Secondary Considerations

[Kleio]

That’s a long way away Kleio. How do you feel about that?

He won’t even be 16.5 and I’m not really happy about it at all. I’d prefer him to apply when he’s 18 but I won’t stand in his way.

Al’s best friend is an electrical engineer and in charge of recruitment/apprenticeships for a large industry on our doorstep and he’s offered him a place.

[Luna]

There’s pluses and minuses to the situation. He can always come back home if it doesn’t work out. At least he doesn’t want to join the army..

[emma_p]

Wow, if he gets the Somerset apprenticeship he will have to grow up fast!

[Little My]

Sixteen is so young to leave home! I expect if he's made up his mind there's not much you can do to change it.

Does B still prefer the out of area school, Lm?

Very much. To the point we would be in a pickle if he doesn't get in.. A bunch of his friends applied to the school last minute too, which is brilliant if they all get in because they're all such a nice kids. (Although this put some noses out of joint for some that didn't get the memo!)

They do all keep growing up!

In a fun twist of fate, I may be getting an expulsion notice for R this week.

[Cerise]

What? Like permanent thrown out of school?

[Little My]

Not entirely sure. Maybe just suspension.

[Glint]

What a worry LM. I hope she remains, if that’s what’s best.

[Little My]

Oh we definitely want her to stay!

We got a notice from the local health unit, reminding us she needs a mandatory (for school) immunization, but she's developed a severe needle phobia over the last couple of years. I knew taking her to our nurse practitioner would be a disaster, so I self-referred her to a specialist paediatric clinic for children with needle anxiety. They apparently have a 92% success rate, but guess who didn't manage to get the needle..

It's very frustrating. The deadline to update her records was last week, so I'm hoping the imminent suspension gives us a couple of weeks at least. I knew this was coming up, but I thought it wouldn't be until she turned 16 at the end of the year.

[emma_p]

Oh gosh! That is tricky. Poor R!

No mandatory immunisations in the UK, just saying, in case you’re thinking of moving back! (It really surprised when we came back after the yearly email from school in the US requiring up to date vaccinations before enrolment).

[Lily]

I'm surprised there aren't, and thought there were... Could this explain the rise in measles cases?

Is there any sort of sedative on offer for her?

[emma_p]

No mandatory vaccinations to attend school as far as I'm aware!

I came down mumps the day I went back to work in the UK after my career break (a few weeks after Liv was settled into nursery) and the doctor said it was likely because parents were rejecting the MMR vaccination.

[Texaco Shirley]

When does he hear back, Tex?

I'm awaiting the news of B's out-of-area application this Wednesday. His guidance teacher will be calling me once he knows the decision, then we need to lock in on his choice.

He’s got offers from both places he applied to so just hoping he gets the grades now. He’s predicted higher than he needs so :fc:.

Somerset is a long way from you Kleio, that must be a bit scary.

[emma_p]

Good luck to L, Tex!

[Little My]

That is exactly what we're trying next, Lily. I have an appointment to see our family doctor to ask for that prescription, and then we'll be going back to the paediatric clinic drugged up, hopefully.

It's the final school vaccine, so that's something. But I hope this is a way forward for her to be able to get more in future, if needed.

I was unaware of that, Emma. Good to know! It's very surprising to me too. We are having a resurgence of measles here, so I guess that doesn't help.. Although many families manage to wriggle out of the mandatory childhood vaccinations based on religious beliefs.

[Texaco Shirley]

Thanks emma.

[Kleio]

Everything crossed Tex.

What are your options LM? Poor R, it's not like she's doing this on purpose if she's genuinely terrified.

Somerset is a long way from you Kleio, that must be a bit scary.

It's 6 hours minimum by car so not something to be sniffed at. He's just done his psychometric testing and seems to have passed that. I'm just hoping they tend to take 18+ rather than 16.

[Glint]

LM, I hope the school are sensible about R and understand that you aren’t avoiding the vaccinations and are trying your best to get them in a safe way for R.

Kleio, I hope the hiring group do look at those older first - it’s such a long way to learn how to be self sufficient.

[Texaco Shirley]

Thanks Kleio.

Is that at Hinckley? It’s hard to discourage him when it’s something he really wants but I understand you wanting him to wait a couple of years.

[Little My]

Thanks guys. I have a letter from the vaccination clinic nurse in my war chest, if needed. So that's something.

[Little My]

He got in!

Now I'm just left with the harsh reality of having both my kids in high school after the summer.