Ann

I agree Kes. The core subjects of English, Maths , Science are compulsory in most if not all schools. Many including Grammars and Independents will insist on a modern foreign language but History and Geography are almost always an option. Some of you may be surprised how limited these options can be. A child who is say, musical or artistic may have to choose one of these at the cost of a Humanity subject, likewise Drama ,PE and even a second foreign language. Also don't forget ICT is compulsory in most schools, it's a lot to fit in. I have a year 10 son. His option choices were Spanish, Geography, ICT (Compulsory) and DT Graphics. He could therefore meet the criteria for 'The English BAC' but by pure coincidence. No way would we have selected a language without the positive feedback from his teacher. Some boys who opted for a language were not allowed as they were not considered appropriate. Fair enough, best stick to a subject you've got a chance of passing. Although I'm no expert on the French BAC, from what I do know it offers a much more limited range than our schools presently do. For example Drama, Music, Art etc. are not taught routinely in French Schools. These subjects at GCSE are not easy at all. I believe this breadth of subjects produces a more rounded individual. I've met a lot of French teenagers in recent years (on holiday and exchange) and my overall impression of their English skills were pretty poor. My daughter last summer (post GCSE)on holiday had a far superior grasp of French, especially grammar. Admittedly she has opted for French and Spanish A level so I appreciate it's not a fair comparison but it did occur to me that foreign languages just weren't appropriate for all. A pass in PE is better than a fail in French or German!

My daughter's had lots of experience baby sitting locally, she's now in sixth form and a lot of her work has come from other families who have recommended her. She's had requests that she has turned down if there are things happening with her friends. All the families have been pretty close to where we live and there's been no emergencies to date. I can understand the reassurance of an experienced childminder but for the most part it's having someone present who can communicate with the parents if there's a problem, the children are after all, asleep. You wouldn't go out in the first place if the child was sick.

Good point Keef, alcoholism almost certainly starts off as a psychological need but becomes more of a physical one much more down the line such as Kingy68's brother probably suffered from. Katmando you have my sympathy, I've known alcoholism within my own extended family where it has never been probably identified as a problem. Sadly I think the 'drink culture' that we have in our country doesn't help and we do have a 'drink culture', most other countries don't have pubs where you go just to drink i.e drink and not eat. It's probably not that surprising that some will take the drinking side to the extreme. As others have said, well done for posting. Hopefully you can access some professional help, there is definaltely an organisation that helps with family members of alcoholics. I hope you can get some help.

Woodleigh, that's probably the most sensible post on this thread so far. Very well put. As you imply, convenience would win the day. Why traipse around Pretty Traditional, William Rose and Moxton's when you can but the same the same in one hit? No doubt those shops have a (justifiably ) loyal client base but we live in time pressured times. Isn't that how supermarkets achieved their success when they were first conceived? I'm thinking 1970's when the first big stores were created ( happy to be corrected on this ). I'm old enough to remember when Sainsbury's was a very different store. Tiled floors, over the counter service etc in a shop roughly equivalent to Iceland. We would probably all love a store like that now! It moved in the '70's to what was then considered a 'Superstore' near the staion where I lived . My Secondary School overlooked the area; it used to hold a weekly cattle market in what was a proper market town, now a commuter town for London. Yes, I remember my mum going from shop to shop for various items and she worked part time as well. I'm full time working mother and I suspect that I and plenty others would put convenience before supporting local business. Time has become too much of a precious commodity. Also I don't think a small sized Waitrose or M and S would neccesarily attract many new shoppers on LL as I suspect most of us who shop their do so for convenience. Would you go out of your way for sucha small shop?

Aquarius moon, I thought you were male and then sussed you were female. Can't remember which threads. When I first registered onn the forum it hadn't occured to me to use an alias as I've no real past experience with public forums, hence the giveaway user name!

Katie Price, oh sorry she's not overated just in the media all the time.

I agree with all the above comments on the food. My daughter has been there twice recently as a french exchange and the family happened to live in Marnee la Valee ( the town was built at the same time as the Park). She said there are lots of nice restaurants there at 'family ' prices. It might be worth the short trip there for your evening meal? That said you probably won't want to leave the Park; we never got back to our hotel until about 10pm exhausted. Disneyland is a fabulous place for young families, I guarantee you'll love it. Sorry about the work situation, hope your husband finds work soon. Can't think of a better escape for you all to be honest. Post back when you return, I'm sure many of us would love to hear about your trip.:)

Hi Gussy, you have my sympathy. I don't think my mil ever meant to be difficult but I remember the early days of marriage being difficult particularly after birth of daughter ( first grandchild) where it was emotionally intensive to say the least. I concluded at the time there was an element of jealousy and can't come to any other conclusions given some of her spiteful comments. I used to dread her visits which ( lucky me) would often last for a week and were beyond my control. By the way father in law was always lovely and sadly now gone. I would add that I had neither of my own parents living as both had died suddenly and prematurely. Perhaps that had strengthened me emotionally but it wasn't an easy time. ( That is the birth of my daughter and coping with mil, not the baby). However I genuinely don't think my mil meant to be difficult, as Lochie advised 'Rise above it'. Not easy I know but over the years our relationship has been pretty okay although I've always felt more of the 'adult' if that makes any sense. She's actually not a bad person but for sure her stubbornness can effect her personal relationships ( recently fallen out with best friend who was widowed at the same time!?) Having never used counsellors I'm afraid I can't advise. Again possibly a generational problem as we're probably the first generation to have resorted to professional counselling although I've never resorted to such myself. It's difficult and there's no magic answer but grit your teeth if you can. For what it's worth my 17 year old daughter also now shares some of my frustrations ie. emotional stress 'hard going '. My nearly 15 year old son sees her much more benevolently, Grandma's kind and generous ,which she is! What was the saying " Men are from Mars women are from Venus? Whoever said that got it right! Best wishes Gussy. It's been a long time for me, not perfect but certainly better.

Good point and thanks, I had known about a ' Murder of Crows' but am completely lost as to it's origins. Likewise have never heard of a 'skulk of foxes'. When it snowed quite heavily one evening before Christmas, I was looking out my bedroom windrow. Not a soul in sight except for a solitary fox roaming the street, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. A 'Skulk'. He should be so lucky!

Agree with bonahome also. I shop at Co-OP often (for a family) often, and the stock can never be guaranteed at any given moment. Definately moreso than whan it was a Somerfield's.::o

Agree with DagmarJ and Gussy. You can't buy knickers and socks on Lordship Lane, I would have loved a children's clothes section when my children were younger. Especially the school clothes. A men's selection of quality shirts and ties might do well also. Food wise I agree with the majority here, would love a Waitrose but not to the detriment of small retailers. I'm gutted that Val's might close; an original friendly corner shop.

I think this series has been brilliant. I remember the original. They have cleverly moved on from Edwardian England to pre second World War Two. The staff have been considerably downsized compared to the staff from before. Both series have in effect taken place before the two world wars. I think the writers have done a good job, the characters are very believable and I love the fact that Jean Marsh ( Rose) has been assimilated into both. Am I the only one who looks at some of the beautiful Victorian/Edwardian houses in our area ( mostly now flats) that would have had an Upstairs Downstairs existence in thier past? Albiet on a lesser scale than Cadagon Square?

Hi all, my first contribution to this thread. I've enjoyed it immensely, I now have two teenagers and have frankly been amazed at the level of 'parenting' given by some of the dads here; my husband never got up in the night to feed baby or change nappies ever! Nor indeed did I ask him to. My choice. He's never done much about the house or the garden but he works hard for a living. Honestly I would appreciate more help around the house but perhaps I'm my worst enemy for not insisting more in the 'early years'. That said, he's been brilliant with my son escorting him to numerous sporting events/training over the years which I couldn't possibly have done. It's quite nice to have football scores/ Ashes chats between father and son, it really is. It really is.

I'm just delighted that so many local schools are doing well. For those of you with very young children, you may not get the school of your choice but your input as a parent is immeasurable. It seems Goose Green have proved what Heber proved just a few years ago, good management and supportive parents make a good school.

Agree totally with dazeycat. Surely charity shops should charge appropriately. To try and sell a second hand coat for ?40 to me is ridiculous when high street prices can often be less. Second hand clothes have limited marketability, primark will have done nothing to encourage any change. Charity shops have to face up market forces as do other retailers, the shop space is after all paid for. It saddens me also that The Big Issue is not really worth the payment, I haven't bought one for a few years. The last one I bought didn't encourage me to do otherwise.

I remember it well. I was a student and had spent the night in my sister's (student)room. We woke up to Capitol Radio mid report, we sat in silence not really comprehending what we were hearing and not believing until the report confirmed the assasination of John Lennon. He was dead. I'm just about old enough to remember The Beatle's last appearance on Top of The Pops when they performed Hey Jude live on stage, without the remotest clue as to the importance of that iconic performance. But I remember it.

At least 45 minutes I would say but admittedly haven't done so in the morning. Train from East Dulwich much quicker.

Well Gavin's still in. Dancing has improved but personality not. Ann went out with dignity at last but showed good humour at least, there's no denying she has been a memorable part of this year's show. Scott in the bottom two so obviously not down to dancing ability. Looking forward to the semi and the final. Can an older woman win for the first time?

Unfortunately for Cher she's the only finalist to have been in the bottom two, never mind twice. She performs well but lacks the likeability factor rather than the X Factor. It should be a great final and I reckon all four finalists will do rather well out of it.

sophiechristophy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > speaking of teachers that do rather well gift > wise, a primary school teacher friend of mine who > used to teach at a private prep school in fulham > got given ?350 worth of selfridges vouchers one > year! WHAT?!?!!!!! > > I think there was some sort of competition amongst > the parents.... needless to say, she was pretty > psyched! I've heard too that present giving in Prep schools can be hugely competitive.::o A reliable chidminder is worth her weight in gold. Many of us in London don't have extended family and depend on them, many of which will ' go that extra mile' when needed. A decent bottle of wine or John Lewis voucher can't go wrong. If your talking monetary gift then I suppose it all comes down to what you can afford but I'm sure even a modest gift would be apprciated, certainly better than nothing at all.

I'm with womanofdulwich on this one. I thought attachment was a psychological process in normal child development not a style of parenting, will have to google it myself. I'm not against books on parenting at all but surely instincts are the best guide? Sorry I'm probably sounding a bit old fashioned, but attachment parenting group almost implies that other parents are non-attached?

Nappy Lady your right, I don't have much recall of it from my schooldays but it is pretty much the 'done thing ' now. I always avoided flowers especially at Christmas because if people are travelling they're somewhat wasted. I think a reasonable bottle of wine is a safe bet, at least it won't go to waste. The present giving ends at secondary school for sure, but I'd like to reward my daughter's A Level teachers for their relentless pushing/bullying for her to achieve her potential. The early years teachers do seem to get a disproportionate amount of thank-you's but then it's all down to our concerns with our children at that age. To all secondary school teachers , a virtual thank you!

I agree with Keef, there's no mistaking with that method. It's free and your body can't lie. Women who choose 'safe method ' contreception haved used this for years.

Hi Chantelle, I think DMC Chadwick Road has a midwife to run a clinic but you wouldn't get 'The Lanes ' midwives. Just routine ante natal care.

I agree with a lot of the above statements. I've lived here since about 1991, got married in 1992 and had my first baby in 1994. For sure there were a lot of children who started school locally but had moved out by year six; I'm fairly sure this has been true for a lot of local schools. My children went to St Anthony's with a 45 child entry, by year six this was more like 35 to 38. However, from what I can gather ( by reading this forum ) there is far more pressure for primary school places locally than has been seen before. The schools have never been empty, there were enough of us around to keep them full but perhaps not full to the brim! As Sillywoman has said, there are plenty teenagers around. I think this is a great place for teenagers. I grew up in a lovely part of Sussex but boy was I bored in the school holidays! I can understand issues about housing, it's ridiculously expensive these days but I'm very happy to bring up children around here. Move if you have to, I'm genuinely glad I didn't have to!