I will cut my coat according to my cloth. {Edited by Forum team} 2019

Hi Mooloo, well done for getting some of your fabric scraps made into saleable items. Don't forget that paying your debts is a 'worthy cause' in itself!

It must be hard to maintain momentum now when you know you are leaving at the end of the lease. I know how I feel in the final few weeks after I have handed in my notice and it is hard to maintain interest - in effect, you have that for the next 6 months!

I hope you are able to get the 'parental controls' sorted so that Gd cannot be XBoxing in the wee small hours.

Would it be a helpful tactic not to get sucked into the yelling Mooloo. refuse to engage when she acts like that. Just calmly stat the facts and then go about your business, just repeating the mantra about 'when you can speak to be civilly'etc.
I know this is way easier said than done. And you are parenting and doing what needs to be done. Well done on the school staff on turning up to help. I hope this partnership continues.

I've been offline since my last post on Feb 16th wishing you Bon Voyage as you headed to Malta . Both dd and I have had post viral yet again and the laptop needed to go for repair . Just coming out of weeks of insomnia too .


I've read back and among the positives I'm sorry to read the situation with dgd has worsened recently .


Time for Tough Love Mooloo . I seem to remember she's still in Junior School and due to move to Senior in September . As a very small fish in a big pond then she wont be able to fool staff there .


I'm assuming all the meetings you've had with school haven't highlighted she's being bullied . The fact she is playing and mixing seems to rule out that being a problem .


It looks as though not enough restful sleep is the reason . Using the Xbox , phone etc before sleep isn't putting her in the pre sleep zone when the mind stops racing and prepares for sleep . A book would be a better idea when bedtime is due . I know she's interested in Marine Life so would a subject like that be an idea? If you still have a local library they could help her source suitable books .


The advice about not getting caught up in the yelling is good . State your case calmly, don't explain or argue just carry on with what you're doing or go and do something in another room . Be the broken record if need be but never try to justify or explain something you've already said .


I'm well aware as a mum of 4 now grown up offspring how frustrating these years can be but I had firm boundaries in place regarding social media and other things .


In your shoes I'd expect her to pay for the headphones via pocket money , no McDs or other things she sees as treats .


I do wonder if she is good at talking to you about her worries etc . I know she loves visiting her Mum and the little ones but does she understand why she can't be with them all the time and seem ok with that?


I'd carry the XBox threat through until thing are improved otherwise it's a lesson not learned . Point out to her that her school records will have these times recorded over difficulties getting her to and keeping her in school which could impact on any plans she may have in the future .


So Big Girls Knickers time . As for losing interest in the shop . Can you focus on the fact it's the stepping stone to your working from home dream necessary to make your next goal a reality?


One last thing having been offline for a while I can recommend less time with screens . I'm a low user and don't post a lot . I don't mind early evening and daytime calls on the landline or mobile or emails although it can be some time before I'll check the emails . I put my foot down years ago about texts as it's too hard on the joints to be replying on the mobile . The last few weeks have shown me a lot of the Insomnia was down to my mind being too active at bedtime .


polly x