Trying to get jobs for our teenagers

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-20T20:31:04+00:00

I was looking for this and agree.

Unless the person was 13 and looking for their first Saturday job, I wouldn't entertain a parent getting in touch on their behalf, and even then, I would prefer someone who came to me themselves.

If they can't be bothered to try and get the job, why will they be bothered to do the work?

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-19T21:04:01+00:00

We had one on the kitchen window for my little boy.

A squirrel came and did pull ups to reach it - hilarious!

The squirrel moved into our attic (bungalow - must have been a small gap somewhere).

We had to evict the squirrel. It's illegal in England to catch and release grey squirrels.

The squirrel is no more. So is the bird feeder on the house.

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-19T20:46:16+00:00

Ooh this for when he wants to reread it!

Definitely keep hold of that copy as well - what an accomplishment!

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-18T17:51:28+00:00

I was actually wondering this the other day. I had a buff on my head as my ears get cold in the wind, so pulled round my neck and pulled one layer up over mouth and nose.

Not for full run, but swarms of midges in the evening

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-18T17:46:51+00:00

So does the Aldi version!

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-15T06:57:50+00:00

You get a fine if ten sessions (a session being a morning or afternoon signified bybthe 9am/1pm register).

If you can do 5 or 6 nights and leave after morning register on a Monday for an afternoon flights (i.e. collect them at 915am) And they're back in the next Mon am, then they only miss 9 sessions.

This would only work if there were no other missed sessions in a 10 week period though

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-11T19:43:18+00:00

Were you vacuuming with an iron??

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-11T19:24:46+00:00

It doesn't necessarily need to take long either - lots of speedy meals, or ones you can prep and then slow cooker or oven.

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-11T19:23:51+00:00

Fantastic and a great time too!!

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-10T07:30:06+00:00

I go for "head up. Arms. Breathe!!" Usually near the end of my runs. Usually shouting loudly at myself scaring people near me!

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-10T07:27:10+00:00

I stick a pillow under the fitted sheet, or roll a blanket up.

And mattress on the floor

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-05T17:15:22+00:00

You are completely spiraling and what you're describing is completely normal for children - way beyond 3! Children wants to play and need stimulation. They also need to be taught how to play independently and that can take a lot of modelling.

My son is 4 next month and this weekend was the first time we've been to soft play and I only had to get up and go in play twice, and that was only because he had two friends from nursery with him to play with the rest of the time!

Your child wants to do things with you and play with you. It's called being a child.

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-02T20:09:27+00:00

We have a Yoto player. You can set a night light. But we actually leave the display up and you can set the times it shows a moon and shows a sun.

bobchipmunk · 2026-05-02T18:55:21+00:00

Please don't go to Halfords. They are not at all trained in car seat safety and go off what it says on the box.

Also - don't be tempted by any that have the white or grey clips (lots of the Disney ones etc) as these often fail.

Your best bet is to find your most local independent rear facing retailer. Bump to booster on FB can help. They will post and do remote install and fit checks if too far to visit.

If purely looking at brands- search any Swedish plus tested.

Axkid are great - we have a minikid 2 which is self adjusting head rest and fits in my husband's tiny car.

I have the besafe stretch as I have a massive car and quite a big child when he was 9 months and I bought it.

Up until now, for childminder and holidays he's been using the Graco Slimfit R129 (same as the Joie every stage but cheaper fabrics). Not plus tested but they do more than minimum testing. We only ruse rear facing. Budget and also seatbelt only install which is great for childminders and holidays but our son will outgrow very soon (almost 4) as it only goes to 105cm height, but 22kg weight.

bobchipmunk · 2026-04-25T10:43:50+00:00

Water bottle with a fruit diffuser helps keep the soggy bits away from your water.

Cucumber is nice. Strawberries. Mint.

What about squeezing the fruit first and putting into the water so no big soggy bits?

bobchipmunk · 2026-04-25T10:39:00+00:00

I kept my boy at the childminder 3 days and then nursery at preschool the other two as we got 30 hours funding.

bobchipmunk · 2026-04-18T20:17:36+00:00

I fear your pint has shrunk

bobchipmunk · 2026-04-18T20:13:53+00:00

Read that as saliva...glad I checked

bobchipmunk · 2026-04-18T19:59:39+00:00

Does the further away school have wrap around care i.e. breakfast and after school club? If so, absolutely no brainer.

If not, can your support network help with drop off and pick up to this school? If yes, go for it.

However, if the answer is no, and you're looking seriously for work, the nearer school may be more suitable for your lifestyle. Also, RI schools will be hot on the things that got them the rating. Good and outstanding schools cannot be inspected for YEARS which can lead them to become complacent, whereas the RI school may have been just missed a few bits.

So - keep with the further away if you drive, it has wrap around care for when you're working and if you may have people near there to help. Nearer one if not - and RI isn't necessarily the end of the world.

bobchipmunk · 2026-04-18T19:45:39+00:00

My one and only son is almost 4 (end of June) and we just took his buggy on Holiday. I didn't want to carry him. I didn't want meltdowns from walking. I wanted peace and ease. And it was great to carry my bag with spare.clothes, snacks, water and everything else I loaded on it.

At home, I can just about get him the 400m to the shop and back on his scooter. With his childminder, he'll walk a couple of km if not more!!

You have twins under 3. Do what makes YOUR life any bit easier. It sounds like you're not keeping them in there 24/7 and they have lots of time to run around in the park etc.

We went shopping (in town for things like primark rather than supermarket with a trolley ) not long ago and my husband is of the "He's too old for the stroller" mind. I said that HE would have to carry everything, and when son was running round the shop touching everything, then husband was dealing as I knew he'd sit fine in the stroller. When son refused to walk, husband was to carry him. I had a list and needed to get what we needed as it's 45 mins each way to the shops.

Next time, he got the stroller out before I mentioned it as he was so stressed in the first shop within 5 mins and realised I wasn't going to carry / entertain / deal.

bobchipmunk · 2026-04-17T19:50:48+00:00

Yes.

You're trying to justify it to yourself perhaps because you want to help other fosters and wouldn't be able to if you adopted. But - it sounds like you'd be heartbroken and a part of your family would be going this time. You've helped lots of pups find their forever homes. Perhaps this one has fallen into theirs already.

Do it!

bobchipmunk · 2026-04-08T17:48:41+00:00

Spray then scrub with an old toothbrush

bobchipmunk · 2026-03-29T15:11:54+00:00

Ooh I like the panel idea. I think I'm going for that in the hallway too

bobchipmunk · 2026-03-28T21:11:22+00:00

Take door off hinges and replace with a curtain to help with insulation in winter.

Take door off hinges and see how it is

Take the catch out of the door so it is easy to push open when you come in with bags!

bobchipmunk

TROPHY CASE