Second Time Lucky

amycool

I think the brown ones freak people out most as they look most like the wild ones. They have such cute faces though.

I spent £115 on a ginormous cage. Still waiting to hear from the breeder. The impatient side of me is going to struggle if they have no pregnant does at the moment!

turtlemoose

Years ago a boyfriend had pet rats, they were lovely. Sharon and Tracy

amycool

Names is always a big issue. I've been pondering whether to name them all with A names, and then the next lot can be Bs etc. Assuming there will be a next lot. I did say DD could choose one name but I might regret that.

Cage should be coming today but still no replies from breeders so we're looking further afield. Typically, the cage is due between 1 and 4, so will no doubt come when I'm collecting DD from school.

amycool

We're on a waiting list now for some ratties - looks like August might be likely. We still need to buy a fair amount of stuff.

DD is struggling today after a rubbish night's sleep. Grumpy teenager comes to mind. I have plonked her in front of a DVD so I can regroup. Constant verbal abuse really isn't much fun, but I guess at least there's been no violence or destruction today.

She doesn't know she has the dentist today. I'll break that to her just before.

Yesterday actually wasn't too bad aside from a few meltdowns. We did some craft together and had a nice time at the park.

Our bank account still looks horribly empty right now and the mortgage is down to a very annoying £50,046.37!! At least I know we'll go below £50,000 next month, no matter how little we overpay. It's tempting to throw £50 at it but we really need to work the savings back up.

Having said that, I just spent £29 on premium bird food!

debtfreeoneday

I feel for you, it must be hard at times. Not the same I know, but my DD has had a personality transplant this week and it being a trifle challenging!

bambisonamission

Have you enquired with SWs about the chance of some theraplay for DD? Also, I can't remember reading whether DD does any activities? Sometimes things like karate, kickboxing can help her vent. I'm sure you know all these things though but just thought I'd suggest just in case.

amycool

Sorry for being AWOL! We went on our first family holiday last week!

bambi - we have just started Theraplay and although DD loves it, it causes her a lot of emotional anguish afterwards. She's just about to start her first after-school club but I'm not sure how she'll cope.

Well, I survived the holidays. I'm trying to make the spreadsheet add up but it's £8.28 out and I can't see where. There's also a mystery £17.95 spend from the holiday and I can't for the life of me think what we spent it on. Dinner maybe? I'll just put it as that!

We did pretty well money-wise. We ate at the restaurant twice and had pasta the other days (only there 4 nights). We used the NT membership for one day out, another was free entry (just very expensive cakes!) and the big spend was £52 on boat trips and an aquarium. The lodge wasn't what I had hoped for (quite grubby and dirty) but DD enjoyed it and we didn't kill each other.

When we got back we were pleasantly surprised to find that the in-laws had come into a little cash and had decided to split it between the kids, so we got £200!! We bought a portable DVD player (SO good on long journeys!), a mattress topper for our horribly springy mattress and a shaver for OH. Plus a few other bits. We still have £100 left.

Another lovely surprise was that I have finally won a proper prize!!! :j I must have entered over 2000 competitions so I was due one. Annoyingly it's men's clothes and OH didn't even seem bothered! I might be able to use one of the 3 items as a gift for my brother's birthday.

The garden is now a jungle thanks to all of the rain. Loads of places nearby have flooded so we're pleased that we haven't. The garden is covered in slugs and snails though. Lots of peas about to be ready and tons of strawberries getting closer.

The expensive bird feed was worth it as we got a Goldfinch in the garden and we now have half of the country's sparrow population.

Time is moving far too quickly today! Would desperately like some time to relax!

mum-to-many_2

Hi

I have just joined after reading your diary and wanted to say how well you have done.

I am a foster carer and after fostering traumatised children for the last few years I have found a brilliant book which I have used with great results. The book is Happy kids by Cathy Glass. Cathy Glass herself was a foster carer and I couldnt recommend it highly enough. I really hope this doesn't come accross as patronising, I have been there and it would never be my intention!

If you can't find a copy please let me know and I will send you mine it really is great. Stay strong you are doing a great job she will turn that corner as she obviously feels safe and secure enough to express her feelings albeit frustrating and difficult for yourselves.

debtfreeoneday

I think about fostering and keep thinking about it.. wonder whether I'd be any good.

Glad you had a nice break Amy.

amycool

mum-to-many wrote: »

Hi

I have just joined after reading your diary and wanted to say how well you have done.

I am a foster carer and after fostering traumatised children for the last few years I have found a brilliant book which I have used with great results. The book is Happy kids by Cathy Glass. Cathy Glass herself was a foster carer and I couldnt recommend it highly enough. I really hope this doesn't come accross as patronising, I have been there and it would never be my intention!

If you can't find a copy please let me know and I will send you mine it really is great. Stay strong you are doing a great job she will turn that corner as she obviously feels safe and secure enough to express her feelings albeit frustrating and difficult for yourselves.

Not at all patronising! I've had lots of those from school but none from anyone else yet. I'll look into borrowing from the library.

We've had a good week (despite me being ill) and it's been a nice rest from the usual rage. I've had lots of support from the LA this week too and I'm feeling more positive.

Thanks for posting