The Kids Thread

[lemonjelly]

My OH has 3 daughters. I usually refer to them as my stepkids in conversation, as it is easier than trying to explain everything.
The youngest has confided in someone that she doesn't correct people who refer to me as her dad/her as my daughter, and that actually she quite likes it.
However, I'm not supposed to know this!

 

[b3h]

Step is OK, hate the term "half" though. If half-cast is seen as derogatory I think half-brother etc should be

 

[Tredman]

Step is OK, hate the term "half" though. If half-cast is seen as derogatory I think half-brother etc should be

Nah, my half-sister is my half-sister as we share the same dad. My Step-brother is my step-brother as we are not blood related (yes I have a complicated family).

Agree on half-caste though.

 

[b3h]

I just really don't like it. I only have 1 brother all together by these terms, and 2 step sisters. FWIW I can't think of an alternative, I just don't see why there was ever emphasis on the half, why not just brother.

 

[Tredman]

Yeah I don't bother and she's just my sister, but technically the half is there to indicate that we only share one parent:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/half-sister

 

[lemonjelly]

TBH, step parents usually experience significant trials, for numerous understandable reasons. Being accepted is a really joyous difference for me.

 

[b3h]

Yeah mate fair play, you must be a good un to them.

 

[lemonjelly]

They deserve looking after. To be fair, the younger 2 have always given me a fair time of things. The eldest still has a relationship with her dad, which is fair enough, so never took to me that much, though she's fine with me now. I think all 3 know I treat their mum well, and at the end of the day if she's happy, that's all that matters.

Neither of the younger 2 call me dad, which again is fine. But they have made efforts on fathers day and stuff, which is actually unbelievably touching for me. Perhaps I have done something right!

 

[Parkins left foot]

He's volunteered to help them. He's not mentioned any kids by name, nor has he shared any photos. He's followed the terms and conditions, there's nothing to pull him up on.

Ok. I assumed he was their actual teacher or something.

Having worked in schools for 16 years I have been on so so many trips (including residentials!) - probably easier as a member of staff as you know all of the children, not just your own.

Plus even if you are not classroom based (which I wasn't) you quickly learn 'the voice' which can stop a small child at 30 paces :icon_biggrin: (possibly harder to do once they become teenagers)

 

[Tredman]

Supervising the 9 year olds doing their homework today and one question is:

3^3 x 4^3

without using a calculator.

I'm all for practising mental arithmetic but that's crazy, especially as they have hardly done any long multiplication.

 

[Johnny75]

This is power multiplying isn't it?

As in (3 x 3 x 3) + (4 x 4 x 4).

At 9yrs old? That's some advanced stuff right there.

 

[Tredman]

Kinda, that was year 8 when i used to teach maths (which isn't even *that* long ago).

It's actually 3x3x3x4x4x4

I wouldn't have minded that much, since the powers is pretty easy, but don't couple it with what is essentially 27 x 64 when you haven't properly taught long multiplication.

 

[Johnny75]

Oops, wrong sign in the middle on my part. Failed for not reading the question correctly.

How old are the kids in yr8?

27 x 64 is pretty difficult to do in your head mind you, I don't think the vast majority of the population could do that, let alone at 9.

 

[Tredman]

12 to 13 in year 8. The maths isn't that hard and if the kids are taught to break up the calculation it's fine, it's just to expect them to do it without being taught the method is daft.

I googled it a bit and it seems powers and multiplication patterns can be a lead in to long multiplication. Weird.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

My kids watched Scooby Doo and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery the other day and are now amazingly massive Kiss fans!

My son to my wife on the way to school this morning: 'But Mum do you really think Kiss rock and roll all night because why don't they go to bed and have their mummy say go to sleep now?'

Why not indeed, son. That's a valid question :icon_lol:

 

[SLA]

It's when they start asking questions about "Lick It Up" you've really got to worry.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

They were singing along to that last night! They haven't got as far as singing along to Love Gun yet though...

 

[SLA]

I prompted myself to go searching. Jesus!

 

[Tredman]

Spent almost three months rearranging the whole house & decorating to free up my study for a bedroom so the twins can have their own bedroom each. Finished decorating, bought new furniture, even got an extra computer so they can have one each.

Today is first day that it's all done and they have decided they want to sleep in the same room tonight. FML.

 

[Sniffer]

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/16/a-letter-to-our-neighbours-with-a-baby

Those of us who have lived in adjoining properties and have had children are selfish bar stewards.