'supporting each other through really tough times'

Nargleblast

I'm sure I read somewhere that the revenue from council house sales was kept "frozen" in bank accounts - perhaps any local authority employees could enlighten us?

I sense a common theme to those times - some basic good ideas, but implemented in the wrong way without consideration of the long term implicatons.

Peanut2013

Morning all, I've asked this in the newborn thread but wondered if I could pick your brains?

We're having an engagement gathering in a few weeks and as we're not a 'party' type of couple we've booked a private function room and will be having a drinks reception. Background music, nibbles and just a good chance for all our family and friends to catch up. It's exactly our kind of thing.

However we have about 10 - 15 kids coming ranging from 3 months (LOs baby friends) up to 10 years. We've had a gathering like this before and all my cousins were fine and played with each other. However this time we invited friends kids so there are more and one friend has commented her kids (3, 6 and 10) are going to last about an hour before getting bored and would we be doing anything for the kids / would we like her to help.

I'm really unsure. We can't afford much (we've used all our spare money on the venue hire and some food - total of £50, I'm proud of this!) and there's no space to make a toy corner (her suggestion was she could bring some boxes of toys for the kids to play with in a corner, but there just isn't the room! We've maxed out the venue!). Theres also no outdoor space (other than the smokers balcony) so they can't play outdoors.

If you went to a party like this would your kids get bored?

The only idea I've had is maybe like a photo challenge or something to keep them entertained? Or maybe a little gift pack with a work sheet or something for them to complete?

What do you think? I would never have thought about providing anything!

stiltwalker

Morning Peanut - that sounds lovely. TBH I always arrive to places and events with a bag full of things to keep the kids occupied if necessary but not everyone is so prepared in my experience and bored children can be a menace. When I do cakefest at our house for the kids birthdays I always put out a load of paper and crayons and that seems to do the trick.

Seems a bit quiet round here at the moment - hope it's because you are all out enjoying the (eventual) beginnings of spring that we are getting (round about our parts anyhow). Take care all - hugs X

Popperwell

Morning All(Just)
Hope you get an answer NuttyP.

Recently I am sleeping at the proper times(through the night)that is either an improvement due to coming through recent problems and probably the AD's are helping.

Been making an effort more with meals too...

Spring? Summer? Still not happening here. Another dull, wind, cold day...perhaps Saturday afternoon was it.

I want it to improve as I wish to attend a food festival this weekend.

I say its bad and yet the house is not as cold at present its around 18c(66f)without any heating on.

Will have to have a bit of a tidy round have a visit from the HA(have delayed it for a couple of weeks)so have some extra time to sort things out.

More of the same duplicate paper work they already sorted earlier in the year. Instead of sharing information between themselves.

Avoiding spending this week so I may have some spare cash to spend at the food event. It also means using some of the food I have.

Not much going on here but I prefer it that way, I know as always something will spoil that sooner or later so for now I will take any peace whilst I can.

Hope its a good day for everyone...

Emm-in-a-pickle

Hi. I don`t usually post here but read the thread quite often. I have to say, first, that my reaction may seem a bit old-fashioned and stern, so apologies if I offend anyone.
This isn`t a `kiddies party`, as such, and shouldn`t be hi-jacked into one. I honestly think it`s up to the parents here.
They know their offspring best.
If they know their child will get bored & troublesome, they should either bring along something that will keep child occupied, or arrange a baby-sitter. Or leave early!!

[Deleted User]

PEANUT does anyone coming along know how to face paint? or anyone actually have facepaints for thier kids already that they would bring, that should get you a quiet area in a corner where the kids could be occupied. One other thing that would not cost a fortune would be a roll of lining paper and some crayons and let them make drawings of everyone there on a big sheet like the bayeux tapestry. Even 10 year olds would like that and it's something that they could all dip into and out of whilst the event is going ahead, Hope that helps, have a lovely time anyway, Cheers Lyn xxx.

kidcat

Peanut - Personally its an adult party and as such if I was invited to take my children I would tale things to keep them happy, I have to say though that I would prefer not to take the kids as I like adult time.

However as has been said unoccupied children are a nightmare and can ruin any party so putting out pencils/crayons with paper would help(not felt tip pens -venues hate them)

We have a rule that some parties are for children and for those parties I cater primarily for kids (will put out some food for parents but no alcohol), some are family events and I cater for all (baptisms etc) and try to include everyone, and some are adult events - and I cater for adults only (if kids are coming and I have agreed to it - I try not to- then I expect parents to supply their own entertainment)

i was very unpopular in that I only had my own children at my wedding and two additional flower girls. I caused an uproar because as a childrens worker everyone expected it to be a free for all - the church service was and all my childrens groups kids were invited, lots came but the reception was adults only and it was blissful.

Emm-in-a-pickle

I think it`s really good (even essential for socialising them!) for children to attend multi-age-group gatherings, but to learn that there`s a difference between these and specifically children`s do`s, and that they are invited and welcomed without taking over the event. As parents and foster parents we took ours to such gatherings. A simple Serious Talk to them beforehand about what to expect and what was expected of them usually brought great results,we found even little ones have a sense of occasion!
Face paints...in my experience these are great for when there`s lots of space and noise is ok - for when the lion & tiger faces want to roar (they always do!) and the dog-faces want to chase the cat-faces, etc. There`s a place for these, but not in a quiet corner (except when they`re sitting, one at a time, having the face applied!)
Also, there`s more to it than boredom - some younger children can get really mardy when they are tired, and again that`s up to the parents to monitor, and if these parents are your friends it shouldn`t be too hard.
I hope your do goes well, it really is possible for all ages to get together and enjoy themselves without hiring a bouncy castle!

[Deleted User]

This is such a small thing but it has made me very happy so I thought I'd share it with all of you, this afternoon as I came back with my boy from our walk which was made happier by meeting his bestest friend Charlie the retriever, we walked up the sloping drive and I saw a little patch of yellow on the edge of the flower bed. We have the very first self seeded primrose plant growing on the edge of the lawn/flower bed. It is so perfect and has 2 open flowers and some buds that will be open soon. This is, I know, not life changing news or terribly exciting but, it is a gift beyond price and I love it so much isn't it odd how little things shine where big things in life don't?
Cheers Lyn xxx.

JellyBox

I love when I come home and something new has opened up in the pot outside my door. I've no idea what we've got, the mothership has done us a couple of flowerpots and I didn't realise how much they'd brighten my days. So need a garden!