For about an hour, I observed a pair of soon-to-be parents, both of them barely out of secondary school.
Just recently, I was at my local GPs surgery. It was the usual chaos a long queue, with the doctor running noticeably late. Behind me in the queue was a pregnant girl, likely no older than eighteen, and shed brought her boyfriend along the soon-to-be father, same age as her. These “parents” seemed oblivious to those waiting in line, behaving however they pleased. The father-to-be had no inhibitions, laughing across the entire corridor with delight at the prospect of having a son.
Isnt it brilliant that its going to be a boy? Haaa-ha-ha-ha!
He repeated that line at least ten times before a thought struck him
Oh, blimey, we havent even picked a name yet! Lets name him after one of the doctors!
He wandered up and down the corridor, reading off the doctors names and making endless comments about them. Once hed finished, he plopped down beside his girlfriend and continued giggling to himself. An older lady passing by couldnt help herself and spoke up,
Young man, do try to compose yourself!
He looked at her in utter bewilderment, then said to her,
Is Grandma expecting a baby as well? Eeeh-heee-hee!
His girlfriend tittered quietly, wearing the same foolish grin. I held my tongue with great effort I had no wish to start a row in the GPs waiting room with a pregnant girl.
Then the father found a new topic: food.
Im absolutely starving! Ugh-ugh-ugh…
Im hungry, and this queues going to be another half an hour
Lets go get some pies! We can come back later.
I dont fancy pies.
Youre getting picky! Hoo-ha-ha
Everyones heads were beginning to ache from their endless chatter. Thankfully, the pair eventually left whether for pies, sausage rolls or who knows what, I cant say, but thankfully, they were out of the waiting area. That was the main thing.
I shuddered thinking about the sort of upbringing that child would have. If their parents turned out like this, I can only hope the grandparents might intervene. But, judging by the parents, its hard to imagine the next generation faring any better.
Today taught me to be grateful for patience and to hope that, somehow, a sense of responsibility and maturity finds its way to the people who need it most.
