We May Be Crepey.......

[CointreauVersial]

.....but we are still Stylish (if not Beautiful).

My cousin is only a bit forren, like me.
But the location is right!

Hello Livingfortoday, and welcome to Hagsnet.

OMG. Have I caused mortal offence?

Both parents were talking in forren, not French tho...

Thanks mrss

I hope to post a it more later, but at the 11 year olds in London!

I was grimacing at some indulgent parenting myself the other day, you know it's cute to let them run about when there is hot food being served, coffees etc, 'cos its there lickle game'

their

LOL, Herbs, not in the least!

Living - I cannot bear to see children running around in restaurants - and it always seems to be the Brit and American kids doing it. Was at a restaurant near Disney in the summer, Boden clad parents letting Little Imogen and Quentin run round and round the tables. Waitress spoke to them quite tersely, saying that they were busy, were carrying hot food about and would not be held responsible if anything landed on the children and burned them, due to their behaviour. Children were made to sit down for two minutes and then started again. All the other children in the restaurant - many nationalities - were sitting quietly and eating, apart from these two. I was embarrassed to be British.

Snort @ herbs and her fortune twins. Lol

Welcome living. jump away.
This is a thread of unjudgy niceness.

Hags the ironing is done. The pie is in the oven. I am going into the real world tonight to the cinema.
CV I am supposed to be low carbing too and have lost 2 lb in 2 weeks. I should be presentable by 2023 at this rate
Name tape sewers unite. Despite a degree in Costume Design I still use a sharpie so ner!

Hags, can I ask a question about snacks? The DDs leave home at 0730 in the morning, having had breakfast at 0700. They have no break at school in the morning or afternoon, except for 45 minutes for lunch at 1130, and then it is straight through to 1530, and they get home on the bus at 1615 (ish). DD1 is doing a lot of sports and music after school, and not getting home until 1800 or 1930 depending on what bus she gets. I need to pack her a snack - but what? She used to take apples or a granola bar I used to make, but due to her peculiar braces, can't eat either of these things. Should I make her a sandwich, or is there anything more interesting you can suggest? Obv I don't want to stuff her full of cake. The granola bar and apple really used to hit the spot, and relatively healthy too.

Hmm the old braces are a pain. Dd did give up in apples for a while when she wore them- and crusty bread was a nono too.
What about those pouches if fruit purée I have seen in Le supermarche? Or mini cheeses to nibble on. Yogurt sachets?
Smoothies?

Dd lives on bagels.and chocolat chaud. Tis the menu if geniuses ( aparently )

MrsS fruit and a "healthy" bar are my snack of choice for the DC and as neither have braces (though both are coveting), I'm not sure what to suggest. Would peanut butter butties be too sticky? Homemade malt loaf is another winner in our house but maybe that would be too chewy?

Welcome living and congratulations!

I have to say, indulgent parenting in cafes is one of my pet hates. Unfortunately there are a LOT of those types round these parts now

Oh yes, DD1 has braces too . (Wotcher LFT!) I think mini-cheese is an idea of genius.

WRT children, independence, London: DD1 was rung up (on her new mobile of which she is SO PROUD ) and invited round to a friend's house. Off you trot, I said, just be back for supper. She rang a bit later asking could she stay for supper there and we said yes, just be back for 7.30 (eyes time, ahem). I suppose if it were truly dark we'd have offered to go round with to get her, but really all she has to do is walk back a few streets in the twilight. It did strike me that PBDF's mum would have a fit...

Ooooh, "indulgent parenting in cafes" (or any public eateries) - the cause of much tension in my extended family. My nephews are allowed to get away with all sorts, whereas the rest of the children in the family are not. Cue much unpleasantness at any major family gathering taking place in a restaurant, which always ends up with my SIL and DB glowering at the rest of us. Actually, this happens at all family get-togethers, not just the ones in restaurants.

Cheese is a good snack, I reckon.

Anyone got any good recipes for fresh cockles? I was given some this morning and don't really have any idea what to do with them.

Mrs S - Terrible Cunt Mum was subject of a ripping AIBU thread. She asked the OP to look after her DD, as a favour, and OP said that was OK, but precious DD would have to come shopping with her as she needed to get some stuff. TCM flew off the handle, saying that 'wouldn't be stimulating enough'. After much 'encouragement' by mumsnetters, OP told her politely to Eff Orf. TCM then badmouthed her to all and sundry, but OP had got there first and TCM was unmasked as the cow she was. It was ACE! I've been searching for it, but alas the words 'terrible', 'cunt' and 'mum' seem too common to enable finding it!

Any parent who is as controlling of their 14 year old as the PBDF's mum clearly is, is riding for a nasty fall. And I speak as someone who has tremendous controlling tendencies that frequently have to be reined in.

PMSL.

DP has, for the first time ever, helped DD2 (aka Miz "I have NO CLOTHES and NO SOCKS") sort out her overflowing chest of drawers. Miracle of miracle, she turns out to have lots of clothes and masses of socks

His response over the years has been "she protests she has no clothes! We must go shopping!" I think he may reconsider this next time . His sabbatical has been good for me him.

We have to go to the funeral of my friends' five year old who died, tomorrow. They've asked for no black, and pink/yellow/flowery clothes. I picked up a lovely Jigsaw silk dress in the Sue Ryder shop the other day, so that's me sorted. I have to go into work for the morning, but they'll be fine about the funeral.

Stropps, I find it quite liberating that DD (and increasingly DS) takes control of her own life most of the time (speaking as an "in-control" mother and teacher )

Yup, I'm with you there, BTM. Less stuff for me to fuss about if DD is doing it for herself. She has not had such a great track record in getting off her arse and organizing things for herself but is gradually getting better. And I am gradually getting better at sitting on my hands.

You lot seem lovely, looking forward to getting to know you all a bit more.

Actually what made me delurk was cointreuversials post earlier with all the links in the her/your bargain buys.

A) there was stuff id class as falling within my style
B) I liked how 'twas nice n bargainess - I like the nicer side of high street and am trying not to buy stop gap clothes, that'll do type purchases on the hoof from Asda and next!

We've been on s staycation and it's DH last night some having more wine, I've baked bread and waiting to have that with olives, oil, pâté, cheese. Then I must get in diet.

Re cafe kids, I'm glad it's not just me! one of them had real uggs on too

Oh and on the subject of freedom for our DC, DD and BFFs went up to Trafalgar square and watched some Paralympics, them Picc Circus where there was some real live circus going on and then to the Southbank for a wander and a ride on the (very expensive) rollercoaster before bushopping home. So proud that they are independent and confident enough to do this [happy]

MI, I wanted to say something supportive in response to your post about going to the funeral of your friends' five year old. But I can't think of anything to say that isn't glib or somehow inappropriate.

It's just

Oh MI, think I must have xposted with you - so sad to have to go to a child's funeral. We lost a close family friend aged 11 when I was 15 and it was awful, but it helped with the grieving process.

I can't think of anything worse, MI. Will be thinking of you tomorrow. I think "no black" is a good idea.

I am DH-less at the moment, Ruby, but only until Thursday. Unlike you, I find things work better when he is not here. The flat is tidier, tempers are less frayed (he would say that this is because I let the DDs do as they want - I would say that it is because they do what I ask them, whereas with him, they tend to start with an argument. All homework was done this weekend, and in bed at a fairly reasonable time, too).

I will have to work from home tomorrow afternoon though, as DD1 has a football match and DD2 will be home on the usual bus. But that shouldn't be too difficult as AB is on leave, and I am in charge!

MI will be thinking of you tomorrow. It will be a difficult day but it is right that a funeral is the best way of saying goodbye together with everyone who loved them. I hope it is cathartic for you
Take care and I'm sure your dress will be lovely too.