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When meeting up take sensible precautions. Meet in a public place and let others know where you are going.

Original poster

Onwards and upwards

34 replies

StitchingMoss · 09/10/2013 17:37

Finally started a new thread Smile.

OP posts:
Gigondas · 09/10/2013 18:51

Marking place - thanks stitching

Kantha · 12/10/2013 14:43

New thread, new nickname. It has taken me the last 3 days to think of something, hence why I haven't marked my spot on the new thread.

LG here BTW

disguisedeb · 12/10/2013 17:04

hello all, found you xx
why Kantha

Kantha · 12/10/2013 17:45

Because I was struggling to think of anything. Then I was flicking through a catalogue which included a "Kantha Gown" which is a dressing gown made of recycled saris. Looked up what "Kantha" actually means, it's a type of Bengali embroidery, and thought, "That's me all over". Wink plus it has the bonus of being a 6 letter combination that no-one has yet taken on MN Shock

For the interested here it is:

kanthagown

I should add that I bought a skirt from Toast in the summer archive sale for £25 and now I am getting catalogues from them with shearling coats at over £1000. Shock

Kantha · 12/10/2013 17:47

Meant to add:

How's the house situation Deb?

Kantha · 12/10/2013 17:57

Also Blush

DS1 has got "learning at home" work this weekend for the first time since being in Year One. As teachers (Deb, Stitiching) would you prefer it if the child is clearly being left to do it themselves with all the spelling mistakes and poor letter/number formation that follows, or, is it better from a learning point of view if you discuss with the child how to spell "tractor", that you start the letter "n" at the top, go down, up over and down" etc etc? Confused

My natural tendency is for the latter approach, in part because I am worried about how much detailed support he gets at school on this sort of thing. I went in to help for an hour this week. Despite there being the teacher, two TAs (SN child) and me, there still seemed to be plenty of children not getting much/any input from an adult on the literacy work they were doing. That's not a criticism of the teacher or the school, just the result of spending some time in a real classroom doing real work.

Finally, thanks on your comments on the last thread about frenzy situation. I didn't respond to you at the time.

Original poster
StitchingMoss · 12/10/2013 19:58

Hmm, tricky one and probably best for Deb to comment - DS1 is still getting very little homework, but the writing he gets I do sit with him but comment as little as possible on what he's doing unless he specifically asks me.

Does that make sense?

Loving the new name Smile.

OP posts:
Kantha · 12/10/2013 21:07

Thanks Sitiching. I have been relieved that this is the first week that we have had anything to do. That's said, DS is very keen. It was done by 8am. Long may it last. Smile

Kantha · 15/10/2013 09:47

Tumbleweed, and so quickly too!

Original poster
StitchingMoss · 15/10/2013 22:24

Where is everyone??

My exciting (?) news is that I've become a school governor!

Oh and my baby turned 4 today!! Made me feel a bit sad for the baby we lost - dont think I've grieved properly yet and think its going to hit me soon Sad.

Hope everyone else is ok x

OP posts:
Kantha · 16/10/2013 13:12

Aww, Stitching, sorry that the birthday was bittersweet. Inevitable really. Hmm Be kind to yourself.

And congratulations on becoming a governor. I will be interested to hear what it's like.

Original poster
StitchingMoss · 16/10/2013 20:21

Thank you kantha x

I will keep you posted about Gov stuff - quite excited about it! Imagining it will be more interesting and less cliquey than PTA, but could be wrong!

OP posts:
DTisMYdoctor · 18/10/2013 14:33

I'm here! Finally Grin

DTisMYdoctor · 18/10/2013 14:34

DH was a school governor, he really enjoyed it. We don't have them here.

Kantha · 18/10/2013 17:43

How are schools governed then? Genuine question. Not being sarcastic.

DTisMYdoctor · 18/10/2013 19:36

Grin By the local authority. We have PTA's but that's it.

Kantha · 18/10/2013 21:36

So how would a faith school ensure it was keeping the faith? Does the Church still get an input?

DTisMYdoctor · 18/10/2013 21:57

We only really have catholic schools and they all have very close links with the local diocese. No danger in losing the faith there. DS has morning and afternoon prayers every day, dedicated RE time and who knows what else.

disguisedeb · 22/10/2013 15:09

Hello I am here, but not buying the house, turned out neighbour was a nutcase, with cctv cameras on the lane, with the gates, that also picked up sound and he told me he heard what the boys were saying. Also police called on a few occasions between him and people selling, both as bad as each other I think but not a situation we want the boys to be in.

So, am sad about the house and lovely kitchen but OK generally, at least I won't have to open those gates

Homework, I sit with Ethan to make sure he gets it done, but his is only handwriting at the moment and phonic work. I would just encourage your ds to take his time and read what he has written etc... Or if you do have to help him , then add a comment to the homework that adult help was given then the teacher knows.As Ethan is now Y1 and I teach Y1, it is very easy to compare all the time. He is behind all my children, but his teacher says he tries so hard and he's the child that all helpers in school want to take home with them!

3 more days at school then half term, off on school trip to seaside tomorrow, fingers crossed for weather.

hugs for you stitching xx

Original poster
StitchingMoss · 22/10/2013 16:51

Grin at DT! Come the revolution all faith schools will be closed down DT, sorry Wink.

Shock re the neighbours deb! Sounds like you had a lucky escape, as disappointing as it is Sad. Are you back looking again?

Aw, Ethan sounds like a sweetie Smile. I don't have a scooby where DS1 is in terms of his peers - all the school mums and my others friends with Y1s studiously avoid discussing reading levels and the like, which I appreciate but it also means I've no idea if he's good, bad or indifferent! Blush

Thanks for the hugs, life isn't being too kind at the moment - dad's in hospital with breathing problems and unstable pain due to a crush fracture in his lower spine from falling downstairs, mum is cracking up and dh has just been signed off work for two weeks due to stress partly brought on by not dealing with everything post m/c I think Sad. Feel a bit beaten up by it all Sad.

Counting down the days til half term.

OP posts:
DTisMYdoctor · 22/10/2013 18:49

Tbh I kind of agree on faith schools Stitching. Catholic schools aren't necessarily the 'must get into' schools in the same way I get the impression that C of E schools are in England, but here you can either go to non-denomination catchment, catholic catchment or private (no chance of out of catchment place) and ime catholic schools here tend to have much better general pastoral care and values/morals are important (not just in the religious sense iyswim) so while they exist, I'd opt catholic unless the non denom was rated as a much better school (which it really isn't in our catchment).

In all the chat in the news about types of schools, teachers etc no-one ever seems to talk about the need to focus on making sure all schools are good schools any more. That irks me somewhat.

Oh, come the revolution can we get rid of private schools first though? Wink

Sorry to hear about the house Deb, but it does sound like you had a lucky escape!

DTisMYdoctor · 22/10/2013 19:31

Sorry Stitching, I only skimmed before and didn't read your post. Sorry you have so much on your plate just now, especially after all you have been through recently. Huge big squidgy non-MNetty hugs for you!

Kantha · 25/10/2013 18:54

Just checked the thread. It's a few days since you posted Stitching. How is all the family today? Sorry that you have so many worries right now Hmm

Deb, thanks for the advice on homework. That's really useful, especially the idea of noting when he has had help. Ethan sounds so lovely. Smile The challenge is stopping myself from applying my own standards as a school child (perfectionist) to his work if that makes sense. It pains me though TBH Blush

How frustrating about the house's neighbours. As the thread title says, 'onwards and upwards.'

This may amuse you if only so you can condemn me for being a judgey pants. After a year of privately speculating that a family at school are pro footballer and WAG, I finally managed to confirm it as true. I couldn't think of any other explanation for Dad clearly being loaded but frequently being able to do school pick up, and mum dressing like a WAG. He's not someone famous, and is retired now but still in the managerial side. (He is quite hot though WinkBlush) I should add that they are really nice people, as is their DS.

Original poster
StitchingMoss · 26/10/2013 23:16

Would we know them?! Grin

I'm currently at my parents' house as dad was admitted to hospital last night and mum was a mess. Both my DBs are here too. Have been into visit and they're finally on top of his pain and an MRI scan seems to confirm that it's a fracture so pain relief and mobilisation the key to get him home.

I have to say in stunned at the dilapidated state of the hospital - it's shocking. Hope you never have to come here LG! Apparently it's due for demolition but the govt are dragging their heels about it Hmm.

I'm heading home at the crack of dawn tomorrow for DS2's party, but lying in bed listening to the wind is worrying me slightly - I hate travelling in storms Sad.

How's everyone else?

OP posts:
disguisedeb · 28/10/2013 22:23

Stitching, hope your Dad's OK.

How's everyone down south with the storm? Hope no damage.