The OFFICIAL AIBU buddy bench/naughty bench thread NO 7

[ElmoFan]

Come hither all those who haven't found their place on mumsnet, have scrapped in Aibu or crossed words in chat. The buddy bench shalt not judge.

The buddy bench will hand out wine and cakes, it will join you on your scoffathons getting pissed

All those who sit on the bench, will have their sins erased and be given a warm welcome and cheerful chat from CheerfulYank, gomummy, tiredmum, teaandcake, valiumredhead and far, far too many more to mention.

Welcome to the buddy bench, we look forward to meeting you all

Oh and don't forget, last one to leave polishes bench and locks up!

@ Tea, at least you have a great attitude about DS' adventures at the wedding! Hope you're having a lovely time in Scotland.

Yay for finished flooring Cheerful! Bet you're glad to have that done. You'll have to post a pic for us to see the finished product!

How was Easter lunch with the extended family Elmo?

Was Jamie into Easter this year Tiredmum?

How was your trip Valium?

Dinner here went well. Wellington turned out perfectly, which was my big concern. Sorbet was a hit, although someone argued with me that what I made was "Sherbert"? Is that the same thing? A great debate ensued. Those BBC souffles are like eating a cloud. :)

I am getting SO impatient for spring. We are back in winter coats/boots/hats/gloves/etc., and a good portion of the country is still getting dumped with snow.

Ah ha not always a great attitude with DS But it was a good day with old friends

Good afternoon ladies! I am interested in your thoughts on children's allowances (not sure if this is called something else across the pond?)

Age, how much, related to chores or not, etc.?

Pocket money?

I guess so, yes, Tea.

I got an allowance starting aged 3, which was in exchange for the "chores" I was responsible for. My parents required that 10% be saved (as in savings account) and 10% be tithed (church). Yes they always gave it to me in dimes back then and made me count it out and do it myself! This continued until I started working (which was much younger than would be typical, and would likely be considered horrible on MN).

DH and I have recently been having the discussion about DS, whose current obsession is money (values of coins, what adds up to what, what things cost, etc.). The few people I've talked to think that it should be started at 3 and not be in relation to responsibilities. Apparently $1.00 per year of age is the "norm" around here.

Just curious as to what the views are elsewhere?

Gosh I hadn't even considered pocket money for DD yet. My eldest brother set up bank accounts for his children their money goes into there for them. Seems to work well and teaches them about banks and managing their own money. Wouldn't work for a 3 year old though

Maybe Valium et al will have better advice than mine

DS does have a bank account, but it is our meagre savings for his post secondary education (that is a MASSIVE cost here), and although I do actually take him to the bank and give him the cash to deposit, he doesn't have any idea where the money comes from iykwim.

We thought the allowance-for-chores thing could be good as he does have some basic responsibilities now, but those I've talked to say that that is a bad idea - he should be learning that he does his chores as a member of the household, which I can see the logic in as well. Seemed like a good time as he is currently so interested in coins, denominations, the "cost" of things, etc.

Hello everyone!!!!!!

Hope you all had a lovely Easter?

Re pocket money - ds has had it since he was 5 and a half, £1 a week and now it's £2 ( he's nearly 11 now) works really well especially as the threat of docking pocket money for poor behaviour usually brings him up smart!

He over saving up for things, in fact he saved all his Xmas and birthday money and weeks and weeks of pocket money to put towards a drum kit - it really focuses him.

Jobs include - laying table/clearing away, dirty clothes in the wash basket, keeping his room semi tidy etc etc - but he has to do all that regardless of pocket money anyway.

Hi all, hope everyone is well

Gomummy, no Jamie wasn't into Easter, he is to busy making a beeline for the tv and dvd's little monkey, he stands up holding on, just waiting for him to walk, I wonder how long that will take, time to lock up my valuables again haha

As regards to pocket money, neither of ours has any, however that get rewarded for good behaviour, with a sweets or chocs at the weekend, then if they have behaved during the month, they usually get a toy or book, whatever they choose really, I would say and if they behave at school then they would get rewarded, but they are angels at school so praise where praise is due. DS1 probably wouldn't understand what I meant if I tried to explain, so I will keep it like this til he understands what pocket money is for and how it is earned

Anyway sorry for my essay

Off visiting family again today - back next week x

Blimey you are busy Valium, have a wonderful time x

Where is everyone?!

Hello :)

Nobody seems to have spotted me mwahahaha

Cheerful - I said a prayer for you, hope you and your family are safe. x

Hi

What have I missed re yank go

Crazy weather in the US midwest yesterday. Something like 130 tornadoes, lots of damage done. I don't know if it was close to Cheerful but sure hope not.

God, how horrible!

Blimey hoping cheerful is ok that sounds terrible

I am here and fine! A tornado apparently touched down in the state, but it was a few hours from me and I haven't heard anything about it so I don't think it was too bad.

The weather by me has been cold and windy and rainy, but my parents got so much snow that they were properly snowed in! DS was visiting them for the weekend and they were supposed to bring him back yesterday, but couldn't. I hope they make it back today, the house is too quiet without him.

I'm at work so can't stay long...will pop back to the Bench in a bit. Going to go check tornado news on the computer and see how bad it is; if anywhere in particular needs donations, etc.

Glad you are ok! x

Glad you are ok Cheerful! Crazy weather. Glad it was not near you. Our satellite has been knocked out by the winds, but last I saw the news on Monday morning it had been 130 tornadoes, one death reported.

Empathy for your parents. The snow somehow seems so much more depressing this time of year!

MONICA put my crumbs back

Cheerful glad you are ok, hope your parents are ok that sounds awful

Valium how have you been enjoying our weird weather?

What kind of weird weather are you having?

Glad you're ok Cheerful

Glad kids are back to school/ pre school and I'm starting to get a routine again.

You know that I did opt for casually seeing pilot man that week we discussed it vaguely on fb? It seems to be working well now my expectations have lowered. Much more relaxed