tiddles

hi, I am probably being dim, but I can see the route but not the timings for the torch passing thro peckham can someone enlighten me? thanks

I have no idea what on earth any school with a modicum of common sense is doing setting homework at such a young age - especially if is causes problems. What a fantastic way to turn children off learning!! Year 8, yes, age 8 no!! I have heard from one primary school teacher that they don't really want to set homework, but they are pressurised by SATS obsessed parents, and feel obliged to prove their worth. I really feel sorry for you and quite incensed on behalf of your poor boy.

yes I know, apologies, wrist slapped (altho I did say it was a snooty thing to say) I'll shut the door behind me.......

god that's awful!! I am hoping its a northern/essex thing. Yes, I know before you all have a go, what a snooty thing to say. But I just feel my middle age rage descending..... I have to say tho, thinking about all the 11 - 14 year old girls I know, most of them would rather stick pins in their eyes then turn out toshed up like that!!

crikey I'm still reeling at what was quoted as an average income - ?150 - ?170k. sorry, obviously very out of touch!!

use old cereal boxes laid down, cut a flap in the front panel and you can safely keep a layer. Add boxes ontop, and if you stack them carefully they will not squash caked in box below

I know I sound like a complete old bat but I cannot bear this "prom" business. It is an americanism that I cannot stand!! A 'leaving school disco/party' I can deal with - what the heck does 'prom' stand for anyway. gets back to knitting and cocoa....

I have visited the new vets and they are fantastic. I too have found lordship lane very good, as also the vet in Holly Grove. I think the reason some people will move is certainly not dissatisfaction, rather convenience.

it's Hayley crying because phoebe isn't coming home on the arranged date. Don't know why she has a stupid ringtone tho. what a fuss.....

thank god its not just me!! my children despair of me 'getting involved" if I see wrong doing!! I have realised that if one sees a youngster doing something untoward, it is my duty as an adult to intervene. Not necessarily aggressively, but just point out that "you've dropped something darling" (for rubbish) or "be carefull sweetie" when some teenagers are being rather dangerously boisterous. Of course, one day its='s probably going to go horribly wrong and my children will have been proved right, however I am of the opinion that if children realise that people do notice, we might be able to nip some nasty behaviour in the bud. Gillandjoe I take my hat off to you - as a parent and dog owner, I applaud you and yes i would probably ended up just like you. Also, for the record, I too have humiliated myself over the childrens parking at sainsburys when I had a go at a man parking in the designated spaces, not spotting his very small wife and children in the car....... oh the shame (and they were so nice about it!!)

coil!! no pain, no problems with periods, and no pregnancies!!

probably so as to avoid the usual hassle of phones being lost/stolen and then parents getting cross and trying to hold the school responsible?

Lidl will behaving them from monday http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_32028.htm

there was a lovely lady under the arches in blenheim grove that we went to years ago - she does all kinds of stuff and I think she is still going =I will have a rummage for her email and pm you kind regards

also, a wander round camden - the cyberdog store alone is worth the treck!! - you can combine the tube with this trip!

To be honest, leave it for a couple of years!! save the money and the hassle. Have a small special do for her and her special friends. Save your energy for the parties they do remember. I'm not being bitter and twisted, but have a nice, relaxed celebration.

the english garden in peckham rye is just glorious at the moment. Does anyone know what the plant with the tall white flowers is. It has large flat leaves at the base, with very tall stems with masses of tiny flowers - rather like a giant gypsophila?? sorry if a bit of a long shot but they are really quite lovely.

How lovely!! I remember my toddler having a complete meltdown in sainsburys (many years ago) and i was desperately trying to keep calm and take control despite feeling totally out of my depth and on the verge of tears. At the checkout, by which time said child had calmed down, a lovely american lady came up to me and said "I saw you back there, and you know you are doing such a great job - you were so calm and just look at him now, well done". That lady has NO idea how that made my day (well week actually). There's a very good chance she was saying it to every deranged looking woman with a child in tow, but I still mentally thank her for that random act of kindness.

kids tv?? saw a film crew outside the artist's house earlier in the weekj.

top shop voucher gets my vote. Yes loads of stuff far too expensive for a 14 year old, but plenty of perfect t-shirts, accessories, jazzy socks, tights stationery etc etc. I am frequently schlepping round there with my 14 year old, surrounded by other exhausted mothers. I well remember the joy of carrying a top-shop bag (or chelsea girl for you that remember) with my precious purchase of the latest tat in my early teens in the 70's. Yes of course discuss peer pressure but they actually all want to look the same (I remember that too - much to my mother's disgust). Zeban - I understand where you are coming from but when you are actually dealing with the here and now, compromise on both sides kicks in. I have found that my attitudes about child rearing has changed dramatically when different ages/situations have arisen.

no still very slow for me

oh dear i feel your pain!!! Been there got the t-shirt. a thought - sometimes they just want to offload!! We always feel we need to find a solution (quite rightly of oourse) however if whatever you suggest is not helping, sometimes a sympathetic ear, cuddles and lots of "how awful, thats not nice" etc etc just so they know you are taking them seriously. Often a good cry does wonders and they are better able to deal with life the next day. its not easy tho is it??

I am afraid I have found the mobile invaluable in tracking down my eldest!! they often do things on the spur of the moment and that call or text to explain where they are is really reassuring. Also try to get a cheap phone, however I have found that that they phone companies are giving away pretty flash phones on minimal tariffs (?10 a month)so that is why there is so many of them around = I couldn't believe it when all these visiting children had blackberries!! We stuck with PAYG for several years, but switched a a contract as it ended up being seriously more economical.

hmm we were having a discussion about this a few weeks ago with the parents of 16 year olds on this very subject. Apparently alot of the festivals are fine and there are lots of under 18s who go, but I particularly remember them saying that Reading is a bit hard core and perhaps and really not to be recommended. Amusingly some parents had read their child's text regarding this particular festival as a book event (which is how I read your post!!!) might be worth a bit more research! Isn't there one up in suffolk which is meant to be quite good?

our neighbours were recently burgled in friern road = mode of entry was forcing the front bay window sash. If you have this type of window (or any other) might be worth fitting extra locks or making sure the ones you have are as secure as they can be ( shuffles off to check all windows....)