Aw did you? I really really miss Guildford I try and go back as all my friends are there or in the London vicinity. Dont really know anyone at all in Wiltshire except DH's friends so its sort of by proxy really. I have my place still open at Surrey for this coming September but think i am going to have to transfer to Bath because the commute ( DH and I did it for over a year, twice during the week and weekends as we couldnt bear to be apart but i needed to finish my year ) is going to be too much with an 8 month old. Surrey is a fab uni though and after my divorce it was just what i needed in terms of a new start and self confidence.
I dont know about doing the CPE straight after my degree either as its pretty hard work by all accounts i am just glad that i can do it if and when i want to plus DH is very supportive of my studying (he was just finishing his CIMA qualifications for accountancy when we met) so i know i will get plenty of help with little one.
Can totally sympathise with you about your DD as my 11 year old is probably older than her years because of having older sisters and she drives me bloody nuts, i seriously dont ever take her to hospital appts because am absolutely convinced that i would be admitted due to my BP being sky high - she really is an arguementative pain in the arse too and like you i sometimes feel really sorry for DH who is her stepdad as he has the patience of a saint but even he is tested to the limit sometimes. My other two have their moments but i think on the whole i am darn lucky - my eldest gets on really well with DD3 ( there is a photo of them on my profile together - the terrible two!) but DD2 and DD3 fight like bloody cat and dog sometimes it literally drives me to tears. Dont worry it is a phase, just wish i could tell you how long it lasts thats all as its hard work sometimes!
Thats a really good idea about the work experience thing as it will give him some realistic expectations in terms of how boring it can sometimes be and also how interesting of course There are some great opportunities out there. Lol dont worry about boasting about his acheivements, i would too! DD1 is clever enough she just wasnt very focussed for her maths GCSE and she has always struggled with maths ( as have i - i needed to do mine to get into uni ) but she is on track for a C this year which is great as it will restore her self confidence and this time there wont be anymore six in the morning commutes for two hours for 40 min exams! We were in uni accomidation when DH and i met and we only had till the end of my year not hers to move out of the house as they wanted it for students so we had to move in with DH here in Wiltshire a couple of months before she finished her exams and i feel bad about that for her as i think it was hard on her.