May 2008 - The Third Thread.... Hot sausage and Mustard continued.....

[Haribosmummy]

New thread... Hoep this one is a bit more accessible!!!

Ooh.. MM - I will check that out.

I'm really sorry to admit that I have already registered DS in the school of our choice. The top nurseries / schools DO get booked up very quickly.

I was really surprised, as I registered DS when he was 7 months old and I want him to go to a certain morning pre-school from age 3... We only were assured of a morning place (which I would much prefer, as DS is much more alert in the morning) because his two sisters are already placed in the school...

How MAD is that??? DS won't even go to thet school until 2011...

Have you considered a nanny share? it might be what you are looking for, esp. given the fact that you might struggle to pick your LO up by 6pm - most good nurseries have a £15 surcharge for every 15 minutes (or part thereof) if you are late - which REALLY adds up!

Right, I'm off to goodle storke!!

I'm having a look at childminders but fear my mindset isn't right for any of this at the moment. I feel so about it all and need to be a bit more positive I think!

Jesus - so I should be looking at preschools already too should I!? We moved into our house 3 years ago before we had dd and did wonder why this house was that bit dearer & this area was so hard to find property on. We eventually realised that the school at the end of our road is the best in the borough & everyone I now know with kids is very of our address as we're in the catchment area. A woman across the road selling her house said a viewer came by a while back and said they were trying to decide whether to stretch themselves and buy her house so their LO could go to the local school or to pay for their child to go to private school.

HM - we got some of our pram here for cheaper than elsewhere. See how unfashionable I am - they are actually called Stokkes I think . See here

MM - I am sorry to say, but yes... If you are in the catchment area of a good school, then you are VERY lucky!!! (but I don't think you need to register for state schools if you are in the catchment area???)

The school I want to send DS to is private, with a WONDERFUL reputation (and, I have to say, has had a wonderful effect on my two DSDs) I like and agree with the objectives and principles of the school.

But, it's already getting booked up for 2011 / 2012 intake.

The nursery I really liked only had room for DS on a Friday morning (though I ended up not sending him)...

I'm going to be really horrid here, but I don't really like the idea of CMs. I looked at quite a few, but they all seem to have their own agendas - mostly ''I want to stay at home with my child and the only way I can afford to do that is look after your sprog, so needs must and all that...'' Every single one I looked at put DS's needs at the bottom of the pile... I know I'm being really unfair, as loads of people use CMs and are really happy, but I didn't like the attitude of the ones I met (and I met 6!!!!)

Sorry...

Hello..

Could i join in? Have been lurking for a while, and it does seem like a nice place, compared to some threads.
My DD was born 30 may and is an absolute monkey, blowing raspberries all the time when eating, testing her luck whenever she can, and, I think, trying to get her 3rd and 4th teeth out. Hopefully soon! because her sleep isn't great (understatement).

Read about slings.. my friend recommended a beco butterfly which I got and it's just lovely, you can swing baby from front to back carry, and it's so light and soft yet sturdy. And this same friend for buggies has got a Baby Jogger City Mini which made me really want to get it but I'd already bought a boring staid Maclaren.

Will be going back to work in mid Feb. How quickly 9 months passes!

Hello kwt!

I think it's really funny to see the LO's develop and start pushing boundaries!!!

I've just ordered a karrimor Deluxe baby carrier, but then I walk a lot and have signed up for two moonwalks this year so need something quite sturdy!!!

9 months, eh? WHo can believe our little ones are so big now!!

HM Kiddisave also have good prices, just shop around once you have decided. But definetley find one in a shop that you can try DS in it. Sorry if that is stating the obvious but sometimes they look great but in reality are crap. I had never tried the Zapp and besides being the perfect smallest pushchair it is not very sturdy and a PITA to fold down and no good for shopping or handbags. Sorry just moaning.

Welcome KWT I also had DS2 starting to blow raspberries whilst eating and I just kept saying no in a firm voice and he has stopped. ( Sounds mean but it wasn't)

Monkeysmama Just remember you still have lots more time at home with your DD, you just need to organise her a place now. IYSWIM

I obviously have nothing better to do today as I seem to be here lots. I have left the house taken boys to creche whilst I was at gym and then went out for lunch and taken DS1 to playgroup. Now waiting for DS2 to wake up to hopefully get him weighed at the baby clinic otherwise will take him on thurs.

Welcome KWT

I have a raspberry blowing monkey too. Mitchell I am impressed that your DS responds to no. Dd responds with giggles.

What's happened to LM? Are you okay?

I am watching the Obama inauguration and have just eaten half the victoria sponge I made earlier today [fat piggy monkey mama]. Off to see my mum now for some tlc for me and dd as we're both still feeling ill with our colds.

MM

If I could have a new buggy I would get the Phil and Ted's Vibe. But I like to have something no one else has....

I have a 3 wheeler jane slalom from new when had DS1, with matrix car seat. Then I got a quinny zapp and borrowed my SIL's cabrio car seat to clip on, and am currently using that as my 'urban' buggy.

I recently borrowed an original Phil and Ted's sport/e3 (not sure of the difference). And when I had to return it bought my friend's beaten up on for £75 which she was going to ebay.

I really like the look of the vibe and it would fit in with your plan for LO2....

I love buggies and do think no one does the full job. You need to test drive them like a car IMO!

Hey!

Just a quickie from me... It's exactly one year ago today that I found out about DS!! Amazing really!! The date struck me yesterday as I watched the Inaugauration of Barack Obama... and sure enough, I just checked the scan photos - 21st January 2008!!

HM xxx

Hi! I'm (sort of) OK, just got quite bad nervey arm pain at the moment, partly due to lots of laptop use, so I'm reading everyday but not posting .

We have 3 buggies too. A really really cheap stroller which I take to the swimming pool,etc and used to leave outside the CMs house when I took DD1, it's a 'don't care if it gets nicked' buggy. It was about £20!!

Then we have a better stroller which was about £70, that we bought for travelling as our other one is a Bugaboo, which is great, and I love it, but it does take up a lot of boot space when we go away. Oh, and I also have a double buggy which I will be selling very soon as we don't use it anymore. Eeek! That's four!

MM I understand how you are feeling, I hated having to sort childcare for DD1. Obviously I had a few problems with my CM last year, and now DH will have the girls while I am at work. I hope you get something sorted. You should be able to do a search on internet for local childcare facilities, CMs or nurseries. I would say look at both and see what you think. Good luck. It is really hard, but just think of all the kids who are very happy in childcare, be it nurersy or CM.

Where we live you can't 'put their name down' for school as such, well, I'm sure you can for private, but for state schools, you just apply when the time is right. We have just had to apply for DD1's nursery place for her to start next Jan 2010. We are keeoing our fingers crossed that she gets into one of the catholic schools (as we are catholic, not just becasue denomination schools have a good reputation). So I think what I'm trying to say MM is not to worry about putting your DDs name down for school, as unless it's private (like HM) then I don't think you actually can IYSWIM. I may be wrong, mitchell might know as she has older kids?

I think LM is right about schools, we have DS1's (but not yet DS2)name down at 2 private schools, mostly to keep our options open. I'll have to go back to dreaded work to manage that though. But state schools you apply the Jan before you go in our area. Our local catchment school has a good reputation so unless we move I'm sure he'll be fine. I live in Poole where people lie and get followed by the council to get in one particular school !

Off to a beat stress course in a mo, probably more needed for my DH, but since he's not really speaking to me still and is sleeping in the study I've not told him I'm going (yet more )

Niknak - sorry you and DH aren't speaking

LM - Sorry about the arm pain.. I think you are right about the schools, BTW.

LM Yes you are right about the schools. For State schools you can only register in the allocated time frame before they start nursery or school.

Welcome back LM Hope the pain has gone or is going.

Niknak Sorry that you and DH are not talking.

DS1 has woken up this morning with a high temperature and miserable, seems to have perked up within 30 minutes of giving calpol so will be making sure he gets it every 4 hours to keep on top of it. I am so sick of this cough/cold/high temp which keeps going round my family. Summer can't come quick enough. I am never sick and have had 3 colds already. And everyone seems to have a permanent cough. (Not a good winter this year)

Good news! I think the Niknak ice husband is thawing. I'm used to his strops, but they do upset me. I like to have it out and move on, not walk away from a 'discussion' and don't speak to each other.

I went to a beat stress course today at a local children's centre, apart from the fact I couldn't find it and had to park on the road with a risk of a parking ticket (v Stressed when arrived), it was very good and I feel less stressed

NIknak - glad to hear it!

Can I ask: Is anyone planning on being a SAHM? (Mitchell I know you!)... I have made quite a nice group of friends since we moved but most of them are going back to work very shortly and I suppose I (selfishly) am wondering how things will change...

Most of the friends I've made are now looking at going back to work and organising evenings outs (when the dads can look after the baby) but I can't see how this will work for me... My freelance work is going well, but I'm really not keen to go back more formally when I don't really have a big support network for DS..

I'd like to meet some other SAHM, but not sure how to go about it now... I love the friends I've made, but really worried about them all forging ahead - evenings out etc., - and I just get left behind... Sorry, that sounds really selfish!

Hey ladies

Thanks for all the posts about schools. Bit of a believer in state education so no private school for dd. I am pleased to know I don't have to make a choice about her secondary school just yet though am a bit at all the things I need to organise for her nursery / pre school. HM I am very impressed with how organise you seem.

LM glad to see you back on here.

NikNak is it this weekend the friends/stag. Hope it all goes well.

We're off to a farm for a long weekend with some friends, 3 couples 5 kids. Should be fun though I still have a cold and would have liked another weekend at home in bed!

Hope you all have a good weekend.

MM

P.S HM I may still be a SAHM. We're discussing the options but that is one of them - or staying at home until she's 3....

Haribo - I'm also a SAHM, and most of the people I've met through ds's antenatal group are now going back to work soon and I actually feel like i wouldn't mind working a couple of days a week now but can't really see that happening at the moment. I do have other friends though that I see but it does take a while to meet people and I think that's why being a SAHM can often feel quite lonely for a lot of people especially if you don't have family nearby. Main things i can suggest are going to mums and toddler groups, there is a meet a mum section on the netmums website too.

Niknak - glad things are improving with your dh and that the stress course was good.

Mitchell - Hope ds1 is feeling better today.

MM - hope you have a nice weekend.

Well it sounds a bit silly but i've got a bit anxious about going out with dd & ds together as dd was having loads of tantrums and every trip was so stressful it didn't seem worth the effort. So i made myself take them out yesterday and it wasn't too bad. This morning i met up with some friends at a local soft play place, and i was a bit worried about keeping my eye on dd while trying to look after ds and chat to people etc, anyway dd was fine apart from this boy kept trying to attack her, I don't mind the odd shove etc but this was full on vicious pushed her to the floor, held her down while trying to punch her and pull her hair! I couldn't believe it the parent told him to stop it but I said this is the 3rd time your child has hurt my daughter and they didn't say anything to me. Apparently my friend was there the other day and same child was there doing same thing.

I found it hard going back to work after DS1 partly because I had my social meet ups with NCT Mums and almost all of us were going back, but different days etc. I would recommend netmums, our local site has meet ups at soft play/cafes.

indigoblue I find other children's behaviour is very sometimes. I have been known to sort out a throwing incident even when my child wasn't there! Couldn't watch the toddlers being trampled by 5 yr olds who were not being supervised. Good way to make yourself popular down your local Esporta .

It is friend visitation this weekend. Not sure when they leave or arrive since her DH wants to only stay one night. I want them to come bedtime Fri and leave Sun am, can't be arsed to change the beds if it's only for one night (housework is not my forte and I have far too much washing to do as it is). I'm pleased I said no to the stag weekend because the track part is in Louth which I found out is in LINCOLNSHIRE . I think at least 4 hrs from us....The others were in Wales or London which are also a good drive. I think DH does need some sleep, and not to be haring around the country IMO.

Niknak - does your DH know that your friends might only stay the one night? If they leave Saturday night, isn't your DH going to be steamed that you said no to him going to the track day?

Indigo - Totally agree what you say about SAHMs. Ironically, it's the lack of family support which is raelly what's stopping me going back!!!

MM - Enjoy your weekend!!

What's everyone else up to?

Some very sad news: Sarah Parrish's baby died yesterday. Her baby girl was was born the same time as my DS (and, of course, all of our LOs).

I simply cannot bring myself to even consider the pain she and her DH are feeling.

Sorry, I hope no one feels it's inappropriate to post that, but if she WAS on MN, she would have been a FML

Evenin' all

Sorry I've not been posting of late, I've been trapped on the weaning boards and goodness me what a stroppy place it can be. Anyway looks like things have calmed down now.

HM who is Sarah Parrish? I've never heard of her. Is she in asoap or something? That's terrible, I don't know the circumstances or anything about her but that really must be so terrible, I can't even begin to imagine it.

Sounds very stressful those of you having problems with school and nursery. We have the same thing in Spain but not so much in the village I live in, as it's so small. Also I'm lucky enough to not need nursery hopefully til he's about 2 probably, what with my hours and so on. Then once he's 3 he can start school. Well, I say school, it's basically nursery but it's run by the state, so is free and anyway if they don't go then it's very hard to get a place at 5.

I'm hoping to be a WAHM from the summer, which is as close as I can get to being a SAHM, what I'd really like to be. I don't really know more than a couple other SAHMs but my friends are mostly from work and we have weird hours so i could still see them all in the mornings.

Monkeysmama how's the bilingualism going? I'm wondering in which language DS's first word will be!

Haribo friend is coming sat am to sun am, so he can't really go to track day. Even if they weren't coming I would've tried to persuade him that this one was just too far away.
I hate to hear of any baby death, but didn't even know Sarah Parrish had had a little one. Must be awful.

I think I know who Sarah Parrish is....but whoever it is, how very awful. I can't imagine anything worse.