The babysteppers Chat thread

[BlackCatTryingToFly]

Please come in for tea and biscuits or and chat.

< puts kettle on >

< makes sofa comfy >

Scout Are they rescheduling them for another day or have they gone completely?

How big is your town? Can you hunt around for other groups? These groups are a godsend when your dh is away long hours and you need to break up the day and get some adult company and let your dc run around in a reasonably open space.

I have been tackling some photos too, watching a dvd and chatting to dh.

We are a bit concerned about dd's behaviour today while she had a friend here. She wasn't naughty but she made such a mess and became quite demanding. I am putting it down to tiredness but have had a chat with her about it.

She and ds were in bed REALLY early and neither complained they were so ready for it.

I fear, carrots, they've been cancelled. I live in a town (30,000-ish) but most of the other activities I've come across (both within town and the surrounding villages) seem to happen either on Wednesday mornings (and I already go to a group in the village I do Guides in because I know several of the group volunteers thanks to Guides) or when we have other commitments like swimming. I really liked the Monday afternoon activity group and Toddler loved it. I'm very so will have to activity find something similar to replace it with.

I try to get out once a day whether it's a group, to the shop or for a drive. When the weather's decent we go for walks (I make up an errand I feel better when I walk with a purpose) or go to the park/playground (but regularly we're the only two there so no chance of random chat with another mum/dad/grandparent). Before becoming a SAHM I didn't know anyone in my town (other than immediate neighbors on either side) because I didn't work here and all of my extra-curriculars are in surrounding villages or in YOUT. Even now most of the people I know is through groups but it's never gone beyond that. It's very difficult to make friends in my town -- most people here were born/raised/stay here and already have their cliques. I am mostly okay about that but I wnt to make sure that Toddler has a chance to run around, be with other children, make friends when he's old enough to understand what being friends is all about, etc.

Scout have you looked on the Mumsnet bit for your area? It might come up with something.

I take it you have no way of contacting the others from the group? If you did you could all try to set up a new activity somewhere for a Monday afternoon somewhere. It's a pity you haven't had any warning.

I totally understand the need to go and do something every day. I can remember struggling with weekends when the dcs were little and dh was away. No one seemed to want to do stuff then as their dh's were around.

You will probably find it easier to make local friends when TS starts playgroup or nursery or school as you will see the same people every day. There are bound to be some who are not in little groups and who will be open to making friends.

scout, such a shame you activity has been canceled - did you have friends there? Could you get in touch with the other parents & see what they are going to do instead?

Will TS go to pre-school/nursery soon? DD1 has made lots of friends there & started getting invited to other kids birthday parties when they turned 3 Our nursery arranges trips out to local farms/zoos which gives us a chance to start to make friends with other parents too.

I think zoo mentioned the other day about having very dry hands & using neutrogena hand cream (which I use) - I started a thread about this a few weeks ago (sorry, has taken me ages to find the link) asking what the best hand cream was - I have requested Body Shop Hemp Hand cream for Mother's Day no i will not be smoking it

I am soooo slow at typing I have totally xposted with carrots and said the same thing!

oh, and totally agree about the weekends carrots - DH plays golf on saturdays, so I would be totally up for meeting up & doing stuff, but no-one ever wants to.... Actually, I am probably assuming that about alot of people, might send a msg out to facebook mumsy pals to check that is the case....

No, I hadn't really got to the stage of number exchanging with one or two of the other mums I talked to regularly at the Monday group. Toddler has his swimming buddy and her mum and I have become friends. We do "playdates" with them the park, ducks, soft play so that's nice. And it's also someone to chat with 90 minutes every week (1/2 hour before class while we're getting ready, 1/2 hour class, 1/2 changing & kids snacks after). Toddler can say her name (and she says his) and actively seek each other out.

We're thinking of HE Toddler (a lot of it has to do with where we live, but there are lots of reasons) so do a lot with the local group/s. They're a mixed age group, which is lovely, and even though TS is one of the youngest the big kids include him and the other mums include me in their activities and outtings. (I don't want to turn this into a pro/con HE debate, though, and in general don't want to with people I know in RL so tend not to bring it up. TS is only 2y 4m so we have plenty of time to discuss his education. I just look for opportunities for him to explore things, be with other kids, etc., whether it's within the community, with my extra curricular activities or wherever.)

Damn....I so wanted to be in bed by 9!

Has anyone else been watching Upstairs, Downstairs? Is it supposed to be a remake of a program?

it's a remake of...eeerrr... "upstairs downstairs"!

TS will get some government funded sessions at pre-school when he turns 3 - they do all kinds of learning stuff at ours, but I am just happy DD1 is getting the chance to build friendships & learn how to share toys!

weren't we supposed to be getting to bed early tonight? oh dear!

While I'm enjoying Upstairs Downstairs there seems to be some lack of character development, like we're meant to know them already. Now I know why (but I haven't seen the original)!

I am going to bed now.

Good night.

Fog. Ugh.

Morning ladies!
HAd a lovely w/end at my M&Ps, and came home to a house still tidy!! Well impressed with DH for not leaving a mess as he's been finishing off the Camper.

Morning all, Just having my usual cuppa while I --try to wake up-- try to think about my jobs list.

gah....broadband took ages to let me load up

in need plenty pointy sticks today.my money turned up in the end yesterday,but by this time dp decided to spend the day with his mum and i had explain to ds riding was cancelled
dd2 was on 1 as well.ALL day wind ups and fighting.,answering me back..i went upstairs at 5pm to iron uniforms and little zoo popped in and told me she loved me.i burst into tears and picked her up and sobbed all over poor little thing

today she was all tears and "i want to stay with yous",hovering arond plucking at my sleeves and winding round my legs like a bloody irritating hungry cat

am glad for the 6hrs peace while they at school!

{{Hugs to zoo}}

Camper now I understand your name. I suspected something like that but was a bit unsure how to ask just in case

Scout if you are going to HE then these groups are even more important to you. I can understand that.

Now is probably not the moment, with further treatment coming up, but there is the option of starting up groups yourself. All you really need is a church or village hall or a local soft play. One of our village halls rents for £6 an hour so it doesn't take many Mums to make it a viable activity cost wise. If each of you brings a ride along or similar each week then you have a big open space, whatever the weather. You take it in turns to make teas and provide a packet of biscuits and you are away.

You could put it out on the Mumsnet for your local area and see what happens. IME there are a lot of Mums in the same boat all eager to meet each other and to get out of the house for a wee bit.

The other option is to put up posters asking about interest in your local area (ones with those little tear off number bits on the bottom) with a yahoo address for a group email so everyone interested can join the group email and discuss what to do together. (We have a group email for book group and it is really handy as we can all talk openly to make arrangements).

Anyway, just a thought.

Morning everyone! I am still having my first as my ddad was on the phone.

Oh dear zoo. I am a bit for you with dp although it is clearly none of my business.

If you would like a good bubble then wail away. I am happy to listen. I have already had one today after watching a clip of Beagles who were in an animal testing facility stepping foot on grass for the first time

Enjoy 6 hours of peace and quiet.

bessie the hemp stuff is brilliant. Dh uses it too. It is not the best fragrance available but I don't really care as it does such a good job. They do tiny little tubes as well which you can have dotted around in handbags, the car etc.

cant be as angry with him as i am carrots...he has also cried off taking dd1 home tonight so i cant go to my CBT as if she walks home after i get back it will be dark and the easiest and quickest way is across a field...i couldnt risk her doing that and the little ones will be too tired for us all to walk her home...he can be such a thoughtless twunt sometimes

Aww zoo. Of all the things to make you miss.

I have left all of dd's ironing to one side, apart from her school blouses. If she is going to be so free with the clothing she uses then she is going to have to help with the laundering of it.

sounds like a good idea carrotshave to try and stem their sudden laundry surges somehow

Carrots yeah, we bought a VW Caravelle (bit like a minibus) and he's doing it up at the minute. Bless him he only really gets w/end time or an hour or so after work, hence the name. It's very tongue in cheek though. :)

I have mushroom soup for lunch.