Topic:	The school run
chris Posts: 1405 Posted: 22.Sep 2004 - 09:00	Don't kids have legs anymore? So why do they need to be chaffeured to school every morning? I drove past my old school the other day and it was parked up on both sides of the road with parents picking up their kids. I was at that school just over 15 years ago and you only ever saw one or two cars. So what's changed? Well what hasn't changed is road safety and the number of child abductors out there. In fact the roads around schools are safer. It's not like kids don't need the excersise - possibly the only exersise some of them get. Obviously there are exceptions but I think parents who make a special trip to take their kids to school should be ashamed of themselves. You are an enviromental catastrophe, you cause traffic chaos, you spoil your kids and you're probably paranoid too! Go on justify it!
AndyQ Posts: 733 Posted: 22.Sep 2004 - 09:28	A very good letter chris and i see it everyday dropping my kids off to Lyskerrys Junior and Community schools. I have a confession, i am one of those parents and yes i do feel ashamed, but as you say it's paranoia with the filth out there. Even though they will be safe walking to and from school it's hard to get out of this rut of paranoia, but i agree with you, we have to wise up and get a grip, even though with what you hear nowadays you can hardly blame people who worry about such things. I used to walk to and from Bodmin Junior school and the 2 miles to the Comprehensive when i was younger and my parents never worried. I believe there was still the same amount of filth out there but we never heard about it in the media as we do these days.
BarryLH4 Posts: 107 Posted: 22.Sep 2004 - 12:07	There are too many obese kids around, they should all walk to school like I used to when I was at primary school. I wonder how many kids get injured or killed by their parents driving, as I'm sure in these days when most people are rushing about they are doing the same on the school run. I think this is also relevant to the current poll about BST, as I'm sure when the clocks change to GMT it will be much darker in the late afternoons and more likely for accidents to both driving and walking.
Brian Posts: 196 Posted: 22.Sep 2004 - 12:11	When I was a kid we used to cycle to school and then get mopeds when we were 16. We did it in all weathers too, mind you. Worked for my pocket money, etc. How old am I? I'm 26, not 66. This school run thing is quite recent.
troll Posts: 567 Posted: 22.Sep 2004 - 20:58	Andy, your kids are more likely to be killed by someone they know, rather than a stranger. I can't believe how different the traffic is now compared to a month ago, it's almost like there's an army of women driving 4X4s and people carriers badly - mostly aiming for me on my bike. There was an article in the Guardian saying that today's kids have the least fredom ever.
Kate Posts: 195 Posted: 22.Sep 2004 - 21:23	They may have the least freedom but they certainly make the most if it. Isn't there some parallel between having no freedom and being more subversive? There was more punishment years ago. I used to get whipped all the time for doing small things.
AndyQ Posts: 733 Posted: 23.Sep 2004 - 08:55	Sounds like fun to me Kate!! :mrgreen:
BarryLH4 Posts: 107 Posted: 23.Sep 2004 - 14:01	Some nostalgia for Kate
Diane Posts: 789 Posted: 27.Sep 2004 - 02:02	What's wrong with parents walking their children to school instead of taking the car? I couldn't drive so had to walk me children to school, when the eldest started I had to take the baby and pram aswell. As they got older they walked together and later again rode their bikes. they had to go across a bridge over railway lines. some children climbed down the bank and crossed the line I'm sure, but you teach your children of the danger and hope they learn. I spent quite a lot of time at the school helping with canteen and fundraising, so that was a help to know how they were behaving.
rosenthalenglish Posts: 36 Posted: 1.Oct 2004 - 00:01	We used to walk our first child to school when she went and also walk our children to playgroup.Many parents are just lazy and cant be bothered,but looking at their size and the size of the children it is a tragedy. Our children are now home schooled.They have swimming twice a week and play out nearly evryday on their bikes.They also used to do ballet once a week but now prefer to have horse-riding once a month.All our children do plenty of walking,running,fighting and genrally having fun.They eat up to 5 potions of fruit a day and can take the fruit when they please as long as they ask. Many of the children we see are overweight,following the example of their parents.
Diane Posts: 789 Posted: 1.Oct 2004 - 01:42	You're very brave to home school your children. I wouldnt have the convidence to do that, although I did take an interest in their education. Some parents never enter the school to help, to watch their children in activities etc. Some never read the notices their children bring home. they just use the school as baby sitting. Do you have to work to a curriculum? Friends of ours took their twins on a sea voyage for a year and " home schooled" them. it was fine, but they missed out on socialising skills. Do your children have opportunity to go on school excurtions etc?
rosenthalenglish Posts: 36 Posted: 1.Oct 2004 - 08:54	Homeschooling doesnt have to follow the curriculem.You only have to show that each child will be a model citizen of this country.That said we do follow the curriculem as much as it helps us.The children dont have to take exams,but we do buy all the sats tests for them to show how well they are doing in each subject.Our children also do all lessons in both German & English as well as have computer skills and we have a special course which teaches them all basics skills whilst they also educate themselves with all curriculem subjects.It only takes from 0830hrs till 130 hrs to give the 4 oldest their lessons.Even our two year old wants to have lessons when she sees the others having theirs.Music also features heavily in the curriculem as my wife is a Doktor of Musik.She also has sung proffessionally in the past.She teaches them all piano & recorder and our oldest who will be 8 on Sunday,also learns classical guitar and organ.She wants a rock guitar,but she has to improve a lot before we buy that! Off course exercise and sport also play an important role as does their faith.We are catholics and our eldest serves at the altar and made her 1st communion when she was 6.Our second oldest is 6 in November and is already being prepared for her 1st Holy communion.She will also learn to serve as well. We used to pay full price for the books we use,but with one firm we use we are able to pay the same price as the schools,which has made a lot of difference.Its at least 50% cheaper.We actually take them ourselves on excusions t places of interest. As for socialising skills,they ply with other children in the street.They meet others at swimming,sure start & childrens fund activities as well as at church. Like any children they can muck about and be very naughty at times.But they always get compliments about their behaviour when they go to someone else`s house. Homeschooling is well worth the efort if you really want to do it and stick with it.You get from it children who are not stressed by exams and who on the whole are more advanced and show better results than those who are schooled.
Kate Posts: 195 Posted: 1.Oct 2004 - 09:48	I quite like the whipping animations. Barry is funny.
Diane Posts: 789 Posted: 2.Oct 2004 - 01:39	Well done Rosenthalenglish, looks like your bringing up well adjusted children. we were in our 30s before we had children and many people have mentioned their behaviour, saying they were brought up with [what today would be called] old fashion standards. Both went to church and sunday school, This gives them choices later in life, by being educated in all aspects of life. They're both doing well in their chosen careers.
AndyQ Posts: 733 Posted: 2.Oct 2004 - 09:55	Well rosenthalenglish, earning lots of money as you and your wife do, living in a nice big house in a nice "street" and being able to afford a 4x4 or two no doubt, you can afford to eat healthy and educate your children privately at home. Don't knock people because they or their kids are overweight, not everyone can afford good healthy food or horse riding lessons or any other sporting lessons. Nice little world you live in, not the same one we live in though.
troll Posts: 567 Posted: 2.Oct 2004 - 10:23	My worry with home schooling is that the kids miss out on a lot of the curriculum due to lack of knowledge in some subjects and facilities; your average home lacks science labs. When they're competing in the jobs market against children with 9 GCSEs & 4 A levels they could well be at a disadvantage. Moreover, I worry for their English skills, could you enlighten the board as to what a "Doktor of Musik" and a "curriculem" are please.
rosenthalenglish Posts: 36 Posted: 2.Oct 2004 - 11:56	Nice one Andy.We are the poorest members of our church and among the poorest in Delbole.Its how you spend the small income that comes in.We dont have a 4 X 4,Someone brought us a second hand Vauxhaul Zafira as we couldnt all fit in our last car.However we would still make do with that if we hadnt been brought a new car.Also I cycle to work everyday.Keeps me fit and saves a lot of money.We buy second hand clothes and get hand me downs from others who have children and offer us the clothes.We have taken only one holiday at Butlins in the past 5 years,that was only because it was a cheap offer and someone offered to pay half the money.But you are of course right COMPARED TO THOSE STARVING,HOMELESS,IN SITUATIONS OF WAR,SICK, DYING, UNCARED FOR BY ANYONE,YES WE ARE VERY RICH.Thats why we try to support those who have lost their babies at no cost to anyone but us.We also have supported a priest in India who runs an orphange for hindu children since 1976.When I earned good money I gave at least half of it away to thos in need.And yes I have had to live in absolute poverty and understand deprivation and hunger.It was only for 6 months but it was a real eye -opener. Thank Andy for judging me and my family without even knowing us.We go without to educate our children.You cant have it both ways.Chris condemms the UNEDUCATED whilst YOU CONDEMM US FOR EDUCATING OUR CHILDRENWe put our money where our mouth is.Bout time that the Labour government did the same instead of driving teachers from the proffesion with all sorts of new rules and regulations.Classroom assistants seem to be taking over from teachers with the current government who care so much about education!
rosenthalenglish Posts: 36 Posted: 2.Oct 2004 - 12:00	Doktor of Music is of course the Deutsch way to spell Doctor-although I am sure you are aware of this>Are we all in for Deutsch bashing?We get a lot of it from others in our village.You dont have to be coloured to find discrimination and bigotry.If the war hadnt ended 60 years ago it would perhaps be understandable,the hate that many of this country have for Germans so long after the war is amazing.
troll Posts: 567 Posted: 2.Oct 2004 - 12:54	Why not? Although, I'd prefer it if we could do the Belgians first. I did a Maitrise de biologie cellulaire et physiologie, option gÃ©nÃ©tique; but I wouldn't expect anyone in Britain to know what that means.
AndyQ Posts: 733 Posted: 2.Oct 2004 - 14:10	Yes i was judging you without knowing you, exactly what you were doing about overweight parents and their kids. Think before you speak mother Thresea!
rosenthalenglish Posts: 36 Posted: 2.Oct 2004 - 16:06	Well Andy, you can be rude as well! The point is the children DO NOT HAVE TO BE FAT-IT CAN BE PREVENTED.Unless of course one has a medical condition. With child benefit,Working and child tax credits,who really cant afford to feed their children properly?We are not living in the slums of India.We are living in the UK.How many parents smoke,drink,gamble, attend a football match,buy all the latest brand products-but when it comes to buying healthy food,they havent got a clue.One only has to read labels to see sgar,fat and salt content.If my wife can find time to do it for our children then so can other families.Also if you cut down on sweets & crisps then you can afford some fruit in place of it.Sorry Andy,there really is no excuse for being overweight.My wife lost 25 kilo,which included two bouts of breastfeeding and a pregnancy in it.She came down from size 18/20 to size 8/10.She had to have discipline and self control and to keep that weight she must contnue to watch what she eats.Exercise is also another great way to loose weight.How many children come home from school and sit in front a tv or computer till bedtime?
rosenthalenglish Posts: 36 Posted: 2.Oct 2004 - 16:09	Hi Troll so you are a high flyer as well!You got a degree in Bilogy and physiology.Sounds good.Dont upset the Belgies though,they can be very tempramental.
troll Posts: 567 Posted: 3.Oct 2004 - 11:26	Kind of I did some courses from the Maitrise and worked in a lab for 9 months as part of the 3rd year of my 4 year degree. There'd have been no point in the doing the whole Maitrise as it was the same level as the final year of a British degree. My actual degree is in Molecular Biology & Genetics.
AndyQ Posts: 733 Posted: 3.Oct 2004 - 13:10	I think you'll find thin and healthy parents buy the best brands in food, smoke, drink and go to sporting events aswell rosenthal. It's not all just overweight people who do these things, sounds like you have real issues with overweight people.
rosenthalenglish Posts: 36 Posted: 4.Oct 2004 - 00:44	We dont smoke at all.IT IS BANNED IN OUR HOUSE,my mother had a small fit when I told my sister to light up OUTSIDE OUR HOUSE WHEN SHE CAME TO VISIT.SHE DID AS WE ASKED.We do drink .I have 3 German Weiss or Krystal Beers a week,Miriam drinks red or white wine or Champange once in a while.
xxxxxx Posts: 2305 Posted: 4.Oct 2004 - 01:33	Bigot.
Diane Posts: 789 Posted: 4.Oct 2004 - 02:03	I've been overweight all my life, I've tried upteen diets now I eat well and exercise daily. according to my doctor I'm fit, so there. I'm changing my mind about Rosenthal, the fact that he accepts a car and holidays is not a good example to his children. having 5 children when you can't afford it is also a bad move. I still think educating your children at home is worthy, but you are coming across as judgemental. being a Christian I try hard not to be. Perhaps you should try to get a well paid job, then you would'nt have cry poor all the time. I had many hand me down and second hand clothes growing up in the 50s, I hated it, and so may your children. Do they ever get something brand new?
rosenthalenglish Posts: 36 Posted: 4.Oct 2004 - 08:27	I am not crying poor.Only answering the questions and accusations some members of this board have made against me.I dont ask anyone to give us anything.If they offer then I have the humility to accept. I do work and what I do is within the law.We actually save the Government Â£5000 a year for EACH child we educate at home. Of course our children get new clothes as well.But it doesnt harm to have second hand clothes that someone has only warn once and cost origionally Â£20 and I buy for 50p.I have a friend who does car boot sales and she has a friend who really does do that with many of her childrens clothes.So we have had some excellent clothes for cheap which were brought at a fraction of there true cost. We didnt ask the person to give us the car.I was quite happy to have the old car and cycle as I do.But it does show that God does work in mysterious ways,and I thank Him for the car and the person who gave us it in His name. Of course it is not always easy to REALLY KNOW the person by message boards.I am sure many of those who attack me are really very nice and I would get on with them well.They may even find that I am not the oga they make me out to be.But that is how message oards are.We only talk a few specialist subjects and do NOT SE THE WHOLE OF THE PERSON. have a good day all of you.
AndyQ Posts: 733 Posted: 4.Oct 2004 - 11:50	I'm a very nice person and guarantee you would like me!
rosenthalenglish Posts: 36 Posted: 6.Oct 2004 - 22:33	Thanks Andy,Glad to see we can all disagree and still have a sence of humour.
Diane Posts: 789 Posted: 7.Oct 2004 - 01:22	We all need a sense of humour of this and other Cornish message boards, don't you reckon?