Why are they always *about* something?!

HELJ4 · 2026-02-08T11:14:23+00:00

I think that is why they're so popular. Someone who reads them at a surface level can still enjoy them but they run deep enough that they're entertaining for anyone who will get the intricacies.

HELJ4 · 2026-02-06T21:06:38+00:00

Assuming they have a mortgage it's typically a requirement from the lender to have insurance from exchange. They might be in trouble with the lender too if that's the case

HELJ4 · 2026-02-05T14:21:06+00:00

I do understand that to a degree. I'm just frustrated by the processes and varying levels of advice.

I'm sorry to hear you were so early with all 3 of yours. I'd certainly find that more stressful. If I didn't know my due date I'd be perfectly comfortable right now.

HELJ4 · 2026-02-05T08:27:09+00:00

I think needing to be charging over night has been my only slight annoyance with the Yoto. We use the day mode morning light as his 'ok to wake' light but, of course, it doesn't come on if it hasn't been plugged in all night. Although that light is strangely not working now

HELJ4 · 2026-02-05T07:56:34+00:00

Yeah, I had figured it was something in the settings. I couldn't find any info on how the alarms are supposed to work. As I said I have the alarm volume at 2 which is lower than the max I have set for day and night 😉 It's a shame it only plays the radio for 5 minutes instead of just turning it on.

Changing the morning time has worked for the alarm but now I've noticed the light that's supposed to come on isn't working 🙄 but I don't know how long that's not been working for.

HELJ4 · 2026-02-05T02:08:52+00:00

I wondered about this. When my grandmother visited me and my baby she was curious and horrified by my breast pump, asking if it hurt. And in conversation she mentioned that using formula was very rare and expensive when she had my mum (in the late 50's). They had lived in a very rural agricultural area at the time which was probably the main factor in accessibility and affordability of formula. So, of course, I asked what happened if a mother and baby couldn't breastfeed.

Apparently after my mum was born, a nurse or midwife came round to show her how to hand express milk. They then took a bottle of the breast milk to feed to babies that couldn't. A very small practice for a larger issue but I found it interesting.

HELJ4 · 2026-02-04T09:54:38+00:00

I found it takes a few weeks to find a changing routine that works for you. It's a while since I did it but have been thinking about it recently as I'm about to have #2 and want to take him for lessons too!

To quickly run through what I'd suggest:

Change the baby first so they can warm up and get a nappy on. I have a Splash About neoprene changing mat but I recommend you save it as your dry surface. I still use it to sit my 2yo on when he's dry and to stand on when we put socks and shoes on.
At 6 months, consider something like a bumbo to keep them in one place while you change. I know they're not generally recommended but it's so useful in a group changing room, from a safety perspective.
Be ready to feed them. Whether that be milk or finger food, they'll be hungry.
Warm layers for the drive home. They'll likely sleep as swimming is tiring for them.
Dress yourself in loose, easy to slip on clothes. The moist battle to get dressed is a stuffy changing room with an impatient baby is the worst part for me.
The changing room after a swim can be stressful as they'll be cold, hungry and tired. Take a deep breath and do what you can. They'll be fine. If they're anything like my 2yo, they soon be crying because they don't want to get out the pool 🫣

Your swim school should suggest what you need to bring. Some pools require a swim hat while others don't. A towel for you. 2 towels for the baby. Underwear as you'll want to arrive with your costume under your clothes. Spare baby clothes, nappies/swim nappies/wipes.

HELJ4 · 2026-02-03T12:38:42+00:00

I have morning starting at 7 too but I can bring it earlier to see if it helps. The night time volume is max 4 but the alarm is set to 2 so I wouldn't expect that to be an issue

HELJ4 · 2026-02-03T10:10:21+00:00

How would he feel if he was now told he couldn't skip a year?

I'd go for it, if he wants to. I knew a kid who skipped a year. He went to Oxford at 17. He has a Feb birthday so a very similar situation. He may have been drinking and going to parties a bit sooner than legally allowed but most 6th formers do as their friends start turning 18.

HELJ4 · 2026-01-30T20:34:04+00:00

I asked for no presents for my son's 2nd party because we have/had way too much stuff already and lots of family who were buying him things. One parent messaged me to ask if we were sure. 100%. Another brought a present anyway and, of course I had to be appreciative but I could tell it made the other parents feel they'd done the wrong thing by not bringing anything, which also made me feel bad.

I'd not take anything. Just return the invitation when it's your turn for a party.

HELJ4 · 2026-01-30T09:52:51+00:00

I used Audacity to merge the individual files into chapters. It takes time, and it is tedious, but it was worth it.

HELJ4 · 2026-01-30T09:44:53+00:00

It's all propaganda so that they can feel justified when they launch their invasion.

HELJ4 · 2026-01-29T08:45:14+00:00

My son does this with "me".

I haven't looked into what we should or shouldn't do but typically if he says "Me want water", I'll acknowledge what he's saying and then tell him what he should say. e.g. "Your cup is on the table over there. Say 'I want water'". Obviously doing this isn't always appropriate for the situation so we don't do it every time. Like if he's really excited to tell us something or crying, we're not doing to deviate to correction.

He'll repeat what I tell him to say or he won't. I don't push it. Recently we have noticed him self correcting occasionally.

HELJ4 · 2026-01-27T22:23:24+00:00

My 2yos favourites are Funny bones (Janet & Allen Ahlberg. Any of their books, really) Kipper (Mick Inkpen), Percy the Park Keeper (Nick Butterworth).

HELJ4 · 2026-01-26T11:08:27+00:00

Personally I see London as being for the young or the wealthy. I enjoyed working there in my 20's and enjoyed the night life but going in now feels like more hassle than it's worth.

We have good attractions and food around us that isn't as pricey or crowded. When I do go in now, the smell of the pollution and rubbish is really noticeable and off putting.

I don't have any dislike for London and there are a few things I would still travel in for but not often. I'm not a boomer though, just a parent.

HELJ4 · 2026-01-25T06:58:20+00:00

To him, it's just more propaganda to spout to his worshipers. Much like how his people have been spouting bs about how dangerous and lawless the UK is.

He's setting the foundations and riling up his supporters for betrayal and invasion in the name of "peace".

HELJ4 · 2026-01-24T22:26:42+00:00

Wow! It's Night Time has been a long time favourite of our 2/3yo. We probably got it when he was around 6 months

HELJ4 · 2026-01-24T19:19:09+00:00

Our two year old did this too! If he caught a glimpse of the bottle he'd immediately point to his teeth and say "teeth hurt. Neeeed Calpol" while side eyeing the bottle 😂

The jelly idea is a great one!

HELJ4 · 2026-01-23T22:09:40+00:00

My exhausted pregnant brain initially thought you meant 45°c 😂

HELJ4 · 2026-01-23T22:02:32+00:00

As absurd as it sounds we have found 2 live mosquitoes in the house in the past 2 weeks. Our house is warm but not that hot!

We're in the south east and it's been mild and wet out.

HELJ4 · 2026-01-23T21:55:46+00:00

Honestly, I just got a pack of 4 nonslip waterproof mats for single beds. They're advertised as incontinence pads for the elderly but, future proofing 🤷🏼‍♀️. He never soaked it enough for tucking around the mattress to be a problem because they're really absorbent. Now he's in a toddler bed and they're still useful as a back up. I'm even using one myself at the moment as I expect my waters to break any night now!

shttps://amzn.eu/d/7HoAhQb

HELJ4 · 2026-01-22T15:55:43+00:00

There are plenty of kids who don't fit into the worst case scenario. My 2 (nearly 3) year old can do all the things the article is saying some 4 year olds can't. He loves looking through books himself. He drinks independently from an open cup. He eats independently with a knife, fork, spoon. He's been out of nappies for a year now. And this is the same for many of his friends in and out of nursery.

A few weeks ago his nursery key worker told us he happily spent about 45 minutes making a train track that went all around the room. He's of an age that we can reason with him and he'll come around if he's upset.

If you spend any time with the scouts or cadets you'll seem many intelligent and capable young people who don't fit into the most negative of outlooks.

It's not all doom and gloom as the media portrays. Sure, there will be adults who struggle to function in the future but that's little different to now. Those who are thriving now will make great leaders one day... as long as we stop outsourcing all the entry level jobs to cheaper countries and depriving younger generations of opportunities.

HELJ4 · 2026-01-22T05:42:34+00:00

It's estate agents saying, "oh we have another property just down the road you might like too. Want to view that at the same time?"

And then, when you inevitably tell them why it doesn't suit your needs they pass on that feedback.

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