Saffron

Hubbie and I regularly pet sit for our friend's diabetic cat and give him his injections. He had a few ups and downs when he was first diagnised. He's stable now, and my friend and his vet are both happy that his quality of life is very good. He's a happy cat, and the jabs are not painful. xx

Some people believe the placenta provides health benefits etc for the mother after giving birth, so you can have it made into capsules if you don't fancy chowing down on it raw and pulsing (cooking would kill off the nutrients) while you're wiping the birth sweat from your forehead and having your nipple shredding by a newborn suckerfish as DH blubs down the phone to your in-laws and you wonder if it's too late to ask for the pethidine. My friend K put hers in the freezer at home. Didn't fancy it on the day. Thought about it ~1 year later, and took it out to defrost. Changed her mind after it melted, so she stuck it back in the freezer! Still there to this day for all I know. Never know when you might fancy some placenta for a midnight snack? Should have had it made into capsules...

That actually reads like a deliberate campaign of bullying, not a case of 'mistaking' someone for a paedo over a few pics. Very different things. But a cautionary tale nonetheless.

Yes, sadly looks like that is likely to be the case: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/government-sneaks-out-hospital-reform-while-england-qualified-for-world-cup-8887474.html

This was an interesting comparison: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24708614

I think there should be a distinction between unqualified teachers (ie, no *teaching* qualification), and non-qualified teachers (ie, no relevant degree and/or professional experience). To say for example that someone with a PhD or 10+ years of professional experience would fall into the same category as someone recently graduated with only a bachelor's degree would seem unequal. If schools are happy to take unqualified teachers, there are ought to be some other process for vetting them prior to employment, and/or continuing assessment and support to ensure that they're integrating into the school and providing good teaching. IME, in private schools poorly performing teachers cost the school money, as parents who are unhappy can take their tuition fees elsewhere. It's in the school's best monetary interest to provide good teaching. State-funded schools wouldn't have this same 'market pressure'. Surely all the more reasons that there needs to be a clear system of guidance for unqualified teachers? In the OP's case, it sounds like the MFL teacher is lacking the correct support and guidance from the school. All the more reason you'd think they'd want to address this sooner rather than later! Seriously, is it too much for them to give you 10 min of face time before or after school? Or, are they totally clogged up dealing with complaints from other parents???

Sounds like you might be getting the brush off. They can't even offer you a brief meeting THIS term? Personally I think be inclined to pursue this more aggressively due to the inappropriate behavioural element involved. From your description this teacher is bullying students, and the school should investigate this immediately. At the very least they need to give you an actual date not just a promise. Curious-what's the school's written policy on bullying in general? If this type of behaviour were among students would the school wait till next term to address it?!

Hmm interesting. Hurricanes have a tropical origin. I thought the '87 storm was extratropical (but reached cyclone speeds?)?

Was that storm actually a hurricane? I thought it was just an intense storm?

Surely the point of a private lac consultants is that they help you whenever, wherever you need it because you're paying them to support you. It's not stepping on toes, if the hospital isn't providing the help that an individual needs. Don't be put off having a private lac consultant just because you're in a hospital bed. Many women in hospital have private doulas for extra support. Why not a private lac consultant? xx

Ella Keepax at the Sunflower Centre in Brockley SE4. Sessions will be more effective if started before your due date. I had a session scheduled for 2 days after my due date but never needed it b/c antenatal sessions were so effective. Baby arrived just 1 day after my due date. X

Thanks, that's very interesting.

Just to be clear: I did not say, and did not intend for my statement to be read as, 'most teachers are rubbish'. And, I definitely do NOT agree that most teachers are rubbish, nor was I trying to start an argument. I was simply pointing out that having a *teaching* qualification does not *necessarily* make one a better teacher than someone who does not have a teaching qualification. And that the intrinsic problems with state-funded education in England runs much deeper than the question of academies. However, that does not mean that I believe there should be not be a standardised procedure for vetting specialists with no teaching qualification. Indeed, I very much feel that the case for specialist educators with no teaching qualifications would be very much improved by a standardised vetting process. Good luck with your complaints process, BB100. Will be waiting to hear how it turns out, and hope you get a positive, proactive result. xx

Plenty of qualified teachers who are shite as well. It's not just academies. The whole system needs an overhaul.

We were doing musical beds too after setting up a toddler bed for Little Saff in her own room. And worse still DH is like a zombie at night, incoherent and uncoordinated. So one night I just asked LS where she wanted to sleep, our room or her room. She said our room, and I made an impromptu sleeping mat for her by folding a heavy tog duvet on itself. Now that she knows she can sleep on the mat beside our bed any time, she's actually sleeping more in her own bed by choice. The simplest solutions are often the best. Xx

Penguins Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Resettling at night involves going in, either > giving him a cuddle or laying him back down in his > cot, telling him everything is OK and then leaving > the room. Last night he wouldn't go back to sleep > unless I was standing in his room. I am trying to > avoid sleeping in his room or bringing him into > our bed as I feel this would be a very difficult > habit to break. It's a complete myth that co-sleeping in any of its forms, eg having him sleep on a mattress in your room, will become a habit to be broken. Children naturally outgrow co-sleeping type arrangements and eventually want their own space. By trying to force night time independent sleep and separation before a child is ready, it may be prolonging the agony, compared to just accepting co-sleeping type arrangements. Just my opinion, take it or leave it. We have a nearly 4 yo 'sleep fighter', with night time separation anxiety. We've been through lots of ups and downs with sleep. The most important thing we've learned is to throw away social expectations, and accept that it doesn't matter where everyone sleeps, so long as everyone does sleep. xxx

Try searching YouTube for tutorials?

Good points, buggie. Plus, sometimes sitting down for too long isn't comfortable when you're pregnant either. Amend my previous statement to be directed at the aide and journalist.

When she's 41+wks and waiting for an induction with no NHS beds available on the mat ward, I wonder if she'll be singing the same tune?

I think the fact that you're so concerned over her happiness and wellbeing at such a young age suggests that you will be great with her when she is older! xx

collyflower Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've got a little bit who isn't old enough to > start school yet but as a reception teacher I was > intrigued by this as I often hear children say > nothing after their parents ask them what they > have done and I know full well they have been busy > little bees!! > I also agree it's too young for homework but > unfortunately it is a legal requirement from the > government for teachers to give homework. It's > even set out how long they should be spending on > it each night! Do you have a link to those legal requirements and guidelines?

My friend works as a childminder and has her own children with her all day. Xx

I think I read somewhere that bouncers were not recommended for more than 15 mins, 3 times a day (i.e., total 45 min). Actually, when you think about it, 15 min is a long time to a baby! Probably fine if you're using it for a short giggle, as long as you're not using it to 'baby sit' your child. But, equally, I haven't read any evidence to suggest they help Baby progress to walking. However, if your LO just wants to be upright for a bit while you're otherwise engaged, then it might be a fun diversion. The JojoMama harness looks interesting. You could take your LO to the park/playground in it. I thought about getting one of these for Little Saff, but she transitioned very quickly to walking at 11 months. You might not have as long to wait as you think (hopefully!). xx

The Pizza Bus is really cool! Ahem, for *children* of course. There's a new softplay at the Wavelengths leisure centre. I haven't been, but I did hear it's cheap and clean (so far). It's not far from the Pizza Bus There is also a really nice park in Ladywell (between Ladywell Station and Lewisham Hospital), which has a caf? and 2 playgrounds (small one by the playground, larger one with swings and zip line at the opposite end of the park).

How many days a week does she go? Could you drop one day for a few months to spend more time with her on your mat leave? Maybe the people who left were really close to her, even though not her key worker? How well is she getting to know their replacements? Does she know them each by name? Sounds like she might need to 'settle in' with the new people, similar to how a child settles in at a new nursery. What does her key worker say about it? xx