A Ditherer's Diary (again)

Naomim

It's July 2025 so 13yo will be 16 by then and just finished her GCSE'S. I still think 16 is to young to be away for four weeks. 

ladyholly

Naomim said:

Another terrible idea was to show the kids a presentation about it before we parents even knew about it. Probably hyped up showing them how wonderful it will be. 

That is terrible and I would be inclined to complain to the school and governors. Appalling way to treat both students and parents.

Spendless

Naomim said:

It's July 2025 so 13yo will be 16 by then and just finished her GCSE'S. I still think 16 is to young to be away for four weeks. 

Neither of mine at 16 and the month after GCSEs were finished would have been seen dead in the company of their former  school teachers - not even on a day trip, never mind 4 weeks away with them . That's exactly the time you start your stepping stones into adulthood and independence  with part-time jobs (cos you have a long summer ahead and employment restrictions relax) maybe attending their first festival/concert with friends, going further afield travelling with mates etc. At that time of life my DD was meeting her first long term boyfriend (as was I - even if they did both turn out to be idiots - it was still a learning curve ) and making plans to travel 30 miles each way to attend college commuting by train. This trip sounds like extending rules and regulations and controlling  them as schoolkids for a further month! Urgghhh it sounds less appealing the more you reveal about it! 

Naomim

@ladyholly yes I am planning on it. Got some bits written in my phone notes ready. 

@Spendless also agree. At 16 I was in a long term relationship and would never have been apart from him for a month!  Now I hanker for my own space and some peace and quiet. 🤣

In spending news, doggo booked into kennels overnight for my birthday party. MrM got a £65 fine for being in a box junction. 

I've spent the day cleaning the house although there was so much to do I didn't get it finished. Didn't manage to hoover and clean up the stairs, landing or my bedroom. At least my kitchen, downstairs toilet, front room and bathroom got done. I was sweating!

Bank account still has £520 in it with 8 days until payday.

Hope everyone doesn't have the Sunday night dreads.

Naomim 

Humdinger1

4k! What a flaming liberty!! The way it was presented to children first is sheer manipulation.   Are the teachers planning to fundraise to cover the costs of their own travel?! Please keep us posted re governor comments...love Humdinger xx 

EssexHebridean

I really think something needs to be done to stop schools organising these sorts of hugely expensive trips which are so unaffordable for the vast majority. And telling the children about it before any sort of consultation with the parents makes the whole thing even worse - disgraceful. I'm also inclined to agree that 4 weeks is simply too long - it's not like that sort of location is practical for a child to be able to get back from if they are truly too homesick to stay, either. 

Naomim

Ended up being a bit of a spendy week what with paying for kennels and MrM's fine plus I did a big Tesco shop. I also went to a colleagues leaving do and spent £25 on a round of drinks.There's £15 left in the joint account but on the plus side, not in the overdraft and I have squirelled £31.79 into tilly tidy's and round ups, so can use that if we need it.

Nothing planned for the weekend really. Was thinking of going down to Kent to see my friend. I'll see what the weather is doing.

Spendless

Ouch to the fine! Twice Mr S has ended up with fines at hotel car-parks for not putting in the reg/incorrect reg (he had a hire car) but these were able to be dropped. 

I suppose has your DH learnt his lesson now though since it's impacted your finances?  Understand the cost of kennels too, family have let us down after previously promising to dog sit when we're  next away,  so have left us with a kennels bill we weren't expecting. 

Enjoy the weekend

Naomim

@Spendless I hope so. I've not had a fine for anything for many, many years. MrM once got 3 bus lane fine in the space of 10 minutes. He was lost and going in circles 🤦‍♀️

Or old dog used to go to a friend but unfortunately our girly now is much bigger and a nutter! I can't inflict her on anyone. 

MrM is injured again. He has bursitis in his right arm. When he last had a mild flare up, he was kicking the ball for doggo and tore his hamstring. That is now almost healed. He coaches an under 11's football team, went in goal and dived onto his arm. He is now in absolute agony, can't move it. He can't drive or do anything.  I give up. 

Naomim

Just thought I'd pop this here.