EDmummy

As a science geek girl growing up in Australia I never encountered any barriers. That was a long time ago but I can only think that it's societal pressures that prevent girls pursuing a science career and not anything to do with the education system. Although in a mixed school almost half females in my leaving year went into the sciences and of those, at least 40% are in very senior positions in science. We didn't have the celebrity culture to the extent our poor children are exposed to. Now, back to the grammar debate ...

Third the M&S one. The only thing we found was that the mattresses are a little thin for our growing children and have put toppers on them.

This is a police issue. Anyone who saw these people should report them to the local community police via the contacts on this site. Include information on time as they may well be able to look at CCTV footage. jennyh Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hey > > Two guys collecting for save the kids...not sure > if I've just given money to a registered charity! > No real reason to doubt them but I didn't take the > time to look to see if they had badges and the > collection boxes did look a bit homemade, does > anyone know about this charity? Googled them but > can't see anything that seems to fit the logo and > name I saw. > > Only gave a pound or so not going to break the > bank but I realised how little notice I take when > handing out to charity! Anyone know of this > charity?

As far as I know most schools have a G&T programme. If you are concerned make sure you ask at your school tours. All secondary schools in my experience stream so even if you're unsure of G&T programmes your child is likely to be sufficiently stretched if they perform highly. We looked for a school where we felt that our child would be nurtured and recognised as an individual as we knew that in a large school with lots of very high achieving children he may be lost. One year down and we're pretty happy.

We're a target area due to local demographics. I'd love to know the ROI on such activities. I read somewhere today that you can register as a door to door free zone. Must find out more about it.

My 12 year old and some of his mates love Superdry but also newGeek brands like Hane (American label which TK Max stock). You could also try googling uk skatewear and find lots of cool stuff.

Dodgy OP or not I'm absolutely horrified to hear the plans proposed for beautiful Crystal Palace. I'm a regular traveller to the spots centre an know only too well that the roads in the area cannot even handle the current traffic. Taking the OP at face value - ever heard of online shopping? Shock, horror - you can even get Boots online!

I second David R! Without going into too much detail, my very late baby ended up in PICU with the risk of brain damage because he was so large and late (hyperbilirubinaemia - early onset jaundice). Myself and my GP practice midwife successfully fought against an induction but with hindsight I think I may have decided differently.

Have had this message posted in the Wanted section but have had no response so I hope you don't mind me putting it here. You were all so helpful when I needed advice about worktops. Does anyone have advice where to get smooth grey Pvc French doors? We've had a quite for grey outside, white inside Grey French doors but grey inside and out are coming up about ?400 more. I would have thought they were quite standard but it seems the extra cost is for having them sprayed. Anyone had these or bifold doors fitted in grey? I see them everywhere but assumed they would only cost a little more. We've mainly had quotes for Rehau but would be interested to know of any other brands that might be available.

I knew I could rely on you all for some great suggestions! Now, if anyone has suggestions of a source for Moorish wall tiles (not the boring Fired Earth ones - more vibrant) let me know.

We're having an all white gloss kitchen installed shortly and had been considering a white Corian worktop. I've subsequently heard differing views and am also a little concerned about the cost. We're not keen on marble or granite. Anyone have experience of any other materials for a white worktop?

My oldest's fav book at that age was Tatty Ratty. Read in a slow and interesting voice (tone was everything to get him off to sleep). For me it has to be one of the most interesting and exciting children books I've ever read.

My dad in Australia swears by New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel Extract. You can get it and more info on the web. There is also an Australian extract of wild celery originally used by Aboriginal Australians but I'm not sure if you can get it here.

What to leave to eat after school for my almost 13 year old when he comes home from school in September? He's a growing boy and is conscious about eating right but it's so much easier for him to raid the biscuit tin whilst he waits for me to get home to cook tea.

Ooh, I'm envious! But unfortunately for you it's what in comers will do. Now, if I could do that we'd only look on trees. Know the name of their architect?

Here's some info from Macmillan Cancer Support about travel costs http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Financialissues/Benefitsandfinancialhelp/Help_with_travel_and_parking/Help_with_travel_and_parking.aspx

Bellenden Belle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > In defence of EDmummy, my reading of the original > post was that the OP thought it was only 5/10 mins > so she would 'sort it out later', implying she > would let her child cry and comfort her when she > arrived at the doctors. So EDmummy was possibly > right in her assumption. Thanks BB. My comments were based on being on both sides of this situation. I know 5-10 mins of my own child crying is enough to send me la la, let alone 5-10 mins of someone else's. > > "Can we not cut each other some slack?" Erm, yes - > but is there no room for an honest response? Just > because we're mums does that mean nothing ever > goes unchallenged but instead we all chorus our > approval of each other? Us against the rest of the > world, right?

These shades have been around for a very long time. We got ours in Australia 12 years ago and they were very commonly used then. I'm afraid what people were probably objecting to was controlled crying on a bus (warm, closed environment full of strangers) and I'm sorry to say I'm with them. Of course I wasn't there to witness what happened and can only speak as a mother of two and a v frequent bus user but I would absolutely never have subjected other people to my child being left to cry. I'm sorry you were offended by people's complaints but I'm not surprised by the reaction.

I'm glad you're seeing someone about your childhood issues as this will hopefully help you to handle their relationship and which IMO is not much to do about gender of the children. Does your therapist know about your anxiety regarding gender? There may also be some parenting lessons etc that might be useful in the future, esp about how to positively manage conflict between siblings (it happens with ALL siblings, whatever gender, to some extent). Good luck.

Don't know about the Hamlet but Heber requires you to sign a form to say that a child can leave on their own from Yr 5. I don't think there are any rules on what age they can go to school on their own as I would think that legally they are their parent's responsibility at that end of the day.

Had something similar to this about 20 years ago with what started out as purportedly being a survey for Terrence Higgins Trust. Only twigged when he started asking about knicker size (had already answered the question about oral sex - eek). I was quite young and fresh off the plane from Australia so I was a little freaked out by the experience (and had to admit my guilability). Hope it didn't affect you too much.

Second Dulwich foot clinic. Make sure wherever you go that they will do a biomechanical assessment along with treating the calluses as it is not 'normal' for them to develop and there may be an underlying issue. A GP would also refer you for a biomechanical assessment if you were not able to go down the private route.

Really?! What a free-for-all that would be and a major disruption to our children and their peers. Yes, school holiday travel is expensive but this is NOT the solution. More effective lobbying of the holiday industry would be a much more sensible approach.

How did you get on? Did you manage to get a passport?

I'm a huge fan of street art. I really hope we can keep as much of it as possible after the event.