I was filling in for their parents where I accepted a job as a residential tutor for the two children of a family in New York, where the parents simply did not have the time for their children. The boys were 12 and 14. I was effectively a companion to them. Actually it was a very pleasant and easy job; they were both doing well at their studies. 

Dan and Michael were fine, well-balanced boys and I had a great time with them; we became life-long friends. They were so glad that someone at their home had the time to help them with the things that they wanted to learn and the games that they wanted to play. I used games to get to know them, their strengths and their weaknesses; it was through games that they came to know me and trust me. I played lots of squash with the them both (and considerably improved their games) and that is how I came to get close to them. 

They got on all right with their parents, but very much regretted that as both their parents had high-powered jobs, they simply did not have time for them; they came home too late and too tired to spend any time with them; and both parents worked most of the week-ends. It was a happy family but the children did not really know their parents. I filled in the gap to the extent that I was able, but it would, of course, have been better if their parents had had the time for them rather than me. 

I have been asked to go back three times and the children have become very dependent on me; it has been a wonderful experience and they have thrived in their school work, both being top of their classes this year. KL