Saffron

Check the university regs, bc not everywhere requires chemistry for degrees in biological/life sciences. Two good marks in two other science fields will be ok for some. Art therapy is very competitive and hard to make a career out of it without a lot of support. Biomedical science degree offers accreditation at some universities, good pathway to work in an analytical lab. Pharmacology is not an accredited program, but is also a good pathway for lab techs. xx

Group of youths reportedly snatched a woman's small dog from her and threw it to their own dog to savage, resulting in the small dog's death. They then fled the area. Police are investigating. http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/nunhead-womans-one-year-old-chihuahua-knocked-from-her-hands-by-gang-and-savaged-by-dog/

Grief comes out in all different ways. Seen on FB: Free hugs? xx

Just bumping this as I didn't want to read and run. A friend of mine went through multiple surgeries a few years ago for a high risk breast cancer diagnosis. Her consultants at the Marsden were amazing and completely supportive with all her decisions, including double mastectomy, and having her nipples rebuilt and tattooed back as hearts! She has since moved out of London with her family, and she is doing well. I hope you are able to find the support you need. Maybe it's worth posting in the Family Room too, as the family roomers seem to have a lot of accumulated knowledge on all things breast-related. xx

Bellenden Belle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone > for your thoughts and suggestions and opinions. > All really useful - particularly the fact that > there were such varying opinions. > > My partner has now spoken to his mum and said that > we would be happier with two nights. If I feel > differently nearer the time or if the trial > sleepovers go really well then I may up it to > three nights. But I'm going to try and not feel > pressurized into anything. > > I don't think my milk supply is likely to > disappear after two nights? Does that happen? Some women find that their supply bounces back easier than others. Just food for thought. No pun intended! :)

Is there a reason you're not allowing him upstairs? Allergies? Accidents? Could he not have a dog bed on the floor next to your bed? If you want to lock him in the crate overnight, I would consider bringing it upstairs into your room, if it's at all possible. If you don't want him upstairs in general, you could easily teach him that he's only allowed upstairs to sleep in the crate. Dogs are naturally gregarious pack animals. Locking a puppy alone in a crate overnight in a separate area of the home seems counterproductive to producing a well-socialised dog. xx

If pumping for more than one or two nights kills your supply, would you be happy with breastfeeding ending? Fwiw, it's not totally about Granny's capability. It's about the mother's feelings, and as a patent you don't have to justify this decision or explain your reasons, even to your own parents. If you don't want to do it, don't be manipulated. xx

It stems from wealthy tax dodgers driving inequality.

Yes, new parents "excepted", because parents don't get to sleep! :)

Nothing to do with data security for me, LM. I fundamentally and professionally disagree with the calculation that is used to derive BMI for children. It's different to the adult formula (which some people also believe is problematic). You can google various math nuts giving different interpretations, should you need a cure for insomnia. I also don't want my daughter measured without me there. My daughter is very tall for her age, I already have enough trouble with her starting to be self-conscious, without it being compounded by some well-meaning but ultimately interfering government initiative. I don't want my daughter to focus from an early age on her height and weight as arbitrors of health. I'd rather she learn good diet and exercise. xx

Why would HSfE only want to see a particular child? I thought they collected information on all the household members as a unit? Plus, isn't most of their data collection survey-based? They'd only send a clinical professional to collect personal measurements once you'd been interviewed and agreed to participate, surely? And if you don't agree, then they can just bugger off! DH thought this could be some bizarre CPS mix-up with another family, re child at risk of obesity-related issues ... but then why would they say it's a survey? And why wouldn't your GP know? And, surely anyone with a welfare concern would clearly identify themselves as from the HV/CPS/etc, no? It doesn't make sense. A mystery indeed! And a dodgy/unprofessional one too!

If the caller is from Health Survey for England, they should be carrying a registered ID. xx

We also opted out of the NCMP, and I have not been contacted further. xx

I've never heard of anything called the child obesity survey. Were they there to see your child in particular (ie, by name), or were they collecting general information on random children? There is something called the National Child Measurement Program, which is conducted through schools. http://www.hscic.gov.uk/ncmp I've never heard of them making home visits for the NCMP. The data is collected through schools with the parents' consent. Participation is not compulsory. A child's height and weight is considered sensitive personal medical data, and it would need to be collected by a health professional. Were the visits preceded by any verbal or written contact? And if so, what affiliation did the person give? In addition to contacting the police, you may want to speak with your child's school and your GP/HV. I share your curiosity and concern, wanting to know if anyone else has had a similar experience -- seems rather odd. xx

Has anyone else noticed recently an increase in posters joining the Forum then immediately posting on old threads, with links to various commercially associated websites as their contribution to the thread? Could be genuine, but seems a bit odd to me. xx

I thought the comments were funny, not offensive. It's good to be able to laugh at ourselves. I'm in an overpriced rental with subpar kitchen... can't even change it! Would love to have an in-sink disposal, and replace oversized worktop microwave with smaller cabinet mounted version. I'm glad I've got gas hobs, can't stand induction ones. But the cheap gas oven never heats evenly, and stuff always comes out undercooked in spots. Definitely not my dream kitchen, but at least I've got a dishwasher! Hope you find what you need. xx :)

Not uncommon to have a baby during postgraduate studies -- also pretty amazing! X

We have always let our spare room to friends or friends of friends, and it has worked out well. When I was working in Switzerland I used to let the downstairs of a 3 story house. Owners and their young daughter lived up stairs. We had bbqs together in the summer. If you get the right person it's nice for everyone. Of course if you get the wrong person it could be awkward. Mature students are often good since they tend to be very focused. xx

The Bedlam Bunch xx http://thebedlambunch.co.uk/

The RSPCA did initially believe the deaths could be attributed to foxes, but on the weight of incoming evidence they've had to reconsider. http://m.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/14310413._Breakthrough__in_Croydon_cat_killer_hunt_as_RSPCA_says_forensic_tests_confirm_how_pets_were_slayed/ Wouldn't exactly call that a breakthrough, personally :-/ But it's definitely a person, not foxes. :(

My daughter's nursey helped children transition to reception by practising changing clothes for PE and carrying lunch trays. Sounds boring but they made it fun, and my daughter was excited about it too. She was excited about doing 'big kid' stuff. Hope it goes well. xx

Not everyone wants to have a friendly word with a stranger who is acting odd, especially with your own young children present. Tough call, but I would have done the same in the OP's place. xx

Report it to the police non-emergency number if you see him again. xx

http://www.report-it.org.uk/bullying_and_harassment

Was the recent news of a fox being found shot through the head with a bolt (amazingly he has been treated and survived), thought to be related? That would explain how a fox or cat could be caught, and why the suspect would want to mutilate it (hide the evidence of the bolt?). They know the specific area in which the fox was shot. Not sure if that helps or hinders the overall investigation, or if it's just another sad mental case. :-/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35711506