Today, Peeps, my pride knows no bounds.

Yes, I know they say pride comes before a fall, but this time, I am prouder than proud of my son.
Despite the craziness of this last eighteen months, with the pandemic, and numerous other barriers to overcome, Lil Man got his GCSE results today, and he passed.
My boy will be off to Sixth Form in September!
I promise, I am not biased in this thinking, but I do feel that this year group had it tougher than most. If you think about it, last year, yes the exams were disrupted, but the children had the opportunity to cover the whole curriculum before the world went crazy.
So, despite not getting the chance to sit exams, they were prepared.
And A-Level students? They have seen the disruption, too, but they’d had a bit of normalcy with their own GCSEs, two years previously.
I mean, this set of children, have lost out on around six months of face to face learning time, suffered possibly even more testing than the average year group, as the grades were to be teacher assessed, rather than exam based, and have never faced a true exam. (SATs in primary school not withstanding!)
Yet, they carried on. And for the most, smashed their grades.
Personally, I much prefer this teacher based way of assessing, as exams mean you having an off day, despite being a good student, cound end up leaving you with a bad grade.
Whereas, this year, teachers were able to build up portfolios of evidence for each child, from assignments, to coursework, to test results, and their own professional judgement of each child, to give a grade that they felt truly reflected each pupils efforts.
I fall apart in tests and exams. I know my boy is the same.
But I also know that though he isn’t a straight A student, (can I say that, nowadays or is it a 7-9 grade student, now?) he is capable, and by acheiving the grades he needed to get to Sixth Form, he has proved that.
See.
Couldn’t be prouder.
Now, how to celebrate for a guy who passed his exams? Does he want a special meal? A treat?
Nope. He wants to go to his cricket training!
So, I’ll be off on cricket mum duty again!
Still, I’ll be taking him there, extremely proud of the young man he has become. 💜
And here is a little poem I penned a few years ago, just for him.
Fly my little chick, fly Just stretch those wings and fly high. Roar my little cub, roar Show them what you're made for. Swim my little fry, swim You're just as good as 'him'. Jump my little roo, jump You can get over this bump. Believe in yourself In the power of you. Have faith in yourself, Like I always do. So, Fly my little chick, fly All you can do is try... Ritu 2016
For all those Little Chicks out there, that need that little bit of encouragement… You’re doing great, and you will continue to do so, have faith in yourselves… And especially for my son, Lil Man xxx
Aug 15, 2021 @ 12:40:17
Congratulations to the proud mom, Sis! Also congratulations to LilMan. Well deserved, but i am not wonderin with this mommy in the back. 🙂 xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 15, 2021 @ 12:40:44
Aw, thanks, Bro! It’s all him, though, not me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 15, 2021 @ 16:23:25
Dont put your light under the shovel, Sis! You are the “woman in the middle”, the mentional guide. In short “the good mom”. :-)) Thanks! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 15, 2021 @ 17:02:58
🤗🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 15, 2021 @ 19:53:46
🤗🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 15, 2021 @ 19:54:15
By the way, i now have remembered this quote without look it up. Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 15, 2021 @ 19:54:47
🤣
LikeLike
Aug 15, 2021 @ 12:38:44
Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 14, 2021 @ 21:54:51
Just the start of a grand life!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 14, 2021 @ 22:06:26
Here’s hoping, Sis 💜🙏🏼
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 14, 2021 @ 17:07:41
You should certainly be a proud mama! Congratulations to your son!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 14, 2021 @ 17:13:57
Thank you, Jennie! 🙂 🤗🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 15, 2021 @ 00:46:04
You’re welcome, Ritu! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 14, 2021 @ 07:00:43
Congratulations to your son!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 14, 2021 @ 07:57:31
Thank you 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 14, 2021 @ 13:10:44
You’re welcome, Ritu.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 19:53:37
Congratulations to Lil Man for passing his exam!! 😀 Congratulations to you as well for not falling apart despite everything that you went through with students and numerous other challenges you faced. It has been a very tough 18 months indeed, so great job all around!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 21:32:44
Thank you, Leanne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 10:50:14
That’s brilliant, I am so pleased for him, I hope he has a lovely day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 10:57:37
Thank you!
LikeLike
Aug 13, 2021 @ 07:06:52
Congratulations! It was a hard two years for all of us and especially kids. They have really coped up well and given their best. we must celebrate them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 07:58:46
Thank you, and you’re right, we should!😊
LikeLike
Aug 13, 2021 @ 00:25:20
I think Mamas are allowed to be proud.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 13, 2021 @ 00:31:08
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 21:42:29
It’s really pleasing to read such wonderful message, despite everything not moving as it used to be, our children and we ourselves are slowly learning to adept.
All mothers can relate to this proud moment of joy. The most important is treating kids with the gift they long for, you did the same by taking him to Cricket ground.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 21:45:25
Thank you. All we want is for our children to be happy, and if happiness is found at the ground, so be it!
LikeLike
Aug 12, 2021 @ 21:20:47
So very very pleased for you and your wonderful son Sis. This feeling of pride goes on forever!💜💜
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 21:23:26
Long may it last, Sis! Thank you 💜😊
LikeLike
Aug 13, 2021 @ 07:36:18
It will Sis it will.💜💜
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 20:50:12
I know so well how you feel, sis. It is not only the proud mom, it is also the relief to see that they seem to be on track (at least, as far as we can judge it) and have found their place to progress successfully. Congratulations to my nephew!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 21:23:08
Thank you Aunty Erika! We are so, so proud of him!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 08:47:11
🥰🤗👍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 20:23:44
Congratulations! Well done!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 21:22:29
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 18:54:23
Wow, congrats! Great job!
Btw, are you a beta reader?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 21:22:14
Thanks!
I’m not an official Beta reader, no, but I do read arcs for review purposes. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 11:46:46
Are you free to recieve an ARC-copy of my upcoming novel? I am currently looking for people who can read it in exchange for an honest review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 11:53:43
I’ve got quite a packed arc schedule right now, before school starts. When were you hoping it was to be read by?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 13:20:04
By the end of this month, but I have lots of other people reading it so it’s fine if you’re packed! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 13:30:15
I’m sorry! It’ll be a tough one, right now, sorry! But, good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 13:36:28
No worries, thank you so much! Have an awesome day ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 13, 2021 @ 13:48:21
You too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 18:43:40
Bravo! I completely agree that the last 18 months have been almost impossible to imagine for anyone at his age…to excel under those conditions is something you should not only be so proud of, but to take some credit for – he obviously is in a caring, loving family environment that gives him the support and guidance to succeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 21:21:28
Thank you, John. We can’t take credit for this. We’ve been his scaffolding but he climbed the heights himself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 22:34:06
I was trying to say – albeit poorly – that the way you live your life inspires him to excel himself in my mind…not that you did anything for him
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 13, 2021 @ 00:31:25
😊
LikeLike
Aug 12, 2021 @ 18:03:32
Congratulations to you and your son! And I love your poem. 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 18:30:37
Thank you, Suzanne 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 17:41:18
Awesome job Lil (growing) Man 🙏🏽💜👍🏾
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 18:30:21
Thanks, Brother! He’s definitely growing! Xx
LikeLike
Aug 12, 2021 @ 18:32:10
You’re welcome, proud Sister 🙏🏽💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 17:01:45
As a fellow parent, I’m happy for you and your son. We need to celebrate our kids’ accomplishments and let them know how proud we are of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 17:08:28
Absolutely, Pete! Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 16:39:24
Congrats, Ritu!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 17:07:58
Thank you, Rib Rob!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 16:15:07
Congratulations Ritu, I can relate to your pride. Wishing your little champ many more horizons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 16:20:07
Thank you so much Balroop 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aug 12, 2021 @ 15:58:57
Congratulations to him!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 15:59:29
Thanks, John! 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 15:16:11
Congratulations to you and your Lil Man.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 15:19:40
Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 15:03:36
Congratulations, Ritu. that is so exciting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 15:13:10
Thank you, Robbie. We are so proud of him ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 14:38:28
WELL DONE Lil Man 🎉🎉🎉
LikeLiked by 3 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 14:40:42
Thank you, Chris! Been a wild year, but we’ve got where we wanted to be!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Aug 12, 2021 @ 16:11:21
👍
LikeLiked by 2 people