w.atching the w.orld unw.ind

I’m as inordinately proud and protective of my two kids as any father could be, but even though I’m fully aware that in today’s world, both sexes are expected to equally provide for the Domestic Unit (ah, here’s Mrs.D. now, fresh? in from her shift as a JCB driver at the local tip) almost inevitably the male will be the more permanent earner in the partnership. Purely because of the obvious biological contribution to the procreative element of the relationship, y’understand. Oh dear, I’m not putting this over too well, am I?

Let’s just say that my daughter has, for some time, had her future mapped out as far as it is possible to do so in this uncertain world, yet my son remains disconcertingly ‘vague’ about what life will hold out for him.

Am I right to worry or be concerned? Probably not. He’s very personable (immensely entertaining on his all-too-rare visits to the family dining table), fiercely supportive of his “swotty” sibling and a considerate lad when it comes to family matters. We’ve had various – and perhaps too – revelatory e-mails and ‘phone calls from his latest European tour, so he’s clearly happy to voluntarily stay in touch with homebase.

I guess that as long as he’s healthy and enjoying life, the money will come (and go – it certainly does for me!) and as I can’t - and wouldn’t want to - live my life through him, I’ll just leave the future to the fates and gods that may control his destiny.

Meanwhile, I’ll just hang around with my wallet open…