Guiders Staff Room Part 2

My 3 year old son thinks he's starting Rainbows in September - confusingly, his preschool is called Rainbows Montessori :o we've had to have lots of conversations about how "little Rainbows" is different from "mummy's Rainbows"!

I knew I had AIBU hidden for a reason. Mind you I work at the school a lot of my Rainbows attend, and I've been confidently informed that various reception boys will be joining soon

Very sensible. I'm going to have to step away before the rage gets me.

I read it and sat firmly on my hands. Especially when someone pointed out that there were other options for boys...like Rainbows

I value a girl only space, tyvm, I have enough boy stuff at home with my own two!

Probably a very good plan. I couldn't help myself!

I've typed and deleted so many responses but some of the posts were winding me up so I stepped back.

I commented. I don't know why tbh. Some people on there (as always) seem to be struggling with the fact that they are two seperate organisations. Personally I think it's a shame that boys don't have a boy only space, especially these days when classroom and exam expectations are often weighted towards behaviours that girls find easier. That being said, I'm not a member of the Scout Association and nor was I when it was a decision between girls or a potential slow fade into irrelevance.

Clang! Thread on AIBU

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2686454-to-think-boys-should-be-able-to-do-brownies

Oh my! Last night was fun, but chaos. Gave up, and meet at the community centre. Glad we did as it hammered down for the first 20 minutes! Game worked well, ish. Would have been better outdoors. Girls loved the making the ladybird food. (candle, foil, chocolate, cornflakes), and the emergency craft (ladybird from egg box) went well once we'd discovered it was best to make a hole in the cardboard before it was painted for antenna, rather than stick them on.

It was our YL's last night, and it ended up chaos! Two lots of cake, sticky girls, and ran out of time. Whoops! But I think they enjoyed themselves. Need to work on timings for our meetings .

My partner in crime is talking about doing down to being a unit helper. She's involved heavily on the school friends, and that's eaten up a lot of her time- she's also been job hunting. But I don't want to lose her. She brings so much, and sees stuff that I miss. Need to chat to her over the summer.

I wear my badge tab, but I know lots of leaders just wear the promise badge, it wouldn't be weird.

Our last night tonight. Was supposed to be a wide game up on a local hill (NT, fab open space), but the weather has kyboshed that. We held out as long as possible, but its going to have to be in our usual hall, and I'll have to change one of the activities. What a pants summer!

Don't feel bad Albus, there are times when something has to give.

Well done Lucysmam

Could I ask- who wears their badge tab each week? Would it be odd if I kept mine for formal occasions and just wore a promise badge the rest of the time?

Oh Albus don't feel bad. All the work you've done up to now has been valuable. You need to focus on yourself and the baby

lucysmam my sundae was delicious No freezer here either, just a cool bag and we made them straight away!!

Last night for us this week but I will be turning up next week for a cupboard tidy (polishes halo!)

Only have two meetings left until I am leaving my girls.

Feel terrible as leaving them with only unit helpers (DC aware), and really not sure on the long term future of the unit.

But I have to go, I have a baby coming and he will need all of my attention for just now, and I know if I signal any intention to come back it will just be assumed that I will take a few months out and come back with the same level of input I have now which I just can't.

None of the parents willing to help, to the extent they are not even putting up the recruitment posters I asked them to

Thanks Groovee!

There's alllll sorts to fit in Ria. We're (somehow) off to Hollywood this term...not quite sure how yet though and going to cram in two Roundabouts so that the older girls will have something to show for their time with us.

I'm roughly planned until Christmas now.

New unit helper hasn't replied to my email to check she's joining us on Tuesday . Hope this is not a sign of things to come since she was hopeless at communication when her dd was with us

I'm taking over my Rainbow unit in September, after some manic planning sessions I've gone from "how am I going to fill the time?" to "how am I going to fit this all in??"

I hadn't heard of Growing Up Wild before but that's been pencilled in for the summer term, and I found the Huntington District Space Challenge badge which I hope will fit in near Christmas so we can do some stargazing.

Thanks Imfine, I'm well pleased with myself!

I really wanted the one for last night for Guides...that's where I need help really! But hey ho, I'll see how we go and maybe gently suggest there are too many of us.

Ice cream sundaes sounds fun, our freezer isn't reliable for anything like that. Enjoy (and don't forget your own )

lucysmam I'll take some of your helpers if you are too squashed!!! Congratulations on your LQ award

I am thinking of winding down my waiting list as girls move on, just until I get regular, reliable help. So as the girls move to Brownies I will change my maximum allowance on Go. As lucysmam says it is the extra hands needed for scissors and loo breaks.

Anyway, ice cream sundaes tonight so this should be a good one!

Potential Guide leader has turned into more hands for Rainbows...which is ok but come Feb there will be 5 leaders and helpers, plus 12 girls in our little room & I was trying to avoid cramming us in like sardines

Oooooooh, almost forgot!! I'm getting my LQ badge and certificate tonight - my lovely mentor is coming to present it. I feel very grown up and official now

Tonight's to do list is getting longer by the hour! Brown Owl's mam rang last night to tell me the kitchen's out of bounds due to being decorated...she's just rung again to tell me I'm having a visit from someone who does the church admin to sign something saying we'll respect the property/leave it how we found it etc.

I think I may need special ribena later on

I feel for those of you losing leaders, I'm just gaining extra hands now & the relief is great. Even if all I get is someone to be an extra cutter-upper when we have the scissors out, or toilet break (of which there are too many so we'll be nipping that in the bud after summer!) supervisor I'll be happy.

Two weeks to go here too (and I used all the ways to spell to!)

Beach week for us tomorrow and POG party next week.

What is in the air? My lovely, lovely assistant leader is moving. I have an equally lovely but VERY young, young leader and another young leader who we rarely see. I know that certain parents will help me out but it's the setting up/tidying away/planning and prep I need the help with. Gah!

Two weeks here too. Been fruit shopping this morning for fruity kebabs. One mum, who I text to ask about allergies, told me I'd have to change plans as her dd only eats apples . Er...no. I'm reasonably sure someone will pick at what she doesn't eat.

Loads to cram in tomorrow then Brown Owl is in charge of our end of term beach party next week with the Brownies.

Accounts are up to date so just tomorrow/next week's subs to add. I'm making us a banner over the hols.

Two meeting plus camp 'til the end of term.
Parents meeting/table decorations this week.
Beach themed barbecue/hostess badge next week.
Camp that weekend.
Then 6 weeks to catch up on overdue finances and planning for next term.

Yes, we've got 2 more meetings too - park this week, and a teddy bears picnic next.

I'm praying for nice weather on Friday, but we're going to the park regardless...wonder how many will come if it's wet?

And you've just reminded me, I need a parent helper for it too! I've got slack since I got an AL, I forgot to check!