ladywotlunches

Well Chippy, we agree on one thing - that image is exactly how I feel.

Chippy Minton - in the other instances you mention, those affected are using an optional service. School is a legal requirement/right - which children are being denied because of the teachers' "right to strike". I feel the same about Fire personnel, Medical Personnel and the Police striking. In these instances, those who require the services have no other choice. Which in my opinion should mean that those personnel should have a right to other forms of industrial action, but not strikes. But of course, those who agree with strikes will never concede that there could be another way. So I'm leaving it here.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > I suspect most commuters couldn't do much about > Tube staff conditions and pay. > > And I doubt most holiday makers could have a great > deal of effect on cabin crew pay conditions. > > That is what striking is. I've never gone out on > strike, but I would if I felt strongly enough. I'm > sure a lot of the teachers would rather it not be > necessary to make their point. But commuters can use other forms of transport to get to work. (painful, but possible) Holiday makers get a refund on their ticket and can rebook (again, painful, but not in the end out of pocket). My point is that a strike hurts the govt less longer term than it does parents/children. Other forms of industrial action may cause more pain to the people the Teachers have their issues with.

Chippy Minton - One day for now, yes. My point is that the inconvenience disproportionately affects those that can do least about it. The school reopens the next day and all is fine. The parents have had to take days off (also in some cases unpaid), rearrange working days/meetings etc, and incur the disapproving looks from employers (without the backing of a union if they are in the private sector) who already think that working parents are a burden. Everyone blames the bankers - but they won't be affected at all by this strike as their kids are no doubt in private school. Bluesuperted - This is the second teachers strike in my son's life at school, and he's only in Year 1!! And I went to school in the 80s where teachers strikes were so commonplace that my school permanently restructured its hours to ease disruption to pupils.

With regard to teachers striking (as opposed to anyone else) I feel that those it disrupts the most (parents/children) can do the least about it. Whether we agree or not, we can't give them what they want - we can't even vote out the govt for another few years to protest. With most other professions striking, its inconvenient, but we have other short term options. With Teachers, we have no other options, and our children miss out on education. If teachers strike, the school just closes - and actually, that doesn't have too much effect on the institution. Other forms of industrial action for teachers, at least, would be more effective at disrupting the LEA/Government (work to rule etc), without affecting children so dramatically.

at 300 mtrs you *should* be OK. Just depends on Siblings in the year - and as they had a bulge class last year next and the one after that are probably the top contenders for sibling places... But at that distance, I would definitely put it down if you like the school. My son loves it there. As regards the 'all concrete' look, I prefer these schools than the Victorian schools, which inside just look a bit bleak to me. And it does have a claim to fame, that Fairlawn is the only other public building built by the Architect who designed the Royal Festival Hall. edited to say: might also be worth doing a poll and seeing which of these schools is least affected by the strikes next week. I have a feeling this industrial action isn't going to be the last. Earlier this year, Fairlawn was 50% open. Next week it looks like its going to be completely closed.

Would help if I could, but as at tonight I still don't know if school will be closed in a weeks time. Seems that parents don't need to know whether we have to take the day off in less than a week ...

Oh and I think another old wive's tip is that ironing also serves a purpose other than neatness. The hot iron helps to get rid of those nasty little bugs. With all the non-iron stuff now I know I get away with far less ironing than my mum would be pleased with! :-)

Very interesting - but based on the advice here, I'm going to be doing about 8 separate washes a week, and will end up with very small smalls if I put them in on 60 degrees!! I do wash bedding and towels at 60 though, and occasionally run a 90 degree wash through, with some vinegar as I was told an old trick years ago that the acid in that helps to desolve (TMI alert) body fats from the machine. Eeewww.

Sorry to hear about this. I presume you have reported it to the police? Like you say, its a long shot and don't want to get your hopes up but a few years ago when our ET2 was stolen and we reported it, a week or so later we got a call from the police (in the early hours) to say that they had found it on an estate over in Herne Hill. They couldn't guarantee it would still be there in the morning so my other half had to go and collect in the middle of the night. The police had been over there in quiet bit of the shift, just checking number plates against the stolen vehicles register.

Just another tip for ongoing prevention - Since having number 2 I have used J&J extra care baby wipes - the ones with the green and white stripes. She is now 13 months, we've had several bouts of teething, but touch wood no nappy rash. In fact the only times we've had some slight redness is when I've changed wipes occasionally. It must be the extra dose of lotion that they put on them acting like a barrier. Worth a go perhaps if you use disposable wipes? (that said I am currently trialling the Asda equivalents, a) because they are cheaper and b) because the little plastic lid on them makes for easier removal from the pack! Hoping they are just as good as the Johnsons ones...)

Sorry to hear about this. This route would perhaps benefit from a regular bus route from P Rye to the station - 63 extension perhaps? :))

Firstly - well done on making it through the first year! My daughter is 13 months today and I've been wondering all day, where has that time gone!! My daughter is now having 2 bottles a day (morning/evening) which she has from a beaker. I know the cow one you mean - just a thought - that's not see-through at all is it, so perhaps she doesn't realise she's getting milk instead of water? We have 3 different cups, one is from Sainsburys and is bright pink with a long soft spout, one is a pooh bear one (don't know where from and one is a tommee tippee bright pink with green handles (also from Sains). Could be worth trying with a see-through cup and see how she does? good luck!

Wasn't there also a thread where someone saw a 'special service' 171 (or 172?) that they are trialling to extend the route from the other side of HOP? Would still provide the same purpose as extending the 63 over the hill. Any more news on that?

crossed posts with srisky - sounds like My Favourite Nursery is a similar situation as we had. Definitely worth a call/look if its in a good location for you

Hi - which nurseries have you tried, and whereabouts do you live? Although some nurseries do have very long lists, sometimes you can be lucky. I got a job in August - very last minute and they wanted me to start a month later. I had a small panic, but phoned around a few near me (I'm up by the Horniman). We got into Piplings as its a new nursery and had only just had its ofsted so wasn't full yet (might be now though as the report was Outstanding in all areas and there have been a lot of new children settling in with my little one!) Worth calling a few more to see. And also bear in mind that some nurseries (smaller ones) don't have such regimented lists, and fill spaces as they become available. So you might have more luck in say December, as parents give one month notice and the space becomes available in the New Year. Also, 3+ days are preferable for many nurseries. Rightly or wrongly, but if you are really desperate perhaps you could ask about that? Don't know if you mean hubby to work from home whilst looking after your son, but he may find thats not workable anyway. My daughter is 11 months now, and there's no way I could get a day's work done with her here! Good luck!

Wow Monkey - really?? who, what, when, where? - is the taxi fare to Luton? (there must be a catch?!)

Not sure how much someone would charge for this service as you describe (if anyone would do it) but as I've just gone back to work myself, I wanted to say how well my son has settled into Breakfast and After School clubs at his school. I was also worried about the long day, but he absolutely loves it!! They do lots of activities, he gets to see/meet more children from other years (and the bigger ones help to look after the infants). My 1 year old goes to a nursery for the full-ish day (depending on when DH gets them dropped off :) ) It is harder on her I think, but it sounds like you'd be able to get them both in time to come home for teatime. Cost wise, my school clubs are ?2.50 for Breakfast and ?8.00 for ASC per day. At that price, even if you just used the ASC for an hour, it would be good value. Juggling the school hols is something I'm yet to trial! Good luck with whatever you decide.

Oh, this is such a great idea! When I had number 2, we were in the labour room until 1am post-birth. We (all) had nicely settled down to sleep, when in came the lady to move us, apologising that it had taken so long. TBH, we thought that as we only had another 6 hours of monitoring before we could go home and the LW was quiet, that they had just left us there til morning. But no, so off we all decamped to WG ward. Whereupon, the transfer lady parked us in, and said to my husband, "Right, time for you to go now, no partners allowed in here at night". So off he was sent literally within 10 minutes of me getting transferred, leaving me just as LO woke up and threw up her first big feed all over herself. I also think that Dads going home for a good nights sleep is a good idea, but a bit of flexibility was all I think it needed at the time. Now they have it - hurrah!

So sorry to here about you experience. The annoyance factor, like you say, is almost the worst thing about it. The hassle of trying to sort it out especially when you are on your way somewhere ( and if you're like me, in a hurry!). Don't know what to suggest in terms of tackling crime - other than definitely report it to the police. At the least you'll get a few more bobbies down the road temporarily as they are told to keep an eye. cCTV is also an option and not too expensive and mat deter the opportunists. Hope you're weekend has gone better since!

Or post them on Freecycle, as suitable for spares. Then a willing person will come round and collect it, save you the journey to the tip/skip. Much quicker than Southwark too!

Why do people feel the need to park there anyway? I went down on Friday afternoon, after school, and the park, of course, was heaving with people enjoying the sun. Happy days. The car park was busy, yes, but still spaces. But there must have been 10 or so cars parked along Straker road (as well as the camper van advertising the comedy club). Just you wait till those Spooks types come back to the Rye - you'll get more than a ticket then :)

Not sure if you mean private or state primaries. Don't know anything about private, but for state schools you apply from the September (until December, you have 3 months to visit schools and finalise your preferred list) before they are due to start school. They start school the September after they turn 4, so in your case your son will be old-ish for his year and almost 5. I have a daughter who will be the same school year. I'll be applying for her place (hoping that the sibling system still holds when she gets there!) in September 2014. A while to go yet then!!

French brands do tend to come up skinnier (and longer). All the above, plus try looking at Vertbaudet online. Their delivery is a bit slow, but they have some cute things for little girls, and they seem to fit well. Cheaper than Petit bateau too!

Southwark also ran a holiday playscheme in the Summer. Not sure about the half terms, but this year it was at Ivydale and Oliver Goldsmiths schools. There's also Scamps - pricey, but great fun for the kids. Again, I think this just runs in the 'full-term' holidays. Also, if you can take a couple of days off, how about arranging a swap with other parents at the school in the same position?