-sized newspaper with real attention. Cool as a commuter he held the paper out wide in front of him, succeeding in drawing envious glances from the boy beside him. The family spoke only occasionally, and when they did it seemed to be in German.

On my next journey the second family to sit down opposite me were French. The three boys were around the same age as those in the first family, and were accompanied by two adults, one of whom I assumed was the grandmother. They all behaved immaculately, and were dressed immaculately – so immaculately I began to wish I’d made more of an effort. Then the third family arrived.

The two boys – one probably seven and the other a little younger – sat down beside me, while their mother stood, making anxious suggestions to them about sitting still. They did not listen. They knew they had the attention of the French boys on the seats opposite, and seemed to consider it a matter of national pride that they should demonstrate their best wrestling techniques and their worst language, while their mother wilted with exhausted embarrassment beside them. As my stop arrived the youngest was attempting acrobatics off the hand rail.

I left the train with a mental salute to all parents, but especially the lone parents out there, trying to manage young children through half-term. Definitely not one of the easier jobs going.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023