SE22mum

Friday afternoon at 4pm is exactly when EVERYONE is trying to nip away early!

yep = that would be just typical! my days of the odd sickie here and there are over now as have 2 kids in same school so bit suspicious if both sick at once! I do understand that it is disruptive for schools to have kids out of class but I also feel that when they are so young and as long as they are up to date there should be some slack. I also wish there would be some curbs on how much prices can rise in holiday times. we have lots of family overseas and it's so frustrating not to be able to go because the flights go up so much in price.

can't she be sick as it's only for 2 days?

how much is it?

Canary Islands. guaranteed good weather but not too hot.

Just to add the obvious observation that friendship bondings can be very complicated over the teenage years. Speaking as someone who never really got it right, maybe your son could do some activities outside school that build his confidence and enable him to develop a circle of friends outside school as well.

I would have a meeting with his class teacher and the Head, and state specifically that your son is being bullied - not just that he is unhappy. Give names if you can. This will not be the first time (unfortunately) that the school has had to deal with this kind of issue and they should have enough experience to be sensitive to his concerns about not wanting further retaliation. For all you know, there might be some repeated complaints against one or two individual students that are enough to take serious action. Also, if the school has a record of your serious complaint, this may aid your case if he does decide to move schools. Of course your son doesn't want you to do this, but if you are really worried then you need to be proactive. Take your child's wish for a new school seriously so he knows he is listened to. Do some research and start looking at options, so then even if it quietens down and your son stays, at least he feels as if there was an alternative. You don't mention whether your son is actually gay or not. Like a previous poster said, it is a common taunt. If he is, then Stonewall could offer some support. They are doing a big schools programme at the moment, I think. The most important thing is that your son feels he can turn to you for support. I hope things get better.

Bromley consistently rates as the highest quality of life for families in London. I think the standard of primaries is very good.

I'm no eczema expert but I do have sensitive and very sun sensitive skin. Most clothes, especially light summer ones, do not keep the sun's rays from the skin so if the sun is irritating her you will need to use a sunscreen. I use the isdn range which was recommended by a referral to a dermatologist.

misi, you took the words straight out of my lips. I've also been thinking this for a while, as am in need of some light cat sitting now and again, especially over summer. I'm in Landells Road near Dulwich Library. If you have more answers than you can cope with, as I suspect you might, please send some my way!

I think a lot of parents on the thread do like the concept of World Book and Day and do their best to get behind it. It's just not all of us are that nimble with a thread and able to knock out a decent costume...and that makes us feel bad beside parents who manage to get their kids to school in super garb. I don't think this thread is really anti-WBD - it's just letting off a bit of steam!

As I've mentioned before on this thread, I work in Penge. I've come across a really great project called Community Champions which supports local people to turn an idea for their community into reality. It's a lovely group and I've been so impressed with the community spirit, as others have said. If you live in Penge and are interested, give me a PM and I'll send you the details.

my nearly five year old still uses a standard back seat. you are welcome to come round and try it out to see if size is ok, before you buy your own.

mmmm, thank you! will try this weekend!

If it is during the summer you could try renting a university campus flat, for example at Sussex. Great location - right on the downs. alternatively, ring up some hotels or airbnb listings on south coast. my sister's parents in law got a room in a flat for 3 weeks at a great price. they went to visit first to check etc.

Interested to know how the discussion went....? I had an induction for baby number 1. I went on to have a positive birth experience, but fought really hard for number 2 not to have to be in the same situation and ended up with a non-assisted home birth. Sometimes I think "positive birth" is something we can give ourselves. i.e., my first birth was probably not ideal in terms of "birthing experiences" as it was induced and ended in forceps and prolonged separation from my son....yet I still felt so proud of myself for having done it at all! that's not to say at all that birth is not sometimes very traumatic, and I have several friends who have been deeply and badly affected, just that I don't think a birth needs to follow a certain pattern to be positive. sometimes there is a reason for medical intervention and that doesn't mean that we have "failed" or have a "negative experience". apologies - am stating the bleeding' obvious I know..... just interested in the topic and hoping to hear what others thought about it at the session.

wow, some amazing suggestions. makes me feel lazier than ever! One of my problems is that I've only just started eating meat after 20 odd years a vegetarian so I really have no idea how to cook it! I tend to burn it to a crisp as cannot face the sight of blood. I do love cooking, but I find it difficult to introduce kids to anything apart from firm faves. Still, will plan to introduce one new recipe a week and see if we can jazz things up a bit. Anyone got a good recipe for a chicken pie? - a slightly strange request after watching Chicken Run!

I am sooooooo bored with cooking the same thing week in week out - so looking for some inspiration! I love cooking but am really stuck in a rut. What's your family's fave teatime recipes? I usually cook just one thing for kids and adults alike. Looking for simple, cheap, tasty favourites....puddings as well!

I love the dressing up!!! I'm just annoyed at myself that this year I fell foul of marketing ploys tugging at my heartstrings. As long as the costumes are DIY I reckon it's a good idea.

I paid ?10 that I can't really afford on 2 Harry Potter brooms and glasses - on the excuse that they might become favourite playthings - which were all lost or broken by break time. The thing that gets me is that yes, it is a great idea to promote reading....but schools do not operate in a vacuum so all the associated branding and marketing goes crazy around this time of year. I stupidly fell for the ?10 because I fell for the line that by shelling out I was encouraging my children to read and to love books...so annoyed with myself! Next year I will do as my sister suggested and make the glasses out of pipe cleaners....

Astrid, what about some kind of part-time project/information/comms etc worker in a mental health/ addiction charity? That would take advantage of your experience, and get you an office environment etc, but you would not be doing frontline services yourself - with all that that entails emotionally.

I know friends who have done this, but not anyone who has moved in with unknowns, as it were. Sounds like an interesting idea.

have to say I have completely been won over to wearing lipstick every day since hubby got me a shocking red one. have never before been a lipstick gal but put this on and you immediately look bright and alive...

for me the decision would ultimately be financial. if you are doing ok as you are, it sounds as if you have a pretty perfect situation with a part-time job that you absolutely love.... but obviously you would be able to make it work either way. there would be complications around childcare at whatever age you decide to retrain...though they might be more complicated when they are younger? what you don't say is whether or not you would be able to go back to part time work once you qualify, or whether you would permanently move into full time? sounds like a good situation either way.....

I love the Sanctuary range that you can find at Boots, often on a 3 for 2. They seem to last for ages. Particularly like the hot cloth cleanser and the illuminating moisturiser. Do you have dry skin? If I'm going out to walk/cycle any further than a few minutes in winter I cover my face with vaseline and it makes a notable difference. The other thing I love is the Neil's Yard Frankincense night cream.....again, if your skin is really dry like mine. It's ?30 but lasts for ages. One thing I would love to find is a really good eye cream. I've given up and just accepted the wrinkles as I can't seem to find any that makes any difference at all...