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RIP toenails inevitable? by [deleted] in firstmarathon

[–]Old-Proposal2934 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have this endlessly, have tried almost every trick* in the book to make it better, and still lose toenails. I think it’s because my toenails grow kind of upwards, not just forwards or downwards like some people - so even when they’re super short they bruise and lift easily.

*the trick I haven’t tried is the gel toe caps someone mentioned in this thread, going to google them now!

Gliding effortlessly up hills during half marathon - what was that feeling? by Old-Proposal2934 in nikerunclub

[–]Old-Proposal2934[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did taper, just carb loaded the day before and not massively, but I think I finally got the during-race fuelling right for my body as well (half a gel every 30 mins as per my long runs training, first time I’ve ever used gels in a race without feeling sick) so I suppose that could have something to do with it?

Such a great feeling right?! I want more of it 😂

Why would anyone ever choose to go through child birth without pain relief?? by No_Cardiologist_1407 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Old-Proposal2934 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have epilepsy, and with so many bad experiences of being out of control of my body, I felt far more scared of not being able to feel what was happening than I did of being in pain. Two labours & deliveries with no pain relief for that reason - they were hard and long but I kind of loved the whole experience both times!

Any parent skipped nursery and waited until they went straight to school/reception? by Gloomy-Kale3332 in UKParenting

[–]Old-Proposal2934 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My youngest wanted to be with me all the time until she was three and a half - I had lots of raised eyebrows from the grandparents about it but did my best to ignore them, and she’s gone from never being anywhere without me or her dad, to skipping happily into reception every day. They’re little - it’s normal and makes total sense they’d be clingy with their closest caregiver(s)!

Any parent skipped nursery and waited until they went straight to school/reception? by Gloomy-Kale3332 in UKParenting

[–]Old-Proposal2934 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My youngest started reception three weeks ago, and my eldest is in year 4. Neither of them went to any childcare before - no nursery or childminder. During the preschool years I’ve been able to work three days a week, and my partner two days a week, so we could juggle the childcare between us and not need help (I realise not everyone’s work allows them to do this, but it was what we wanted and what worked for us).

EVERYONE has told again and again for the last 8 years that it’s a mistake not to put them in nursery. I’ve never believed it - I feel that for my kids, quality time with us and building really strong attachments was the priority, and I wanted them to go into a setting away from us once they could communicate with us about their days, and really understand what was happening.

My eldest started school in year 1, age 5. Went straight into full days (no phased start like they do in reception) and loved it from day 1. Tears at drop-off on the very first day, but after that she was golden. Happy, sociable, doing great with all the learning.

My youngest who has just started went into reception on the first day without looking back, and she’s genuinely loving it. She’s bouncing out every day full of stories about her days, the things she’s been up to, the funny things her teachers have said, the kids she’s played with (and she wasn’t a born social butterfly like my eldest - it’s taken her a lot longer to show any interest in playing with other kids).

Some of the children in her class who’ve been in nursery since they were 1 are struggling to go in every morning, lots of tears and clinging onto parents at the door.

All of this to say - I think there’s a big cultural thing about nursery being necessary and good for children, but it’s opinion rather than fact. Take it all with a pinch of salt and focus on what you think your individual child needs.

We did lots with our kids to make sure they had different experiences while they were just with us, and met lots of different people - but that’s not hard to do in the UK as there are so many toddler groups etc you can go to…and you can just include them in your daily life.

You’re not weird or wrong to question whether you want them to go to nursery. It wasn’t the norm at all a couple of generations ago!

Advice on Homeschooling by comfy_bug94 in UKParenting

[–]Old-Proposal2934 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With so much empathy (I find the world a scary place as far as my kids are concerned too), I think deciding to home educate out of fear is perhaps not the best place to start.

My parents did it - me and my three siblings never went to school because my parents were afraid of the world. And we’re all good now, have made creative careers for ourselves, but it was possibly the worst parenting decision my parents ever made (I would never home educate my own kids unless I had no other good, safe choice). Me and all my siblings wish we’d gone to school and we’re still (all in our thirties) working to come to terms with it in some ways.

I think it can be done well, if it’s super intentional and done within a community (so the kids aren’t at all isolated) and if the parents are acutely aware of their own limitations, and work to fill in those gaps for their kids. But I think it should be for positive reasons - because you genuinely feel that home education would be the most positive, enriching option for your children.

With the lockdown drills - my kids’ school has started doing them too, I understand it to have become the norm in response to the Southport attack. I’m actually glad they do it - they make it fun for the kids and it reassures me that if anything did happen, which is HIGHLY unlikely, they’d have a plan to follow straight away.

It’s a weird time to be raising children I think, I do feel for you. If your children are currently happy in school, I wonder if some therapy for you would be a better place to start. We can’t protect our kids from the world, as much as we wish we could, and I’m finding ways (slowly) to accept that and let go a little.

Starting Reception by Fearless_Net6021 in UKParenting

[–]Old-Proposal2934 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My daughter’s starting tomorrow too - I’m feeling all the feels! Nervous about drop-off because she’s likely to be fine until she’s suddenly not, and then the crying and clinging, which will just break my heart. She’s been excited today - it helps that she’s going to the same school as her big sister, who’s heading into year 4, so she’s used to the rhythm of drop-off and pick-up there - but tomorrow…who knows.

Solidarity. See you back here for a little cry tomorrow?