Unit 8

Hard time

A.

I moved to London with my family a month ago. I haven’t made any new friends yet and I miss my old friends. I’m going to start at my new school next week but I don’t want to. I’m afraid my new schoolmates will tease me because of my accent. I think I’ll be miserable there. I want to go back to my village. What can I do?

B.

I’m a working mother with a two-month-old son. My house is very far from my workplace. If I carry on working there, I’ll miss out on the pleasure of spending time with my song. I’m thinking of applying for a part-time job in a place which is much nearer, but if I get the job, I’ll earn a lot less money and I’ll have no chance of promotion. Could you please help me?

C.

I am 65 and I have always been kept busy with my shop, but I’ll be retiring in February, so I’m not going to have anything to do. I’m an active and it will be impossible for me to sit around the house. If I spend my time just going on pensioners trips or walk in the park, I’ll feel useless. Any ideas?

Auntie Claire writes:

1.

The best thing you can do is to stop worrying. There are so many things you can do to feel useful. How about taking up a hobby which you never had time for before? You could also do some work for charities and help others with your experience and abilities.

2.

You ought to think about what is best for your family. If you can afford to live on less money, then you should apply for a part-time job. This will be much better for you because you’ll have more time for your son. Alternatively, if your present work-place has got a child-minding centre for its employees’ children, I strongly advise you to stay. In this way you’ll be close to your son and you can also seek promotion. Hope this advice is of some help to you.

3.

I don’t think you should worry so much. Why don’t you join a gym? You’ll make lots of friends there. If I were you, I wouldn’t be afraid of starting at the new school. If you go there with a positive attitude, I’m sure that everything will be OK.