The Hits Hawke's Bay: Putting up my hand to help out

The Hits DJs, Megan Banks and Adam Green. Photo / File

OPINION

"Is anyone available for parent help?" The question burns into your eyeballs from the screen.

A class trip. A school activity. Perhaps a sporting endeavour of some sort that requires an assistant, or heaven forbid, a coach. You know you should do it.

Checking the diary, you're free, or probably can be if you tried and cancelled some unimportant thing you could use as a valid excuse.

"Hey honey" you yell across the house to a partner occupied with the very same child in need of parental assistance in the school day. "There's a school trip on Monday, they want some help, how would you like to see how your child operates among their peers"

"I think you'll find it's YOUR child" comes the reply "Plus I'm hectic at work and can't really spare the two hours, you're free, aren't you?"

Well, I was going to walk the dog, and I had that visit to the craft beer section at the supermarket on my agenda too, I heard they had a new APA in. So not entirely free. But kind of sort of free I suppose.

It's been20 minutes; they are probably inundated with doting parents just itching to head out and ... wait. Another email. If they don't have a couple more parents in 10 minutes the trip will be off.

Okay, this is it, do or die. Make or break. Will I or won't I be viewing craft beers. Taking the plunge, you sign up to be there. "Yes, I can assist on Tuesday, yes I can be a part of the walking bus, yes I'll remember a hat and sunscreen and a drink bottle."

Now hypothetically speaking in this scenario you'll be in charge of a few kids you probably don't know. Okay realistically speaking in a similar scenario I WAS in charge of a few of said kids, but this time it was the best outcome I could have hoped for!

I was given, two kids named Alexis, two named Liam and one Baxter. One of the Alexis' being my own, this was an easy name to lock down, so now I only had two new names to learn and I had control of my gang of five!

We were off and after a small amount of walking the spread began and I had, like a sheepdog on the farm, to reign them in. "Alexis, Liams and a Baxter," I yelled down the path and in no time they were back in a huddle and good to go.

Maybe next time I'll sign up faster! - Adam Green

* Don't miss Adam Green and Megan Banks on The Hits Hawke's Bay from 6am to 9am, Monday to Friday.