Year 11 GCSE support thread 6 - exams and proms

I never seem to be able to view profiles on my phone - is it because it's the mobile site?

I can't see anything Woolly, can we see profiles on the mobile app? Hope she has a lovely time.

That is all very reassuring Leeds, thank you. She has flown 3 times but was too young to remember bless her.

Sugar, if it is any use to you, my DD flew to the States, on BA, as an unaccompanied minor aged 14. There was a special check in desk, and then they went into a special "kids only" lounge with colouring, board games and wi fi! We couldn't go into the lounge with her, and she was escorted onto the plane by a BA worker.

Coming home from NYC, the mum of the family she was staying with was allowed to go to the departure lounge and see her on to the plane. When DD got back to Heathrow, a BA worker escorted her into Arrivals and made sure she was met.

DD is at her prom now. I'm putting a photo on my profile if anyone wants a nosey.

DD tried the strawberry and lime Koppaberg yesterday when we were out celebrating DD1's degree success. She liked it. Is this a slippery slope?

Sugar/AuntP good luck to your DCs in Japan. One of my friends taught English there for a year and loved it.

Thanks for asking Errol - honest answer is no, notbyet but still early days for her to adjust o such a big chamge with Dementia and limited mobility. But I am quite detached from it all over here and my Brother is dealing with it, I just make appropriate noises when he pauses for breath eventually. Lots and lots of history to getting where we are now and she won't be happy anywhere sadly these days. There was a lovely photo of her and her new Grandson though which was great to see.

BTM , I thought she was pretty harsh but she says isn't as his favourite character in GOT is Caitlin Stark and in her eyes that means he is very boring !

sugar yeah off on 25th of this month. I've spoken to bureau d'change and they say take yen with money on card so somthing similar to your dd. I need to speak to Halifax to see if he can take that card. Scouts say he only needs about £200 equivalent as everything on the jambo site is free money only needed when he's in Tokyo with his host family

Oh SugarPlum, good luck to your brave DD. And you! Re the Swiss boy with the personality of a dead fish

Is your DM settled in ok, sugar?

I was just thinking about your DS Auntpetunia, has he got another couple of weeks before he goes ? She has some Yen on her and her cashpoint card to withdraw money over there - DH has called the Bank to let them know where she will be. Plus some Euros for stopover. Also the language school are happy for us to send money care of them.

She has been in contact with a Swiss boy who is a similar age. He arrived yesterday and will be starting lessons Monday too. She claims he appears to have the personality of a dead fish but I think language barrier may be coming into play. Panic earlier as couldn't see anything about her being an Accompanied Minor on ticket but Trailfinders assure me it will all kick in at check in when DH hands her over, I have a flight tracking app downloaded from my Mother's Thai flight the other week and will be tracking both flights every inch of the way !

Oh sugar I hope your DD has a fab time, travelling on her own is amazing at least when ds goes he has 33 other scouts and the leaders to help him. What's your dd doing about money? Ie how is she taking it with her.

I think some of our local cider home-brew may be quite strong.

DS drank the flavoured Koppaberg cider at his after party. Made me laugh, because he hates anything strawberry flavoured, yet likes the strawberry flavoured cider! Either that or a weak lager should be OK. I primed him to not leave his drink unattended and said also if he didn't want to drink more but felt he might be pressured that he could refill it with water and nobody would know what he's drinking.

Thanks Woolly and SugarPlum - I am very much hoping that DD will go with either a friend helping her or maybe a MAC session (though that would involve going up West) It's not just the money, I'm worried that she will end up with a look she doesn't like or with false eyelashes pulling her own out...

Sounds like you are in the thick of it, Spud! Is it a late start for their prom - DD has to be dropped at 5pm for hers!

Re the fruity ciders, DD and her mates take them to parties. I think they are fine - they are so filling, you can't drink many. It's all the vodka which causes the problems.

Ok so the lesson here is absolutely not under any circumstances to buy the cider

The cider reminds me of a party one of my dd's went to where people started to get very drunk & ill after drinking way to much. She looked after some of them and hid the cider up in the tree branches. I wonder what the farmer thought when he found cider in his trees...

Good luck to your dd in Japan SugarPlum.

Errol. DD has one of those in her hand luggage!

My DH used to travel to Japan quite a lot and really loved it. The first time he went, he caused smiles among some of the staff because he tried to learn a few words, but was copying what females had said. How was he supposed to know that men and women speak a bit differently? But they appreciated his making the attempt. He was also provided with a card specifying in Japanese where he needed to get to, to show to train and taxi people. The receptionist said 'Paddington Bear', with a giggle as she gave it to him - as in 'please look after this bear'.

Very good point about the cider Errol. Guess lager will be reasonably self limiting to start with.

Yes she us going to Japan. She's doing two weeks at a language school witb lessons Mon-Fri, something like 9 am to 2pm. She's booked on the extra trips package too. Flying as accompanied minor, it's the getting from host family to language school that worries me plus her host family aren't there the first 2 days so she is staying somewhere else.

Juggling I am hugely relieved to hear you liked it. DH keeps reminding me it is generally a safe country.

Oh sugar - I don't know which of you needs to be the braver! I'm afraid I've forgotten if you told us months ago what exactly she's going to be doing in Japan?

TBH I'd steer off giving the kids cider (esp fruit-flavoured ones) precisely because they are more palatable, and also can often be pretty strong. Like alcopops (I imagine, never had one) - far too easy for an inexperienced drinker to glug down too much because it tastes nice.

Glad you had a good time at the open day, Juggling (despite the journey). We enjoyed the ones last weekend, I think DH is planning on another next friday but that'll be a day trip.

Hi everyone! I'm really enjoying hearing how all the DC are getting on (and gaining comfort that I'm not alone in certain tails and tribulations)
DDs showcase was super dooper. I cried, my mum cried, we all cried. The young people did a great job and raised £1250 for their prom extras which should make it a really special night. I did suggest they bought some prosecco for parents taking photos outside, but that went down like a lead balloon.

So prom is tomorrow. She's had her nails done, is going for a massage today (sore shoulders......) and is booked in at MAC Selfridges at 5.15. Huge Afro being straightened tonight but with the humidity like it is, I can see her hating it and sticking her head under the tap ten minutes before she leaves. I can feel a drama coming on!!!!

Am I right in thinking your DD is off to Japan SugarPlum?
If so, here's a sake for you .. or perhaps a plum wine?
Hope she has a fab time, as I did there - people are so lovely x

DD and I had an exciting but exhausting day yesterday at the Uni of Salford open day. As we both have some time ATM we thought we'd do one this summer - and Salford have a course dd especially likes the look of. I thought it was great - we never had open days in my day! (First time I went was on my own to the interview) Feel like I'd be very happy if she went there to do that course. Was a lovely thing to do with her and begin to look towards opportunities for the future. Hoping it will inspire her for sixth form.
Unfortunately journey home on the train was a bit of a nightmare and it took us over an hour to actually leave Manchester after being stuck on a boiling hot local train that should have taken 5 mins for well over half an hour. Once we left Manchester was nice to see some hills though!

Tbtc, he looks so smart ! DD refusing to drink so far but I wonder whether a cider would be OK ? I started out on that and find it more palatable than lager. I rarely drink now but if I do find myself gravitating to those raspberry ciders.

BTM , DD'S friend had her make up done I'm the afternoon. DD and other friend did their own at friend no 1 ' s house. DD and friend 2 had hair done in afternoon but Friend 1 redid DD'S later .

Feel a bit sick today, DD off in the early hours tomorrow. As in my PFB. To the other side of the world. Might have to take up alcohol big time. She's currently regretting the whole thing and trying to zone out.

tbtc - I've no experience at all (my DD is thus far a puritanical child) but I'd have thought something like a not-too-strong lager would be apt for a lad.

Tilly just a thought.

A couple of DD's friends have booked appointments today at our nearest MAC counter to have their prom makeup done. DD had one done there a couple of months ago and it looked lovely. They talk to the customer to find out what they want. DD went in to get foundation and was talked through a range of products and the overall look was very subtle.

If you buy a couple of the products then the makeover is "free" - no more expensive than getting makeup done professionally anyway. The consultant that did my DD was really good and gave her loads of hints and tips for achieving that fully made up but natural look. Could you book her an appointment at MAC, Bobbi Brown or similar? It definitely looked better than the specialist "Prom Makeover" that DD1 had in our small town where she ended up looking like Amy Winehouse