Back to school week! A phrase to strike terror into the hearts of parents everywhere..

My son is starting his new secondary school tomorrow, so in our usual last-minute rush we toddle off to acquire the things on the uniform list..

Oops! seems all the parents in Surrey have the same idea! Sports and shoe shops are full of grizzly, over-tired, tanned people waiting their turn, whilst a pitiful pair of sullen teenage shop assistants tiredly hand over trainers, then disappear into the depths of the stock room for what seems like hours....

Eventually we escape, and head - joy of joys - to the O2 shop, much to my son's delight, as his promised first mobile phone is about to become a reality.

Predictably, there's a huge queue...and only 2 staff members serving. Sigh. Cute blonde 7 yr old daughter is now flagging, so sit her down in an attempt to begin phone purchase....

We are served by the most UN talkative O2 assistant i have ever met! Monosyllabic is a MAJOR understatement. She's clearly resentful that i have the audacity to actually BUY anything, let alone know exactly what i want (as son has spent last 3 weeks poring over various makes and models!).

She mumbles her replies to my (relevant) questions, does not explain the paperwork she thrusts at me, and, when i get home and re-read it, has not offered me the optional insurance, which i am seriously considering for my forgetful 11yr old.

I am most decidedly NOT impressed.

Ho hum. School tomorrow, with meeting for parents in the afternoon....now, what shall i wear to that?! :)