New Fred. It nearly ended in tiers.

[Cismyfatarse]

Sorry. Lost track of what was proposed. Hope this will do.

goodname that must be incredibly disheartening all round.

The English commissioner is coming out with some useful suggestions so far. Talking about Summer programmes but with an emphasis on rebuilding social skills, sport and arts. Our Council already runs this sort of programme for Summer Holidays enrichment / childcare so I would imagine it could be scaled up and made available to all?

Also talking about individualised tutoring access for older DC.

@goodname I’m so sorry your ds (and yourself!) are being so unsupported by the school. To get to stage where he is ill with it sounds horrendous. Can you take it further up the chain at all?

The summer program sounds good - I’d like to see more provision of (affordable/free) activities for children year around and more opportunities for all (and not always sports based - music tuition for more for example would be wonderful for some children).

What can you do if school support is inadequate here? Are there ASL staff at the council you can appeal to?

I agree the holiday programmes are always sport heavy, dance, music, arts, crafts, board games - all of these would be nice to see.

Totally. It's about trying to shift the culture overall. I have no idea how that's achieved when it's so embedded across the whole of society. In our street the recycling bins are a running joke. 4 out of 6 closest neighbours are easily putting away significantly more wine than you but it's a source of neighbourly fun and chit chat. It's not until you think about it and go actually that's not that healthy. Equally though I don't blame folk. I don't drink much but I certainly eat way way more than I should.

The only reason it stays in my mind is that I worked in a bar through uni and the training is actually quite extensive regarding safe consumption of alcohol.

Incidentally one wonders if that should have been a government target during this pandemic - obesity. I know Boris Johnson started a thing but it seemed to fall by the wayside. It probably has as much of an impact if not more than alcohol.

But then all the fun and joy is taken away.

It's so hard. No easy answers.

Maybe they should try post lockdown incentives on gym memberships/exercise classes/swimming and some innovative schemes like that.

Agree the long term effects of lockdown weight gain could be awful if it's not lost.

Yes it's amazing what happens when you create a bit of positive buzz about something. Thinking like dry January and similar.

When couch 2 5k first started I remember there being a bit of fun about it and loads of people doing it.

She’s very protective of her teachers I’m afraid. Also she’s been on and off sick for the last two years so we’ve had no real consistency of heads. It is what it is and I don’t think the school system is set up or funded to help kids like him anymore, unless you have very huge issues you just don’t get help. It’s not even necessarily the school or teachers fault in general just a lack of funding/time I think

I don't think individuals are to blame either but there are very few levers parents can pull if their kids aren't being well supported at school - no governors, no external oversight of ASL provision or outcomes, very little visibility of ASL provision to the parent group.

Parents of children requiring additional support also don't usually take it up with their parent council like parents who've got regular grievances over nits or school snacks do, which only adds to a lack of any accountability.

Saw this earlier 🙌

Alcohol is a tough one, it seems all the cold dark countries have more of a problem with it. I think I drank too much in the first lockdown as a coping mechanism. I’ve tried to replace it with walking during the week now but it’s not always easy with this weather and finding time in amongst working and homeschooling etc. I have to say walking everyday makes me feel way better than drinking does but pouring a glass of wine is much easier than walking in the rain 🙂

Re ASN support - you should contact the head of education for your council if you're not getting what you need from the school.

@StarryEyeSurprise what a wonderful pairs of nurses.

goodname I would do what starry suggests - my dd is prone to migraine and stomach pains when she's overwhelmed too and they clearly need to put more in place.

I definitely drank too much first lockdown, and have just cut back again, certainly jot a problem think it's just that association with better times/relaxation.

@StarryEyeSurprise thanks but I just don’t think there are the resources available. We have the benefit of a nice small countryish school but that basically means it gets no additional funding. My niece had the same problem and my sister was very vocal in asking for additional support and for nowhere. She had to pay for a tutor to get her anywhere near ready for a high school. The school would promise help but it would never be consistent.

Anyhow I just kind of meant to say that the way maths is presented these days doesn’t seem to work for dyslexic kids but probably lots of other kids too. They seem to take a really simple idea and then explain it in such a complicated manor that we’re all left just scratching our heads

Goodname both parents like maths here (or let's say we felt confident going into the primary years!) and found the same thing.

What's the point of the number facts of 10 (how many ways can you make 10?) Etc? Bores us to tears and struggling to see how it's so useful, we didn't do that.

have you thought about contacting Dyslexia Scotland for advice, support and resources? They are meant to be good!

As for summer schools and sports clubs, yes they are always sports and rarely anything like arts and crafts or what. Also its all very primary focused and I think secondary kids would benefit from it too. But they can't let kids do sports activities and tell the rest of us to social distance, not go to the gym etc.

kurtrussellsbeard - I discussed it with a friend who is involved with a lot of social issues when we met at Christmas - do you think there is a connection between the introduction of minimum alcohol pricing and the increase in drugs deaths? With what were traditionally cheap drinks like Frosty Jacks increasing in cost so much, do drugs become a cheaper alternative?

We seem to have a good inch of snow. It's still falling 😭. In-laws got their first vaccine today.

Dd has weekly Covid test tomorrow. Dh has his booked then he's isolating. Could be a long week of my holidays 🙄

Can we stop talking about alcoholism etc now please? For personal reasons, I'd like us to move onto another topic of discussion.

@Groovee I'm so happy about the snow we had 2 walks in it today and we're planning to go sledging tomorrow. Something exciting to do for a change.

@Tomorrowisanewday I honestly don't have a clue but it would be interesting for some social scientist to explore! I would always assume drugs are dearer but they could be cheap as chips for all I know 🤷🏻‍♀️

I'm also so happy about the snow. I love it! Sledging is a great idea. I hope we have enough tomorrow.