Mumsnet Little Italy 3

[francagoestohollywood]

Welcome everyone

Ernest, I asked about the menus too as they are imo quite crap and not really up to Italian standards, plus we're vegetarian and there's not much nutritional value in rice with butter. Apparently the menu is pretty much just that and veggie options are very thin on the ground. So that was one black mark against them. Another was the learning to read methods they use - it's something like ORT and Storyworld and not Jolly Phonics which I'd much prefer, so black(ish) mark number 2.

I didn't ask about the bus as my DD is only tiny and I didn't much like the idea of sending her on a bus alone, however handy that might have been. It's also IMO horribly expensive, especially when you consider how cheap the trains are.

There were lots of other things I wanted to ask but they wanted me to make an appointment and having thought it through I decided I wouldn't bother as it is far too expensive for us and a logistical nightmare. I'm going to see the bilingual school here in Monza on Friday but I'm unlikely to use that either as they're a bit out of the way and quite pricey too (and their school dinner costs ?6.50 a day but at least they use the Italian schools menu).

Franca, I'm waiting for my pass to arrive from the comune so I can apply for the local materna by the 26th. Needless to say it's late. I also still have boxes of books in my cellar and a precarious tower on my floor. I ran out of bookshelf room the day I bought the bookshelves so I know what you mean.

Hothell I hope you feel better soon, no sign of the novovirus here, as Franca says it's all meningitis at the moment and dioxin poisoning from people burning rubbish in Campania. Ever time I see that on TV it makes me feel so .

PASS? what pass??? what are you talking about? (panics). helpppp!!

I don't know, I only found out about it when I went to the school open day. The comune sends you a pass for your child that you have to hand in with your application. It's valid for the state schools and the private schools that are convenzionate. You only get one pass so you can only make one application. Maybe it's just a Monza thing. In fact I'm pretty sure it is, so I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. Don't panic!

I looked at that benvenuto club website, it is the same one I heard about, they only do things on weekday mornings so obviously for rich ex pat wives who lunch. I was going to send them a stiff email asking why they didn't cater for the working woman but I don't think I'll bother.

oh you are up early this morning! I tried to have DD have a bit of a lie-in but she won't have it.
re: burning rubbish in campania: have you read Gomorra? that will really really make you sad for a long time.

thinking of going to pg for a few days as I am annoyed with dh and not much t do here a the moment anyway. off to find cheap flights.

Yes, I was supposed to be going into the office but missed the train. I now have to wait until 11o'clock for the next train so am relaxing a bit first. Haven't got much to do anyway.

Good idea going to pg, esp if your dh is being a pain. It'll make him appreciate you more and you can get waited on by your family. Where's the nearest airport?

pg, luckily!!! I checked, there's nothing super cheap but still. will see, I'd do with some pampering tbh.

oh I found one for 97punds for both of us going next wedn...I am sooo tempted.

Go!

(isn't it a pain that 2 year olds have to pay full price?)

it is it is but it is more a pain to have to pay a fee for: airport check-in, luggage and priority boarding (which is not priority anymore as everyone buys it).
There's no much point in complaining though as the convenience of flying directly beats all these silly tricks.
shall I?
really really tempted...

cannot be bothered to do much today, DD is parked in front of lala-po (bad mum emoticon).

I also feel fat. did you put a lot of weight on when pg?

I put on 12kg altogether, most (about 4kg) in my 1st trimester when all I could eat was salty cheese and potatoes. I wasn't at all fat, just had a huge belly and a bit more bum to "balance". DD was normal sized too, I thought she was going to be huge judging by my bump.

You really should go IMO, the price is quite good. Why do you have to pay for check in? When DD was younger we just paid 21 euros for "insurance". Priority boarding is crap, at least here in Milan. You're first on the bus but last off, so you have to fight for seats anyway.

I've been trying to get my DD to sit down quietly in front of a DVD for ages. Unfortunately she has a short attention span. Either that or we have to watch tutti 'sieme which defeats the purpose somewhat.

I feel fat and ugly today! I put 10kg already. so must be careful now. last time I put 14kg so must go that way this time as well. I put a bit everywhere although being winter is somehow worse. both still in pj, dd and I spent the morning in bed (don;t know how I convinced her tbh!) I must have sounded desperate.

I think I should go too. will think it through today.

go pippi go .
brange, no, the pass is just a monza thing I think. It appears I can enroll dd on he internet and I can put two choices down (this is only for the comunali). tomorrow I'll enroll ds to state primary. keep your fingers crossed!!
I'm impressed pippi's at your dd's lie ins... mine are super active.
today they stayed at asilo until twelve. tomorrow they are probably going to eat there.

Glad your dc are settling in at the nido ok . SIL has sent her ds age 2 1/2 to asilo normale he is in a class of 23 with the insegnante ok so he is happy and enjoys it but I was when I heard no way will dd go there at 2 1/2 not that I dont agree it is a good place but if 2 kids argue and then one child decides to climb on a chair or something with one teacher what do you do ???
I put on 13 kg when pg but I weighed my self today and I am the same weight when I gave birth OH DEAR me ... Have not told dh !

at Franca being able to enrol her dc via internet. Here in Monza we can download the application form but that's as cyber as it gets. And you can apply for 2? Gah!

Rosa, you can technically go to materna at 2.6 as the year is counted from Jan to Dec and not Sept to Aug as in England. In the state ones (and most private ones) have 20 - 25 children per sezione and that is quite normal. There are normally 2 teachers per sezione (or teacher + assistant) so technically it's 1 adult per 12 kids. Re the thing about what if 1 kid does this etc. great importance is put on community and learning to behave in groups. My DD has certainly learnt to be a lot less selfish (for instance) since she's been in nido and I'm sure that will improve further when she goes to materna.

Pippi, if it cheers you up I only put on 1.5kg in my last trimester, and that was with eating copious amounts of icecream every day.

maybe it doesn't help the fact that I bought a super duper confy stripey camicia da notte from a swedish shop which although is marvellous makes me look not quite a sexual goddess... more like a overweight grown-up laura from la casa nella prateria

better get dressed and take dd to the park, which has been an angel today considering my awful mood.

hhell are you pg then?

well Brangelina, I'm still quite by the possibility of using the internet, I will let you know if it works .
I actually have no idea about which is the ratio teacher-children at scuola materna comunale/statale. I find it quite amazing how children cooperate at nursery though. I think nursery teachers have magic fingers in most occasions.
Lol at laura ingalls. I'm in desperate need of a haircut and a... waxing.

it is the fact that there is only 1 teacher no assistant to 23 kids thats what got to me - Ok some times the older children go off with a suora but at lunchtime when the teachers are off there are 60 kids and 3 nuns and thats it. I just think that at 2.5 after not going to a nido its a bit too small.
I am looking at putting dd into a nido to help her progress onto Materna which I plan to send her to when she is 3 . I agree re the social skills etc and would have loved to send her to a playgroup but zero punti for the communale and privati are all full she is on a waiting list.
Mind you when she was playing in the Uk it was her sharing her toys and biscuits etc with neighbours kids - he was not into sharing at all and he goes to nursery 3 days a week. I guess I have that phase to come !!

Yes, I agree, 2.5 yr old going straight into nursery without previous "experience" at nido is too much. Is it a private one (with nuns)? if so, how come they don't have enough staff?
boh!! I also agree that on many levels going to nursery doesn't affect that much the ability of "sharing". It still depends a lot on child's personality and stages. and your dd sounds lovely rosa!

(sighs), for the first time in days there are a few decent things to watch on the telly: Jane Eyre, To catch a thief or the first harry potter which I've never seen, but my dad is watching a football debate on telenova or something

what's up girls? HHell are you ok?

I am miserable.

what happened mia cara pippi?

Why are you miserable Pippi? Has something happened or is it just bad weather blues? Have you booked that flight yet?

Finally got the pass for DD's school yesterday, yippee! at not having to go to the comune and waste a whole morning.

Rosa, I'm quite shocked at the 60 children and 3 nuns scenario - is this a private asilo? I was told by the staff at the asilo statale that the private ones can have up to 28/30 children per class but the state ones like to limit it to 25, or even 20 if possible (might be why there are no bl*$dy places aaargh!). This was at Monza, so I have no idea if it is the same elsewhere, or even if they were talking out of their backsides. Do you go to groups with your DD, like Tempo per le Famiglie (do they exist in Venice?). My friend in Milan who is a sahm takes her ds twice a week just so he can get used to mixing with other children before sending him to asilo so the shock won't be too great.

Lol Franca at your Dad and his dubious tv tastes. If it's any consolation the 2nd part of Jane Eyre is on tonight I think (I wasn't paying attention) and also on Rai 3 there are 2 episodes of Medium which I quite like. I seem to remember something about a new episode of Montalbano as well but have absolutely no recollection of when that might be.

Have you sorted your Sky for your new place?

Pippi, just saw your thread on Dadsnet. You have my sympathy. My DP thinks that he has a God-given right to go straight onto ebay when he gets home and sighs when I insist he look after DD just so I can get her dinner. He now gets home later from work and I suspect it's because he has a quick go on ebay in peace from the office.

He has got better, although it has been a long struggle.