Fab Feb 2009: things that go bump and "mummy, mummy, MUMMY!!!" in the middle of the night

[dinkystinky]

New halloween inspired thread (in honour of this time of year) to talk about our little jekyll & hydes [hgrin]

Is anyone going to be taking their little ones trick or treating this year? We'll be at MIL's for Halloween and she's already told me she has both Danny and DS1 costumes -so it appears that decision has been made for us

lol dinky... they'd either attack eachother or form a deadly alliance and either one could be nasty Whereabout in Ireland are you going to be?

Thanks both of you, hopefully i won't need to avail of this board for that much hysterical venting again any time soon!

I read some of the stuff about Riven... I didn't realise things were soo bad for her family, I was under the impression her little girl was going to school now. Horrible position to be in.... you'd think considering she's disabled herself the authorities would have some sense and ensure that her family is getting the help they need.

Offey or Offlay (not sure of the spelling - DBIL to be's parents farm in a bog in the middle of Ireland basically)

Sadly Riven's position is the same as lots of parents with disabled children in the UK - so terribly terribly sad. I hope with the focus on this in the media and the NHS review being announced, at the very least some ringfencing of funds to support carers and scrapping of the idea to abolish DLA will take place.

DLA petition here.

hello.

Am completely knackered from work. Had a really horrid week.

Yes I can't wait to drive. I'm trying to get dp to up his loan so I can do a week's intensive course. Come April when his hours change, I'll have to get the boys to the CM myself for 6:15am, not good walking or bus at that stupid hour of the day.

Luke now is even taking himself to bed. The past few nights he has got down from the sofa after I've read the story and started making his way out of the room saying "night mummy, night daddy, night Ca-ca" then when I have gone looking for him, he is snuggled in his bed under the duvet hugging his bear! so cute!
Jacob is getting on well at nursery. He is getting good at writing and recognising letters, this week they have been doing t and i and he has done some good attempts at writting them for his homework.

What's everyone getting the lo's for their birthdays? Am really stuck on ideas for Luke, what with it being so soon after xmas. Can't think for the life of me anything he needs or might like that he doesn't have.......inspire me girlies

Have started my training at work, getting up to scratch on PECS (picture exchange communication system) at the mo, very interesting and useful.

I heard about Riven on the radio, but not been on mn for a few days so haven't read anything about it.

I had my fist ession with the Lámh SALT today (Lámh is the irish version of Makaton) and learned a few signs for A.... I've only shown him 'milk' so far but he's already using it ds1 learned all the signs we're going to do this week with A in about 2 minutes flat and is really good at them... dd is a bit more haphazard about them but they're both really happy that he'll be able to 'talk' to us now. The SALT said I could bring them along next time and they're really excited about that.

Sm... I have no idea, our house is a feckin toy shop, they don't need or want anything else! dd's birthday is on monday and the dreaded party on sunday so there'll be even more soon!

dinky... Offaly, where are glorious Taoiseach is from Never been there so can't give you any tips i'm afraid!

Silverymoon - when is Jacob 4?

Not only is his birthday close to Christmas but Luke is the youngest of 4 and has 2 older brothers so presents were difficult and some of them practical from us he had bits fo the wooden train track including a bridge and 'Toby' tram engine, from my parents he had Roary dvd, Roary cutlery & Roary plate, bowl & beaker and from DH's mum he had a top, book & Fat controllers car (to go on train set)

All small things which are easy to find homes for

The present nightmare will be when the twins turn 4 in March!!!!

Glad your session with the SALT went well, SR, and lovely that the older ones are getting involved, that will make it so much easier for A to pick it up.

SM, we're getting M some new clothes, a load of hair clips and bands (she likes playing 'hair') and some Fireman Sam stuff as she's a bit obsessed - that's the theme of her party!!! :)

We sit on out bed to read M's stories at night, and when she gets tired, she gets down, grabs bear and goes to her room. She's still in her cot though, as we want to get her used to her duvet and pillow first, before we take the sides down (plus we need to re-organise her room).

Good luck with the driving lessons.

Ah, sounds like Luke had a lovely birthday Oooggs.

SM - Luke sounds so sweet going to bed by himself. MrsY - Danny still in his cot too (with Igglepiggle and Baby doll): he likes to dive into his big brother's bed though and hide under the covers I pretend to mistake him for his big brother and try and put Josh in Danny's grobag instead - always the cause of much hilarity. Every single bed time.

Danny will be getting a kunzou (or whatever it is) hamster and a trunki (to stop him hijacking DS1's) for his birthday. My sister is getting him a bubble machine. No idea what my parents have got him - they'll be in India on his birthday - and my sister will be in Ireland sorting out wedding stuff - and my MIL will be dealing with students, so there will be no family around to celebrate Danny's birthday in Feb. So we're going to have a little party with some friends instead.

ds1 got one of those hamsters for christmas and A is obsessed with it... seeing as he and Danny are kindred spirits I'm sure it'll be a huge hit in your house too

oogs Jacob's birthday isn't until August, but Luke will be 2 on 4th Feb. I'm liking the cartoon cup/plate set. Might go for that.
Popping into town today so will have a look around.

I'll be working on Luke's birthday, so gonna have a few friends round on the saturday.

Had a really really rough week at work. Was driven to tears yesterday.
Just needed to get some frustration out. Is so hard some days. The teacher doesn't like negative language and everything has to be about positive reinforcements.
We are not allowed to say the word 'No' to the kids in my class and we don't tell them off. They do something bad (like hitting, kicking and biting) it is not spoken about, is ignored and the child is then distracted by another member of staff to do something good which he then gets overly praised for.
Really winds me up.
I can accept that's how we treat autistic children. Fine, I can do that, but the boy I am having difficulty with at the moment is not autistic. he is a little shit and knows exactly what he is doing and how to get under your skin.
His nickname, apparently, for 2 years has been 'the spoilt prince'
He is refusing to do anything I ask him to, and if I've asked him even just to put his coat on for play-time, he refuses and if I try to help him, he bites me. The solution is, I have been told to allow another staff member to work alongside him and I am to focus on the rest of the class, not this boy. So, surely that's showing him that he can controkl his environment, and he has won?
So pissed off

Sorry for the rant there. One last point too, all the staff in the other classes are allowed to be firm to the kids in theor classes.
We are the only class in the whole of the early years dept (so 4 classes all together) who are not allowed to be firm with the children and tell them what theya re doing wrong.

SM - I really feel for you. I help in a Y2 class and one child control the whole situation. Makes me cross. I didn't realise your J will be a young school starter. Down here they have stopped part time starting as of Sept so all children will start full time in Sept even the really young ones.

MrsY - Luke also loves Fireman Sam and is constantly playing with Jacks but there is only 21 mths between them and they play well together

Why is it just your class, hun? Is there any chance of sitting down and talking to a group of teachers about different ways of dealing with him?

Oh, and Dinky, what trunki are you going for? We were going to get the fire engine!! for M for Christmas, but didn't get it in time 'cos of the snow.

ooogs it's really the only tv she's into, but they don't seem to do much merchandise. Luckily I don't mind her wearing boys stuff!!

MrsY The teacher in my class has 8 years ASD experience, so she is used to doing everything the ASD way. When I had my interview, before and since, i made it perfectly clear that i did not want to work in an ASD base, but it seems they are slowly making my room another base class. We have anew boy starting in a few weeks, severe autism and they have moved out one of the 'easier' kids to make room for him.

People are all talking about how they disagree with the approach we are taking, even the department head, but hey.
I know my teacher is really stressed, she is working too hard atm, what with trying to do a foundation degree alongside teaching and not getting a full teachers pay (un-qualified and in training), I do really respect her for her dedication and passion for her job, but is so hard to work in a manner you don't personally agree with.
Oh well, no sense in whinging too much, just have to get on with it I suppose.

Afternoon all. That sounds really tough SM - no wonder you find it hard. I guess all you can hope is that if the dep head really does disagree, they'll put their concerns to the teacher and she'll change the approach.

MrsY - Danny is getting the ladybird. DS1 has a cow trunki which Danny pootles around on yelling Mooo Mooo. Am hoping with the red ladybird he'll be silent like the ladybird

SummerRain - DS1 is doing Makaton at school and is loving it. They're doing a Makaton assembly in a few weeks time - he was showing me Old Mcdonald in Makaton this morning. Felt very proud.

MrsY - nothing wrong with Fireman Sam, dd also loves it and so do I

SM that sounds more than a bit daft - but I guess you have to adjust to how they run things and see how it goes.

Not sure what I am getting Lilian for her birthday. She has so many soft toys already but I think she might love a toy Gruffalo ....she is obsessed with the book and she got the DVD for Christmas (which is great) so I think she'd love the toy....and maybe some pretend play kitchen stuff as she likes making 'cuppa tea' for us all . DS's 4th birthday is in March and he has already given me a list

SR great about A's signing, especially with the older two teaching him - brilliant!

calico dd & ds2 are 4 in March and they only keep mentioning a party what party?????

oooggs same here!....DS keeps telling me which friends are coming to his party (wasn't planning one) and also that he wants a blue watch (he can't tell the time yet) and a rocket cake with red icing and people in it !!

Aaah, that's sweet Calico.

If DS recognises numbers you could get him a digital watch - DS1 got given a toy story one for his 4th birthday from a school friend and loves it.

We're having a little party for Danny the weekend after his birthday - felt guilty we only did a tiny family party for his 1st birthday (whereas we've always had a party and hoopla for DS1's birthdays). DS1 is very kindly going to help DH pick the music for pass the parcel.

Hi.
had another really rough day at work with that boy.
I've tried my best to completely ignore him (as instructed) and work with the other children, but it's bloody hard when the little git follows me around!!
The plan now? I'm being moved to another class tomorrow.
I've been told it is just for tomorrow, but they need another perm staff member in there, I don't want to move. I don't mind one day, but I'd rather stay in my room.
I have told them that too.

Gonna pour a big drink now

Not too much though, we've got an ofsted visit tomorrow.

Good luck with the Ofsted visit tomorrow SilveryMoon - hope it goes smoothly.

Hey all, sorry for disappearing. Internet has been acting the maggot all weekend.

It was dd's birthday today... my baby is 6 she had her party uesterday... 17 kids and it went really well. She had a ball and even antisocial little A got into the swing of things and was running around outside with all the big ones.

All over with now though thanks god!

Goood luck tomorrow with the new room and Ofsted SM

Good luck SM, I used to get so jittery before Ofsted inspections, as if I'd say something and then they'd close the entire place down!

Nice to hear A got involved in the party, SR, can't imagine M's 6th birthday, can't really believe it's nearly her 2nd.

In a bit of a quandry about M's party. Last year we went as big as we could (bearing in mind we have a tiny house and it's Feb, so outdoors is a no-go) which was about 8 kids (not many very mobile ones) and about 20 parents. This year we decided we were going to try and do a bigger party (with space for people to actually move!) so I spoke to my church about using the parish room. They've said it's £22 per hour (which I think is pretty steep for a Sunday afternoon). How long do people think is long enough? I was thinking about 3.5 hours, is that too long or too short? The only other place we could go that has enough space is J's parents, who a) live at least 40 mins away from most people and b) would take over and do it all, plus invite all their friends and turn it into an excuse for a booze up.

Anyway, is two hours long enough for a two year olds party (allowing for the fact some people have a 30 min drive each way?).

[bbear]