I think I'll have another little rant, now.

Yesterday this e-mail was sent around the office:

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Hi,
I'm afraid to say that it is that time of year where my daughter is having to raise money for International Guide camp in the summer where she is representing the County in Denmark. Part of the experience is that she has to raise funds herself rather than simply relying on parents!
To this end she spent a good couple of hours yesterday in the kitchen baking cookies and tiffin bars and I have some of these in the office today.
I hope you are feeling hungry and that you may be tempted to help her in her efforts
Thanks

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"Part of the experience," I quote, "is that she has to raise funds herself rather than simply relying on parents!"

I was instantly suspicious when I read that phrase and immediately made enquiries.  It turns out that Mummy not only paid for the ingredients, but also made the trip out to the supermarket to get them.  And then Daddy brought the end product to work to sell to workmates.  So in what way does this experience not rely on the parents?  Presumably in the mixing bit.

This puts me in mind of a minor incident that occurred a couple of years ago when a workmate's (the one that goes 'WOAAAAHHHH!') kids washed my car for me.  I had come to an agreement that I would pay them £3 apiece to wash the car.  Now I reckon that £6 for a car wash is a bit steep, but that apparently was just my opinion.  Anyway, not only did they get bored half way through and Mum had to finish it for them, but I discovered later that she though I'd been a bit stingy with my £3 apiece and supplemented it with a further £2 each.  For an unfinished job!  Now it didn't bother me - my car was cleaned for the price theat I agreed (with the added entertainment of watching a very large lady (she's spherical) trying to wash the roof of my car), but what exactly does this teach the kids, hmm?

Anyway.  That's it really.  I'll return to my power-napping, now!