ClareC

Belle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I don't think ClareC was saying staying at home is > the easy option per se - just that it sidesteps > the dilemma of whether to work for little or no > immediate profit (tell me if I'm misrepresenting > you though ClareC!). Exactly what I meant, thankyou :)

Of the many reasons to work I suspect no one would do so to pay tax to assist the economy / community ;) It is in effect what happens with the resulting NI and tax contributions though.

sophiechristophy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > ClareC - do you really think that staying at home > is the easy option? And, do you think that those > go back to work do so due to some sense of > community in wanting their tax to pay for > surestart?!? Absolutely not!!! It's far easier working than being at home with small children!!! I work 3 days a week in a job that is fairly demanding,I openly admit those 3 days are my easy days! I love the 4 days at home but they are exhausting in comparison! Apologies I wasn't clear, I meant the easy option in a financial sense! For a large number of people, going back to work is financially much harder than staying at home. Working for very little if any financial gain.

Two children under 3 in ED, a nanny is cheaper than 2x nursery fees! Doesn't make the parents rich! Not many people can afford to go back to work with Childcare x 2 to pay, those that can work for very little whilst paying tax and NI at full rate. If all those in that position took the easy option and stayed at home there would be less money to pay for things such as surestart. The wider picture really does need to be looked at otherwise people simply won't work (or pay tax and NI )

I saw the lady that played the psychic woman "alison" in afterlife. She has been in quite a few things but I'm rubbish and dont know her name. She was in the co op, I very nearly said hello!

Def write in, these men sound like they are in the wrong job! What nasty characters!

Def read the reports. We moved away earlier this year, all close schools with the exception of one is rated one or two. Having lived here a few months, it's now apparent the poorly rated school is actually the one with the best results, great environment and teaching and most sought after! The report basically slams the school on the basis the children are deemed to be more able than the norm and the fantastic results they gain should be better! The reality is the school had been rated outstanding for years, changes to the ofsted system and being the first school to be rated under the new rules and fought about a very undeserved 4! Interestingly, the nursery is still outstanding and really is exceptional. I would hope this is an exception but it does go to show ofsted isn't everything and there are other things to look for.

Mine have just started this. Although they don't share a room, they do now have adjoining bedrooms with a connecting door. The eldest is 2 1/2, younger one 16 months. Little one still in a cot but his sister entertains him. We get around an hour before they get bored. I think it's the connecting door that made all the difference!

An alternative result could be that initially more people can work, lack of places drives up cost but this in turn encourages more entry to the market which brings down cost.... Maybe the solution is a Gov run system like in Sweden. A full time nursery place there costs @ ?300 pm! It is phenomonally expensive to get good Childcare in ED, we have a 15mth age gap between our two and it was genuinely cheaper to hire a nanny than have two lots of nursery fees. We moved away earlier this year and the cost of Childcare is significantly cheaper where we now live. Our nanny has recently chosen to leave, very sad to see her go but having now made alternative arrangements a nanny is genuinely an expensive option here even with two children of a young age.

Totally agree! Why a business taking on an employee is tax deductible (as are that employees expenses), whereas an individual hiring a nanny does so out of their net pay and then has their tax and NI to pay on top! Why are individuals treated less favourably than company's? Other forms of childcare are no better, you can't work without having childcare in place so why on earth can that cost not be tax deductible? So many more people would be able to afford to work if thayptvwere the case.

Thankyou, bit of a breakthrough last night, she woke me because she wanted to use the toilet :) I will continue with what we have been doing!

My daughter has been clean during the day for a while now and I've just been using pull ups at night. Having reduced what she drinks before bed I've now stopped nappies at night. For the first week there were no accidents, we then had two in one week. Problem is she gets so upset, even though I leave the bathroom light on for her I wonder if she just is to little to be clean at night (she is just over 2 1/2). She has never had an accident during her afternoon nap hence thinking it was a good time to ditch the nappies entirely! Any advice / tips greatly appreciated. Thank you Clare

Thank you all, skateboard ordered! :)

My nephew has asked for a skateboard for his 5th birthday.... Any recommendations? I don't know the first thing about skateboards!!! Thank you

Just bought a maxi micro scooter for my daughter thinking its silly to have two micro's (intending her brother to use the micro). Surprised to see the box says age 6 plus! What age is normal to progress to a maxi? I had though the micro was only up to about 4 but now thinking a second micro more appropriate! My daughter is 2 1/2, her brother 15mths. Thankyou C

Camber Sands has to be one of the best.

We have too.... It fits but not ideal, don't bother now

Maldives for two weeks... Very idyllic! That was 13 years ago, divorced now! My fianc? and I went to Fiji as a Pre baby holiday, that was amazing, pain to get to but really recommend! We did a few days on the mainland and then went out to the islands - bliss! Will def go again!

There are of course location adaptions..... It's a field race and given proximity of pubs we have been forced to open our own! ;)

We participated last year.... Was great fun! We had friends visiting for the weekend and they did it too! We moved away from ED earlier this year so are not around to join the fun, however we have organised satellite participation here in deepest darkest kent! Participants arrived last night for a warm up ready for the big day today! Will keep an eye on here to make sure the start time coincides :)

Canterbury is on the high speed link now.... Not sure how long it takes but suspect @ 45 mins as its the stop after Ashford International.

Not sure how far your husband runs, i researched this loads a couple of years ago. The only pushchair made for running is the baby jogger 2, it's really good for running / beach / woods etc was designed by a marathon runner! V light and folds flat too. Im in Kent now otherwise would say your welcome to try mine out!

Glad to help :)

I don't agree the government should pay SAHM to stay at home, however, childcare costs should be tax deductable to enable those that want to work to be able to afford to! It's a ridiculous situation where women have to be high earners to be able to afford to work.

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