Angelina

a nice trip to Kew Gardens?

Thanks LouLou, I love your post and it's everything I'm trying to do with her - find activities and passions that fill any voids that alcohol normally replaces. It's a bit like the lost time playing games on devices....there are so many more interesting things to do. She seems quite happy that there are rules - almost that she doesn't have to face this decision on her own and has a response to any pressure. Thank you for all of your posts

what exactly is 'So Uncool'? Having a party on a Saturday night?

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Of course a concern is that a ban will encourage secrecy, but it's the right thing for our family at this time - for so many reasons. I can't actually imagine the day I will ever tell my kids that it's ok to drink. Let alone the day I give it to them myself. Maybe when they're no longer kids, they will make that choice themselves. Other messages I've had reveal parents who are equally keen to set boundaries and this all seems to be part of an open, loving and supportive relationship, which i think is a goal.

Google it and then you can download it

Thanks Bawdy Nan. I think she was surprised by my boundaries, clarity of the consequences should she cross them - and calmness, mainly. I'm hoping that she'll actually appreciate having these rules, and a way out (blaming me for being strict) should she be in a similar situation again.

She's 15. So - too young anyway. I've made my decision - I just want to know what other parents have done and if it's worked. We're going a full ban with consequences. I think I was worried that complete zero tolerance would encourage secrecy, especially as some parents are less strict. Just want to know what works/ doesn't work from others' experience. And thank you for the PMs.

This is a new situation for me as my teen has moved back home after living with her dad. There has definately been exposure to alcohol and I found out that she'd got someone to buy her alcohol recently when she was out with friends. She is of course too young. I have had one story form her and a different more dangerous one from a friend. I'm thinking of coming down hard and establishing a zero tolerance. I want to know what other parents have done and what has worked /not worked. They are good kids but I think she is vulnerable. She disagrees and thinks it's just fun. We've not finished our conversation about it yet. She thinks I'm over-reacting.

Clowns are disturbing. Even Mr Tumble - for those who have kids - it's just wrong. And then there are really sick people who dress up like that.

Ianr - that's perfect. Thank you both :-)

thanks - it does go someway but not clear if the prices are per tooth or not.

I know there are three tiers for treatments, however I'm not sure how it works. Is it price per tooth? So if you need one band 3 treatment on two teeth it's ?price x2 - or is it the one price for both teeth. And do some dentists refuse to do certain treatments on NHS when they could, so you have to pay for them to do it privately? My friend has had a treatment privately which her dentist told her she couldn't do on NHS but is actually on their price list. Also, does anyone know if there is a cap for all treatment so you have a maximum?

BYOD is a good idea - there is still support costs but cheaper.

There is a potential for efficiencies to be made, but I would expect that would be in terms of more being done - and getting it right first time and quickly (I can hardly believe I am saying this - it's so 'text-book'), rather than reduction in cost. Iphones are hardly likely to allow another system to be replaced or to have reduction in staff, so are unlikely to actually reduce costs. That is different from income though. Unless they're given to the traffic wardens, in which case - park carefully!

They don't publish details. It has to be FOI. All such info has to be requested. Why on Earth would they ever so for transparency? Another question - how much do they spend supporting systems?

Blah Blah - the unfortunate thing about cuts is that a business will have to prioritise the money they do have. It would appear in a time of such financial restriction, that choosing the premium devices is not the best use of funds. The second market brand would suffice and would leave money for something else. SO MANY THINGS. It demonstrates either a lack of ...well... giving a *hoot* really.

was it an all-nighter? That's a bit cheeky. After a certain point, they should go to a club.

that's more than likely the case RH - I would imagine that devices of one brand interface the same way. I'm not techy though but the money we spend (yep, also tax payers money) is also all on Apple.

The technologies are compatible across devices and depending on how they are used they can be very effective. Context is required. Are the recipients customer facing? Do they each have more than one device? What changes in their working practices are they embracing? Are efficiencies being tracked in terms of reduced time required? Customer satisfaction? etc etc etc

adding to this the on-going support required. In our company, this is ?20 per month, per device. This includes building the devices software (has to be compatible with work systems), security, support for all apps, insurance in case of loss/ damaage etc. Which works out - for the number of devices that the council have bought - around ?40,000 every month and ?500,000 every year.

People 'want' what is put in front of them. Social conditioning and marketing also have a role. Makes me feel like ED is becoming brain-dead.

Nandos. http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/scoredetails.aspx?ProductId=515298 If anyone is actually interested in their ccmmittment to be socially and environmentally responsbible. Lets not mention the fact that they use factory processed chickens.... "that do get natural sunlight, but we have to consider costs" Nice. It's becoming properly boring along there now.

no idea whatsoever. There's probably a reason. Can't find a link to send. I spoke to one outside Victoria recently, but they are in Oxford Circus etc..

if you're making recommendations to tourists, they would probably love all the places that residents don't bother with. M&M World being an example. It's incredibly popular. But pointless in any other respect than making money. And SO expensive. A good tip for any tourist are the Red Hats who work around the main central tubes. They are a wealth of information and it's their job to help anyone with anything. They wear black bowler hats and can give you ANY imfo!

A work collegue ships art to USA. If you want, I can ask him.