An Eleven Plus Nursery Rhyme.

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat
Please to put a penny in the old man's hat;
If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny then God bless you!

If you are already feeling stressed about the chances of your child passing the eleven plus then this is possibly the best time of year to de-stress and de-tox. For many parents the examination is some months away. Of course there are some children who are writing early in 2010 – and we can only wish them the best of all good fortune.

One interpretation of this old rhyme is that if you do not have something to offer to someone less fortunate – then you are indeed of need of help yourself. If you do have a child who has the potential to pass the eleven plus then your are already blessed – and more fortunate than others. Some eleven plus suggestions:

Exercise your child’s mind – but do not use the excuse of the eleven plus – make mental agility past of the family’s life style.

Provide for yourself – and your prize candidate - the right kinds of food with lots of vitamins and oily fish, nuts and seeds.

Take plenty of exercise – on your own and with the rest of the family. Expect your eleven plus candidate to join you in relaxing and pleasant activities.

Write a diary of when you are feeling stressed. Express your feelings on all the social networks. Ask your eleven plus child to join you in some on line activities.

Finally write bad verse – this really is a good de-stressing agent. Here is an offer of the first two lines:



The Eleven Plus is coming, my feelings are breaking out
Please take my children for a long, strong bout.