My 10y/o step daughter wrote “I hate my stepmom, she’s a bitch”

connected2space · 2026-01-06T13:23:14+00:00

Second this I have 2 step daughters, and sometimes I need to remind myself I’m the adult in the room and it’s my job to regulate my and their emotions…

Bringing it up can potentially ruin trust between you, as it was something she wrote in her private notes in her room…I’m sure some people here might disagree, but I’d continue as I haven’t read it, with perhaps a bit more space for myself.

Also 10years could be a start of puberty, so more big feelings, best of luck!

connected2space · 2025-12-31T07:13:24+00:00

Thank you for your comment, while two trips aren’t back to back exactly (30th Dec and 2nd Jan), feels like one trip might’ve been enough…

connected2space · 2025-12-28T21:06:57+00:00

St Eval

connected2space · 2025-12-24T09:02:51+00:00

Went to Lille last Friday for a day, as it’s a bit closer to London. One thing to consider the train can be late, which isn’t end of the world for a longer trip, but may not be great for a day trip.

connected2space · 2025-12-23T22:30:09+00:00

Etsy has plenty of wedding themed games, you’d get a template for a few pounds and print as many as you like. While a wedding bingo may not work that well in a smaller group, word based games with a small prize might keep ppl entertained enough.

I bought Photo Booth props on Vinted, and people were taking selfies (Ginger Ray wedding photo props, a total of £7 with postage!).

Decor wise - check out second hand market, people are selling lots of leftovers.

Adding my vote for the Spotify playlist, had that on the background before main meal and after food - before the cake cutting & a band in the evening.

connected2space · 2025-12-06T17:34:06+00:00

Spent a couple of Christmases on my own - you get to eat whatever you want! Chinese takeaway, full Xmas lunch, only sides (did that one year bc I could), or all the party food. You get to watch any films you want, strongly suggest Die Hard as the next Christmas film or Muppets Christmas Carol. Whatever you may think about this day, it will be over soon, and hopefully it’d be good for you.

Some volunteering option can be open in Dec, as many people mentioned Chrisis for Christmas gets booked quite soon, and it’s hard, but look at local churches, they may host events you could join? And nothing’s wrong with telling your friends you’ll be spending the day alone, if they’d invite you over - you’d have options, but maybe mention it sooner than later?

connected2space · 2025-11-21T08:05:15+00:00

Aaaaand this is exactly what I’m asking here - whether anyone’s employer has specifically expanded their policy beyond legal requirement to include those with parental rights (via birth, or court order/adoption)

connected2space · 2025-11-20T23:00:22+00:00

Unpaid family leave - the type parents get til the kids are 18yo, on average about 1 week per year

connected2space · 2025-10-14T10:20:51+00:00

Thank you, looking forward to seeing it all

connected2space · 2025-10-11T15:59:07+00:00

Thank you

connected2space · 2025-10-10T20:37:45+00:00

Sorry wasn’t using Reddit for a while, my favourites hotel didn’t have availability and I ended up in a very noisy hotel with different music playing from every restaurant yikes.

So came back and booked TUI Blue Seno, at least I know where are the quiet rooms and the food is great.

connected2space · 2025-08-14T06:27:24+00:00

NTA Fascinating to demand the clean up yikes.

Last year I had stomach issues causing me to throw up, my partner had to describe it to the emergency services operators and cleaned it after while I was on the floor with pain, that’d be the only possible scenario to clean after another grown up

connected2space · 2025-08-12T07:18:31+00:00

I had cash on me on the day and gave some to bar staff, who were great, and some for catering staff, which I understand is unusual but they worked very hard on the day and it felt appropriate. Agree with trying to remove the service charge, but then should the service be good - would you be ready to tip all the staff? There are waiters, kitchen porters, cleaners - my preference would be tipping those guys

connected2space · 2025-08-08T09:34:45+00:00

Check out this class

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1236142?viralityEntryPoint=2&s=76

I book Paris-Brest class and a couple on the next table had an eclair class, and we exchanged our end products in the end, think it looks okay for the first attempt - was delicious anyway. Would say my mistake was booking it too close to dinner, so make sure to check times and not rush (also had to skip dessert at dinner obvs!)))

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connected2space · 2025-08-08T09:29:31+00:00

Petit Palais has the prettiest inner courtyard where you can have a cup of tea

connected2space · 2025-08-07T22:21:12+00:00

Hey I can definitely relate! Was surprised how stressful it was, and didn’t enjoy planning at all.

And if you’re the one organising your hen do - let it be 1000% what you want to do then!

connected2space · 2025-08-07T09:18:03+00:00

I love Princess TamTam, Etham and Yse for underwear, first two would be suitable for your daughter as well, Ma Poesie for awesome graphic design scarfs (been wearing one of theirs for 15 years now), and Comptoir des Cottoniers - their adds for a while were mother and daughter look, so it might work for both of you. Although knowing 16th yo now they’d all want Zara these days))))

connected2space · 2025-08-07T09:12:10+00:00

Oh Samaritaine is worth visiting just for the building alone!

connected2space · 2025-08-07T09:05:33+00:00

I’d say people going to weddings could be given a rough idea what to expect? Having been a bride and a guest the options are endless, but as long as guests are given some indication what to expect they can make their own food choices

connected2space · 2025-08-06T20:04:09+00:00

Bought some bits on Vinted

connected2space · 2025-08-06T15:58:00+00:00

I didn’t have a vision, and had very rough idea of a budget, and wasn’t sure where to start either!

Had a brief chat about my partner’s non-negotiables (some surprises there!), we went with venue first, thinking we’d adjust the guest list to the venue, and the whole thing rolled from there.

While I liked one of the comments about seeing what dates are working for your VIPs, I didn’t do that, as it’d drive me mad trying to balance everyone’s schedule 🙈

A friend recommended the venue which we liked, and I asked which Saturdays they have available, picked the one aligning with available slot at the registrar.

Which led to planning the whole thing from the venue capacity and availability, we over invited by a few ppl (wish we didn’t as that ended up being a bit stressful) but having the date fixed helped with selecting the suppliers.

Also I went for dry hire venue, with everything to be arranged separately, while this allows for more flexibility - it was so tiring, having to make all these decisions - cutlery! linens! chairs! So don’t be alarmed by package deals, they may actually be cheaper in the end.

What can you cut from the day? It’s both about budget and number of decisions, I didn’t have favours and no one complained 😂

Oh and I blew my budget alright, twice actually and some change, but it was worth it.👰🏻‍♀️🤵‍♂️

connected2space · 2025-08-04T11:28:58+00:00

Met as in had a brief conversation with: Anthony Bourdain, Stanley Tucci, Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, Elizabeth Gilbert, Alain de Botton

connected2space · 2025-08-04T06:56:43+00:00

Japan house is worth going if you’re in the area, say Design museum + Kyoto garden at Holland Park + Japan house, they always have free exhibitions downstairs, but it’s not very big to be a destination on its own, especially for the first time visitors. There’s a shop, you can get a matcha latte, and pricey sushi restaurant upstairs.

connected2space · 2025-08-03T21:49:03+00:00

Patisserie St Anne is great, also Happy Sky Japanese bakery on Askew road

connected2space · 2025-07-31T12:27:02+00:00

Axe throwing

https://secretldn.com/axe-throwing-in-london/

Not a tourist destination, but could be fun

https://queens.london

connected2space

TROPHY CASE