Another path- the first year ......

[chopc]

Apologies if I didn't tag anyone. Hopefully have inckueded all current posters

Chopc - Durham-History
@jano69 -Durham -History
@OnTheBenchOfDoom -Durham - Computer science
@Majaso12 -Imperial - Biochemistry
@bendmeoverbackwards -Bristol- History
@Pumpkintopf -Imperial -Physics
@ChimneyPot -Brown (US) - Open
@Stillcrikey -Bristol -MML
@Tenpastseven - Bristol -modern languages
@Longtimenewsee - Durham - Chemistry
@MidLifeCrisis007 - Durham -History
@BigWoollyJumpers - Exeter- History
@SeasonFinale -Bristol- History
@Notagardener LSE
@Revengeofthepangolins UCL - History
@raspberryrippleicecream ? -Maths
@derekthe1adyhamster Birmingham- Computer Science
@Vargas -Durham -Geography
@AvocadoPlant Exeter -History

Sorry to read about injuries and illness again on here. We have all managed to avoid Covid so far although Dh is out tonight on a leaving do so you never know I could be back next week with tales of him having it.

I mentioned the reapplying for finance to Ds having read it on here, he said they were sent an email in January which says if you are continuing your course you will need to reapply but it also says "we'll contact you when it is time to reapply". It says applications are expected to open in March 2022.

Can you believe they are almost half way through their first year? Where the hell has that gone? Feel like Ds2 is hurtling toward the end of secondary school too. We are knee deep in yr11 mock revision, I am just the flash card reader and supplier of snacks.

@onthebenchofdoom so you're not the head of Coop then?

@SeasonFinale am I being really dense here? Do you mean other children are given or are expected to be served a whole myriad of foods not just snacks whilst revising? I just try to stave off the hangry setting on teens in my house so feed them often. Ds1 is actually much worse than Ds2 with hanger, more tetchy than actual anger though. Every time I think of snacks though I always think about the finger of fudge advert burned into my brain "just enough to give your kids a treat," yes if they are 6, not when a teen. Now I want a fudge bar. Damn it.

Ahh I have just seen the headline via MN. I can't take a break from anything, I don't work, shitty disability and all that jazz. I am not a teacher and nowhere near qualified to help with exams except motivation, feeding and testing.

I don't watch a lot of news or read the newspaper, I am a BBC news first thing in the morning person. If anything massive happens, Dh texts me a link!

I'm confused- what are you two on about?

Ds's gf tested positive for covid last week. He sounds quite jealous of the apparently free £25 deliveroo vouchers she's been getting since isolating. Luckily she's been released in time for
Valentine's Day which given the thought he's put into it (most unlike him) is just as well.

It took me a while too @Pumpkintopf. It’s about the Coop boss woman who has taken 4 months break out of her job to get her Dc through exams.
Your Ds’s valentines effort sounds v sweet .

Glad someone else asked @Pumpkintopf 🙈. Very romantic for a young man - does he get it from your DH?

I was finishing work anyway but I did finish a month earlier so I can support DS through his GCSE's - not by helping with work but by feeding him and actually taking him in for study groups and exams ....... now I feel guilty about not going same for DS2

Ah! I see!! Thank you 

Co-op boss Jo Whitfield takes break to help teenage sons with exams https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60328314

• when DS did his GCSEs I didn't take time off as such but as I work pt I did schedule my days so I could take him in and out of exams, and generally feed and look after him. Neither DS nor DD sat exams last year obviously (that would've been a fun year for us - dodged a bullet there!) but I expect to support DD in a similar way when she has to sit her A levels. Basically organising their lives so they have no stress and nothing to worry about except the obvious stress of studying for exams, and catering (literally) to their every whim, within reason - like a short order cook.

@chopc I wish. No

Well dc2 first in the family to test pos. JUst as we were planning tovisit her during midterm, and as she was planning to travel abroad the week after....

@Notagardener oh no what bad timing. I hope she's ok.

Morning folks!

@Notagardener how's your DD?

Hope everyone had lovely Valentine's Days. Ours was non eventful with ready meals as the new kitchen is being fitted today. Very exciting!

Ds's London Valentine's was great apparently. He's set the bar high - London Eye, cocktails at the Skygarden then dinner. Love that he's loving being in London though, really feels like he's making the most of being there.

Sounds very romantic @Pumpkintopf . Student life in London has certainly moved on from my time there!

Does anyone have DC in Bath? We came to explore the beautiful city with the two teens left at home. Visited the Royal Baths and Jane Austen Centre then on to Stonehenge on the way to my mum's place. Couldn't handle the weather as I realised my neither my walking shoes nor gloves were waterproof!

@chopc DD worked at Bath uni in her gap year, it’s less than 10 miles from us. Bath is a great city, very compact. I think DD likes that Exeter feels about the came size.

Sorry to hear about your Dd @Notagardener. How is she feeling now?

@Pumpkintopf.. wow your Ds sounds like he’s loving all that London can offer.. good on him.

We are visiting Dd next weekend .. cannot wait!

Just been visiting our 2 DC in London. Dc2 is feeling ok on day 5. Just hope she tests neg before travelling to usa next week.
Went sightseeing with dc1 which was nice as he doesn't visit us much at home. Seems too busy socialising, part-time job, course work

@chopc. I have a DS doing a masters at Bath uni and I know Bath really well, although never been to Jane Austen Centre or Stonehenge!

@Pumpkintopf. Your DS sounds very romantic. DD got taken out to a restaurant and presents bought for her from her BF. Did your DS meet his girlfriend at Imperial?

Valentine's fairly non existent here. DH tested positive so I've been keeping my distance! DS is still isolating at uni - had a negative on Day 5 then positives again on 6 and 7. His GF was meant to be going to stay for a week this week! He is staying quite upbeat really! No lectures to occupy him this week either (his uni record and he watches after) due to the strikes.

O dear raspberry. Cross fingers

Hi @Majaso12 yes he did. She came to visit over Christmas then shortly afterwards it became 'official'

Hope everyone is keeping safe in this weather!

Had such a lovely weekend- it was my birthday last week and DS was so busy with work we didn't even manage a phone call - that was planned for Saturday afternoon. Went for lunch with DD and DH - and who turned up at our table but DS and his new girlfriend. So thrilled to see them both and they stayed til Mon night 😊

@Pumpkintopf. That’s really lovely of your ds. I can’t really imagine my dd doing that! Well I had my birthday a couple of weeks ago and didn’t see her, although we did visit her the weekend a few days before.

How's she doing @Majaso12 ? Any progress with the house hunting?

Very envious of those who have been able to see their DC this term. DS far too busy to visit us or for us to visit him - and not with academic things either

Fine I think. It was mentioned that they might not get exam results until after Easter holidays so in the Summer term, which I think is way too late and too close then to Summer exams.

She said she has been looking at accommodation online but would rather student accommodation than a house. She emailed one and didn’t get a reply so I rang and they only have 52 week contracts left now. I’m getting fed up with keep asking her! Has your ds got anything sorted?

Both my DC are abroad on holiday now, quite envious.
Dc2 hasn't as far as I know sorted anything for next year....