Beating Lifestyle Inflation and Staying Mortgage Free!

themadvix

Agree with Cheery about sorting the handwriting - I hated my mother for the hours of extra practice she made me put in as a (left-handed) child, but am very grateful for it now!

The online work sounds very promising for you.

Badmemory, I think the invasion of Estonia is likely to be when the SHTF - it is a NATO member after all and very vulnerable.  

EssexHebridean

With the handwriting does it perhaps work to remind him that initially he needs to get the “legibly” bit sorted, and once that’s in place it might naturally speed up anyway? It may be that for the time being it’s as simple as he just needs to slow down and think about crafting the letters properly. I was constantly getting pulled up about my writing at school until my parents cottoned on to giving me a fountain pen to use - of course you have to hold those properly or you end up covered in ink, and they naturally make you take more pride in what you write as well, I think. 

Also agree with the comments about Ukraine - heartbreaking isn’t it, and for what -  a bully  to play “the big I-Am” pretty much. And yes, the question of where - and if - it’ll stop is definitely a concern isn’t it. 

badmemory

I'm sure they used to have "things" that you could put on pencils to make those who struggled be able to hold them properly, it made them thicker & better shaped.  They may also be used if someone has something like arthritis.  That problem with the grip.  I am however way out of touch.

Kernowshep

earthgirl2 You could try the following to improve the handwriting:
- Twist n write pencils (they get the fingers in the correct position but you don't need to grip much).
- Use white board pens and board or writing slopes - they help the pen slide more easily (similar we found felt tips were much easier than crayons/pencils/biros).
- We found general drawing (not that you could tell what the pictures were) helped improve things, basically through practice of moving a pen/pencil.
- Anything to strengthen the fingers like playing with putty/plasticine, Lego, k'nex etc. can help too.

(I appreciate you may have tried all these things before, good luck).

apple_muncher

Down here, a friend was told that her son would fail the SATs because he couldn't do joined up/ cursive writing. How utterly stupid is that?! Don't know if ds has to do cursive up by you? Ultimately, when he does GCSEs or equivalent, it doesn't matter one not whether it's joined or not.

All that said, yes, legible is better!

savingholmes

Is it dysgraphia? Does he have wider issues? Worth checking out if you haven't already.  

earthgirl2

Thanks, no i don't think he doesn't have dysgraphia (although I stand to be corrected and have got an OT to look). Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions. I do all of the fine motor skills drills with him, but there is just something not right. His handwriting has improved a little since I started talking to him about it! But we have booked a session with an OT next week to get some guidance.

He has since skinned the entire top of his knee off, and got himself sent home from school as they couldn't stop the blood. The next day he got a door slammed on his head and had concussion - accident when playing hide and seek.

It's been problem after accident after problem this week!

savingholmes

Is this normal for him ? - if yes perhaps check into dyspraxia too if you can.... Getting diagnose as an adult for me represents years of wasted opportunity...

earthgirl2

I don't think he has dyspraxia, he performs well in most activities except handwriting, but I had considered it because of the falls. It is because he is a goalie and throws himself around - on tarmac - at school  The knee injury from about 10 days ago is still bleeding so I had to get special padded dressings.

The OT was brilliant. She has explained it all to him and me -when he learnt to write he probably didn't have the strength to hold the pencil correctly, but he does now. He has been trying a new grip out a little, and she was encouraged by this and has asked him to try and stick to the new grip. She said OTs don't often change grips, but he was halfway there, and if he could get it, he will see a massive improvement. New pencils to encourgage tripod grip, and some exercises and he will see her in about a  month.

I've been unwell, kept testing negative, but some sort of fever and flu. Feeling better today. Whilst ill I worked from home and managed to sort out about a years worth of resources and pupil workbooks for my new work project, so my time on the sofa wasn't wasted

I need to catch up on life though - cleaning, organising etc.

Money Saving
It has been a cheap few weeks, apart from OT (£60) and new pencils (£5).
Also got a few presents from store (charity shop new items).

Upping income
Lodger still hasn't started, his start date keeps getting pushed back which is a bit annoying.
My investments are performing poorly, which is to be expected

In good news, we are all shaking off our illnesses and will get out in the garden soon to improve the borders and plant up the veg patch. 

savingholmes

Hope lodger comes soon.

How did you get OT? I have been considering for me