rubish rubish

[bob]

Any one in LL or roads of it have problems with thier rubbish colection My'n should be on Friday all ways have to phone to get it colected.

Bob s

[Guest]

HA! It's just you

[bob]

Dany looks like you might be right

[Guest]

Try leaving it out on the pavement. They can't miss it that way. Watch out for the Foxes

[dulwichmum]

Dear Bob,

Yes the service is not what it could be. If you are expecting them to ring your bell and help you remove it from your kitchen, you are out of luck sweetie. Get yourself an au pair, she will wheel it out to your garden gate and everything!

[Guest]

What happened to wheeling it our yourself?

I don't know...

[dulwichmum]

Dear Dany,

Clearly, one can do that too!

[Guest]

"Dear" DulwichMum

I would have an Au Pair - if I had kids. To be honest, I would prefer a nanny. I wouldn't want them doing jobs like that though, I believe if I make a mess I should clean it up.

My Mum however, will not back this up.

[dulwichmum]

Dear Dany,

You are right. A nanny however is incredibly expensive, and I suppose they should be, because they do the most difficult job ever - in my opinion. I have never worked so hard in my life as when I was at home with the children full-time.

We have a lovely au pair, and she doesn't take out the bins either, my husband does it.

[Guest]

I believe nanny's actually have to tutor and teach as well?

I would love to stay at home and bring up my children. I would prefer it to work. It's a no contest really. Going to the bus stop and standing with miserable East Dulwich people (who never smile) OR walking the kids to the local school followed by 6 hours of daytime TV and a possible afternoon nap.

[dulwichmum]

Dear Dany,

I am afraid I never heard of the tutoring business you describe - that would be ideal. There is actually no professional register at all for nannies, and therefor no set minimum qualifications.

I had an idylic idea of what raising children would be like, and like yourself imagined lolling about at home a lot, and arranging cushions on the sofa while watching Richard and Judy, but it actually turned our to be terribly hard. I ran back to work! Just getting them to school age (never mind out the door to school of a morning) is so difficult I could just cry at times. I thought I loved babies, but now I realise, I really just love it when they are cheekey and a little bit more independent. God it is hard work, and I have so much respect for stay at home parents - it certainly is not an easy job.

I like smiling at miserable people in the street, I do it all the time - try it, it really shocks them. I don't see that many misery guts on Lordship Lane though, I must admit. Come to the Village - now that is a different story!

[Guest]

Dulwichmum

Point taken - but I still feel screaming from the kids is more managable than screaming from the boss - now that makes me cry!

I used to try and smile but gave up after people started giving me odd looks. Dulwich Village is a bit better, more of a neighbourly feeling there like the countryside villages.

[dulwichmum]

Dear Dany,

Perhaps, but look closely, and a lot of it is superficial. People are afraid to let the facade down, if you see what I mean. It can be less than honest.

[bob]

Dulwichmum

If I could aford a Au Pair she would wear a small black dress with a white apron she would have many duties one would not be wheeling my bin but more enjoyed tasks.

bob s

[dulwichmum]

My dear Bob s,

I fear it is not an 'au pair' you are looking for! The job description sounds a little like a French maid, but perhaps a little more 'involved' shall we say?

[Guest]

Oh dear

Bob, don't you have a wife to do such things??

[dulwichmum]

Dear Dany,

Is this what you expect of your wife dear heart? What fun!

[val]

Yes he does!

[dulwichmum]

Wow!

[Guest]

Well that is what I envisage married life to be. Well married life before kids.

I don't believe in womanising or "having a bit on the side" and stuff like that. Neither do I believe in sex before marriage but thats another story...

[dulwichmum]

Dany, you are a gentelman! Wow, there are actually some left!

[Guest]

There's plenty of us left but Eastenders don't seem to catch on...

[dulwichmum]

Dear Dany,

Virtuous young men such as yourself are (I believe) few and far between.

[bob]

Dulwichmum Mrs Bob S very un happy obout Au pair.

Au pair or french maid must go, to be replaced by chipendale,

Bob S

[dulwichmum]

Dear Bob S,

You see, you must be careful darling, you reap what you sew!