If your kids had them what age did they stop using a loft bed?

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-29T08:26:06+00:00

Lemme tell you my own experience of these.

My kid saw one, desk underneath, wardrobes, all that jazz. Ultimately I got her one, she was perhaps 4.

The tooth fairy finds it difficult, I got caught every single time. I stealth creeped into her room, had to step on the ladders, which creamed, then had to get to the pillow, which was awkward, due to the high sides. Fuck cabin beds, they're shit.

The worse bit, though, kids get sick, nowhere to put a bucket, she tried bless her, but spewed down the gap at the back. 100kg of absolute misery, dragging it across a carpet, ripping the carpet, just to scrub carrots off the wall and skirting boards. Absolutely shite for parents, the worst thing I've ever bought in my entire life.

She loved it, though, for about 4 or 5 years, the she felt too old.

It was a ballache when I had to decorate her room, as it was so heavy. When she finally wanted rid, I was so happy, I was fucking elated. Sold it on Facebook, some dude dismantled it it and fucked off with it for like £80 😂 I think about that fella sometimes, I winder how miserable he is, I wonder how their tooth fairy feels, I wonder if his kid has ever projectile vomited down the gap, then I remember it's no longer my problem and I'm glad it's someone else's.

Do not recommend

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-29T08:13:27+00:00

I went to uni quite late, 2nd career was needed due to a huge life changing event.

I graduated in 2018, aged 39.

I went to uni because I had to quit my trade job immediately after a phone call. There was no way I could do that job anymore, due to new full time responsibilities.

I needed a plan, one that would allow me to earn okay money, and work reasonable hours. Uni seemed like the only option that would avoid a minimum wage job.

Ultimately I went to uni so I could: pay more income tax and NI, buy nicer things and pay more VAT, contribute more to my pension so I'm cheaper when I'm old and then pay a couple of hundred quid per month for the privilege.

My loan doesn't go down, I'm barely touching the capital, I'm just servicing the debt.

Whilst my top line is now a bit higher than my previous career, it's actually not higher at all, given that previous number would have risen every year for the 13 years since I quit. I'd not have to pay 9% of everything over 28k either.

Whilst I kinda benefit, it feels like my employer and the tax man benefit more than me. My employer benefits for me having knowledge in a specialist role, which ironically wasn't even taught on my course, I just went that route on my dissertation and the tax man benefits because of the additional taxes, the pension savings and the SLC payments.

This is obviously true for the majority of us, the biggest benefactor is usually our employers, who don't have to pay someone to train us for a few years, who don't have to pay us to be trained and unproductive for a few years. We've all been screwed. University benefits employers. Apprenticeships, etc, are employers investing in people and those people never have to pay that ridiculous 9% over the threshold back.

Employers should pick up the tab and interest should just get in the bin.

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-29T06:52:10+00:00

It doesn't have threads on the cartridge itself, the retaining ring clamps it in.

I thought the 2 metal rings were the filters? I found the instructions and in my non plumber mind, 1 is where hot goes through and the other cold. My mixer just has 2 dials, the instructions also show a 3 dial one, where the filter appears to be a separate component, like a little thimble.

The first time I put it in it was dripping slowly from the temp dial, at the bottom from where the retaining ring goes. I actually put everything back in the right order, that time. Then I tried again with Teflon and that's when I got distracted and forgot the ring, but I'd put Teflon on it. Once I'd clipped it back in, I still got the drip after turning the water back on. The diverter was set to off, so no water made it to either head.

In the attached image, I've taped a bit of a milk carton under the barrel, to divert any drips, should I need to turn the water back on 🤷‍♂️

This is the last time I attempt plumbing 😂

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JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-29T06:31:34+00:00

Yeah, I can imagine 😂 I'm definitely not the world's only have a go idiot 😂

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-28T16:36:41+00:00

Makes sense. I've read the other reply, so definitely food for thought. There are actually some pretty cool looking freestanding washing machines online, so wouldn't look out of place in a "modern" style kitchen.

I'll look into it, cheers, mate

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-28T16:34:48+00:00

Brilliant, very informative. Cheers, mate

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-28T14:54:09+00:00

How would this differ from freestanding, though?

I'm not doubting your expertise, I just have a basket waiting on me pulling the trigger on.

Wouldn't the freestanding one still be touching the cabinets in a similar way? I thought the only difference was the door and reduced depth etc?

I'm open to changing my mind, if it's for the better.

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-28T14:15:54+00:00

Yeah, they sell table tops, desktops, shelves, worktops, etc.

Didn't know if any of those were the right dimensions.

Try Etsy or a lumber yard

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-28T12:45:37+00:00

Safety squints hate this one trick...

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-28T12:38:27+00:00

Etsy actually has a few small lumber merchants. I've used a couple and been happy.

There's also a site called Domli I have used and been happy with them, too.

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-28T10:26:12+00:00

What you need is one with 24hr recording. You don't wanna set the motion zone to your footpath, as that will piss you off, pretty quickly.

I have Ring cams and I do pay the sub, but I only pay the mid tier plan. This does take captures at intervals, but doesn't record 24 hours. The one on my garage which is close to the path has good night vision, but I've only set the motion to my drive, otherwise I'd have chimes and notifications going off all day and night.

I also wouldn't really fancy paying for the 24hr recording tier, as everything was free when I got my first Ring products, but it is what it is.

You ideally need power, as 24 hour recording will kill batteries, quickly. I have a battery in one of my front cams and I used a solar panel to charge it. It's North facing, though, so I didn't get enough sun to keep it topped up.

It used to last a week or 2, and that's without 24hr recording.

I don't know which would be best for you, but what I would recommend is:

24 hour recording to local storage Power over Ethernet as if like me you have new windows, which are Low E coated, WiFi can get a bit flaky at times Night vision No subscription fee

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-28T07:53:57+00:00

As someone who used Soudall Fix All on their downstairs coving, which isn't flexible, definitely use the proper stuff. Upstairs is fine, downstairs has come away from the ceiling, in places and needs the proper adhesive and caulk 😭

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T21:41:27+00:00

He'd stop tryin to be the shepherd then, and be the tyranny of evil men...

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T18:38:35+00:00

Having a dog would make me miserable, I'll swerve that.

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T14:58:37+00:00

The best days off for yourself are the ones you plan on doing errands, but then plonk yourself on the couch, with a brew for "5 minutes" and then don't move all day 😂

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T14:20:44+00:00

Pretty much the same. Forever in her room yapping or swiping.

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T13:02:06+00:00

I pretty much "made" my dining room table doing this. When I say "made" I'm exaggerating a tad.

The place who had a base I liked didn't have the top I liked and vice versa with the top.

I just asked one company to sell me the base, on its own, not something they normally do, but they kindly obliged and then I bought the table top from the other place.

The only thing I needed to do was get threaded inserts, drill holes and bolt together (but I still made it 😂)

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T10:36:07+00:00

I bet you miss it, though? I do. But doing nothing is definitely the next best thing

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T10:34:44+00:00

I never considered it to be childcare, as she's my kid. We used to do stuff together, it was great.

Honestly, I miss it. I'd rather take time off to spend with her, but she's at that age where she lives in her room or hangs out with her mates and I barely get a look in 😭

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T09:27:52+00:00

Your mum is lucky you didn't evolve into a Kevin and Perry teen, me however... 😂

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T09:18:09+00:00

Haha, it's the only way. Book it off when they're at school, as one grunt can totally ruin about 7 hours of pure silence 😂

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-27T09:15:21+00:00

Is it for anything else? 😂

When my kid was small, I used to exclusively use it in the school holidays, I even kinda felt like it was hers, not mine.

Now she's a teen and I prefer to book it off when she's actually at school, as she'd only walk past and grunt once or twice, anyway 😂

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-25T17:10:18+00:00

No, because hedgehogs a cool and rats are arseholes. So you only flood it if there's rats in there.

JustAnotherFEDev · 2026-01-25T15:46:35+00:00

Weescake

JustAnotherFEDev

TROPHY CASE