susyp

My 4 year old has recently virtually taught herself to read over the summer - moving on from phonics which she was taught at preschool - using the oxford reading tree series. susypx

friend's son is called Harrison - I quite like that! My friends son is called Silas and I always thought it was a v ugly name but I see she is very in vogue! Glad for that! I would have called a son Thomas I think but again quite traditional. Max, Joe. The "doublers' in my daughters class are Josh and Max though. Susypx

fay ripley's family food changed my life! my daughter at 18 months suddenly started eating proper food! susypx

My daughter has been exposed twice this year in her nursery class at school, most recently in July when her best friends all had it but she didn't. Weird as she normally gets everything! Not sure if it's around more or it's just because she has started at a school! susypx

How strange I was about to post asking about this. My question is the same - does it provide guaranteed lifetime immunity? I have also seen children very unwell with chickenpox this year and I remember being very unwell with it. Would like my daughter to have the jab in principle. In Australia it is routinely offered I believe? Susypx

My daughter did this and it was awful. Nothing I did worked. She was slightly better when she started nursery school aged 3 and 2 months and then even with a couple of biting incidents, by Christmas she was so much better and now is completely brilliant (at 4 and 2 months). She did bite a child at a BBQ she was with me at late last september and I was so angry I took her home and put her to bed, no telling off or anything, I was too angry to even speak to her (having been called in by the teacher about the biting incidents I just had had enough!!!). Froom that time on she stopped being violent. I am sure it is not just what I did, and no doubt largely the teacher, but if I were to do the 2s again I would definitely just remove her from whatever situation immediately and take her home. I did used to give her timeout but then return to the fun activity. I don't think, in retrospect, that that was enough. Missing out entirely on something because you have hit or bitten or whatever is a pretty strong message. Equally I also think that she was frustrated and loves school so the stimulation that provided may have been as much t od with the change of behaviour as getting older/discipline approaches. Susypx

I have had a bit of an epiphany (not sure i can spell that) and have decided to retrain to be a baby swimming instructor partly as in my area (not ed anymore) there is a huge demand and not enough classes available, and mainly because i have been a SAHM for the past 4 years and can't bear the thought of going back full time to what i used to do. I am loving the summer holiday and want to be around after school and in the holidays. Just wondered if anyone on here did this or has done this and could give me any advice. I am signed up for the relevant training courses but it's going to take til next March to get qualified so looking for experience/voluntary work etc I can get in the meantime. thanks in advance sorry bit random post thought was worth a punt! susypx

Hi does anyone know if phenergan has to be prescribed for a 4 year old or if can just pick it up from the chemist? Travelling soon to west wales and have bought a dvd player for the car - while it may make the journey easier i am also worried it will aggravate the mild travel sickness my daughter has (complains of feeling sick but never actually been sick). thanks Susypx Edited to say if anyone has any alternatives I would be v interested to hear - as I realise it's an antihistamine - whenever my daughter has piriton she is tired for days so i would prefer to avoid anything with a sedative effect.

I have had this problem and didn't invite friends over because of it. However I have to say that I enjoy people's houses that feel welcoming and relaxed (which can include tidy ones of course) and I really don't notice piles of washing etc. So I am trying to strike a balance on being clean (if not tidy) and welcoming! susypx

I had this with my daughter a couple of years ago and no way was I getting near it - I put antiseptic cream on it a few times during the night and by the morning it had gone - magic! susypx

Hurray today's visit was fine, in fact my daughter, being one of extremes as she is - actually cuddled the doctor! I think the fact she got better so quickly was the deciding factor in changing her mind! susypx

Thank you everyone really encouraging! I hadn't actually thought about the receptionist being unprofessional and I think you are right as it did make me feel terrible - whereas before I kind of thought it was par for the course - plenty of kids have meltdowns in different situations and my daughter doesn't actually score too badly on the meltdown front! Would love to have her daddy with me but he is working, so I think all I can do is try to educate her more - and I would far prefer that she wasn't forced. So we have read a book about a doctor's day, practised her and her favourite toy letting the doctor look at their bottoms and talked about how nice the doctor was and how amazing it is how quickly she hs got better. Plus promise of pizza after... Also I have just got an iphone at last so am busy downloading some games that she can do at the surgery on the basis she goes along with everything!! susypx

Does anyone have any tips on how to get a 4 year old over a doctor phobia? As I can see this becoming a huge problem! My daughter has an infection "down below" and by the time I noticed it she was red raw and in a lot of pain and discomfort. The GPs surgery were great and saw her immediately. However this meant we went straight after school (never a good time) while my daughter was in said pain. She already has an issues with doctors as last September she had croup and the (child doctor apparently) GP we saw her got cross because she wouldn't open her mouth and said, and I quote " Ok we'll do this the hard way then" and forced her mouth open. So we trotted in to see a very nice lady doctor who then proceeded to bear very patiently a full 30 minutes of my daughter having total hysterics and racing around her room trying to get away from me trying to pull her pants down!!! She kicked and bit me, was full on hysteria. The doctor was very good and didn't touch her at all and let me undress her and handle her etc. However we now have to go back for a follow up on monday. When I rang to make the appointment the receptionist said "oh yes we know who xx is" because the entire waiting room had of course heard the screaming!! So I am dreading it. I have made some progress in that the antibiotics and the cream that were prescribed have made her a lot less sore very very quickly - so we keep discussing how clever the doctor is - but I still think when it comes to undress we will have another scene. Any tips?! Susypx

I have sympathy Emza78, my daughter always throws up when she has a bad cough, I have never found anything to stop it except not too much liquid before bed can help a bit. But whenever she has a cough- many changes of sheets occur! I have to keep her home from school with a cough for the same reason. I don't know any other children who throw up with every single cough they get so I think some children just susceptible to this! I always get coughs too, must be a genetic thing. susypx

ah you see I am so out of touch after 4 years, I recently started getting a newspaper delivered but I have a 3 1/2 year gap in my current affairs knowledge. Maybe that explains the lack of job opportunities!!! I was talking about this with a friend over the weekend who used to be a barrister, now works for a council as a lawyer 3 days a week and barely gets enough to cover childcare, she is doing it to keep her hand in as they say, and to keep sane, she doesn't want to be at home full time. But her husband's career is flying high - in a similar field - he is constantly going on work jollys abroad etc etc. Why is (normally) the women that have to sacrifice! In my case I did choose to but for many women it seems to the only option, like it or not. Susypx

I remember being absolutely and totally revolted. If only my feelings had stayed this way life would have been much simpler! Susypx

a friend of mines 3 year old daughter asked her what the hole in her "foo foo" was for. And her mum explained it stretched to allow a baby out. Which I thought was pretty hardcore!! My daughter of the same age has also asked how babies come out of tummies - luckily I had a c section so I can tell her, in all honesty, that they "pop out" of your tummy. He he. susypx

I am a SAHM for past 4 years and previously had a high pressure job in TV - didn't feel I could do that and have a child and be happy! I am not sure I would want to be paid to do this as a job but I wonder if there is some middle ground like a tax credit for my husband or something ie so that we get the same tax breaks that working mums do - as obviously we are taking a major financial hit. Most of my friends who work don't have to work but wish to. I have no idea what working mums do get so apologies if I am way off course on this! Also I think there should be more help on returning to work, am applying for stuff now and definitely think that my 4 year career break is affecting my chances as I am not even getting interviews on jobs that I would have thought I was over-experienced for. Applying for jobs now that are 10-15k below what I used to get. Definitely feel that I am looked down on by the professional class as it were for stepping out of it for a period of time. susypx

yes my daughter's nursery day out was rained off twice !!! They were supposed to have a seaside today with paddling pool etc in the nursery playground and the paddling pool was cancelled (after they had all turned up with swimming costumes) because it was too cold. It is really unbelievable. Much as I hate to bore on about the weather, I think especially when you have children, it does determine how your life is going!! Hosting my daughter's 4 year old party on sunday. I really do not need rain. Susypx

eco79 i was not criticising you quite the opposite susypx

SImilarily holding myself back as this is a debate that raises hackles on both sides. Simple answer is from my point of view, no , it they are not worth it. susypx

my god dutchestate that is the cleanest house I have ever seen - can i borrow your mum? susypx

i got the iron on ones from great little trading co which have stayed on this year no problem. susypx

she can't do leggings either - gets in a right pickle- i will discuss with her in january if she is willing to wear trousers on pe days or is willing to learn to put on tights!!! sounds like a fair choice! she doesn't have to get changed for pe until then thank goodness. next stage is to find a lunch box which she can manage - in paperchase they have little boxes which a friend has used to put different elements of lunch inside a zip up carry box. ~Going to take her for a test run tomorrow! susypx

great thread my daughter had her trial hour today so i was just thinkng about this and would have been wolefully unprepared! Have got 2 school cardis as she has a sweatshirt at nursery and hates it as she can't take it off - but is quite good at buttons. So would 2 pinafores and 1 skirt (figured skirt easier for pe?) and then a pack of poloshirts - 5ish, work? She can wear her own coat to school so I haven;t bought school fleece or anything. A friend who is a reception teacher said please teach her to to put on tights - she spends so long helping the girls with tights - but i can't see her doing this - any tips on teaching this particular skill?! susypx