HELLO From New Zealand

ZTD

chevalier wrote: »

I have a problem that maybe someone can offer some advice on. My lovely DS has an issue that when he is focussed on something, he forgets to go to the loo. This time he forgot to go to the loo on the sofa and soaked it right through to the base. Does anyone have an idea as to how to clean it.

Urine contains urea (hence the name) which degrades to ammonia (hence the smell). Ammonia is alkali, so use vinegar to neutralise it, combined with a good belt of salt which when it dries will help suck the water out of any remanants left.

What the proportions are, you'll have to look up on t'internet.

chevalier wrote: »

I guess part of the issue is that it is so hard to do things with the kids. They have both tested as gifted children (top 4% or 1% for most abilities educationally), but their not behaviour exactly, but way of being is such that, for example, I have to drag them to do cooking with me, and they are so cack handed with it, that it is just stressful. But it is also circular, if they cooked more with me they would be more practiced and it would be less stressful, but at the moment, it is so stressful I don't want to do it with them:(.

It's also circular the other way. You think they're crap. They don't want to do things that make you think they're crap.

Make jam tarts or something that it simply doesn't matter if they screw up as it has kept them off the streets for half an hour.

If they set fire to them, who cares?

You never know, they may be fantastic chocolateurs.

chevalier wrote: »

DS2 wants a cat and I was up for getting him one, but whilst he isn't toilet trained himself, I don't want to go through the hassle of toilet training a pet too.

You're subconciously equating the amount of urine your son produces with the amount a kitten can produce. It's only the size of your foot. If it produces that much, it would be so flat you'd be able to post it under doors.

chevalier

Had some good news yesterday. DS1 has been accepted into the gifted school here, so will be attending 1 day a week. Though this will cost more money (sigh), it is such a relief to know that it isn't just proud mummy thinking he is bright, but professionals confirming it too...

Have now also had the conversation with DS2 about it being too dangerous for a kitten where we live and he was pretty cool about it. So we are going to investigate fishes and tanks for now instead...
bless

chev

Keiss_21

Big hugs (((((chev))))), sounds like you are totally exhausted and in need of a break. Time for your OH to take over the reins for a bit..at least for a day or so!!!

Great news about your DS1...wish we had done something about our DS1 when in school, it would have been less painful for him...still, he's at uni now and is starting to look @ PhD places for 2013!! :eek:

We had trouble with DS2 both wetting, then soiling...it became quite a problem for numerous years. Got little help from the NHS for a while, then once they realised it had both physical and psychological roots we got loads of help! Talk to someone medical now, air your worries and frustrations, they could well help. Early intervention and help would have saved our son (and us) years of frustration and unhappiness.

Good news about the kitten. We moved here with two cats 16 years ago, near a busy-ish but fast road. Our first cat got squished a year later and the other survived to 19 years old and died in the kitchen of old age! Knowing how many other local cats have been killed round here, the boys didn't ask to have more cats once our Jazz died. They can be quite sensible at times. Good luck with the fish and rabbit!

Have a good weekend xx

chevalier

Been very up and down emotionally the last few days. Every now and then the death of my dad catches up with me. Also had a lovely bout of insomnia the night before last, so walking zombie anyone!

Mum now has 6 days left with us. I feel guilty about wanting to do this :j. But it has been hard going at times, especially as we are now not right near the beach. One of the negatives of a house that is 200 bucks a week cheaper than what we were paying. Is it evil to be pleased that our ex landlady STILL nearly 3 months later hasn't been able to rent the house out, and has now dropped the rent! I did try to explain to her if that if someone can afford a rent that high 650 bucks a week, then they will be looking for a nice modern, all mod cons new build....

But she listened to estate agents. Just hope she has void insurance....

Feel quite proud that the new (to us chest of drawers) we got this week were covered by my auction listings. So all good there.
chev

urg123

The nasty side of me hopes she doesn't have void insurance! You tried to tell her!

Really sorry that things have been tough. Everone's grief hits in different ways - I remember bawling while driving regularly! Let it come and take time out for you. You've had a very stressful few months.

Hope its sunny in noisyland (as my boss calls his homeland!) as it's freezing here!

Hugs
Urg xxx

GreyhoundAngel

I ditto Urg ... I'm not the most tolerant at the best of times, so I'd probably be feeling quite smug that karma has perhaps caught up with the ex Landlady :cool:

I think that we all get that way sometimes Chev, regardless of how much we might love our families ... we all need our own time & space too.

The feelings about your Dad are understandable hun, it's not really been that long - and it's bound to still feel quite raw. It's natural, so just let it flow. As you know, its now been a few years since I lost Dad, and I still get those feelings from time to time. Silly times really, like when I do or see something that he would have found funny ... or sometimes I can hear his voice in my head telling me what a daft idiot I'm being. For me that feeling doesnt ever go away, but how I react to it has changed - if that makes sense. :A

Angel xxx

chevalier

I have a dilemma and whilst it isn't the only reason keeping me awake at 3am or so, it isn't helping. So what would you all do?

So on Friday my boys play tag rugby. Youngest plays in a team that is mostly boys he plays league with in the winter, so whilst I don't know the parents well, I do know them.

Anyway there was a new set of parents on the touch line this Friday and they had a pair of beautiful beagle dogs. Very well behaved but sitting behind them.

One of the families I know ish from league is made up of mum, dad, older sister, boy who plays in DS2's team and a cute little boy of about 2.

Anyway we are all watching the game and chatting a bit, but I am fascinated by the beagles so am watching them, and i see this little 2 year old toddle over (un noticed by parents) to the dogs. So I am already on alert. He gives them a pat, but then grabs one of them by the muzzle.

Now because the dogs are behind the owners, they don't see this, so I zoom over take his hand away and say no. You are with me on where I thought this could go aren't you. I had visions of the dog reacting badly and taking the poor kids hand or worse face off.

So anyway another parent asks if this little one is mine to which I say no, just paranoid about small kids round dogs (we have had a couple of serious maulings make the news here recently).

So all ends well.

MY DILEMMA IS do I say anything to the parents about this next Friday if I see them. I wouldn't be accusing them, but I feel they need to know that their little dot likes dogs, but doesn't know how to pat them very well, and explain what I saw.... I am quite shy and I don't want to offend anyone, but on the other hand, if something happened to this little one - ie it DID get bitten in the next few months, I would be very upset I hadn't said anything.....


Opinions welcome please
chev

Piquant_2

Hi Chev

My view is, yes you do say something. As you say, you'd be so upset if the little dot got bitten and you had remained quiet. It doesn't have to be said in a busybody sort of way, just a pleasant 'please don't think I'm interfering but....' Any halfway decent parent would be thankful for this.

You are a lovely lady, this comes through on all your posts, I am sure you come over just as well in the flesh, I'm sure you don't need to worry.

Piq

taxi73

I would also approach the parents too

Keiss_21

I would certainly say something to the parents too chev, better to be safe than sorry.

DS2 had his applicant day last week at the Uni he hopes to go to in September. He is really excited that they regularly get students placements in NZ, so he's even more reasons to get his head down and get the grades he needs. Nothing like a bit of incentive!

Hope you are all well down in kiwi-land x