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Original poster

Mumsnet Little Italy 9

996 replies

Brangelina · 22/01/2009 21:51

Aka le Patatine

OP posts:
beforesunrise · 01/02/2009 22:05

i do wonder whether all italian women are destined to be born brunettes and die blonde...

Penthesileia · 01/02/2009 22:05

Don't worry about the networking thing - really. Increasingly, even Oxbridge is not operating like that anymore: it's being positively weeded out.

beforesunrise · 01/02/2009 22:07

i don't worry honestly it just pi**es me off that i am being made to feel like i am weird for even considering state schools, whereas it surely should be the default option?

anyway- no point opening this huuuuge can of worms just as i am about to go to sleep.

sogni d'oro everyone!

hothell · 01/02/2009 22:10

pippi, if you do the pgce anyway you will be doing dd1's hours, no? i was sad when ds started, but he loved it so much and he still does. 330 comes very quickly...
we take ds out of school for hols, the head was adamant that the rules say absolutely no absence for hols, but we did and we have not been reprimanded. I always explain how impotant it is for ds' italian and make sure he is not behind with work and socially. if he ever struggles then i will make sure he doesn't miss too much.
BS i almost had a nervous breakdown over school choice, but then visited little school close by and realise that ofsted does not count for much, don't listen to word of mouth, as long as the school is friendly, supportive and with a clever head, then the kids will be fine. gut feeling is important.

PippiCalzelunghe · 01/02/2009 22:10

yes yes they do bloody mean that. it's unbelievable. I don't know, I have a bit of a 'sara' quel che sara' approach as really who knows what will happen, who knows what my child will be/want to be. I said this before I did go to very good schools and I was very academic up to a point in my life but for a series of events I underachieved in life (according to certain criteria). IMH&PO I have overachieved as I've been happy and satisfied with my life about 99.9 per cent of the time. I have had right connections from day 1 and except few best friends I have been disgusted by the people around me and decided to come here and live the franciscan life . I really do not wish for my dds to mix in these circles which are poisonous. if those are the right connections I'd rather them to work in housing .

SunflowerNeedsSunshine · 01/02/2009 22:13

!£^$(£") my pc keeps on crashing and you talk so much I'm always behind! Pippi, I still feel sad taking DS to school because as much as it'll be more stressful having the 2 at home with me all day, I still think he should be playing, not learning to read and count and sit quietly...

PippiCalzelunghe · 01/02/2009 22:14

hot I love ya!

penthe at phd and 30years old!!!

SunflowerNeedsSunshine · 01/02/2009 22:21

hot, I agree about ofsted, the school where DS went to nursery was great, the head knew every single child's name (quite big school too), it was very friendly, but not great ofsted reports. OTOH, the catholic was outstanding, but felt cold, bitchy and parents complain about the individual and social aspects (though not officially)

Penthesileia · 01/02/2009 22:31

Pippi - sounds like you have the right attitude for your daughter.

God. This whole school thing is ahead of me. Eeek.

Don't be shocked - I got my PhD at 26, which in the UK is pretty normal these days (I think...): 3-4 years to do it - any longer, and you get into trouble from the funding body...

hothell · 01/02/2009 22:46

i think we have to think that we do not only want the best for our kids, but also for other kids, otherwise it ain't gonna work.

I think they will achieve their potential if loved unconditionally and brought up in a loving and supportive environment. I wouldnt' worry.

if ds is oxbridge material i want him to get there through hard work adn resilience and good self-esteem rather than because he did play dough with Timothy when he was 5.

Penthesileia · 01/02/2009 22:48
hothell · 01/02/2009 22:48

oh, dear, I sound like a lefty socialist worker.

hothell · 01/02/2009 22:49

I don't have a beard, i swear.

Penthesileia · 01/02/2009 22:49

That is not a bad thing, comrade!

Penthesileia · 01/02/2009 22:51

Being a lefty socialist worker, I meant, though beards are ok (DH has one... - so no beard-hating from you lot, OK?? ).

hothell · 01/02/2009 22:51

dp has one too!

Penthesileia · 01/02/2009 22:51

I am seriously overusing this emoticon at the moment...

Penthesileia · 01/02/2009 22:52

Hooray! There is a lot of beard-hate on MN, I've noticed. I try to ignore it...

hothell · 01/02/2009 22:55

notte!

hothell · 01/02/2009 22:56

i noticed it too, lots of beard bashing, you must keep quiet about it around here.

Penthesileia · 01/02/2009 22:57

Indeed we must (Secret Beard Society).

Night night!

gio71 · 02/02/2009 07:44

another lefty with bearded dp here as well .
totally agree with what you said re schools Hot

PippiCalzelunghe · 02/02/2009 07:52

good snowy morning!!!

wow!! isn't it lovely?

gio71 · 02/02/2009 07:59

just been looking at london on news, looks gorgeous!

PippiCalzelunghe · 02/02/2009 08:03

gio it is. although we are all ready to go to nursery I have the feeling it'll be closed so we might be off to build a snowman!