to be a little smug at the fact neither of my DC know what to call a cigarett

[Gigantaur]

they know what a cigarette is they just don't know what one is actually called.

the closest was DD who called it a "flag"

DS is 9.10 and DD 5.10

they also call all alcohol beer and have been known to pull a face at people who say they are going to the pub.

DD has also gone up to a man smoking and told him he was going to die because he smokes.

I did tell her that was rude and she wasn't to do it, but i did smile inside.

My point exactly millie.

porcamsieria - skillz.

Well done to you, ladyanonymous for the job you do. I for one as the mother of a slightly vulnerable 13 year old am glad that school reinforces what messages I give at home.
Maybe some posters wouldn't want their children knowing the Childline number either

I worked with a woman who boasted that her three year old could skin up.

OP apologies as I know this was supposed to be a jokey thread. I feel very passionately about what I do.

Barmyarmy Comparing child porn to drugs and alcohol is ridiculous and actually if I knew you in RL and you had said that to me I would feel offended and upset.

I work with a dedicated team of people and we really care a lot about young people and put a lot of time and effort into helping them learn how to make desicions which will impact postitively on their immediate lives and their futures.

Most of the YPs I work with are fantastic, intelligent people - some have lost their way - others have had disadvantaged or abusive backgrounds and have already been exposed to parental drug abuse - those kids need to be guided as they already know all about drugs and alcohol and have seen people using them.

It might also be a sobering thought to bear in mind while sat on your high high moralistic hill of disapproval barmyarmy that the kids whose parents wholly disapprove of drugs and drinking and refuse to entertain the idea that their kids are involved or experimenting are also the kids who come and talk to us about it because they can't talk to their parents - because their parents have taken such an intrenched view there is no room for manouvere.

If your kids were ever in trouble and had made a mistake who would you prefer they felt able to come to? Someone like me - a complete stranger who is going to hear all about the intimate details of your homelife -or you their parent who is supposed to love them whatever mistakes they might make?

If you are not prepared to do it - they just think yourselve bloody lucky their are people like us about - who are there.

Ladyanonymous - I think people who do your job are invaluable. It is beyond me why some posters think that informing kids about these things is wrong.

Better to discuss with an adult and get the correct information than listen to other kids, or even worse violent boyfriends, drug pushers or even potential pimps who all have their own agenda. And sadly may be in contact with very young teenagers, however careful their parents are.

yes just coming back to this thread to say bravo LadyAnonymous for doing what I'm sure must be a tough and often upsetting job.

Really shocked that some posters are abusing you for doing what you do - the schools obviously feel there's justification for calling you in and I doubt they do that just for kicks.

Thank you both - I didn't post or do my job for any glory (It is paid work now as I am no longer a volunteer )but also don't expect to be insulted for doing it either.

There are probably more of us lurking in the shadows in schools than anyone knows about .