to be very happy that when I asked a Random Local Teenager to papier mache, using newspaper in her house ...

[NotQuiteCockney]

all the newspaper they've used is the Guardian. So I know that my children aren't being subjected to inappropriate influences ...

YANBU, when I was 7 we made papier mache Santas and we deliberatly cut out and glued on the boobs from Page three....

why did you ask a random teeneager to papier mache [nosey emotion]

I wondered that too. I'm not sure what response I'd get if I asked a Random teenager to papier-mache round here

Perhaps I'll try it. What they heck. I've always been shouted at in the playground once this week. I'm past caring

Oh, sorry, I should have said random local teenager babysitter. I'm recovering from an op, and have started exploring the more random local childcare options. My DSes are 3 and 6, so not newborns, so I've been using random teenagers recommended by mums I know and trust.

This one showed up at 9am, I gave her two of my kids and a box of homemade papier mache glue. And a balloon.

(The same one, actually, the first time I met her, I needed help getting DS1 in to school for stupid o'clock. She came to the door, I gave her DS1, and said 'he knows how to get to school, just go with him'.)

You asked a random local teenager to do papier mache, in her house?
Did you just knock on her door and ask if you could come in and do papier mache together?
And she said "Yes"?

Never mind that her parents read The Guardian, what do you read? Bonkers Anonymous?

The random thing is working out well. I can see the difference between the random childcare options and the professional nannies, which is £2/hour and the professional nannies come into your house, with lots of charges, make dinner for them from random things from your fridge, do their washing up, and disappear again, with little impact on you. I'm pretty sure the teenagers couldn't do that.

Still, DS1 got some interesting descriptions of what happens in the Gladiator film.

x post, that explains it a little more!

No no. It's not as random as it sounds. She lives next door to a friend of mine. My friend said 'oh, they have four teenagers, any of them is good for babysitting'. It was one of their kids.

I didn't do any papier mache, I lay still and recovered, or tried to.

The boys really do love the teenagers. I'm not sure how pretty they are is a factor, but I suspect it might be. Well, they did get dumped on the boyfriend of one of them, last week, and they liked him, too, so who knows.

aah i see now. I havent made papier mache for agees. I think ill add it to list of things to do with mindees next week. Can you remind me how to make the glue again please.

Is Bonkers Anonymous some sort of conception group? It sounds like something on here, tbh ...

The teenagers are pretty random. I've not interviewed any of them. And twice now, I've sent girls I've not met to collect my children from childcare. Seems to be working out fine, though.

Here are some recipes. I used the flour one, figuring that way it was definately non-toxic. I went for something between the thin glue and thick.

Papier mache on top of a balloon, then you have a head, they can decorate, you can stick on hair etc.

thanks

Did they use the Family section with the Living With Teenagers column?

"ooh, look it says fuck here..."

No, it was the Guide. DS1 started reading it ... 'oooh, Mum, there's a new Tate Modern!'.

Apparently there's a tv show called The New Tate Modern.

But I think DS1 is still expecting me to find, and take him to, a new Tate Modern.

The funny thing is, because I'm forrin, I probably could knock on random doors and convince British people that today is a v important Canadian festival, and we must do papier mache with our neighbours to symbolise our unity as a community, you know, against the bears and moose and wolves. And I am feeling homesick, and need to do this festival today ....

We have random teenagers in this area aswell - it makes for playing out for the younger dc much easier, as the random teenagers keep a teenagerary eye out and play to.

dc like having teenagers to aspire teenagers like dc to look up to them so it works well everyone happy

Yeah, I like them knowing local kids. I am happy to use local teenagers, and my kids like the teenagers.

DS1 does have a strange interest in whether they're 'fit', but I've not got a very good idea from him about where he's going with that.

I'm still working out the details of the Canadian National Holiday of Papier Mache and Bears ...

I will post my dd1 to anyone who would like a week of randomness...she is pretty fit and designs obstacle courses for small children using flowerpots and things.

She would keep my two very busy, no doubt.

Actually, there should be an MN "borrow a teenager for the holidays" program. We're in London. We have a spare bedroom. My boys are 6 and 3, and like teenagers.

I could do a package with dd1 and ds who can play soccer etc. He can read the Guardian if necessary, and knows all the teenager words. only dd2 to offload now.

Sounds like a deal. We do actually have two spare bedrooms. Do you use Fedex, or Parcelforce for shipping?

DHL - day and a half late - and they will use the shower a lot.