West London chat into Spring

[sfxmum]

thought I would start a new one

sfx - I can understand keeping activities private. I don't intend to advertise activities DSs do outside school. Am trying to beat common prophesies eg "Boys will give up playing musical instruments because it's not cool". Not if no one knows about it. So we'll let people know they go to football club, but not music classes. Does that even make sense?

Tilly - it will be 7.45

Sfx - author is Tom Williams, turns out he's local and 'knows' one of the women going so is coming along to discuss book!

Up to you what you reveal about activities. How are auditions going?

vbus how exciting I like chats with authors, hope he his interesting and you enjoy it

auditions well apparently she sang and danced in front of the class, a few of them did stuff and they selected 2 of them to represent her class, she did not go forward but looks as though she enjoyed it, I like her confidence

the private thing it is funny I don't think she has clicked well with school, particularly this year, although she is doing well she does not really like going that much, maybe it is the lack of proper friendships, I think she might be close to mum and dad in enjoying friendships which are constant and less prone to moods. she seems to like having different groups of friends outside school, I think that is to be encouraged really

sorry to be going about it in self centred way bit obsessive today and fretting about stuff

copper good point

sfx - I think about these things a lot. Glad DD had a good experience! I think with these talent shows and things I tend to take the long view (too long, perhaps) - if you put in the work and get a good foundation you will be able to enjoy these things (singing dancing playing instruments whatever) for a lot longer (all your life, even). But you can get instant success and then instant burnout and what is that good for?

See, I do think about these things a bit too much.

IKWYM about thinking too much. We got our first choice for school! Really happy with it and feel v lucky, but tempered by realisation that DD1's closest friends from nursery are all going to her second choice school. And her friend that was going to go to same school is now moving abroad! Argh. Keep telling myself she'll make new friends, and she's only 4, but seems shame as she seemed genuinely close to some of her current classmates. You know, when you see girls chatting in a relaxed way on same wavelength, rather than just "getting on" and being competitive (as I've seen on playdates she likes less). She's so young though, surely it'll be fine... Hopefully. I'm just being silly aren't I? I'll shush and be grateful we got our choice.

Anyway, Sfx, sounds like your DD found the auditions fun overall. Agree those TV auditions are awful (never watch), but now I remember that when I was little I pestered my parents to apply to sing at some local thing and it was a bit embarassing but even now I'm kind of glad I did it! Hopefully school did it in a tactful and positive way. It's an outlet for interest that can be fostered as you say for longer term. Later I actually played in a band in college, so I had the performance bug and had practised by then, even though I was clearly more enthusiastic than talented!

Vbus - very exciting re book club visit! Really good that the author is willing to make the time.

BTW, global warming. Real. So are natural long-term weather cycles, but from what I've read etc it seems we humans are creating/affecting the latest cycle rather a lot...

what was your first choice (was it DS's school?)

DS started school only knowing two people and whilst it has taken a while for him to find his feet (and tbh I'm not sure he has yet) they are so busy in reception that I'm not sure proper friendships matter too much at this stage. Very few playdates intially and when they go full days because they are just too tired.

Global warming yes probably real but perhaps we also look at weather on too short term a basis and put an exaggerated improtance on a bit more sun/rain than normal.

Thanks Kew. Yes, it's DS's school. I still feel it's the right choice overall, just hope it's right for her. I suppose it's just nerves generally on DD1's behalf!

Ooooh welcome!

tbh all schools have good points and bad points - most childrne are fine in most schools locally with engaged paretns so I can't imagine she won;t be fine. I know one of the Mums in sfx's class whose DD will (presumably) be joining with you in Sept if you like I'll try to arrange a mmet for you maybe in the summer so she can get to know someone else in the class.

Thank you Kew! Just messaged you.

Kora congrats I think it is a good school overall, run by sane people.
the upstairs neighbour's little boy will also be starting in September, he gets along with girls quite well

thanks for indulging me in reply views seem to correspond to mine I wonder what that means
just asked because I watched a discussion where everything got heated and rather insane with conspiracy theories holding court, most peculiar

well dd is doing her mad little girl things told me at bedtime that she hope she does not die before she is 20 because she would like to have a baby first. this followed from a conversation where I explained that I would not be having any more babies, she then asked at what age she could have some, I told her definitely not before 20

I am not really ready for this

forgot to add Kora the school do home visit to introduce teacher and TA pus meet the child and a sort of playdate in the classroom with a small group starting school at around the same time

Ooh, the school's introductory stuff sounds good. And glad to hear sanity is predominant! Feeling much more hopeful. Thanks!

Love the 20 year old minimum age! I'm sure I'd give a similar answer, after falling off my chair Wonder when mine will ask. Hopefully DD2 not for a while...

DH has just poured me a medicinal whisky (slight sore throat, yeah right). Goodnight everyone.

I've had enough of school now. Perhaps I'll throw a tantrum tomorrow and refuse to get dressed. Though kids' been to party till late and only just fallen asleep so chances are they would be the ones throwing the tantrums...

Lovely sunshine hope all well

Have just ordered the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. I need to get back to work.

Copper great story

Kora - congrats on school place, a relief for you! Pity your DD's friend's aren't going to same school but don't worry I'm sure she'll find lots of other kids to play with at new school.

Sfx - LOL at baby comment The friendship thing is DS1 had a BF at nursery, although they're in the same class he now plays with boys more. Initially when he started Reception he was hung up not having a BF anymore but now he seems v. happy having lots of different friends. I'm sure it will change again over next few yrs. I think it's good having a different groups of friends, it's what we do as adults!

KC - sorry House was closed on Friday so didn't see the dressing up stuff (just sauntered round the gardens), will look out for it next time I go

Westwing - well done on potty training, hope DS enjoyed his birthday. Good effort on runnning, nice especially in this weather!

BTW Sfx - do you have a 10k training plan? I run about 5k but could do with pushing myself to 10k

hello

vbus Bupa is a good standard programme and the site has many variations suitable for all

currently I am doing a very beginners thing but hopefully it will work, I found that the tummy muscles took a battering and they are pretty fundamental to good running so I am taking it easy
I tried doing an easy set of abs exercises and it got quite sore, but no pain so I guess I should just keep it up and it will improve

if any of you have the time do listen to the podcast of The history of the world in 100 objects, the episodes are about 15mins each Fantastic listening

I am tired and wish I had a garden would be seating out now

I've heard some episodes of that history of the world in 100 objects programme. It's good. But can't stand the music.

I want my new books NOW.

Shall have to read Pippi Longstocking meanwhile.

Big hoohah about whether school should become academy. Can't stand it. Shall do school run with earplugs in.

Hope everyone got to savour a bit of sun! Although I seem to have got a cold on the warmest day of the year! But I'm determined to ignore it. Mind over matter. Perhaps it would help if I went to bed. But post-bedtime evening is so precious...

Copper, I missed out on Pippi Longstocking in my youth... I think I shall have to read it to DD1, I keep hearing good things about it - I'm curious myself now!

hello I believe I am supposed to be cheerful today sun shining might just go running instead of getting annoyed
(pounding pavement more socially acceptable than shouting at people)

anyway Pippi is funny I loved it as a child and dd galloped through the first book, although it has 'things of its time' in it

94yr old Granmother has fallen and broken her hip badly - tey are operating today despite some concern that she may not pull through as her hip is too badly broken to leave. SHe is unlikely to be able to walk afterwards so I can foresee that she will move into a home. Luckily my Aunt lives near her so at least we will have someone keeping an eye on her regularly and will not be dependent on my feckless father.

Poor old bat - doubt it was how she envisaged her last few years.

kewC what a terrible worry I hope she manages well through surgery, best wishes

parents evening tonight - why am I nervous?!

is it bad that I am more nervous about parentss evening than my grandmotehrs operation? I suppose shes so far away that it doesn;t seem very real. Glad I saw her after Xmas though.