OR 2022 - We are no longer rejects. We are parents of fabulous offspring who will do wonderful things

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

Wonderful tongue in cheek title thread by he words of @ eightytwenty.

Soooooo our thread started out back in March 2022 when our dc were Oxbridge wannabes. After thousands of posts by their nervous Mums, nail biting, discussing applications, grades, will they get to interview won't they, debates such as private vrs state, the Scottish system, then some got rejected and some had interviews and entrance assessments then much more nail biting and eating and drinking a lot and a loooong wait over Xmas 2021 the remainders were then rejected. Then more nail biting for offers to come in from the competitive Unis they had applied to with some ending up with only one or two options - our Covid Kids had it tough.

Finally May came and their actual A-levels then the brutal wait for results. I don't think I can recall any of our DC not getting their first choice?

Lots of DC off to top Unis and achieving the best grades in the land. My DD is off to Bath to do Politics and IR and I am incredibly proud of her, she is a grafter not naturally super clever but loves to learn and god I am going to miss her but she is ready and so I happy for her 😥

So please carry on our lovely supportive thread so we can see where their journeys take them.

TWAT x

[doubleshotcappuccino]

Thank you so much kind hearts .. .. got some messages which was lovely.. ok they were mainly about " how does this work etc" .. but I don't mind - any comms are a win....
Can't believe we've come from applications to dropping them off .. keep the updates coming !

[Stockpot]

I’m glad your DD is off to a good start. I send about 4 messages for everyone my DD sends. I can’t help it!
Its been up and down for DD in the first two weeks. I think it will all calm down when the work begins in earnest.

[doubleshotcappuccino]

@Stockpot you're so right .. I think once they've found their feet and the newness of it all subsides I will start to feel a bit normal..

[ladygrinningsoul]

For Bath parents I found this about laundry: www.bath.ac.uk/guides/using-the-laundry/
And this: www.circuit.co.uk/how-to-guides/how-to-wash-your-laundry/ TLDR: it's an app and they get credit when they sign up with their Bath email. Machines take powder or tablets and no fabric conditioner.

[278Newnames]

Thanks @ladygrinningsoul
£28 credit seems generous!

[Volterra]

Thanks @ladygrinningsoul , have sent to DS. He’s been doing his own washing recently which has been good. Going to get bus pass sorted as has to be in his department at 9.15am next Monday which I think is good as will help those who might not be clicking with flatmates meet some more people. He’s also registering with GP as will need blood tests as soon as possible. Very chatty last night which was lovely.

[MillicentFaucet]

Thanks for the link @ladygrinningsoul DS is in Quads and we didn't realise laundry was free so that's a nice bonus. I imagine he'll still have to use the app to get the machines to work etc.
The pile of 'stuff' on the spare bed is enormous now, I may need to put the top-box on our already spacious estate car 😁
DS is spending most of this week zipping around Durham & Newcastle to visit friends, he also decided at the last minute to buy a new laptop before going down so I'm anxiously chasing up the person building it & hoping it arrives before Friday as we'll be setting off at 7am next day.
I'm going to miss him so much; nobody else will watch Portillo's railway programmes with me!

[ladygrinningsoul]

Our pile of stuff has taken over the living room. I haven't quite reached the state of flat panic yet but probably will do soon. DS alternating between chilled and anxious.

[278Newnames]

Our pile of stuff is fairly non existant! There is the pile of kitchen stuff in the spare bedroom but DS hasn’t considered packing yet. I keep suggesting we start soon. Move in on Saturday morning.

I told him about the laundry app, he was stunned that a wash cost £2.80, I told him I thought that was pretty cheap. He has been doing his own washing for a few years now so is perfectly capable but I hope he’ll soon realise that many things can be worn for more than a few hours before needing washing.

DS has not been too proactive. Finally did library card photo today but still hasn’t got a list of halls payment dates and amounts. I know when he registered I told him to pick card payments rather than DD but I’m sure w have to pay this week. He claims not to know how much. (Unfortunately he registered on his phone while we were in an airport taxi on holiday so didn’t write anything down). I said he’d have to email accommodation if he can’t find it.

His gf sent him his induction week timetable to save him looking for it himself. I want to shake him but am so grateful for his gf being on the ball and for this thread so we can see what others are doing.

[Volterra]

I know that feeling @278Newnames but To be fair to the last couple of days DS has started pulling his finger out. When he started college during covid they asked for freshly washed clothes daily so he has very much been of the wear it for a few hours type so we have also had the conversation that jeans and hoodies can be worn twice.

We need a pile, I suggested using his sister’s bedroom as don’t think she is back before Sunday. Conversation with a friend made me realise he’ll need a decent kitchen knife so ordered that.

[Eightytwenty]

How have the freshers got on this week? Hope they’re having a blast and that you lot are adjusting to smaller loads of washing and cooking. I’m appreciating being able to cook for 4.

Who is dropping kids this weekend?

[Stockpot]

I’m struggling to cope with meals for three. Everything seems to come in even numbers. DH will gain a lot of weight polishing off the extras!

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

Hi all sorry been AWOL. Hope all of those who are already there are settling in well in their new homes. @Eightytwenty I went food shopping on Wednesday and meal plan for the week it felt very strange to think DD will not be there!

Drop off for us tomorrow afternoon slot. The house looks like a bomb has gone off and god knows how I am going to fit all off it in my Mini....she is on 4th floor too so will have to drag it all up, tomorrow is going to be a long day 😂It was her 19th yesterday, had a lovely day together and for the first time I did have a little cry about her going, I am fine about it and happy for her but it will be an adjustment.

@Geamhradh Hope your journey was ok DD said you were on your way she is very much looking forward to meeting up with your DD over the weekend.

I thought I was slightly over protective about DD but now I have been on WIWIKAU I realise I am absolutely fine!!

Good luck to all of those moving in over the weekend, I shall report back

[doubleshotcappuccino]

Good luck to those of you dropping in this week .. Dd has been in for nearly a week now .. she's fine .. I'm trying very hard to keep busy but it there are waves and wobbles .. just make sure she doesn't know about them .. I don't know who suggested going into their room as soon as you can but I did it -thank you ! Had a little cry but was good to get in there .. and started cleaning up and when I found a few coffee cups that were missing in action the tears soon dried up ! Routine and meal times are hard .. hoping the pangs ease away soon .. I'm busy and that helps and I will pack the weekend in too xx

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

@doubleshotcappuccino Glad to hear she is ok and you are too. Interesting about her room as DD room needs a repaint now a lot of her posters are down it looks sad and shabby so I will get stuck into that. I am taking DS to visit her October half term so not that long away. She is excited to get stuck back into working too I think she has really missed studying over the summer, was looking at optional modules yesterday which look interesting. Glad I have DS with me for another year he is a lovely lad, although in his room much more than DD, but is great company when I can prise him out 😆

[Volterra]

@doubleshotcappuccino , I’m glad she is fine and you are coping. That might have been me who suggested going in their room as soon as you can, it helped me when my eldest went - Well done for not letting her know. It will get easier and most likely in time you’ll really look forward to her coming home and then look forward to her going again if you are like me and my friends ! DS is upstairs in this house and I am downstairs and I haven’t been in his room for ages so must go in soon before he goes then straight after.

Good luck with drop offs this weekend . DS is Sunday and DH taking him. His phone died yesterday so very glad it did that now and not as he arrived. He has had a message from his personal tutor with a link to his website and he seems great so pleased about that. Debating whether to get the Bath bus pass or the one that covers a wider area and have got a railcard through Tesco Clubcard.

I have told him that I will need to hear from him a bit at the start and after that will want a quick chat about once a week and can’t do the catch up when he comes home as he used to do when boarding now that he isn’t home at weekends any more as Christmas too long a time to speak to him next ! DD was going to her partner’s family for Christmas but flight costs very high so not going which is a shame as would have been a lovely opportunity for her but selfishly I am excited she is coming home as first Christmas since losing Dad and first Christmas in our new home. We completed on our old house yesterday which was exciting as now less of a disaster when our car we got when DS was in nursery inevitably fails MOT next month !

[Eightytwenty]

@doubleshotcappuccino am sure the wobble waves will come less frequently over time but for now be kind.

@Volterra communication frequency seems reasonable. We’re getting daily WhatsApp messages which is helping. We’ve always communicated quite a lot like that so if doesn’t feel much different. He face times a few times a week too. Know we’re lucky to have regular contact. It definitely helps. Congratulations on the house move too.

@twat and @Geamhradh hope Bath is amazing for your two.

[Geamhradh]

Morning all
Greetings from hotel room at Stansted. Off to Bath later this morning (well, our journey begins this morning but we have to change stations in London with 4 suitcases, 2 x10kg bags etc gah!)
Dd is fine, spending lots of time chatting to various groups she's in already.
The logistics of Sunday are going to be fun- I need to get a taxi booked- will try and do that today.
On the train, DD has to write a thank you speech as we found out she has won the "best in school" prize from the local Rotary- too funny- I kept getting these calls from an unknown number and thought "fecking hoover sellers" (door to door and ringing you up hoover sellers for some reason are very common in Italy) Then school rang to say 'does she want this prize or what" The prize is, unfortunately a leadership course next week! Hey ho. It's the thought that counts.

Good to hear everyone who's already in is settling down.

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango happy birthday for yesterday for DD. I think I will leave WIWIKAU soon. DD has already said, "mum, just leave it"

[Volterra]

That sounds logistically challenging @Geamhradh but great you are here . How lovely DD won the prize, I would have thought the same as you with the phone calls ! DS is another Sunday drop off.

[Geamhradh]

@Volterra

That sounds logistically challenging @Geamhradh but great you are here . How lovely DD won the prize, I would have thought the same as you with the phone calls ! DS is another Sunday drop off.

Do you think we should all have some secret sign as we wander round Bath this weekend? Roll our trouser legs up? We've already said we'll be looking out for young adult + parent combos in the hotel in Bath.

Every time I think our logistics are the road to hell, I think of some of the kids DD has been talking to- an Italian boy travelling on his own via coach (me to DD "tell him we'll meet him, he can come with us, his poor mother! She'll be beside herself!" DD " feck off, he'll think we're nutters" )etc etc. Or the lad who arrived yesterday and got the train to IKEA in Bristol where they've sold out of bedding!

[Volterra]

I sadly can’t go as need to stay with dog and my joints have flared up 😒
DH taking DS, DS not on campus though. Your DD is making me laugh @Geamhradh , DS would say similar ! That poor lad getting the train to Bristol for Ikea and finding no bedding. I think a decent sized Sainsbury’s is a good bet for things that have been forgotten etc.

[doubleshotcappuccino]

Ahh thank you @Volterra ! Great suggestion and I'm making sure I'm popping back into the room .. hoping you're feeling ok and the pain is manageable.. I think you're right @Eightytwenty wobbles and eaves will subside and like you @TangoWhiskyAlphaTango I've also get to get my head focused on next year .. twins with GCSEs should keep me busy .. well done to your DD @Geamhradh .. and good luck with the journey to Uni .. hope the trains and people are kind ..

[MrsGethinJones]

Hi everyone - please could i join the thread? I cant believe I have just found this!

My daughter is off to Bath this afternoon, we have arrived early so we are hanging around for 1pm drop off. She will be in Quads.

How nerve wracking for us parents but what an adventure they have before them 😊

[Volterra]

Welcome @MrsGethinJones , there are a few of us with DC off to Bath. Good luck !

[Puffalicious]

So lovely to hear all your arrival and drop off stories. Good luck everyone.

DS's first week of lectures and the work is intense already. This week's discoveries are how expensive books are (his little face was a picture, especially the hard-back one which was specified 🤣)and how good the city bike scheme is - where he can jump on a hire bike outside a club at 3am rather than walking or paying a taxi (buses few during the week at that time). He's so funny.

I hope they all love fresher's/ their next week.