Finishing year 13 in 2017 part 2

[user9512736123]

New thread as the old one is at 990 messages!

Lovely to read everyone's news - we're all in a busy flurry of activity aren't we?

We've had an interesting week since returning from holiday. DS2 started boarding school for Sixth Form (the first time either of my children has not been in the state sector) so that was a big wrench, although thankfully he's loving it so far. And now I'm helping DS1 get ready for uni in 2 weeks' time, so buying bedding and pots & pans etc.

After 14 years of being a single parent, this is going to be a massive change.

User allegedly you're a safer driver if you don't pass first time.

Statistically, thats true. DD failed on something not too terrible the first time, but said she was quite glad as she didn't really feel ready. She's had a lot more practice now.

AmITwirly, similar here, 15 years as a single parent, shortly to have both DC away at university.

The best drivers don't pass first time, I am thoroughly convinced of it.

some even do 4 driving tests

Liney - you too hey? Fortunately I have lots of friends to keep me company, but I think it'll take a while to get into a new rhythm.

Yes, Twirly, suddenly the house will seem not quite so small after all. I have no idea how I'm going to feel. I've given it my all, bringing them up alone, for 15 years, like you have, and I guess we should be able to 'relax' now, but I don't really know how it's going to pan out tbh.

I know what you mean. I'm determined to try and make the most of the extra time though. (I've had quite a few friends die suddenly in their 40s and early 50s, so you never know when your time is up ).

Perhaps we should start a new thread for single parents whose DCs have flown the nest? I've got a couple of weekends away in the diary once DS1 has gone so I won't have too many weekends before Christmas on my lonesome. I suppose like everything else it's just a question of putting yourself out there.

I have been on my own for 14 years (if 5 children counts as alone). My personality is loner though so I just cannot wait. My best weeks ever are those entirely alone and have had far too few or those in my life. Work is busy and often involves people etc etc. So I suspect it's a personalty type thing as to whether you like being on your own or not.

Good luck for the driving tests. My boys took theirs at Easter last year - the worst one passed first time so now says he is the best driver in the family. He did everythnig his instructor said and loads of very obvious checking mirrors and it paid off. His twin had to resit 6 weeks later just before AS exams and did pass - he is the best driver but was probably not cautious enough first time round. I failed first time and as I was 17 when I went to university I only just passed in the August before I left.

Yes Oldie, I feel I'm quite happy on my own too. Although whether that'll still be the case when I'm on my own all the time (except at work obviously), remains to be seen...

Feeling a bit nervous about the upcoming taking her to Uni trip next week. I guess I just want it to go well for her and for her to settle in happily with a nice group of flatmates (Uni halls) It's also going to be a long drive there and back, but we are staying over a couple of nights either side of move in day to try and make it all go more smoothly, and more of a holiday break feel hopefully. Staying in a nice, friendly looking youth hostel the night before. DD is also away in Slovenia this week so I guess I'm missing her already 😥

Juggling we're heading off next week too. I'm nervous about random things like the motorway being blocked, the car breaking down, that we've turned un the wrong day etc

Had a lovely 1-hour phone call from DD in Edinburgh tonight. Everything, literally everything, is going great. She is absolutely certain that she had made the right choice, and is totally comfortable five days in..

Relief!

Oh that's great news Bizzy. Bet you are grinning!

It's so lovely to hear how they're all settling into their new places.

Hmm. Not very impressed. DS got email today to say his accommodation only has Ethernet access to internet. Apparently it's "faster than wifi". I'm sorry but I think ethernet is last decade and restrictive. They're obviously just too mean to update to wifi. And why have they only just let him know? Anyone else? Surely that's unusual in this day and age?

tobee I'm suspecting a lot of this small print stuff too. Who's the hall provider?

Well - ethernet is faster, more reliable and more secure. I wouldn't want to do my work over wifi. But those things don't matter too much for normal use, and do tablets and phones even have any sort of network port?

Errr I think the hall provider is the uni? Not sure.

It just seems to me that they are kind of stuck to cables rather than moving about the room (fortunately his room is tiny!) He has laptop, phone and smart tv and maybe iPad. Quick look on amazon and you can get Ethernet adaptors. DS is out so will decide which is suitable.

Dd had Ethernet in private halls in Germany which she found annoying and thought Germany was technologically backwards!! But she also had a tiny amount of usage per month and then you were stuffed so she's a bit jaundiced.

As in the halls only let dd have a tiny internet usage allowance.

This is why I get so cross with modern laptops. Every new laptop I get is worse than the last even though more modern and more expensive. Eg I am often in hotels abroad working and need to attach an ethernet cable and the new laptops don't have that so you have to buy an adapter. Secondly I am always having to attach my laop top to 20 y ear old hotelprojectors to give talks so need a VGA port and yes the modern lap tops don't have those either so I have to carry two adapters for that with me. They rarely have CD drives these days - I can just about manage with that but it just seems you get less and less because it saves the manfacturers money.

I hope my twins' halls have good internet. it is so vital for stuff these days. One of mine going on Friday has actually packed today with my help - it's all in the hall. It also means tomorrow when he's out all day will not be a rush in the evening in getting the stuff ready.

I am glad those already there have settled in.

Just wondering, if they've only ethernet could they set up their laptop (connected via ethernet) as a wifi hotspot to allow them to have their other bits connected wireless? I had a quick google and I think its possible, though maybe tricky depending on which OS, and I don't know if it would have security problems.

DS has shown me I misunderstood the email. They need the Ethernet for tv and gaming and should have wifi for other stuff.

I obviously jumped the gun because of the hassle dd had in Germany. Sorry all.

Tobee why do they only give us half the story

3G is rubbish at Bath Spa, but wifi is good.

We are set for an early start on Saturday. Ds is getting nervous but also excited. The count down is nearly over.
I am not sure how he will cope if the wifi is poor! 😀