Boys' Games
Mar. 20th, 2009 05:32 pmMust keep this brief as there is much to do in the next few days ....
Many of you have owled or commented this week and it seems necessary to make a statement. Narcissa and I have discussed the way in which our son's private tribulations at school have been playing out in such a public manner as a result of the journal project. Some measure of 'growing pains' are inevitable in any child, of course, and a young lad away from home adjusts and matures in his own time, never on a straight trajectory, but with leaps ahead and backsliding along the way. In Draco's case, we have been extraordinarily proud of his early acclimation to school and at times considerably pained for him by his failures.
Failing is part of learning, however, as is the freedom of time away from home in which to grow. For centuries, the professors at Hogwarts have discharged their duties as they should, without interference except from those over-eager parents who become too involved in their children's daily struggles. An overall sense of whether the child is performing to standard is necessary but to fight one's child's battles - or to clean up his messes - for him helps neither the child nor the staff charged with his education.
The instantaneous record provided by the journals offers us all perhaps too much insight to the angst of children's travails. By and large the worries of this term will be supplanted with new concerns next term, and rivalries and alliances formed now will shift or settle as occasion dictates.
All of this is to say that despite the advice many of you have offered this week regarding our son, we have chosen not to intercede on his behalf nor petition for clemency from his professors. I have corresponded with his Head of House and we are in accord that boys will be boys. If we are needed to reinforce a matter of importance or policy then I expect between my visits to the school for the Governors and ... other reasons we shall be quite equipped to provide appropriate advice and guidance.
That's an end to that.
As I said, much to do on many fronts, not least for our anniversary to-morrow and then an upcoming business trip for the Council.
Spoke with Selwyn earlier this week - all is being arranged and that ought to more than adequately serve for the time being. Still no official package to point to, but in time I am sure it will be delivered.
The situation at Buckingham is progressing unsurprisingly. We have learned a great deal about our friends and enemies to the state - and Our Lord is pleased in His methods to maintain the source of our information.
Whenever I believe I must have seen the limit of His Lordship's genius, He quite astonishes me yet again. His audacity and brilliance are so shocking at times in their greatness that quite frankly it took a few days' thought for the full power of His plans to sink in. Truly there is no nation as mighty, with leadership such as Our Lord provides.
Many of you have owled or commented this week and it seems necessary to make a statement. Narcissa and I have discussed the way in which our son's private tribulations at school have been playing out in such a public manner as a result of the journal project. Some measure of 'growing pains' are inevitable in any child, of course, and a young lad away from home adjusts and matures in his own time, never on a straight trajectory, but with leaps ahead and backsliding along the way. In Draco's case, we have been extraordinarily proud of his early acclimation to school and at times considerably pained for him by his failures.
Failing is part of learning, however, as is the freedom of time away from home in which to grow. For centuries, the professors at Hogwarts have discharged their duties as they should, without interference except from those over-eager parents who become too involved in their children's daily struggles. An overall sense of whether the child is performing to standard is necessary but to fight one's child's battles - or to clean up his messes - for him helps neither the child nor the staff charged with his education.
The instantaneous record provided by the journals offers us all perhaps too much insight to the angst of children's travails. By and large the worries of this term will be supplanted with new concerns next term, and rivalries and alliances formed now will shift or settle as occasion dictates.
All of this is to say that despite the advice many of you have offered this week regarding our son, we have chosen not to intercede on his behalf nor petition for clemency from his professors. I have corresponded with his Head of House and we are in accord that boys will be boys. If we are needed to reinforce a matter of importance or policy then I expect between my visits to the school for the Governors and ... other reasons we shall be quite equipped to provide appropriate advice and guidance.
That's an end to that.
As I said, much to do on many fronts, not least for our anniversary to-morrow and then an upcoming business trip for the Council.
Spoke with Selwyn earlier this week - all is being arranged and that ought to more than adequately serve for the time being. Still no official package to point to, but in time I am sure it will be delivered.
The situation at Buckingham is progressing unsurprisingly. We have learned a great deal about our friends and enemies to the state - and Our Lord is pleased in His methods to maintain the source of our information.
Whenever I believe I must have seen the limit of His Lordship's genius, He quite astonishes me yet again. His audacity and brilliance are so shocking at times in their greatness that quite frankly it took a few days' thought for the full power of His plans to sink in. Truly there is no nation as mighty, with leadership such as Our Lord provides.