Jules-and-Boo

maybe put an ad in the Business section too - you're more likely to get relevant attention

Not all 12 YO are alike so you have to apply sense, rather than expecting self-management - you'll each have different expectations so would clash if you don't discuss it. We're quite flexible. We all need downtime, but when phones/ tablets become the only activity of choice then there's a misbalance. Same with TV. It's nice to 'Netflix', but when it becomes an addictive box set it becomes a problem. I insist we go out everyday, even to the shops. Can be quite hard to get them detached from devices but it's always good. We were climbing trees last week after school and at the adventure playground in Peckham Rye. Sometimes we're just too tired so we just do what we want.... I don't mind mine up in the rooms but not all the time. I've taught the kids backgammon and chess, so we also play that and other board games. Try new things. We also do exercise at home - wii fit - things I've found online (if I get excited about something, they're more inclined to get involved), hoola hooping, making cakes.... all sorts they huff and puff about initially, but then enjoy. I also put kids films, like The Lion King or Scooby Doo on in the background, which we've watched millions of times - and it always brings them back out of the device-obsession ;-) If screen time is stopping you talking and doing things together, then it's too much. But when they do go on the devices, I leave them to it and let them chill. Catching up with their friends is important. Exercise is of course good for children's resilience and mental health - as is trying new things. So don't let it become the only thing they do to relax.

Who knows what the ten ledges of the Labour Party are? "The next Labour government will create a National Investment Bank to invest in our people, our infrastructure and our services. It will introduce a national living wage, it will feed all our primary school children decent and free lunchtime meals, it will rebalance our taxation system in favour of the majority of workers and, it will take back control of our rail franchises from the economies of the other European countries and multi-national corporations who currently own them and return the flow of rail industry profits back to the service of the Britain?s economy.

and to think we laughed at America.

so are we now voting based on sexual preference/ tolerance? If that were the criteria, probably more of the electorate would show up. I am going to the bookies on a low turn out, vapourisation of the Labour party (Corbyn - just give up - left-left is not working) and Coalition of Tories/ Lib Dems (meaning years of fighting)

my daughter could only spell phonetically - which is how they teach children (phonetic alphabet). We didn't do very well in SATS for spelling, but we did what we could.The main thing was to keep her confidence and not destroy her in the process. We played hangman, sang the letters, made up games and tried all different ways to get the words in. We did short tests and put the effort in. So, we did well in the class tests. Unless your preparing for a school application, I wouldn't worry - SATS do not make a difference when you get to secondary school. Make lists of words your son can do well at, build some confidence and don't put so much pressure on. Now my daughter's reading more, she's writing better.... I think she just wasn't ready at that age. I'm sure by the time he's older, he'll be fine. For now - try and keep it stress free and confidence up. IN my opinion that's more important.

if you google Y6 SATS spellings, there are lots of websites. Perhaps there's a tension around the whole 'learning spellings' thing so you should address that. Is there too much pressure? What's causing the nuclear war? Does he feel inadequate? Make the list of words - tick off the ones he already knows. Set up a routine. Do ten words before school. Put them in sentences - use them in your conversations. It's painful - but learning is something you have to apply yourself to.

I feel a bit despairing about our options, to be honest.

don't you think that Corbyn actually has any awareness that he's destroying the Labour party? If he stepped down before June 8 it would be a different playing field.

you can see it coming with the 'Peckham is the best place in London to live" headlines..... Peckahm Waitrose if the new East Dulwich M&S

Really? One is pretending to support and live by the values and beliefs that uphold the school - and the other is about using your advantage. Perhaps our moral compasses are pointing in different directions. I didn't say it was morally right - I said it was within rules.

I have not played the system. I got into both primary and secondary schools on honest applications. I didn't apply for Charter North as I didn't live close enough. And I certainly had no bitterness towards those who can afford to live closer. I have met parents who lied. Lying about having a religion - when they don't - is pretty much the lowest of the low.

I think that's quite offensive. The school applications are fair. The criteria are very clear and published well in advance and rarely change year to year. What isn't 'fair' is that lives are not the same and that people's circumstances are different. However, that is life. It's a fact, whether you personally think it's cynical or not.

Rather optimistic. Why do you think 'those who can' will change the rules? The wider system is not governed by fairness at all. Schools are getting shafted by the government - they are probably just trying to survive the cuts rather than worry about Mummy A taking advantage of resources that Mummy B does not have access to. So, ruling fairness out of the question = what would you do to get into the school of your choice? And I will testify that life is not fair and that you are up against people who don't play by the rules. In the specific school place manipulation, no one is breaking any rules. So it's just fact that some people have an advantage because they are more resourceful - or imaginative. I know a single mum on benefits in Herne Hill (Brixton side of the railway) who got her daughter into Charter North. Perhaps the Renters Row is really not that necessary and is a case of hedging bets and improving odds.

People want cleaner air but not if it means self sacrifice (like walking to school, walking to the shops etc). Very easy to criticise other factors causing pollution, but it's also very easy to look closer to home and do your own bit - which will have an immediate effect.

I suppose it all boils down to the lengths parents will go to. The 'game' is known by authorities. Perhaps they actually want children of parents who can go the extra mile to get their child a place. If anything, it demonstrates commitment and proactive desire to be part of that school. Renting is expensive and it's not a lighthearted decision. It's not against the rules. I would have thought that parents would choose where to live based on the school they want their children to go to. Fact is, if you are a renter, you can move more freely. If you own a house, then you're lucky anyway - perhaps location should be more of a fore-thought.

Let's see the double standards....who's getting in their car today when they could walk or go by public transport?

perhaps ice cream vans need the motor to power the freezer. How else would they work. As for ice cream vans polluting the parks, perhaps it would make more of a difference to ban ALL cars. I'm sure the carbon footprint of an ice cream van is less than collective emissions from the cars that drive to and through the park....or all the roads nearby.

Keep the alcove from the fireplace and fill it with logs. I have the same problem in two rooms but have never thought they should have a function. I quite like empty space.

Staggered holidays do have obvious problems as pointed out - but also benefits too. Some challenges just need working through.

had a lovely run in with my upstairs neighbour who had been throwing her rubbish into my garden "I thought you were having a bonfire!, she said. I said "no, but even if I was it would be wood, not eggshells, ladies toilet items and plastic rubbish - and there's some letters with addresses on..." She offered to tidy it up and asked if she could have her letters back. Waiting to see if she stops or I have to escalate it to putting it all in the blender and pouring it through her letterbox.

thanks for that Ilona :-)

We obviously know only some of what's going on. What the media want us to know. Killing children is an outrage and we are outraged, rightly. Trump bombing them so they can't do it again is fully supported. Stop the bully. But Assad's been doing bad stuff for years and getting away with it because he's got big friends. so Trump decides he doesn't care about Assad's big friends and steps in anyway. The things is - we're all scared of Trump getting hi ass kicked for standing up to Assed, by his big friend. so - what do we think is the right thing to do? Let the bully keep provoking a reaction? Give that reaction? The ultimate provocation is killing children. It's clear there are many games at play - one of which is to see what Trump would do. Now Assad/ Putin know. What does that mean they will do next? What would they have done next - if Trump had gone and played golf instead? No response means that they have permission to do anything they like..... It's a hard position for Trump to be in. but he's either stupid, or has balls. Either way, he had to do something - particularly when doing nothing is actually a response.

Reporting it doesn't seem to be solving the problem, Renata. There are so many threads about moped crime and mobile theft, let alone daylight robbery - literally. Can you please provide some reassurance that this is being actively 'dealt with'?

staggered school holidays are a great idea.