Give me strength!

[sunnyday]

So........

Dear little boy started last term - mum convinced he couldn't possibly 'manage' the two sessions that she had asked me to save for her (oh fine that spare session could have been earning us some much needed income! ) - never mind, "That's fine" I said trying to give her my bestest smile and not say it through gritted teeth!

Then......oh he couldn't possibly 'manage' a whole three hours - never mind "That's fine" as above - so he attended for one hour, building to two hours - all good - an absolute sweetie - he just throws himself into anything and everything........

So have just spoken to her:

Me: So we are going for the full three hours this term?

Her: Well, yes, I think he will be OK - I just need to send him with some crackers, he gets very hungry about 11am

Me: Hmmm - well we have a snack around 10:30 - this consists of breadsticks and fruit.......

Her: Well I suppose he might be able to manage, well I'll send them anyway just in case he breaks down

Can you guess what I said?

Me: "That's fine"

If this was her first child with us I could maybe/possibly - not really understand - but it's not and there was none of this malarky with her daughter Oh well........

That's fine!

[Froglet]

Is he the youngest? You have my sympathy I have had a few like that over the years.

[sunnyday]

Yes he is! :1b

[Froglet]

So is this not quite wanting to admit he's growing up and not wanting to let go for 'the last time'?

Edited April 22, 2014 by Froglet

[sunnyday]

yes - almost certainly - oh well "That's fine"

[Froglet]

I think I'm going to adopt 'that's fine' as my catch phrase - could be used in many situations!

[Rea]

Oh Sunnyday, the times I've said just that!

[sunnyday]

I think I'm going to adopt 'that's fine' as my catch phrase - could be used in many situations!

That's fine

[zigzag]

My favourite expression is "no worries" and like you, sometimes it is said through gritted teeth!!

Think you sound like you have been very patient with this family, but it sounds to me like its time for this Mum to loosen the apron strings a little.

[thumperrabbit]

Mine is "not a problem" - bet we've all got a line we say, even though we don't really mean it

[Panders]

Yep Im wih Thumperrabbit here, "Yes, no probs" I'll change that, fix that, move that, bring that in, sign that, .................

[Froglet]

I think mine is "of course"

[eyfs1966]

We should be able to get a qualification for smiling and saying "of course"..............Frankly it is one of the most important parts of our job, but it can be hard!

[lashes2508]

Me and the OH have a new saying , not sure you could get away with it to a parent but whilst your saying " it's fine" you could be really saying/ thinking " just put an egg in your shoe and beat it ! "

[bubblejack]

I just know what you mean sunnyday.I just say I am sure you know best after all s/he is your child.I then gradually get the child around to the "sensible " way of thinking.

[SueFinanceManager]

I used to say 'That's fine' while thinking OMG / Whatever / REALLY???? / You are unbelievable / Poor child....shall I carry on :ph34r:

[sunnyday]

So - this lovely little boy had his first 3 hour session today - he had an absolute ball and he didn't need any extra food :1b

Guess who was the very last mummy to arrive at home-time I do wonder if this is just me being deeply cynical - could that have been a ploy to try to wrench some tears from him - I really hope not and if it was - it didn't work! :rolleyes:

oh well 'onwards and upwards' - another of my favourite phrases

[HappyMaz]

My motto is frequently one I learned from hali - "smile and nod".

[sunnyday]

My motto is frequently one I learned from hali - "smile and nod".

Great advice thank you!

[hali]

works every time

[thumperrabbit]

So - this lovely little boy had his first 3 hour session today - he had an absolute ball and he didn't need any extra food :1b

Guess who was the very last mummy to arrive at home-time I do wonder if this is just me being deeply cynical - could that have been a ploy to try to wrench some tears from him - I really hope not and if it was - it didn't work! :rolleyes:

oh well 'onwards and upwards' - another of my favourite phrases

Now I do use 'onwards & upwards' a lot with the staff that and 'keeeeep smiling!' :1b

[Guest]

We should be able to get a qualification for smiling and saying "of course"..............Frankly it is one of the most important parts of our job, but it can be hard!

it should be taught at college!

[Guest]

I used to say 'That's fine' while thinking OMG / Whatever / REALLY???? / You are unbelievable / Poor child....shall I carry on :ph34r:

I used to do that...a lot - and then I began to worry I would forget myself and say it out loud one day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sunnyday]

I used to do that...a lot - and then I began to worry I would forget myself and say it out loud one day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmmm - I know + I have to make sure that I'm smiling - I am more than aware that my facial expression could give away my true feelings! :blink:

[Rea]

My motto is frequently one I learned from hali - "smile and nod".

My mom taught me that one when I had my first baby and had the delights of dealing with the HV!

[Guest]

hmmm - I know + I have to make sure that I'm smiling - I am more than aware that my facial expression could give away my true feelings! :blink:

crikey, never even thought about the facial expressions! <They all know what I was really thinking don't they?>

I'm no longer able to do two things at once - I have lost the will!!

[Guest]

My mom taught me that one when I had my first baby and had the delights of dealing with the HV!

ooo will be passing that on to our new parents - HV advice doesn't seem to be getting any more logical - I wonder if some of them have a tally chart for how many new mums they've made cry!

[Rea]

Oh poor ladies

I never cried but I did beat myself up at various times, he wouldnt eat sprouts (she said he wouldnt know a sprout from anything else) I wasnt giving vitamin drops! and I didnt know if he could ride a bike at 2 ish because he hadnt got one! The younger one said all the pictures in her book were monkies so he was only marked as 'satisfactory'!

[Guest]

Oh poor ladies

I never cried but I did beat myself up at various times, he wouldnt eat sprouts (she said he wouldnt know a sprout from anything else) I wasnt giving vitamin drops! and I didnt know if he could ride a bike at 2 ish because he hadnt got one! The younger one said all the pictures in her book were monkies so he was only marked as 'satisfactory'!

eee honestly! I wonder if the powers-that-be look back at these things and cringe!

well at least it was back in the day..it might have been 'requires improvement' now!

[Rea]

Perfect just how he was.

I can still picture him now, he was 3, she'd come to the house because I wouldnt go to the clinic. She showed him a picture book and asked him what the pictures were, he kept giggling and rolling on the settee while saying every picture was a monkey! Ball=monkey, train=monkey, cat=monkey, but when he said a ladder was a monkey she said 'do you think he's associating monkeys with climbing? I joined with the giggling then, couldnt help myself, hence 'satisfactory'.