Mary Killen Mary Killen

Dear Mary: What’s the cure for a workshy teenager?

Plus: What suitcases without wheels are good for, and professional advice at parties

issue 21 June 2014

Q. I agreed to give (paid) gap-year work experience in my own large garden to the grandson of an extremely nice neighbour. I need the assistance and, in theory, a willing and able novice could learn a lot from me. The boy is due to start soon but now I’ve heard from someone who’s been in close daily contact with him that during his recent study leave for A levels, he was rarely seen off a sun lounger, where he was not even reading but was glued to an iPhone or some gaming device and constantly yawning.

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