Lmcg46

Can't beat Shirley Hughes: Alfie's Christmas or The Christmas Eve Ghost.

We're also thinking of a tablet for our 10 year old - weighing up Amazon over just a standard android tablet. So any guidance on relative merit and practicality welcome.

Is there a collecting point in HOP? Is it second hand or new that you're looking for? We've got some barely worn kids boots.....and some more so but still perfectly wearable.

We've been to this one at Dulwich Sports Club before which is good for young kids. http://dulwichsports.co.uk/

I wonder if perhaps the kids won't be aware necessarily of the negatives of the situation. For example, not having older kids around doing work beyond your level that you can aspire to. And teachers having 3 years of non-exam syllabus teaching and the effects that may have. I don't know how strong those aspects (and others like them) may be and whether they're offset by others. But I'm not sure that as a pupil you can really assess them if you know nothing different (and if the school constantly pushes the message on the positives!). I think all the schools will have pros and cons and they may even differ for different types of kids. It's so hard to truly work out which will be the 'best' option.

Sainsbury's often have a surprising range. And Farmers - they always seem to have everything you could ever want.

JJ00501 - According to the form, it has to be submitted before 12th October but I believe it has to be delivered directly to the school. Last year they had desks set up at the open days to manage just the scholarship applications. I think they may just be getting ahead of themselves with early assessments given the number of applications they get.

We've used Sitters on several occasions and always been impressed with the quality of the people we get. Often they're nursery staff and will quickly get on with the kids etc. And the best bit is that at the end you pay them and they go almost as soon as you get back - no standing around to chat when you're exhausted and just want your bed!

Heading to France on hols and trying to work out if paying the extra for the standard TV in a caravan is worth it. Does anyone know if standard TV in France has any kids stuff in English? Much as I'd love to think the kids will be out playing and having wonderful holiday fun with new found friends, I know my kids and know that having something to switch on occasionally will help our sanity. We've taken DVD's in the past but I think they're getting past the stage of being happy to watch the same DVD over and over again.....we'd need a small library. I think the camp wireless may struggle with other options, if we can even get Netflix etc without having to access (&pay) for the french version. Anyone found a good solution?

I'm trying to post in the Family room but I never get past this input screen - even when I hit post message either directly or via the preview. I've tried Chrome and Explorer in case it was the browser. Any advice? (Presuming this one can post here!)

Thanks Hazel. That's really useful info. I think we'll experiment and see if anything makes a difference. I suspect that if there is anything it's at the margins of having an impact as she seems to be coping with most stuff quite well. Would just be nice if I could find something that makes reading more appealing as I do think she'll get into it big time once she gets going.

Do as you'd like others to do to you and respect each other. And more obviously perhaps, no hitting, poking, biting, generally being nasty to each other. We also limited TV as part of our house rules. I was amazed how well my kids took to them (6 & 8).

Given the age of your kids, I suspect avoiding August isn't an option, sadly. Eurocamp style campsite with mobile homes on the west coast of France are a good bet with kids. Some are very close to the beach and got pools and activities onsite - but still close enough to lots of lovely more cultured stuff offsite if you feel like venturing out. The kids hopefully make friends which can ease the pressure a bit. Cost isn't horrific. Weather fairly reliably good without roasting.

Open for takeaway. Hoping to be fully open in a week or so, according to Shona this morning. Cakes are delicious.....they've been missed!

I have a daughter who is a reluctant reader - quite able but always finds lots of excuses as to why she doesn't want to read such as she doesn't like scratchy paper, she prefers less dense text etc. Her school aren't at all worried and I'm trying not to be either. I was reading something on dyslexia for my job earlier in the week and some comments just started me thinking as to whether the excuses my daughter uses could indicate a very mild level of dyslexia. I had been thinking that a Kindle might be a good way to let her read books without the scratchy paper. But if she did have any level of dyslexia, do they tend to help or hinder? Are different types (standard / paper white) better or worse? I appreciate that there are lots of different ways that dyslexia can affect people and I don't want to make a big thing of it as I could well be totally wrong - I hope I am. But equally, if I'm going to try it, I'd rather avoid anything that could make it worse. Any advice from those who know more than me?