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275 replies

lavent · 13/08/2015 11:49

Looking for advice / support on having 4 young DC.

I'm in a difficult situation, alone, no family/friends as recently moved to escape DV.

Money is tight as I'm not currently working but I would like to start thinking about part-time work at Easter if I can find a suitable childcare solution. Easier said than done though!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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mummypig3 · 19/08/2015 21:22

Are you on a meter? Do they wake in the night wet or is it just morning? Maybe if they have a wee or change their pull up in the night it might help, but if they sleep thru there's not much you can do. They will grow out of it x

Original poster
lavent · 19/08/2015 21:34

Not on a meter but had to choose quarterly billing as had no spare cash to pay gas/electric so going to have a shock in September. I have been frugal though - don't use lights a lot and don't have gadgets just TV really. I have applied for that Warm Home scheme though so hopefully will be accepted and will help in winter.

No they sleep through.... I can't carry them anymore to take them to the loo and it's very hard to wake them!

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fabuLou · 19/08/2015 21:47

If you can it might make mire financial sense and a lot less hassle to use pyjmas pants. I feel your pain, dd age 6 not reliably dry at night.

Original poster
lavent · 19/08/2015 21:52

Those DryNites haven't been half price for ages! Ill try and stock up next time they're on offer! If anyone sees an offer let me know!!!!!

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AndNowItsSeven · 19/08/2015 22:26

Dry nites not half price but 2 packs for £8 rather than £5.20 each in Tescos.

Original poster
lavent · 20/08/2015 09:29

That's still a bit steep for me as we use 14/ week so that would be almost £6 compared to Lidl ones £3 something.

Wondering if help today has fallen through as noone turned up yet.

I think baby may be having a growth spurt as fed at 12, 2, 3, 6am Shock

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mummypig3 · 20/08/2015 09:34

You must be exhausted! Possibly a growth spurt. How old is baby now? I hope the nanny turns up so you can have a rest

Original poster
lavent · 20/08/2015 09:39

Not quite 1 month....

Yes pretty exhausted! Just had a sandwich to boost energy. I'm going to give it until 10am then I'm going to take the kids to the park before it rains again / I lose the will to live!

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mummypig3 · 20/08/2015 09:44

Good plan! Yes I think there's a growth spurt about 3 to 4 weeks and then another about 6 weeks. But he should start Taking more milk then as he will be bigger. How many ounces can he manage?

Original poster
lavent · 20/08/2015 09:48

5oz - was going to up to 6 today though....

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mummypig3 · 20/08/2015 09:54

Wow that's great. Mine only took 3 or 4 at that age. Have fun at the park. Fingers crossed the nanny turns up later x

Original poster
lavent · 20/08/2015 11:53

No nanny.
It's the ABS there's a problem with on the car not re brakes - fine to drive for now and got to take it back tomorrow so they can see exactly what the problem is. Sounds expensive though! Angry

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mummypig3 · 20/08/2015 11:56

Oh dear. Didn't they give you an estimate of what it will cost? Do you have the money to get it fixed tomorrow? Can you call or text to find out where nanny is? Maybe she got lost

Original poster
lavent · 20/08/2015 12:03

No the chap just took the car for a spin and knew what the problem was but not exactly what without getting it up on the ramp (he will do that tomo)
No I don't have the money really but better find out how much I need before I start worrying Sad at least it's ok to drive or a bit.
I'll text SW now maybe I misunderstood.... Doubt it though.

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mummypig3 · 20/08/2015 14:24

Did nanny turn up? I took the dc soft play for an hour. Still no rain so I've put my washing on the line. Bet it will rain now

Original poster
lavent · 20/08/2015 16:35

No she didn't turn up - I've text the SW and she's going to speak to the agency.
It's been on/off showers here though I have got washing on the line - couldn't be bothered to bring it all in Blush it will dry at some point I'm sure! Got 2 more loads waiting!

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mummypig3 · 20/08/2015 16:40

The sun's out now. Hopefully it will move to you next Smile these nanny's don't seem very reliable. I hope they get it sorted

Original poster
lavent · 20/08/2015 17:26

If anyone has addresses / telephone numbers in their PM box could they please delete them in light of this weeks antics.
I've deleted all mine - such a shame as lots of lovely messages but better safe than sorry.

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mummypig3 · 20/08/2015 18:05

Good idea. Will do now

ziggyziggy · 20/08/2015 19:57

have done!! hope things are going well and you're not too worn down...

I have been going a bit mad with DS here lately but I watched that Three Day Nanny series online for the first time recently and it had some good ideas in it that seem to be working well so far...(we have done proper sit down meals (don't normally bother0 which have made his food fussiness much better). Have you seen it? not suggesting you need it (indeed I have no idea what your kids are like!) but if not already seen it might be worth a watch (even if the DCs are well behaved) as it had loads of good stuff in there I took from it...

I have to admit parenting is still all brand new to me so probably have a lot to learn, which is why I found it helpful, you are already pro at it by the sounds of things!!

Original poster
lavent · 20/08/2015 21:05

I'm soldiering on ziggy Smile

I have seen one episode - the one where the DC were squabbling in the car. We already eat at the table and they do quite well to be fair. I only allow eating at the table as I'm too lazy to be constantly sweeping up after them! At least the mess is contained to one area. My eldest is also very good with a dustpan & brush!
I did try the distract by asking random questions thing with DS2 though and seems to work sometimes.
I need all the tips I can get really with him he's a little devil lively!
Mostly stemmed from boredom tbf - by next summer I hope I'll have sorted the garden, maybe got a trampoline, fixed the fence etc and they can amuse themselves a bit more.
The older 2 are very much enjoying listening to story CDs in their room at the moment though. I was going to see if the library had any to borrow next week a job for the nanny!

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ziggyziggy · 20/08/2015 21:23

not seen that episode lavent...am working my way through series 1 online, then will try series two...maybe it's one of those.

i think i have a few issues just knowing what kids think like as before DS I hadn't hung around kids since I was one! Getting the hang a bit more now, as DS is only a bit over 2.5 every stage is new to me.

We have good and bad days, although on the whole he's very good, other days he's tired or whatever and it all goes to shit!...We went to the playbus today which he loved. I'm enjoying that side of it now we can do stuff together. I really could not stand the baby stage so you must be a superstar for doing what you're doing. I guess you must be on autopilot a lot!

ziggyziggy · 20/08/2015 21:28

yes and i am sure that by the time the hols are over things will be easier for all of you!

kids more tired out and more occupied... things will get slowly sorted I am sure!!

How are you finding things now with where you are with getting what you need? Do you still need loads?

I moved into my place a couple of years ago and am still buying stuff I need although it's getting more into the stuff I want now which is nice. It feels a bit like home now!

Original poster
lavent · 20/08/2015 21:51

Hmm the house has gone a bit to pot this month tbh! I prioritised the car which I think was the right thing to do as bus + 4 is not easy!
A friend has offered to come and help paint next month so that will be good.
I'm no further forward with furniture but that's ok we have what we need for now. I'd rather decorate, do flooring and then furniture I think that's the best order.
I need to get a tumble dryer next month / Oct then nearly Christmas Shock. I want to make it a nice Christmas for them for obvious reasons too.

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ziggyziggy · 20/08/2015 22:13

i'm not surprised it's gone to pot, you have a newborn but you will get there Flowers

i know what it feels like to be stuck in a never-ending decorating and sorting mode where everything is in an unfinished state. ...i've been sorting my place for a couple of years and felt at times like it would never end! but it did and things are much better now with it. you will get there eventually!

Also I think some people are more influenced by their environment than others. Some people are happy in a half done place but it really gets me down having dodgy paintwork or carpets etc. Sits there irritating me. Especially when you have to spend a lot of time at home as a single parent etc. But it does come together.

Sounds like you have it all planned and in the right order etc.

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