Tizz

That gave me a giggle.

Hi all. I have just been browsing courses to become a teaching assistant as it's something I have fancied doing for a while. I have looked at the more obvious option of studying with Sheffield college, starting in September, but have noticed a few online courses. Are these courses well recognised in schools or are they not really worth it? I don't want to waste my time and money taking this route for it not to lead me anywhere, but an online course would be great to fit in with my job and three children. Anyone have any advice or experience? Many thanks.

My poor 13 year old was unfortunate enough to be home alone (11am) when we had a break in. She came face to face with him in the kitchen. Nothing happened, he just did one, but my poor girl has hated living here ever since.

I've only just seen this, sounds great. I had been wondering what to do with the kids as it's my only day off.

I've just requested to join your group on facebook. I live nearby and walk my daughter to school past there every day and this is the first time i'd heard of you. My daughters and I would love to keep up with what's going on.

Absolutely. When my daughter was 9 months old she was hospitalised for 10 days as they can dehydrate so quickly. I think it was terrible that he dismissed her worries so rudely. Irrelevent of how many times that she has visited the surgery, he should be offering reassurance, not making her feel like she shouldn't go back. Even if he felt that she has been a little neurotic previously, surely a little bit of advise for a first time mum would not have hurt him.

Thank you for your reply, I shall do that. Fingers crossed, normality shall resume soon. Despite my time off to look after poorly ones, daddy home tomorrow and I start at 5:30am so am very much looking forward to that. Thanks again. x

Despite three phone calls to reception regarding poorly children, I was never actually told that was an option. Considering between 3 of them,I haven't slept for a week, that would have been a great option, opposed to visiting the city centre. Thank you for that. It's a pity that the receptionists couldn't pass that on.

I just wonder how many they save for all to have gone within the first 6-8 minutes of opening?

I will keep that in mind, thank you for your reply. My main gripe is really having to travel when I registered with a gp for this purpose. I realise and understand that other people are in need, but felt my kids were not given any thought or consideration this time. Judging from the systems other surgeries use, i shall be doing a bit of research and hopefully finding a new one. Thanks all.

I believe most surgeries are linked, but I don't understand how it works? Does it mean waiting until the following day for an appointment with them, or travelling still?

It is indeed Far Lane. I have less faith than before nowthat someone identified the surgery from such description. I fully understand the needs of the elderly, they are a prioty in my job and I admit to often feeling cross that they are refused home visits. This week, my priority has been my children and a child at two with breathing difficulties I would deem necessary to see. Thank goodness for the walk in, or it would have been us potentially wasting time at A&E, all for a course of antibiotics and some reassurance.

I'm not able to offer a recommendation, but just wanted to say that a tutor can be a really good move. Children of most ages listen and concentrate more when it's an outside party, opposed to a parent. Good luck with finding someone suitable, i'm sure there's plenty out there.

I have just noticed a thread on doctors and am feeling a little miffed at my own experience this week. Having registered at our surgery 15 months ago when we moved into the area, fortunately neither myself, partner or three daughters have needed to be seen, with the exception of my middle daughters arranged pre school booster. On Sunday my two eldest became unwell. Thinking maybe a virus, (they are 12 & 5) I treat at home with fluids, paracetamol and ibuprofen. By Tuesday they had become worse, both with temps peaking at 39.5. I called the surgery to try and get an appointment to be told that there were none for that day, pre booked appointments were only available from 1st March, but if I phoned at 8:15am Wednesday, some were reserved for the day. The following morning, I began phoning at a few minutes before they were due to open and eventually got through at 8:21am, by which time, all appointments had gone. My partner had taken the day off work with them as we were trying to take it in turns, so I finished at lunchtime so he could drop us at the walk in centre. We waited just over an hour, which was more than fair and they both needed antibiotics for tonsilitis and uvilitis. Yesterday my two year old became unwell, got through to doctors at 8:19am, all appointments gone. Explained her age, symptoms of cough, rasping and temp, but no. This time with my partner at work, had to go with three poorly children by bus as I don't drive for antibiotics for a chest infection and tonsilitis. Basically, the first time my children have been ill, my local gp has been of no use to me. My previous gp had an excellent 'drop in and wait your turn' option. Think I shall be looking for an alternative surgery?

By the time I got to baby number three, I avoided contact with health visitors at all costs. I am not generalising and I realise that not all HV's are the same, but I found that each time the one I had visit after my first daughter came, she left me feeling inadequate and that I was doing it all wrong. She was pushy about how I was leaving it too long to wean (different advice 13 years ago) and how small my daughter was. With my second daughter (a different HV), she was horrified that I co slept, planned to do BLW and told me I was spoiling her carrying her in the sling so much. Third time I just didn't bother. I managed my first two without 'damaging' them, so purposely avoided having to see them. In answer to your question, I think a HV should be well trained in breastfeeding support, support and not judge parents decisions and like others have said, lose some of the emphasis on charts etc. Good luck with your career, I'm sure it could be a very rewarding path.