Ginger - how's the stunt man going - has the bump gone down? My first thought was - quick, postpone the photos!! Though truth be told, there are few few photos of DD1 without bruises etc on her face cos she was such a clumsy clot, if I'd not taken photos when she had bruises there wouldn't be any photos at all LOL.

Arte - of course no one thinks less of you . I'm amazed at how well you are going, I know you're pretty isolated where you are and I've never been able to cope without some kind of child care help so don't be down on yourself. I do remember though the time between 2.5 and 3.25 being particularly horrendous with DD1, although there were some language delay issues there too which probably compounded the frustration. Then one day I looked around at how well things were going and realised she hadn't had a tanty in several days and then suddenly things got easier. I went through a very brief experimental smacking phase - but it didn't work and it just made me even more stressed. In the end I resorted to time outs - ala naughty mat - and lots of them . I know it's very non-attachment parenting but I for one needed to be able to drag my tantrumming child out of the room and leave her there while I took some deep breaths and got hold of myself. I would give her 2 warnings (involving counting to 5 if she was not complying with something I asked) then time out. Also, instant time out for any blatantly unacceptable behaviour (hitting, spitting, shouting at a parent, throwing food, etc). Gosh when I write it all down it sounds like she was a rotter, but she wasn't she was lovely but strong willed when she wanted to be too. In fact I'm often amazed (even last week which was a hard one here) at how different Missy E is, she has spent a fraction of the time in the naughty mat space that DD1 did...ANYWAY I don't know if any of that helps, but HANG IN THERE. By all means do some reading on the issues Trill mentioned, but also think about what strategies you can have in place so that you're coping better. It might be leaving W with DH so you can get out by yourself of a weekend, even for a few hours, whatever.

Clare, in my rational mind I think yeah it's too early but my friend who was pregnant with her 3rd when I was pregnant with DD1 reckons she felt her baby from around 12 weeks onwards. I never believed her but when I felt DD2 I realised I'd actually been having sensations before then, they were just so slight I'd not paid attention. Aaaaaah sooo jeally I wanna be pregnant again!!!!! Good to hear poochy and puss are recovering - did it turn out as expensive as you feared?

IsaD - I'm sure you would make an excellent social worker - just be prepared to be confronted by life in all its teeming messiness out there. My advice is get in contact with the course coordinator, have a chat to them, and also find & talk to some SWs who are practising out there, find out what a day in the life of is like.

Trill, no middle school here, but the school we've picked (and hopefully can afford) has a more structured program in yrs 8 & 9 than high schools normally do, goodness knows this child needs it. Plus the teacher has sat her next to the tidiest & most organised girl in the class so hoping like mad some of this will rub off!! BTW the 80% pass mark might seem a bit daunting but I'm sure you will do really well.

MP - good to hear you are settling and looking forward to your return to work! Nice to have someone fighting over you like that!

Leanne I'm so relieved to hear the (stupid) young fella was ok - hopefully it will teach him to be more careful. Big scare for you though. I remember nearly running into a bicycle one time - it was night and they didn't have lights or even reflectors (except the back wheel) and rode across a laneway thing I was coming out of. Slammed on my brakes just in time, very scary though.