citizenED

Way to go Giggirl - what a life-affirming post. You are right, whatever it's shortcomings, the Forum is fantastic.

Have read this thread with a mixture of joy and sadness; the lovely supportive comments and the comments of those who have got a lot out of those early months cheered me no end but it's such a shame that there are those for whom the shock of new parenthood is all consuming. I guess the thing common to every new mum and dad is the wholesale quality of the change in your life. Before it happens you are can always escape - weekends away from work, time away from your partner, your parents, your friends. There is nothing in your life that you cannot get away from for at least some time. And then the baby comes and the responsibility dominates everything. No moments when they don't need your attention. As a dad, I spent two of the first three months of our first born's life with him. But I cherished tha time. Thing is - despite the changed sleep habits, the worry, frustrations, confusion and the constant beating yourself up that you ain't getting it right, there were just so many magical, unique, and serene moments that it just feels so worth it. Another abiding thing about babies is that things change so swiftly that you must try to take time to enjoy it. Soon you'll be looking back and missing the things that so challenge you now.

I'm "working" on my computer tonight and am being irritated by water dripping in my garden. Does anyone on here know how to fix an overflowing overflow pipe?

I think the new Tory/Lib Government should change the colours of the English Flag, you know, tone it down a little. How 'bout pink cross on white.

I wanted a chocolate croissant, but the girl behind the counter gave me a pain au chocolate. Sometimes life just doesn't work out.

Loving that Album cover though - and wondering who is that at the back of the photo on tippee toes. Session musician on daily rates or valued member of the group?

I cannot work out whether the flags are "can't be asked to take them down after St Georges Day" flags or "We are getting early doors drinking and jeering" flags in prep ffor the World Cup Campiagn. Confused middle class, liberal.

Gread idea for a thread Toast. This has been taxing my mind for a long time. The council get it in the neck for all the parental angst caused by the allocation process, but in all honesty, they are in a difficult position. However, the first thing I think they should do is go on the charm offensive about Gosse Green School. They should actively encourage parents living close to that school to apply there. They should back up this positive advertising campaign with dedicated help for that school. They need to turn it round so that in two to three years it becomes as popular as Heber or Goodrich. It should be the first preference for those living close by. It sounds that there are several parents who got their children in there in 2009 are quite happy. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a surge of support from local parents that has continued this year. Secondly - the council should do something about chuch schools. Ideally they should make them into community schools so that there is a wider availability of places for all children in the borough. If they cannot do that, they should make all the places in those schools open to all children whatever the religious affiliations of the family.

Article in Guardian on Saturday highlighted case of two brothers who had not spoken to each other for ten years. Last time they met nearly ended up in a stand-up fist fight. There's a new book out claiming that sibling rivalry like that is pretty normal. Me, I love my three brothers to bits.

I've been cycling to work for ten years in London; On balance, drivers are generally polite and patient. They largely give me time and space. Some cock beeped me yesterday when I had the audacity to keep my place in a queue of traffic and he took exception to it. It had a little bit of "afters" in it, you got in my way mate so I'm letting you know. Storm in a tea cup. It was the first time anyone tooted me in a long time.

As I see it, three identifiable things happened to change the Forum. 1) Keef, Mockney and Sean stopped posting so much. 2)The Forum expanded from 5? sections to the current 11. 3) Some really lovely people stopped coming to the drinks Oh, and we are talking about the Forum being The Lounge-Gossip-Drimks arn't we, not all that crazy buying, lending, selling gumtree kinda stuff.

Completely amazing - thanks for posting Fuschia

A friend of mine cannot wait for his colleague to complete her PhD. He can then call her Dr. Love

I occasionally catch "Grumpy Old Men" or Grumpy Old Women" on TV and find myself sniggering at the pathos in all the tales of woe at getting old. It makes me smile. Cannot imagine smiling so much, or in the same way at a programme called "Cheerful Old Men"

Firstly, I?d like to thank Georgia and Michael P for arranging the drinks over the last couple of years. Met some lovely people and been to some terrific pubs I?ve had a great time at them and will sorely miss them. Though it?s an understandable solution to the falling numbers, quarterly drinks will not be the same. Miss one and that?s half a year before you might meet up with whoever bothers turning up at the next. I hope it?s not the case but, alas, as far as I can see the Forum Drinks R.I.P.

Hard luck Stevenage Borough in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley. Couple days ago I was chatting to a lad I used to teach a few years back, who I knew was a footballer, and found out in the course of conversation that he played for Stevenage. Was on the bench for today's match.

I was out at the Gowlett last night and walked home alone all the way from there to near the Plough. Not mugged, not threatened and not approached or followed - in fact a lovely walk, if a little wobbly. Naturally my sympathies go out to the victims of the crimes outlined on this thread. However, it's a shame that the effect of this thread leaves some people to sense this area is dangerous. Perhaps everyone should post the details of their walk home after an evening out.

Had a great time again last night meeting and chatting with established forumites and some newbies. What I really like about the drinks is the fact that without making phonecalls or texting and making specific arrangements with particular friends it gives the opportunity for anyone to go to a pub on the denoted night and meet a changing group of people you know.

That's a good idea SF - might train my two to do that. Offer them some chocolate buttons as a reward. One pack between them.

I think those smug middle class parents who stick their kid in the baby seat on the back of their bike then dart in and out of traffic ARE being lazy and careless thinkers. I mean, they should get their nannies to do it.

Molly, I fully agree with you. I think they should use churches - and pubs. Why close a whole school when you only need a small part of the school. Always annoyed me. yours grumpily.....

Looking forward to this - Gowlett is one of my favourite pubs round here. edited for bleary-eyed spelling.

Did you know that Pumpkin circumference divided by pumpkin diameter equals... ... Pumpkin Pi.

Damn - now I can no longer play "dodge the overladen roll-pallette", "chicane through the strewn packaging", "avoid the "street" language of the shelf stackers" and "spot the open check-out", that was a night-time trip to DKH Sainsbos.

Anyone know of anything...?