A stranger's child hit me

This afternoon in the supermarket, a stranger's child hit me in the stomach. I cried out in shock and pain.

The child was around 3 or 4 years old as she was sturdy on her feet but not that big. I had been browsing the vegetable aisle of an upmarket city supermarket mid week during the day. It was in a business area that is not usually frequented by mothers with young children.

The mother called her child to her. She did not acknowledge what her child did or reprimand her behaviour or insist on an apology. Perhaps she didn't see it. Or she was embarassed.

I hesitated. Should I confront the mother? Do I cause a scene. Typically, everyone around us ignored it in the usual English way and carried on.

I wondered what is the right response here. Certainly children should not be permitted to behave in this way. The incident bothered me all the way home.

Has our society and parenting standards resulted in little monsters and hooligans? What would have happened if my hot chocolate had been knocked out of my hand and burnt the child? What if my response had been to push or slap her back?

I thought about a television series that I had seen called The Slap. A parent disciplines another person's child at a family bbq. The consequences include a lawsuit, a breakdown of relationships and a questioning of what is good parenting.

I'm home and now feeling a little angry at the child, the mother and myself. So I turned to my friend Google.

It seems aggression in children is not an unusual phenomenon. Typically it occurs in the park or playground with other children being the victim. Another common trait seems to be children hitting their parents. When it has involved an adult, it is clear that the adult is breaking the law if they smack, slap or hit a child back.

Whatever the child's reason for striking a stranger, whether it be attention, behavioural issues or poor parenting, I do think parents have a responsibility here. Anyone who is physically harmed should have some recourse.

After reading numerous different websites, I did sympathise with parents tired of reprimanding their children. Young children are exhausting. I have been around many of them, though none as brazen or violent as this. I don't believe in a nanny state, but I do believe parents need to respect others when they take children out into public spaces. If they do not teach their children what is appropriate and manage aggression, it is not the job of teachers and society to pick up the slack.

One woman jokingly (or not) writes online about how she is grateful to strangers who verbally reprimand her child for her. While it is somewhat humorous, it is also sad that it has come to this.

It makes me wonder about the world we have become and the life we are living. Why are we too tired to do our jobs? Why do we no longer take seriously the trend in both child and adult behaviour - the lack of respect for others, kindness and consideration.

If I polled friends with kids and those without, I expect their responses to be quite different. Some would be more outraged than others. There are some who would consider the child's actions unacceptable. There are others who might be more understanding. For some reason, I think that 30 or 100 years ago, this sort of thing wouldn't happen.

Then I think this is not a big deal. It doesn't matter. This isn't really my problem.

Twas the Christmas before Brexit

Twas the Christmas before Brexit
And all through the country,
Trees glowed and sparkled
And people were merry.

They realised that family and friends
Was what they adored
Not money, shopping and social media
Or governments they deplored.

How we spend our time and energy
All through the year -
Does it truly make us happy
Or is it all about fear?

Brexit - testing faith in government and the world today

Brexit is the most talked about subject in Britain today. While there is more going on in the country and world, the only concern in Britain has been and continues to be a lack of agreement on the way forward.

What has become increasingly clear is that people are losing their faith and trust in governments. This structure and institution, a foundation for our society and way of life is seen as failing spectacularly. Are they out of touch with the people? Is this the beginning of a move away from mainstream parties towards more extremism and a future of even greater uncertainty?

The precedent set by the antics of Westminster, where a party no longer needs to follow its leader perhaps sets the tone for the country. Headlines scream about looming constititional crisis and betrayals. Do we no longer need to follow or respect our leaders? Can we no longer find unity and shared common goals?

Furthermore, though it might be happening in Britain, it is a reflection of the western world that governments need to think long and hard about the messages they are sending to the public. In corporations, they talk about the tone from the top and the culture created. With countries, we are led by our government. What is their tone and what culture are our governments creating?

Are we all acting with our heads or our hearts? How much do we balance economics and fundamental values?  What do we say about democracy,  voting and government?

The divisions in our society will have longer term implications. The growing gap between rich and poor continues to be ignored. The fears about technology, the environment, globalisation and uncertainty need to be addressed. There is too much fear running amok. Governments are meant to be the parents that look after us and make us feel safe. That is not how anybody feels any more. Too much is failing. The strength of religion to organise our society succumbed to countries and governments. Is this the dawn for new hierarchies and structures? 

The decisions we make about Brexit don't just define Brexit and the EU. They define who and what we are, now and in the future.

Once upon a time, politicians were a respected bunch. It was perhaps an occupation a child might aspire to. The governments of today, both in Britain and the world are now no longer praised. Instead, there is disappointment and a lack of hope. When history looks back upon these days, it is sad that we can not point to greatness. Instead, people are drowning in drugs, alcohol, sex, consumerism, information, social media, box sets, money making and fear. Community is gone. Kindness is forgotten. What does happiness mean for us today? What is our actual quality of life?

We are lucky. When we compare our lives to 50 or 100 or 300 years ago, we have achieved so much. Yet we don't feel lucky or happier.

Though there may be few that are doing the best that they can under difficult circumstances, there are many who appear to be self serving. There are more villains in this story than heroes. And to what end?

I try to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. There are bright sparks. There are intelligent and good people. I have to believe that everything works out for the best. There will be opportunities. The strong will survive but how many casualties will there be? I just wonder whether we may win battles but lose the war.

Forever young - adults play at London's Lego Shop

In London's Leicester Square, the Lego shop is two stories of fun which brings out the kid in us. There are some awesome London iconic scenes in Lego 3D glory. They are perfect for the Instagram addicted.

There are cities to see and Lego people to create. This is one example that makes me believe that online shopping hasn't won the war on real life in store experiences.

Yes it's crazy busy with kids and school holidays will be a bit gnarly.

Head to the Lego store experience website.

This gives you an idea of the sorts of shenanigans you can get up to - the mosaic maker (bookings needed 5 weeks in advance!) and the digital box where you scan a lego box set to see the model in 3D.

For Star Wars fans, currently there is a massive range available in store with prices from £8.99 to a whopping £649.99! There's some models in store, so you might want to check them out.

For those who can't head out of town to LEGOLAND, then this will be a decent Lego fix.

Lego has come a long way and continues to be one of those enduring toys that adults and kids love. We want to build, create and play. It is a world of imagination and possibilities. It is the real and tangible.

And when you're done with the Lego shop, don't forget M&M world across the road. You can now personalise your M&Ms with photoes! I wrote about M&M world back in 2013. Check it out here.

Enjoy the Lego shop and happy playing!

St John Bread and Wine - the best bacon sandwich in London

Omg you have to try the best bacon sandwich in London. If you are all about health and fitness, do not read on. You do not want to be tempted. You do not want to know about this.

I must confess, I never eat bacon sandwiches and I rarely eat bacon. If I'm going to brunch, it would not be in my top three choices, in fact , it might be on my list of bottom three.

Apparently, bacon sandwiches are a thing. And this particular one, from St John Bread and Wine in Spitalfields sells out. They are talked and written about. They probably are all over Instagram and Facebook.

Why is it so special? Well the bread is really great. What do you expect when it is baked fresh? The bacon rocks as it's not fatty or oily and is rather tasty. The sauce is a homemade ketchup. It's so simple and proves you don't need fancy, unusual and pretty. A simple sandwich can be absolutely delicious.

The other thing you should know is that the donuts at St John are amazing. These sell out too.

This is their website: 

• https://stjohnrestaurant.com

Who knew that waking up early and going out for breakfast could be so much fun?! If you've not tried the best bacon  sandwich in London, make plans to go now and if you've had it, you probably deserve a treat and should go get another one - bon appetit!