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You are being harsh Rachel, as you have formed an opinion without knowing what my personal circumstances are. I wont be at home I will in fact be working. I have just been made redundant and am setting up my own business from mid April. I will be working as a consultant on community projects and am ...

Day off for me today, I have to use up my annual leave before I finish next week. I am going to get cracking on some orders as I have a big pile stacking up in the studio, I've been too tired to do them these past few days. It's hard being a single mummy, hats off to any of you that are. Hubby back ...

To be honest i think that is sad that you would of chosen a different school and people basing their career choices around their children starting school is sad aswell. When they start school time goes so fast so i would embrace the time i got to spend with my child and be happy about. For the sake...

I'm not fighting policy, the rules are the rules, but Essex County Council have changed those rules with effect from September 2011 and it is what we have based our career choices and childcare choices on. To be told otherwise has come as somewhat of a shock and I am cross as if I had known the scho...

Tom has been used to being in a 'school' environment ull time 4 days a week for the past 2 years and he is really not very good with change. With a newborn baby in the house I dont think I could give him the stimulation he would get from being at school and as much as I would love spending the time ...

St Johns was approx £12000 per week!!! so we racked up £36,000 + my maternity and delivery care

Sorry michelle must have missed that bit seems a bit of an odd choice for a pre-school visit. Rachel - The law changed this year that all children are entitled to a FT place as of Sept 2011 but the school is denying it. I have sent them an e-mail with all the links etc so we will see what happens. I...

Michelle, Tom has his first nursery visit on Wednesday and they are also going on a coach, it's 2-1 care ratio for all pre-school aged children I wouldn't be worried. Sadly I have to go too as Wednesday is not one of his usual days so I am hoping he will still engage with his friends and the class a...

I think thats quite reasonable I would have thought it would be more. My friend was insured through work and ended up in the portland to have her baby and had a lovely experience. If you think thats bad you should look at the figures (I am sure Kris can tell us) for neonatla care, when I found out I...

I like it but I know of 2 very precocious saffrons so it puts me off LOL! Saying that though we know some horrible Thomas's too! Compared to my choice Lou you can have almost anything you like and it wont be weird (and no I am not sharing)

Christina, what bootsale does hubby do on a Saturday?

Aaah this was one of the 1st Essex Mums meetups!

morning all. I am at work this morning and then have a session at Toms potential school this afternoon for a tour and a chat with the teachers. Cant really believe it still! Mum and Dad have Tom for the day so he will be coming home at bedtime. He arrives all bathed and in his PJ's when he comes bac...

It's my market in the morning so DH will babysit but probably bring Tom round for some cake. I have ordered some flowers for my Mum to be delivered to her on her jam stall as a little thank you for all her help. Mum and Dad are then coming over for lunch which DH will cook and I expect I will get a ...