Class of '18 still nattering.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

forgot the old link hang on a mo...

mash

Ds1 goes next Saturday. He wanted a family outing to the cinema before he went so today we saw Christopher Robin. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. He's also been told to let us know what he wants for dinners this week. Today was a gammon roast and tomorrow chicken and gammon pie. I will be surprised if he cooks either of those when he's gone. Well done to all those who took them this weekend, it's good to know they're doing OK.

Well between brothers starting their new schools and a weekend full of sport (morning AND afternoon now DS2 is older) lovely DS saw himself out and went off to uni alone. So the list of forgotten things is probably longer than the one of things that actually arrived. He video messengered DS3 and I so we've looked round his room and kitchen (with amazing views) and lo it is done, he has gone. I can honestly say if anyone else had told me they felt so heartbroken I would have done an inward FFS and eyeroll and given them a kind small smile. I'm actually embarrassed for myself . But so excited for him, what an adventure, quite literally if you read some of the course details, they actually go off on adventures and peer grade each other on how useful they each were trekking across mountains with OS maps and a compass! The best bit is he couldn't fit his bike in the car and has forgotten so much I get to go and visit really soon, I'd love to pretend it's because we have such a close bond but I know that honour goes to the bike. Can't believe we got to this point, I'd never have believed it 7 years ago but here we are, an actual university student son.

Now to spend the next 2 years bugging OYBBK about DS2's further maths.

We are going on Wednesday to take the stuff she has forgotten.

pleased

Oh and took sone stuff to the horse's new home today and the bastard whinnied at me.

Thanks for new thread OYBBK
Just a quick update. Ds in Lincoln now, poor city over run with students and parents took us 45 minutes to get into Lincoln, usually takes 15.
No trips to A and E, but hus courts had a fire alarm right in middle of every one unloading. Lots of confused syudents and parents. False alarm, stood outside for 30 mins.
He is now registered for GP, and with the University, got his freshers armband.
Platinium card on his Uni ID card.
Welcome box in each room. Tea biscuits pack of cards and numerous offers.
Met all flatmates, all seem nice.
Ds arranged over messanger for 5 flatmates and him to do pre drinks tonight.
2200 to 0300 Welcome party with Radio 1 Scott Mills and friends.
Freshérs fayre starts 1000 in morning.
Meeting course leaders meeting 1415.
When I left at 1800 he was happy. Nerves over come.
We see him Saturday he will be home for Ds2 birthday.
Good luck to all those still waiting, hope a every DC already there has a brilliant year.

Big win there Ursula. I actually booked myself in to work a couple of weeks ago so I couldn't go so soon. Idiot

DS doesn't like going out to parties and isn't very good at being forward so I think his first course meeting on Tuesday will be when he properly meets people. He'd run a mile from a welcome party with Scott Mills, such a shame I can't share the burden for him .

Ursula oh, that makes me sad about the horse, but I'm sure his new owners will love him very much; he sounds very sympathetic and sociable no doubt?

MrSlant and 2Boys - at least you'll be seeing your boys very soon.
MrSlant it sounds so grownup that he has driven himself there, and of course that means he can drive back too, whenever he wants! (I presume it was a car he went in)

Kitten - thanks for new thread.
Downey - am on my way to the airport now and pouring with rain, but hopefully no delay due to typhoon in the south.
Have left my 12 year old daughter in charge at home and she was busy writing a weekly meal plan last night. I fly to London today and then coach to Coventry tomorrow where ds is picking me up - role reversal!
Shopping this week with ds, settle him into halls this weekend and then am flying to Poland on 24th. Back to UK at the beginning of October, check ds is okay and then back to China on 5th.

Hi. Found you all

We went out for afternoon tea with DDs yesterday as it is DD1's birthday on Tuesday. Can't quite believe she is 19. She cried at the Photobook and personal necklace I bought her. Think we are all a bit emotional at the moment.

Did her vacuum bags yesterday and packed a few more bits. She is off on Friday but I am out of action from Wednesday so trying to get it all sorted today so we can enjoy her birthday tomorrow.

Good luck for the week ahead marmite. Sending positive healing and speedy recovery thoughts your way.

Good luck marmite hope everything goes well, for both you and your DD.

Will be thinking of you on the 19th marmite. I remember the date as it's my late mum's birthday and the day they dropped me at college many many moons ago. I was so trendy in my loons, checked shirt and a blueish tweed hacking jacket.

Scott Mills has obviously cornered that market! I know of at least one other uni he's been at this year.

Marmite will be thinking of you.

Sympathies @LoniceraJaponica both for your DD and for you.

This is such a tricky situation. People around her are moving on and this is the first time in her life that there isnt an automatic 'and the next thing is.....'

My apologies, you have probably written this many times, what subject area is she looking at?

I'm here.

Still looking for other ideas for DD to fill her time. She is now regretting taking a gap year.
So far she has applied for retail jobs and volunteering in the local hospital. She is limited by where she can get to on public transport, which isn't great where we live) as she doesn't drive.

Thanks all! Had DD2 in floods of tears on the way to school. Feeling a bit jittery today. Just want it done now. I do appreciate you lot btw!

Lonicera that is really tough for your DD. Really hope she finds something soon!!

Are there any care jobs or volunteering opportunities, such as with the elderly, children or vulnerable adults? Could she learn to drive?

Best of luck for tomorrow marmite
It’s dds birthday and mine Friday
loni
I saw on the previous thread about camp America? Dd plans to do camp America next year. Has she tried maybe admin work in a hospital? Or an internship?

It was dds last day at work yesterday and sadly it didn’t end well...
Dd had posted in a group a while ago about advice for work place bullying some person had screenshot this and sent to her work. In her ‘exit’ interview it was brought up. Dd told the new manager everything and it appears serveral things have gone against company and law policies. Dd was hoping in case she needed the money to go back as casual staff in the holidays but I think confessing about how she really felt has ended that one. I didn’t want her to go back but now she’s worried she will be given a bad reference. I’ve told her not to worry but she’s stressing. I really hope i never see the manager myself because she behaves like a teenager and she’s my age but how she has treat dd has been awful and told her she would never get to university etc.
I have friends that have worked there and I left for similar reasons to my dd the management in there think their a cut above everyone else.
In better news it’s dds final week at home

Lonicera - other ideas which are fun rather than just work work work would be Tall Ships, Learning to Cook (which can be commercially useful as in Chalet girling, once you have a chalet certificate) training as a lifeguard or swimming instructor. All require some cash input but might be very lucrative after that?
Personally I would have used this time for ds to do some training in a related but more specific field, as when you are still in Year 14 you get funding of sorts. She could have a part-time job as well but just a job at that stage might feel very flat if everyone else is away going to parties -not studying

Lonicera just read your other thread post about dd, and I do understand what you mean..ds would not really do half the things I suggested, certainly Camp America would be utterly beyond him. However, I am convinced that being in a slightly more residential situation would have suited him or some sort of training (I wanted him to do a Musical Theatre foundation locally, that would have kept him busy and provided social life) which was aimed at gap year student ages. Ds cannot cook to save his life so that would have been my first choice of training.
The thing is, she doesn't have to do anything useful for her degree, she just has do something life enhancing, that she might not get the time to ever do again, because when you leave with debt it is difficult to do something with the interest ticking away at the back of your mind.
Travelwise, again ds would never have gone off by himself interrailing, but the term isn't that long and you can make arrangements to meet others who are back at Christmas or over the summer and then tailor things round that.
Ds2 who lacks confidence socially just started mentoring in school, the Gsce students specifically but also year 7s'. Okay he is still on school roll, but what about volunteering in her old school just for a short period, they might welcome it, and also tell her exactly what they wanted her do so not so frightening to organise.

First of all Marmite I hope everything goes well for you. DD's current issues will be resolved at some point and I feel guilty for having a whinge about DD's issues.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

LIZS DD currently volunteers with Brownies, and did a 3 month stint in a care home last year (which she really did not enjoy at all). She has just completed an application form to volunteer at the local hospital. She is going to learn to drive, albeit reluctantly I'm afraid.

Fantasy I mentioned Camp America and DD is absolutely not interested at all. I'm so sorry your DD had a rubbish time at work. I really hope she has a lovely new start at university and can leave all these shitty people behind.

Netteleskeins DD is a very good cook, and hates being on a boat in deep water so Tall Ships is out. The swimming instructor/lifeguard is out. DD can swim but isn't good enough for either. Nor does she have the confidence or skills to teach.

The mentoring at her old school is an excellent idea, and one that I have already suggested.

@LoniceraJaponica

Is this of any use:

www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/volunteer

Thank you Gnome. I have had a look at the vounteer positions and they are nearly all out of date. I appreciate everyone's suggestions though.

have had text from son at last...very short and cheerful to say things are going well but absolutely no detail Also bizarrely he wanted to check I knew his address. For heavens sake...but putting two and two together maybe that is code for..."I want a postcard" so I can open my mail locker and find something in there.

Chin high still in crapola. It is making me very despondent, but I need to just keep tidying and sorting and eventually I will get there. Mountain of things that need dry cleaning/dropping off at charity shops Walking back wards and forwards is exhausting me and the garden is now a sad sight piled high with rubbish.

marmite wishing you every best wish to get through this overwhelming week, one step at a time.