MSE Parent Club - Part 2

SusanC_2

The thing with year six SATs is that they are important to the school because of things like league tables so they spend loads of time teaching to the test. My mum's school (she does learning support in a secondary school) does their own tests on the kids when they arrive anyway because they find the SATs results to be fairly meaningless so the SATs results aren't actually that important for the children. I think it's shocking the way children have all this pressure on them thanks to silly ideas from the government. (Not that it affects me - I'm going to home educate.)

keelykat

Lu_T wrote: »

Got my mother & baby group of friends coming tomorrow. Not all of them unfortunately as some are working/busy, but I've added up how many there will be and got to 16!! And that doesn't include babies in tummies - we'd have to add another 3 to the total for that!

It'll be fun though. Went to get some biscuits today (and grapes for the LOs) and had to buy 3 packs as I didn't think there'd be enough with 2. They'll not go to waste though (wink)

i wish i was more outgoing to do things like this, i havent even been back to the mom and baby group too much competition and made me feel quite left out as elliot was youngest there and couldnt do much.

tsstss7

keelykat wrote: »

i wish i was more outgoing to do things like this, i havent even been back to the mom and baby group too much competition and made me feel quite left out as elliot was youngest there and couldnt do much.

Keely don't feel bad - ds2 was nearly a year old before I managed to be organised enough to start going to groups (except for a short stint at baby massage when he was 7 mths) and then I only went because a friend dragged me along to one she is a cleaner for (since hers were little).

I have to be grateful to her for that though as it did kick started me a bit and now we do 3 a week. One I go to is a sure start run one and it is by far the best in terms of not being made to feel left out. It is run by sure start community workers and they make a point of talking to everyone and keeping you included. Maybe there is a group like this in your area?

Also another one is run by the local library and is a baby "bump and rhyme" group. It is free!! and no one talks to anyone really you just go and do the business (lots of twinkle twinkle etc ) and go shopping after (well thats what I do) I like this one cause I get to feel like I am doing something for the LO while also getting to catch up on the latest bargains after.:D

In any case my best advice on the groups is to shop around, maybe go twice to see if the second time is better, but if not find another one that is more friendly. Some really are very cliquey round here and when my ds1 was little the nearest group was absolutely awful so I ended up going to another area to one where people would talk to each other and made lots of baby friends then!

snugglepuss_2

Keely - which formula are you using? Peter was quite a sicky baby, and our GP wouldn't prescribe Gaviscon either. We tried Aptamil Easy Digest, which seemed to help when I gave it to him, but you need to use variflow or large hole teats (as it is a thicker formula). We tried it for a while, but it was a bit difficult to give him, as we are using Avent bottles, and the variflow teats are tricky to use (have to line up the flow type with babies nose!) particularly in the middle of the night. We ended up giving Peter Aptamil Extra Hungry - and using Infacol, and Peter was much happier. He was even happier still when we started weaning at 16 weeks on the advice of our HV. He was also taking 40oz of fomula each day by then!!!

Sami_Bee

tsstss7 wrote: »

snip

Also another one is run by the local library and is a baby "bump and rhyme" group. It is free!! and no one talks to anyone really you just go and do the business (lots of twinkle twinkle etc ) and go shopping after (well thats what I do) I like this one cause I get to feel like I am doing something for the LO while also getting to catch up on the latest bargains after.:D

In any case my best advice on the groups is to shop around, maybe go twice to see if the second time is better, but if not find another one that is more friendly. Some really are very cliquey round here and when my ds1 was little the nearest group was absolutely awful so I ended up going to another area to one where people would talk to each other and made lots of baby friends then!

I was "invited" to a group by the HV team which is where I met one of my best mummy friends and we used to all say bye at the end of the group and then all promptly go shopping round tesco and bump into everyone again :rotfl:

Some of the groups round here are a bit cliquey but the snooty mums just ignore you its like you're invisible, I wouldn't mind but it was always their kids that were the worst behaved!!
I go to a toddler group now that is in my home town and run by a family friend who used to be a childminder and there are quite a few other minders that go, its in a rough-ish area in a town thats bigger than I live in now so none of the snotty types will lower themselves to go to it :rolleyes: which is why I like it!! everyone is down to earth and if a little rough around the edges their hearts are in the right place and they don't judge :T

Do try to give some others a go Keely I'm sure you'll find one you like xx

Savvy_Sue

Remember keely, your LO was more cute and cuddly than the wriggly monsters theirs were turning into - there are advantages to being youngest!

My cute'n'cuddly one has just loomed through to get a drink. It was nice while it lasted (and he got taller than me so I can't even FORCE a cuddle on him!)

Sami_Bee

Ladies for those that don't have/can't get to baby massage I've just come accross a how-to leaflet here: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/i/advertorials/jb0011_massage_pad.pdf
its just on side of A4 that you can print off and enjoy (hopefully, Chris didn't really 'do' lying still and being rubbed :rolleyes:)

chocaholic110

Becles wrote: »

Dad doesn't agree with these tests either and thinks it's too much pressure on something that is of no real benefit to the children and it's just for the school league table. He does work for an exam board too, setting and marking the GCSE maths papers, and he was offered the role of overseeing the Year 9 maths SATS (third year in secondary school). He refused and said he didn't agree with them, then had a bit of a "ha ha told you so" moment when they were abolished last year

And thank goodness they were abolished, what an utter shambles! DS was in Y9 last year and after sitting the SATS he never ever got his literacy results. Apparently they were just lost, no-one knows where! Fingers crossed for Y6 SATS to go next - I think England is the only country that still has them.

SeptemberBaby_2

Sami_Bee wrote: »

yey on the surestart visit!
Mine arrived yesterday :j I was shocked seeing as the site said it would be 23rd. those instructions are so bad aren't they! I coped with them until I tried to fold it back up and just couldn't work it out! There is a very handy video that Kiddicare have put on youtube that helped, its on a slightly older model so not exact. I was a bit worried when I picked it up not sure how I'll go getting it in the car, the shape of it makes it more difficult to the 3D don't ya agree?

here's the vid for future http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ArMTtnpdqG4&feature=channel_page

Oh, thanks for the link :cool:. Yep, its a completely different kind of triangle shape compared to the flat 3D but it does fit in the car :j minus the wheels but they slot on very easily.

Haven't actually used it yet though - not quite brave enough with 2! . DH and I will take it on a trial run at the weekend and then he can sort out any issues before I go it alone :rotfl:.

Lu, I will be sure to report back and let you know how we get on. We were going to buy it before Jamie was born but the price put us off . Sami and I have bought them from Kiddicare as it was a deal too good to miss and the cocoon and double seat is included .

C L I C K

Keely, do try and go back to a group. I went to one at the SureStart yesterday and am so glad I did as everyone was lovely and really welcoming. I didn't go to that many when Poppy was younger and then I was too tired during this pregnancy. Next week I'm leaving Jamie at my Mums and Poppy and I are going to 'Messy Play'! My HV recommened it as it really is messy and you're not doing it in your own home! :rotfl:.

xx

keelykat

I hope to pluck up the courage to go back sometime, i've been up and down a lot....one day positive i'm doing ok then the next day elliots sicking lots or something silly and i feel so fed up again. i need a kick up the bum, i really do. i just worry too much and think too much!