make do and mend for tougher times

prepareathome

Where we live now its impossible to let children out as its a busy main road into the city but boys were allowed to play in side garden but never alone and never let grandchildren play there alone either, not because I feel they will wander off but to easy for a car to pull up jump over the tiny 1m fence ( thanks to being in a conservation area:mad: - how can an area with a busy main road that is filled 20hrs out of 24 with lorries, oil tankers, buses, cars etc, be called a conservation area) and grab the child. When we lived up in North Scotland kids would go off for hours with others and have a great time and we knew they were safe, just so sorry we had to come back down south. The house we had before going north was in a quiet square with no through road so all the children would play out and so had a nice mixture of friends as non of their school friends lived near.

The school down here mine went to was exempt from bus passes/ school run buses as it was a voluntary aided school and council used it as an excuse, they told you, you chose to send your child there so no help - I drove in those days so no big deal but not for some so as the school had a couple of mini-buses parents took it in turn to do school runs picking up those who had to get the bus. Parent power then was big in the school heard its not so these days to many health and safety rules getting the way) so we did all sorts - school runs, security, playground policing, after school clubs, helping in class rooms as teaching assistants, manning library and cannot remember what else - of course fund raising I used to hold a book stall each year at the school Fete all books being supplied by me so kept books following in and out of my house smoothly where as now they flow on and stick. As I was HS youngest while others were still at the school he loved it being with me on say playground duty or helping in a class room as he was there but not part of the school.

Right doorbell that will be my AF order

grandma247

Shelly that really is a judgement call. If there were problems like that here I would keep my kids off the street too but find somewhere I could take them that was a bit wild, maybe woods or something to run free in.

I have only had one incident and that was with ds2 when a man approached him on the street when he was about 5 and asked if he would like to go to a party. He remembered what we had practiced and came straight in and told me. I called the police because I did not want him trying with another kid. I would not have been able to sleep at night if anything had happened to someone else's child.

shelley_crow

I used to live in a small village where a teenaged boy was snatched off the street. Apparantly the whole village turned out to look for him, shops shut and the school was closed. Unfortunately his body was found 20 miles away and it was too late, I suppose it goes to show that if someone is serious about snatching a child, they will do it, no matter what you have taught the child to do when strangers approach.

I hate where I live now with a passion but lack of money is seriously limiting my options. I don't like feeling stuck anywhere. I'd love to leave the midlands for good and go to the West Country. One day.

grandma247

((hugs ))) shelly. I hate this place too and have been taking tiny steps for the last six years to maneuver things so we can leave. Hopefully within the next year or so now.

shelley_crow

grandma247 wrote: »

((hugs ))) shelly. I hate this place too and have been taking tiny steps for the last six years to maneuver things so we can leave. Hopefully within the next year or so now.

Thanks hun :A Waiting is horrible once you've set your mind on something, patience is not a virtue for me x

ginnyknit

Shelley never give up your hopes and dreams, just keep working on it. I almost gave up my dream of retiring somewhere nice when OH got poorly but I won't be beaten, am now trying for a caravan somewhere to escape to as a cottage with land would be far to much for me now doing it all myself while OH watches frustrated.

Where I live its terrible, there have been a lot of atttacks on women over the years and 10 years ago me and my Dd were threatened within a week of each other but luckily we both had our wits about us and escaped, it never leaves you though. We had so much support you wouldnt believe and the police were amazing - way beyond the call of duty.

Now we have a virtual drawbridge against the world and our home is our sanctuary - however OH has escaped and headed for the fishing lake for the day :rotfl: Must get on with my sewing, lots to do.

Grandma, not long now then before you realise your dreams, I have my fingers crossed for you - pinch those pennies hunny!

katieowl_2

I wouldn't ever let my kids play out. We lived on a corner, and I figured they could be gone in seconds...I've also had a mum have mine over to play, and then let them go off to the park alone. She was most put out as she said she could keep an eye on them out of her window...but the park was in the next street :mad: and they had to go down a busy main road to get there - DD never went there again!

It wasn't much better when they were older TBH as it was such a rough area for kids. I didn't find out until we moved here and DS was 18 that the reason he'd never carry a phone or any money was because he'd been the victim of attempted muggings loads of times, and he didn't want anything on him to be taken. There were regular stabbings... :eek: just before we left someone got killed on Penge East station that my girls knew - friend of friends - they'd been to parties at his house.

Now, I don't worry at all about DS going into town, and walking the three miles back here, alone at night, often the worse for wear and in the pitch black down a country lane... :rotfl:

I'm seriously struggling to get done today what needs to be done, I've just done battle with 'Word' and managed to print off a few labels for my lavender bags, hoping to sell them at the summer fair Saturday, I've only managed to get three sets made, but no point them being here...I've packed up the vintage china we are selling too, so that looks nice. We figured we may as well utilise all the stall space. Tonight DD is coming over and we are starting our baking.

I may have to switch to 'intellectual stuff' like making a shopping list :rotfl:

Kate

Molly41

I hope you dont mind me posting. i read daily.
I normally frequent the OS daily but life has gotten really tough just recently.
Im another casualty of the DWP ESA reforms. After being in the Support Group for 3 years, I am suddenly fit to work despite my conditions being significantly worse. Today I have had yet another set back in my battle. It has been going on since April and despite very strong supporting evidence and my MP, I am still declined. Everyone who treats me has supported me and says that this decision is an !!!.

I dread the brown letters through the door. Today i just broke down and really do wonder if it is worth the fight. I feel so humiliated and defeated by our government.

Popperwell

Molly41 wrote: »

I hope you dont mind me posting. i read daily.
I normally frequent the OS daily but life has gotten really tough just recently.
Im another casualty of the DWP ESA reforms. After being in the Support Group for 3 years, I am suddenly fit to work despite my conditions being significantly worse. Today I have had yet another set back in my battle. It has been going on since April and despite very strong supporting evidence and my MP, I am still declined. Everyone who treats me has supported me and says that this decision is an !!!.

I dread the brown letters through the door. Today i just broke down and really do wonder if it is worth the fight. I feel so humiliated and defeated by our government.

I feel it for you Molly and wish you well, I can understand your fears and think it is only time before I go through a similar scenario. Its awful to say it but whilst Mum was alive I had some kind of safety net and would have been able to continue to look after Mum. Mum was more important to me than for those kind of reasons, I loved her...but the future looks both bleak and worrying. Lots of unknowns...

Neighbours, the few relatives, my Dr and Consultant and CAB know I am genuine and have a long standing/life threatening condition but I suspect that will mean nothing especially if that certain private company that assesses things are involved, their reputation goes before them...

I dread seeing those brown envelopes through the letterbox too.

grandma247

Oh Molly I am so sorry you have had such a bad time. ((hugs)) . Just when you think things can't get any worse it does. I do not know how you go about this but there are solicitors who specialise in getting people the help they need from all these .gov departments.

I have no idea about the dealings with all these departments but soon might if ddil goes ahead with a claim. She was told this week she needs 3 separate operations, one within the next few days and it will still be doubtful she will ever be able to work again.

Not to worry we are all in it together and the big society will help out grrrrrr.