Lulabelle's MFW Diary

edinburgher

Grrr to flaky plumber and DS1 being a chancer!

From memory (growing up in a large family), it can be very difficult to change 'the deal' where it has been changed at some point. For example, introducing new duties. My parents attempted the same thing when we hit our young teenage years with mixed results. I don't recall being particularly argumentative, but other siblings weren't keen.

A tricky one to address, I think that humans are inherently mercenary and prone to a sense of entitlement, no matter how well their parents raise them!

lulabelle1

The last few days have gone by in a haze of homework......

DS1 has been receiving tonnes of the stuff and finally had a meltdown at the end of last week as so worried that he couldn't keep up with it all and was stressing that he might get a detention.... so, it was time for me to intervene.... We printed blank calendar sheets, checked the online homework site and popped the deadlines on the calendar. We then discussed together what work should be done when to ensure it's completed on time. It's been a bit of a slog but he's almost caught up with everything and he's done some great work.

I have to admit that I helped him here and there, but a lot of it is his own. The problem is that he's used to doing the very minimum amount to get by and trying to get him to do the very best he can, so I felt I needed to inspire him a bit and show him what can be achieved with a bit more effort.

I'm slightly nervous as to him ds1 and dh will keep on top of it when I'm away on my work trips, but time will tell.

I was a Rugby mum yesterday, DS2 played all morning, his first matches... they looked so sweet in all of their gear, they tried hard but at times it was comical as they're still so young and don't always no what they're doing or whats expected. DS1 was most unhappy to have to come along and watch with us but I was determined he'd come and have some fresh air otherwise he'd have stayed home and spent the whole time on electricals.

Money wise, we've been good.... DH was away on training all weekend and since my time was spent with homework for both boys and out with rugby, it was easy to be good. I did treat myself to some flowers from Mr S on Saturday morning (i'd done a great job with my geography homework, lol) but I had points, so used those to pay for them.

Financially, it's tight until pay day and even after pay day it will be really tight for another month too as the money is already allocated to final bills for the work we've had done. So, no OP's, saves etc and no shopping!

Thanks to some advice from Ed, I've opened a new S&S ISA and JISA's for the boys and completed the transfer requests for the old ones, must get those posted off today or tomorrow. Everything was with Legal & General and I want to have the flexibility of choosing from other funds and switching/playing around when I feel like it. Plus it gives more general control as I'll easily be able to increase the amounts I pay in etc.

A few days working from home now and then away on a worky trip for a few days to sunnier climes....

CathT

I often feel guilty buying myself flowers but that £2.99 gives me a week of happiness looking at them. What age is DS1, dd just gets reading and comprehension but as our weekends re so busy we end up doing it before school or in the evenings and she never wants to spend much time on it. I don't know how we will fit it in when she gets more and there are projects to do etc!

Well done on the S&S ISA's, I bravely opened one and really hope it performs well. I may look into altering dd child trust fund too (DS doesn't have one). Apart from an annual statement I don't know anything about how it is performing.

lulabelle1

CathT wrote: »

I often feel guilty buying myself flowers but that £2.99 gives me a week of happiness looking at them. What age is DS1, dd just gets reading and comprehension but as our weekends re so busy we end up doing it before school or in the evenings and she never wants to spend much time on it. I don't know how we will fit it in when she gets more and there are projects to do etc!

Well done on the S&S ISA's, I bravely opened one and really hope it performs well. I may look into altering dd child trust fund too (DS doesn't have one). Apart from an annual statement I don't know anything about how it is performing.

I'm with you on the flowers, it sometimes seems a tad indulgent but like you, I smile overtime I see them. Flowers are a pretty good price from the likes of Te8co....

DS1 is 11 and started secondary school last month. It's relentless. I know it's important but I think there's too much pressure on children these days. In fact, too much pressure on all of us.

I'm the same as you - just the annual statement at the moment and amending how much is paid in is far from easy.

lulabelle1

Trip away with work went well last week.. relatively quiet week ahead, trip in to London, hospital with DS1 and then working from home for the rest of the time.

Didn't spend a single penny whilst away which is fantastic. DH has been pretty good too....

The children seem to be realising that things are a bit tight, so that's good too.

Being so sensible, even just for a short period of time, is really highlighting how much we've let things slide in the last year.... Oh well, onwards and upwards, no time for dwelling

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Good for you for getting back on track. It is easy to slide when it is a long mortgage haul.

lulabelle1

Thanks Squirrel

Back home from London trip and catching up on work from today..... need to get caught up as out again all day tomorrow at the hospital with DS1.

Another NSD, seems to be becoming a habit

Provided some more information to the new ISA/JISA people to get the transfer underway. Called Legal & General as advised to do so by new provider - just to check no fees, cancel DDM's etc - might as well not have bothered, they were pretty unhelpful and didn't seem bothered - just told me they didn't need to know that I was transferring and just to fill int he transfer forms with the new provider....... Shame I wasted any money on the phone call to them really.

Could take a month or so to move across though, sigh......

Pay day soon, nothing to look forward to here, just a little bit of shuffling!

Molillie

Hello, enjoying browsing your thread, and just thought your DS might like to look at the organising tips and planning sheet on You tube by Jake Wright, one of my nephews found this helpful. It was something he did to keep on top of the work at secondary school, and as he ended up at Cambridge, must have worked. You'll find it easily by typing in the name and "organisation"

lulabelle1

Molillie wrote: »

Hello, enjoying browsing your thread, and just thought your DS might like to look at the organising tips and planning sheet on You tube by Jake Wright, one of my nephews found this helpful. It was something he did to keep on top of the work at secondary school, and as he ended up at Cambridge, must have worked. You'll find it easily by typing in the name and "organisation"

Fab, thanks for this - it looks a little like the creation I've come up with :T

I shall send DS the link though as I think it will be good to see the suggestion coming from a peer as appose to his mum!

lulabelle1

Hospital trip went well, DS seems to be delighted with his diabetic pump. In theory, assuming all goes well - no more injections and it will also allow us to control his blood sugar more effectively too which is great news... as well as DS being able to eat what he wants and when he wants - so, fantastic all round!

Downsides.... we spent money on hospital parking. A total rip off. More expensive than parking in town (even that is way too expensive). Also, we had lunch out. We shouldn't, but we did. I guess we should have really taken a pack up with us, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. I think it's been more than a month or so since we ate out as a family or had any kind of take away, so it was a real treat

Rent money was paid today, so the B2L flex account isn't quite as bare as it was a few days ago.... hopefully nothing else will break in the next month!