EDmummy

Not unreasonable when running a multi-billion ? organisation that reaches many millions of children worldwide. Pay peanuts you get monkeys. HerneHill81 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well, they need the money. Their Chief Executive's > salary is over ?130,000 per annum. Give > generously, folks!

Please don't blame you're parenting. We've all been there (and will again - these types of things crop up for much longer than you may think - I spent an hour reading and hugging my 9 year old last night who is out of sorts after return from holiday). Yes it's frustrating but don't let him see that. Be consistent in temperament and behaviour and try and find an approach that works (maybe you're OH plan will build your son's confidence). My personal adage is "it never gets easy, just different".

I've donated some higher end items that I could well have made money from on eBay (Nicole Farhi, Toast, Cos) but decided I'd rather make a contribution to this worthwhile charity. I recently got an email to say that so far my items have raised over ?150. That's much more than I would have donated directly. I don't have money to burn and could have put that sum to good use had I got that from eBay sales but I think Save the Children will put it to much better use.

Is 5 floors in line with other local development- seems a bit much for that corner.

Yes, that's correct but last time I did it (almost 10 years ago) I was as to do it at Southwark and they sent it to Brixton.

Made me laugh! bobbsy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Jeremy Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > EDmummy Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > Shame there is not anything similar > > > here (although in comparison, the parks are > > tiny > > > and so understandable that you may not want > to > > > have BBQs). > > > > Bloody Australians! You lot always find > something > > about the UK to complain about! > > What an insightful addition to this thread.

In Australia a BBQ in the park is a very common pastime and our parks and beaches provide gas or charcoal BBQs. Shame there is not anything similar here (although in comparison, the parks are tiny and so understandable that you may not want to have BBQs).

Faced this with my older son a few years ago. I couldn't find anyone to look after him and he was not keen on having a "babysitter" so I did the following; changed my work hours so I could get home no later than 5:30pm (meant I had to get up much earlier), ring him for a chat and to see how he was getting on around the time he returned home, ensure there were easy to access (and healthy) snacks, let him know I was available to talk to if he had any concerns, find one or two neighbours he was comfortable with who he could call on if needed. We also had rules about going anywhere after school and anyone coming back to ours. We only had to do this three days a week (I work 4/day week and one of those is from home) and it took a while for him to feel comfortable but I definitely think it encouraged his indepdendence. We were helped by the fact that my son is quite sensible and studious - if it was my second son I may not have played it the same way. Good luck.

Hi Floradora, I have a boy so we'll be looking at Harris Boys (already have a son there), new Charter, old Charter and Kingsdale and any others that we hear are good with Dyslexia.

I'm in the same position and will be watching this thread for answers! Is your child a girl or boy?

Severe breastfeeding problems and undiagnosed PTSD, Clare was the most caring and supportive person I encountered. She wasn't able to solve all my problems but she gave me the strength to persevere when I was in a very low place. This was 14 years ago but she is always in my thoughts. I hate to think of new mothers not having access to the compassion and support provided by this amazing service. Without services like this, how are we going to fulfil WHO guidelines on breastfeeding.

Wish I'd known this when my kids were younger! Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It's not too bad actually. We do the blackout > thing and on holiday we just buy some foil. A bit > of water on the window and the foil sticks for > weeks and is applied quickly and removed easily. > > EDmummy Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I'd be a little reluctant to get the non- > slated > > type - especially if we are to experience this > > type of weather regularly - completely prevents > > airflow. If you want shutters, I'd go for > slatted > > plus blackout curtains. Saying that, > eliminating > > all light from kids bedrooms is just creating a > > rod for your own back - try to go on holiday or > to > > family/friend's houses where the conditions > vary > > and you'll end up with tantrums.

I'd be a little reluctant to get the non- slated type - especially if we are to experience this type of weather regularly - completely prevents airflow. If you want shutters, I'd go for slatted plus blackout curtains. Saying that, eliminating all light from kids bedrooms is just creating a rod for your own back - try to go on holiday or to family/friend's houses where the conditions vary and you'll end up with tantrums.

This is very serious. I am so sorry to hear of this terrible attack on your son and I hope he both physically and mentally recovers soon. I'm assuming you've had a meeting with the head teacher and possibly the Police school liaison officer. If you are still unhappy with the school's response I would ask to be put in contact the the Chair of Govenors and also seek advice from the local authority. My personal experience has been incredibly positive when my son suffered a small altercation off site and the school behaved exemplary so I haven't experienced what you describe but I hope you eventually get the response you seek and is warranted in this terrible case.

I'll leave it to people who remember the history (which I do not) - as far as I remember it was related to local objections to the school so I will leave it to others who remember the argument. As a parent of a child in the school I feel it is discriminatory when, as the OP States, other schools use it. Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Could you give a synopsis edmummy? Seems pretty > unreasonable given the number of other schools > that use it (no objection to that), but it's > Harris boys 'back yard'....

Long story and completely irrational and discriminatory.

Can any one recommend a class in East Dulwich or nearby?

Sounds like I must have been on an off day - food was stone cold, beef full of gristle and potatoes tasted like they were cooked the day before. In contrast, went on Boxing Day, had a burger and it was brilliant. Will never go again for Sunday roast.

Can only comment on the Sunday roast (not other menu options). In a word, no! I was taken there for Mother's Day and I have to say it was one of the worst Sunday Roasts I've ever had. Saying that, have been on other occassions and food was brilliant!

On a recent visit to my husband's home village my oldest remarked "it's very White!" He was also baffled at what teenagers did other than hand about at the local park.

I was going to make a similar comment to Coach Beth and would echo Fuscia re making local mummy friends if you work or only have kids in secondary school. I'm not from the UK and life in the suburbs or a village make me shudder. My kids are Londoners (9 & 14yrs), love it and miss it when they're away. The oldest is in a Harris school and doing brilliantly. We have a new coed school opening soon so there'll be more choice BUT if you yearn for the countryside then make the move. God knows if my kids will ever be able to afford to live in their home town when they're older so maybe it's wiser to move further out like they will end up having to do.

With boys aged 9 & 14 I've had to deal with this a while. I now appreciate black trainer/school type shoes. Weekend shoes are much more fun with colourful Nikes and other trainers (mine like hightops. There's also a bit of cred with Doctor Martins. There is fun to be had.

Depends on the scale of the 'problem'. I've been going grey since my early 30s and it takes a lot of maintenance. I would suggest having a consultation with Amy at Willis B. She's amazing and will assess your best route with pragmatism and sesitivity. I personally would shy away from a standard hair dye approach that uses ammonia- I use Inoa and my hair is strong, healthy and natural looking. I'm very grey so have my central (parting roots) done every 5 weeks (a smudge) and only have the full re-growth done a few times a year. I also have very dark hair.

He really is a great guy. Both my boys know him from school and one a little better after running out of the house and getting lost when he was 4. PC Crust came and spoke to him once he was found and was brilliant. Wouldn't it be great if more than one restaurant and perhaps even the cinema offered vouchers so Adrian and his wife could have more than one night out. Every shop and restaurant owner must know him. I'll certainly be very sad that he'll no longer be on our streets.

Wow- that's really unfair. I agree with you that they must have these clothes more accessible.