The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

[Deleted User]

Thanks ALFSMUM we've a vets appointment at 10.30 this morning, luckily they could fit us in. I'm not at all certain he's viable so I may have to make the 'right' decision on behalf of DD1. She knows the situation and is OK for me to do so if necessary although all of me is wishing we can fix him, he's a lovely little thing!!! Lyn xxx.

savingqueen

Sending huge hugs to (((((((lobbylud and shegar.)))))))))) Officialdom getting in the way of commonsense all round. Yes we need rules but sometimes they need to be bent to accommodate real people living real lives not just on paper.


Shegar no experience in this but would your local MP help?


Lobbylud not much in the way of practical advice - kidcat will be far better than me but ideas of top of my head (apologies if already tried or no good):


Write a polite, assertive letter to the Head , copy the WO in and ask him/her to phone you at a mutually convenient time(or meet at school if you can spare the time.) Confirm that of course you take absence seriously and do everything you can to keep your children in school but this last year they have had several minor illnesses that meant they were simply too poorly to go into school. Reiterate that they have only ever been off for genuine illness and that as a single working mum it would not be in your best interests to keep them off school unnecessarily and that you want the best education for them etc.


Any local parenting groups/orgs that you could contact for support/advice even if by email.


Could you afford to take unpaid leave (parental leave up to x days allowed by law) if the worst should happen re illness. Or can you find/afford a childminder/babysitter willing to mind the kids in the event of a minor illness - some areas have emergency cover bit of a long shot I know.


Probably after all this awful worry, your children will sail through the winter and not be ill and all will be ok - really hoping so.


sq

mardatha

Sorry not been on here much been busy. Sending love & light to all who need it xxx

savingqueen

Morning all,


Not the best start to the day. I woke up in the early hours and couldn't get back to sleep so when my alarm went off, I must have turned it off and gone back to sleep - I never ever do this when I need to get up. Meanwhile DH, usually terrible at getting up, goes about getting ready and realises 45 mins later that I am not up and wakes me. So a mad rush to get the kids up and ready, do packed lunches and everything. Managed to remain calm and even get to school 2 mins early... DH was forgiven pretty quickly, he can only cope with getting himself sorted 1st thing.


On school run witnessed a near miss between an old lady driver and an ambulance - driver seemed oblivious to flashing lights. Glad was ok.


Our dehumidifier has packed up, tried the usual fuse, different socket and DH took it apart (been fixed by him once before) but no joy. We have to have a new one with no tumble dryer and a house prone to condensation (cheap build etc). Will see if I can order one for delivery as too heavy for me to carry home and DH gets in too late most nights to go shopping. Might order 2 small ones rather than one big one so I can move them about the house. Another unexpected blooming expense grrrr!


Had a good meeting at school yesterday about DS7, hoping some issues are on their way to slowly being resolved or at least reduced. I ordered a good book which came yesterday called The Big Bag of Worries which DS seemed to understand and he has taken it into school to show his teacher and Learning Mentor so all positive stuff


Place is an absolute pigsty and I need to do more food and other shopping but want to do some online Xmas shopping today, will feel better when I have some parcels on their way. Also need a bath and hair wash desperately, have been too busy/tired last couple of days so off to have one next and hoping school don't phone as Wednesday is DS7's 'dodgy' day. So a nice quiet day indoors planned.


sq

PRINCESSX87

Morning all.

Glad to hear all is well MRSLW. Shame about pet. Hopefully they will be able to fix teeth & little can come home. Wishing you the best x

Another waiting game so far today. SIL has asked me if some gifts for brother can come here because he’s a nosey so & so and will happily open them early. I’m still waiting for postie to bring ours - Plus awaiting for gas man to bring the gas bottle. Hopefully it will all arrive before I need to leave for counselling.

Weather here has turned cold and wet. Not great weather to go out in, But alas needs must.

Hugs to (((((((lobbylud & shegar.)))))))))) hope everything improves quickly. Xx

Anyways must run, Stay safe all x

lobbyludd

thanks everyone,
hope the little guinea pig is OK, and hugs to all if you have to make the hard decision.

Good luck with counselling princess - finger crossed for postie
FP - that sounds a very difficult neighbour situation - you're much more stoic and sensible about it than I would be.

thanks Kidcat and SQ and everyone. DS is tired but essentially fine now, so counting blessings, people have things much more difficult, he doesn't have a proper health issue, and I have a job, so I have more perspective now than i did last night. I have told boss I am working from home today. Boss has never agreed to me taking special leave (in theory I am entitled to a week paid special leave so will push next time) and as ds is ok now, just tired, I can get on with some work, the extra washing is nearly done and dd was only 2 mins late in, and was smiling and happy to go.

I can only do what can be done, so I'm going to focus on trying to keep us well, helping ds catch-up, and dd enjoy school which are the only real issues of any note.

I have emailed the school to confirm ds's illness, confirm when he is allowed back in, ask for understanding if I struggle to get dd in on time today, ask for his missed work to be sent home, re-explained my working situation etc, and asked for help to get a plan together to catch him up. I had to rewrite it several times last night to keep it non-emotional, i've re-read it this morning, and it's ok, so we'll see.

the officer when I burst into tears, explained that she as a single childless woman understood the pressures I was under trying to juggle work and children on my own, off-loaded a number of her problems and then said "I firmly believe that we are never given more than we can bear". which I now can laugh at the inappropriateness and absurdity of, but honestly?

ex was just being exactly who he is and not being with him is another enormous blessing.

hope things are brighter for all today and thanks again so much for your kindness and understanding.

[Deleted User]

LOBBY I hope the fact that 'we are never given more than we can bear' comed back to bite her on the BUM!!! Stupid woman, what does she know of the pressures of being a parent other than book learning? which is all very well in its way but not at all reality is it pet?

Piggy woo has a bad chest infection poor little lad, so we've antibiotic and anti inflamatory medicine to give him and vet says to force feed him baby food and water so I've got him some strawberry and apple puree and some carrot,apple and parsnip puree which I'll get into him by syringe, and then wash him afterwards cos he'll definately be a sticky boy!!! Lurcha is a bit jealous of all the attention the piglet is getting and been needing extra hugs and skritches of the neck poor lad, never mind, I'm hopeful that piggy will rally, the vet certainly seemed to think we were in with a good chance, the rest is up to the pig!!! Lyn xxx.

ginnyknit

OOh Lobbylud :mad: these damn people dont have a clue do they what we are upto in the real world.

Mrs LW we had a gp with pneumonia once and DD noticed when she palyed classical radio in his shed his breathing was easier - not a clue why So she used to leave the radio on for him and the others. I went in and they were listening to a prgramme on depression they were all quite intent listening but worried they might be affected by it

Having a quiet day, Oh in bed gathering his strength and Im just pottering about, obviously we are in winter mode so time to start a new craft project. I think needle felting may be on the agenda, thanks to Mardatha for gifting me some fleece.

nuttyp

sun in shining here inbetween fluffy clouds, still really cool though. New neighbours have arrived again today, they are staying for a couple of days again trying to get the house ready. Its nice they always say hello as soon as they see us, and their respective parents do too.

Work have rang already asking me to go in early again, more money for me..... But less time to get the housework done. Took DD to her BF she is staying over, so don't have to worry about getting her when I finish tonight. Have to be up early to go to a different town to get OH car mot'd, I urgently need it to pass first time. Garage bill may be the final straw for me.

Found on a rug on land of bay, going to see what it goes up to as I think it may be suitable for the kitchen for winter time. The floor is tiled and gets very cold, maybe it will make it feel warmer.

Well must get my sandwich made and packed for my tea later on.

Mrs LW, home gineu pig is better. Lollybud I have DD off and we have to have sicknotes from the doctor for everyday off and then another for when she Is fit to return. SQ I never seem to be able to wake up on my own, OH always rings me to get me up and I sleep through an alarm but always wake for the telephone - incase its mum.

Really must go, take care everyone x

FairyPrincessk

LynSo pleased the GP issue should be resolved and they are on their way to being on the mend. I do hope they cooperate, feeding a gp with a syringe sounds like a euphemism for making a mess!

LobbyI would think the fact someone so insensitive had been sent would be 'more than we can bear' but what do I know? Still, it sounds as if you've handled it well.

Neighbours finally went to sleep around 1:30. I may or may not have had the urge to get the hoover out, but I didn't. I thought perhaps if I woke them up this afternoon perhaps they would sleep tonight, but I decided I probably couldn't spare the time from my work. Hoovering is OH's thing anyway as ours belonged to his grandmother and weighs so much I struggle to get it up and down the stairs. I can't imagine how she must have managed. I never met her, but no one in their family is very big. Must have been made of tougher stuff.

Just enjoying a cuppa now and trying to decide which salad it will be for tea. One of them involves warm puy lentils and feta--its very nice but also involves chopping grapes in half. It doesn't take long to make, but the whole grape chopping thing always puts me off as I find it tedious.