Due April 2009 - Episode 14: Fanjo Warriors attempt to be "clean" during this thread?? NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!!!

[PuzzleRocks]

And so it continues...

Mar
29 Mar : WhatFreshHell, DS 2.4 born on Easter Sunday
30 Mar : BabyBolat: 1st timer

Apr
01 Apr : Rachelinscotland: DD 3 years, and DS 2 years in March
01 Apr : Chickenbalti: DS 4 years DD 17 months
02 Apr : BoffinMum: BOY! dd(21) ds(10) ds(7)
02 Apr : MathsMummy27: GIRL! DD 3 years
03 Apr : skiingone: DC1
03 Apr : purlease: 1 m/c, 1 DD 3 years
03 Apr : Kalikaroo: SURPRISE! (28), 1st timer, lives in Scandinavia (but too shy to say where!)
04 Apr : Bleuravin
04 Apr : Bumpalump
04 Apr : babypringle: 1 DS 2yrs 1 month
06 Apr : ToastnHoney: first timer
06 Apr : Mummyontherun: DD 22 months
07 Apr : Picklelala
08 Apr : LuLuBai: 1 DD born 02 Apr 07
09 Apr : Oddeyes (30): GIRL! DS 17 mths, 1 mc. London
09 Apr : Barbarella: 1st timer, TRIPLETS
10 Apr : hopeful1
11 Apr : mrsfossil: 1 DS 6.5
11 Apr : Bubbaluv: 1 DS 1yo
11 Apr : SpringySunshine: BOY! 1st timer.
12 Apr : Brettgirl, 1st timer
12 Apr : Mumblemumhome4lunch (37, Swindon): DS will be 4 on 11th April, DD 2yrs and 1month
13 Apr : Dungungirl(30): BOY! 1 m/c, DS 4 years
14 Apr : AuldAlliance: DS3.8 BOY!
15 Apr : claireykitten: GIRL! DS 12 months
15 Apr : electra
15 Apr : Sarahmum: DS 10yrs
16 Apr : tristaleejac(25): 1 ds, 3 years
17 Apr : Surprisenumber3(32): DS1 9 DSS 9 DS2 5 GIRL!
18 Apr : gingersarah: 1st baby
18 Apr : salbysea: (28) 1st timer
19 Apr : Kittycatisgettingfat (29) 1st timer
21 Apr : B52s: DS will be 2 and a quarter
21 Apr : Staryeyed
21 Apr : Schulte
22 Apr : PuzzleRocks: DD 21mths GIRL!
22 Apr : soon2befamilyof4 DD 13 months.
24 Apr : conkertree (27): DS 17 months
24 Apr : Bronze (Gawain) - 4th DC
24 Apr : Frekkles
25 Apr : Swaliswan: DD 17 months
27 Apr : Bicnod
27 Apr : Carameli
27 Apr : ilovesummer 3rd dc
27 Apr : purplemonkeydishwasher DS 3yo
30 Apr : Nutty Taff (27) DD nearly 5 GIRL!

It might work out in your favour. Report back on what they say!

Now for the subtle empowering bit. A good additional sideways strategy to ensure access to good finance and resources on your own terms is to raise your profile institutionally at the same time, by identifying a senior, relatively powerful man or woman and making sure you obviously cross their path now and then. (S)he will basically end up more or less mentoring you without even realising. Ways of doing this:

*Being elected student rep on the Uni Council
*Helping with a large scale equal opps strategy
*Helping with widening participation initiatives
*Student Union involvement
*Being on telly or radio talking up the university somehow and alerting the Registrary to this
*Doing some research in conjunction with the SU on provision for miority groups at the university and sending off a copy to the powers that be

You will find doors opening you never thought possible.

Oh Boffin you strategist!

I was thinking about possibly finding out about how many student parents there are (there must be some - there's a whole nursery!) & seeing if it's worthwhile starting a sort of coffee morning through the union or something similar, just for the sake of socialising. Do you think that's the kind of thing that'd be useful?

LuLu - I think we're beginning to see how Boff's become so successful!

I think that's an excellent idea Springy. I'm sure you will find there are a few others around but probably been keeping a lowish profile. Beneficial in lots of ways - very helpful to get to know others in a similar situation as well as raising your profile in the uni. Have you thought of writing a column about life as a student parent for your student newspaper?

I hadn't thought about that, actually, but it is a very good idea. I was beginning to worry about what I'm going to ever put on my CV if I can't do any of the travelling abroad things, etc., but things like the newspaper would really help pad it out a bit without being too much of a big commitment.

You write very well and I think it would actually be a good read for other students. Not to mention good for CV and tactical raising of profile at uni. You may also find that other student mothers get in touch that way, so could help you set up your group.

Now I wonder who set this up??

Well, would you ever look at that? Family Society has media coverage??

Oh Boffin, you whirlwind, you.

Ah Boffin

Goodness me here it is again

Can I just say, Springy, if you are going to expose your university, it is more tactful not to get it publicly criticised in the media.

Springy, your plan is almost exactly what I did, although I had DD just as I was sitting my finals (I deferred for a few months). BY the time I did the PGCE 'on the job' and got settled I then got PG pretty much as soon as I could and hey presto! Studying with a littlun is hard but I found it a blessed release, after about the six month mark when I knew I cold put her to bed at night and have a few uninterrupted hours of adult time. Lots of good advice from Boff as always.

Shall we add our names to the list, those of us who have chosen already? I announced mine the other night, in case you missed it...

drum roll please...

Amelia Charlotte

I'll bear that in mind, Boffin

Amelia Charlotte's a lovely name - very pretty & classic-sounding.

We've still not decided on a middle name for George, yet. DH really likes Robert, which I do like, but it doesn't feel right to me. & his initials would practically spell GERM

I can't think of anything better, though.

And MathsMummy is a very respected and accomplished professional, I happen to know. It can be done.

LOL Boff. If you only knew!

My MIL has just been over to make me pancakes. Sometimes she is great

Ah well I had a polite little stalk you see.

Lol lol lol at GERM... that'll make him LOADS of friends at school!!!

What do people think of the initials GAF? Is it asking for trouble or OK?

Springy - Didn't want you to think I was ignoring your posts but you are awash with sound advice and I have none so will just say that if any can juggle a baby with studying it is you.

Kitty - Nothing wrong with GAF. What about HEG?

Maths - Beautiful choice of name.

Maths - Amelia Charlotte is lovely. Congrats on deciding.

We're not quite there yet. We're reasonably OK with our girls name choice but our boys list keeps changing with the tides. I think I will reserve final decision until I actually get a look at the wee one.

Our girl's initials are not great - SEC. But could be worse (SIC, SAC, SUC, SOC for example!). Am a little bit stuck with the E for the girl's middle name. It keeps cropping up on DHs boys list so I have conceded that he can have it as a girl's middle name in an effort to try and ensure it never gets used for a boy.

DDs initials are PIC. Again I let DH choose the middle name. I just pray that she never falls in love with a Mr Green.

Hello all,

sorry, meant to come in and converse properly but have come down with stomach bug from hell. Off to bed as soon as DS is down

see you when I feel better!

x

Wishing you better soon WhatFreshHell.

Take care FreshHell.

Wow, i'm slow, it took me a while to work out what you meant Lulu. If my HEG marries a Mr. Nolan, our girls could be farmyard friends.