To think people who say that they wouldn't have children if they couldn't afford to educate them privately are ...

[seeker]

.....bonkers?

And before anyone says that nobody has ever said that, there have been plenty of threads on here with people saying they stopped at one, or advising people not to have a 3rd because they can't afford private school for more. So presumably they wouldn't have had any if they could not send them to private school.

Goodness seeker, another private school parents bashing thread....really?

You do have the most massive chip on your shoulder. How many more threads liek this can you think off?

I know the fact that some parents send their children to private school, and that some parents think private school is better eats away at you.

But really, you have to let it go. for your own peace of mind.

Oh, God. Is my Boden line taking off now? Please read the context.

pag this thread has a twist or two.

You log on thinking you know what you're getting: seeker starts yet anohter snidey thread about private school. Posters say 'stop being snidey'. Eventually seeker starts demanding apologies and saying everyone is misrepresenting her...

Ah but not this one....read on ma cherie...

Except that all the people who are objecting to seeker starting threads about private schools and how tiresome it is are.... Also posting on all the threads they find so tiresome. Funny.

I didn't say it was tiresome. I said it was bloody hilarious and entertaining!

Then it is a win win situation, hurrah!

If I lived on a grammar school area (such as say, Kent) and thought ds had reasonable prospects of getting into said grammar, I may eschew private schools and pat myself on the back for supporting state schools too. I might even buy dd a pony with the money I saved. Fancy that!

I'm just fascinated that its such an obsession. Its bit like the mormons going around knocking on doors you have to admire their diligence and ernestness even if they rarely make a difference to anyone.

Lets face it, for seeker, this is an article of faith / ideology and she is trying to convert us

Well it's ceratinly a win for me. Started my day off with a bang so to speak.

Whether it's a win for seeker I don't know cos I have no idea what she is trying to achieve with all this posting about the same thing.
Do any of us really think that it makes anyone change their mind? Really?

I've heard her say in the past that she does other lobbying, so I guess she thinks that this is what this is...but it's not like any lobbying I've ever done or seen before. Perhpas she rights to her MP daily telling him he's going to die if he doesn't do what she says....who knows....

Another theory is that she's a little kinky and this is her daily dose of S&M...some people just love a ritual humiliation...I'm told

Private vs state education is an issue that will always be contentious. I have very mixed feelings on the matter. One of my children is in a private school. I have noticed that one or two other parents there seem to think that children in state schools are 'riff raff' that they don't want their little darlings mixing with them. I really dislike this kind of snobbery.

I also feel, strongly that it is parental influence that determines how well a child does in life, career wise or socially. I went to a private school but I underacheived massively, probably because my parents were unsupportive and critical of me and played down my achievements. Yet a lot of my friends who went to state school have professional jobs and are very well paid and seem to have been better at relationships than me too.

The thing is, the first few pages were actually people talking about the OP, and a fair few agreeing. Now it is just the same old bunch going on about Kent and grammar schools and being really quite unpleasant. So it actually wasn't, or wasn't in the way I read it, 'Seeker banging on about private schools again' initially, it was an actual conversation - and yes, like me (although I've never been brave enough to start a thread about it) Seeker is consistent in her opposition to private schools. That's fair enough, surely?

You know, I'm not going to rise. I think it's very sad that people aren't prepared to have interesting discussions because they'd rather score points about what they think they know about my personal circumstances. Which, for the record, I have always been completely open about- so I am a bit surprised that anyone can get them wrong!

I think it's interesting to discuss why a small number of people out of the minority who use private education are so very scared of the state system that they would rather not have children than have q child who has to go to state school. And whether it's a self perpetuating fear perpetuated by the media, or whatever. And why some people feel the need to justify their choice of private schools by making sweeping generalisations about state schools. And some bits of this thread have been interesting along those lines. But the white noise is drowning out the interesting debate. Again.

Bollocks do you want an interesting debate, seeker. Your constant starting of these threads is bordering on trolling. I've seen every single person mocking this thread attempt to engage properly with you in the past. But that isn't actually what you want, is it?

For example, despite having been to a state school myself, and despite explaining exactly why we aren't having a third child to you, you persist in claiming parents like me are "scared" of state schools. That is utter cock. Your only reason must be shit stirring.

theoriginal I thibk you should start a debate. A proper one. You are using your local comp and I have found a lot of what you say on other threads interesting.

There's a saying in law that you have to come for judgement with 'clean hands'. I think it's the same with politics. If you want to start a dialogue, you have to show an open mind and you have to show that you are not just talking the talk.

A lot of us simply don't respect seeker. They find her snidey and ridiculous...

Anyway, this dreary middle aged woman needs a hair cut so adieu.

bordering on trolling????? Care to suggest that to mumsnet HQ?

Did you notice? It wasn't me who derailed this thread to make it about me- other people were discussing the subject before the usual suspects piled in.

And I think I have actual started less than half a dozen threads on the subject. I've joined in on thousands but started? Nope.

Seeker - you a being disingenuous. I have engaged with you on previous threads and what is clear that when you start the next thread on this topic you have not really taken on board what anyone has said to you on a previous thread.

That's because you think you are right and people should make the lifestyle choices that you approve of. You don't want a debate because your mind is completely made up.

Am I scared of state schools .... I'm concerned about my children having to go to a state school that was as crap as the one I went to. So if we don't live by a good state school my children will go private (which they currently do). I will do the best I can for my children (as you have by letting your children sit for the 11+ - please please don't suggest you didn't have a choice, noone forced them to sit the 11+)

But I could be accused of just 'talking the talk' for the opposite reason - that I don't have the option of grammar or private education for my daughters. Unless, conceivably, I went cap in hand to grandparents, or could find a 100% bursary somewhere, it was always going to be state for us. So you could say I feel as I do because I'm making the best of what I've got and refusing to accept that my children are disadvantaged.

I don't think that is the case, btw, but I'm just saying I think it probable that anyone's position would be queried and holes picked in it.

Chubfuddler- I said that I understood your point of view. I also said I was interested in the views of the minority of the minority who hold extreme anti state school views.

You started the thread by asserting a derogatory personal opinion. And frankly, I have been pondering raising a general issue with hq about some regulars, including you. But I probably can't be bothered.

Sorry' pressed post too soon. I realise that you are not in that number.

Spare seeker your cod concern, everlong.

"Obsession", "isn't healthy", "ulcer". Patronising twaddle.

I've just checked. I've started two threads about private education including this one since Christmas!

I'm obviously not very good at being obsessed- I've started more about cooking and cats!