Its tough, it will get better and guess what its freezing brrrrr!

littleowl

As for schools labelling children - I remember attending a parents' evening to be told that my son was under performing. The teacher then qualified the comment by saying that 'of course, he does come from a broken home' ( I had recently obtained a divorce). My response was 'yes, the same home as my daughter who is presently top of everything and being lauded by every teacher I meet'. I added that I would appreciate her not labelling my son or finding an excuse for poor teaching. I was a bit cross!

ceridwen

NualaBuala wrote: »

:rotfl:
Oh sorry for laughing Sammy, but it sounded funny! Hope you are all better soon. The duvet and cuppa sounds like a great idea.

Do any of you celebrate Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night? Was just curious cos my Dad was English and I know he celebrated it when he was a boy. There were no sweeties but homemade treats and a bonfire. I did wonder if Halloween had taken over since it seems the shops are pushing it.. they can make more money out of it, I guess.

Coming home from work today I spotted a few fireworks going off and thought "Oh..of course..its 5 November" and it then struck me that I've spent the last few years noticing more and more fireworks going off in the run-up to Guy Fawkes Night over the last few years. Reason - I havent noticed ANY at all in the run-up this year. So - I wondered whether this is "sign of the times" or fashions are changing. Either way - to me personally its a blessing...as I value peace and quiet in my home and the situation round this time of year had been getting steadily worse. Literally overnight - one year to the next - nowt at all until tonight:D. So I've just decided to add that to my own personal "Recession/Depression Blessings List" - ie another silver lining to the communal financial cloud. So - thats two Recession Blessings so far - the first one being that when I commented to my father that I thought there might be marginally fewer cars on the roads these days than there used to be he agreed with me and said he had already been noticing that.

I tend to think its best to always look for that "silver lining" - it doesnt take away the "bad stuff" from anything that happens - but it helps to be aware that there often is a good side to bad things and to try and think what is "positive" about any situation. I've always found a positive slant to losing jobs before now - even if it was only something like "It was as well I got made redundant then - as the firm went out of business after that - so at least I had the chance to get a redundancy payment before that happened". I've turned spells of unemployment on their head by regarding them as "time to do what I want for once - rather than having to go to work" (I was still worried about money - but I decided to "think positive" and be glad of my extra freedom whilst it lasted).

ceridwen

jackieglasgow wrote: »

Think I will need to wrap up warm, I have ear muffs a hat, a coat and a shawl and gloves, do you think that's enough?

...thermal undies, sheepskin boots, two pairs of socks, leggings....????

rachbc

A CAF is a COmmon Assessment Framework meeting where professionals from different areas get together with the family to identify needs and put together a plan to address them. In all the jargon its 'client centred' and 'solution focussed' - so its about what you want and sorting things out rather than just going over issues and telling you what to do! A Lead Professional is appointed who basically oversees things, calls the meetings and checks everyone is doing what they said they would and reviewing if its working.
HTH

jediteacher

Can I just jump in and defend teachers as I am one. We are not all that bad and we do honestly try and do the best for each individual child in our class. I have 35 children in my class and I spend soo much time not just on the educational side but also on the pastoral care. Infact I have found the opposite about labelling children - we are loathe to lable children most of the time and in my own experience it has been the parents who have pushed for a 'label'. I am a parent too so I do understand the other side but I do feel we as teachers get a really bad press. As with all professions until you actually experience what it is like and the pressures from parents, children, government then you cannot really know what it is like. I could say more but I'll probably offend someone - it does make my blood boil though at how we as teachers get the blame for everything!

I hope I have not offended anyone - this is not personal at anyone just me on my soapbox about the stick we get.

Runs away and hides.

NualaBuala

"Recession/Depression Blessings List" ... what a lovely idea Ceridwen. I don't drive but sister has mentioned several times that there seem to be fewer cars on the road.

Funnily I don't mind the sound of bangers, fireworks etc. We have them for about 4 weeks a year in the run up to and just after Halloween. A bit less this year I think. The sounds that interfere with my peace and quiet are power tools used in people's gardens ... not sure what they are. Shredders, hedge trimmers, lawnmowers I guess. The sound feels like drilling in my skull ... hate it!

Now will turn my mind to the blessings .... I think I'm happier overall. I have a lot of worries about money but I get such pleasure from the small simple things. And I think I have a better sense of what is really important in life.

katholicos

ceridwen wrote: »

I havent noticed ANY at all in the run-up this year. So - I wondered whether this is "sign of the times" or fashions are changing..

I've just been having this discussion with someone and we were saying the same thing. I wonder if there has been a crackdown on the selling of fireworks to underage children?

Whatever the reason, i'm glad too and so is my dog!

RAS

Definately fewer loose fireworks this year. The kids round our way used to be setting them off every night from mid October onwards, sometime earlier. And then for a fortnight later. Think I have head less than a dozen in all.

Will be interesting to see how much is blown up this year as well. From my house I get a massive display provided by some wealthy householders who must blow up hundreds of pounds worth each. (I use to bulk buy them for events so know how much £200 used to look like years ago). I suspect that more will be going to the public events or cutting back?

Primrose

"Recession/Depression Blessings List" ... Ceridwen - this is a great idea - why don't you start a lovely new thread for this? I'm sure lots of us could find some benefits to include to brighten up what looks like being a difficult time ahead. It would be good for people to be reminded that every cloud has a silver lining. Meanwhile I'm going to get my thinking cap on.......

JoJoB

Great idea Ceridwen, most testing times have a positive slant if we look hard enough. When I am being particularly moody my OH likes to thank me for providing him with an opportunity to practise the higher human qualities, like patience and compassion.

Definitely looking on him losing half his job as an opportunity to spend more time together and have long summer holidays - it's definitely an upside to things! Even being skint has a silver lining in that we will be forced to live more simply, have to cut down on alcohol etc and eat no takeaway.

Feeling sorry for the teachers and the parents on this thread. It's awful how bureacracy and lack of funding/resources puts both into difficult positions and pits them against each other. I could never be a teacher, I'd have a nervous breakdown! And to be a parent of a child with any kind of special need must be exhausting in terms of getting the extra help required. Everything seems to be a fight these days. Hugs to all.