WikiMum - User contributions [en-gb]

User:Tink

2013-05-12T18:45:13Z

Tink: /* Complications */

[[file:Tink.jpg|450px|left|Tink]]

==Before...==

I was an opinionated, petite, chatterbox, romantic, high heeled, cocktail and wine drinking, shopaholic, that focused on working hard, playing harder and squeezing in another holiday. I met Mr.Tink on a girls holiday to Rhodes in 2000. A young and impressionable student, I was impressed by his height, his confidence and his yellow car back home! First date included a fish bowl and a bunjee rocket! I was in love! 8 years later and we finally ditched the 'holiday romance' description and headed down the aisle. My Dad's speech pointed out that he didn't expect me to come home with his future son-in-law, and was rather expecting a stick of rock!

We both always wanted children, so that was first on our agenda.... after a honeymoon in Bali and a couple other holidays! We miscarried in 2009 when I was 8 weeks pregnant, and after a bit of heartbreak and time to heal, we fell pregnant again in 2010.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would have twins!

I should mention, I own a 58 place Children's Full day-care Nursery in London. It's my love, my hobbie and my passion. It's incredibly hard work and certainly involves hours longer than 8am-6pm, but it's the best job in the world! You can read some of my tips and experiences in our Childcare section.

Looking back, I had no idea how easy life was, how much time and money I had spare, and I wish I could go back to my former self and give the old me a severe kick up the bum! I should have done so much more than I did!

==After...==

I'm now the very proud Mother of two incredible toddlers. Although they recently turned two, I still refer to them as my babies! I remain opinionated, petite, chatterbox, and a romantic. The high heels have been replaced with suitable flats to catch my tasmanian devils, the cocktails and wine have been partly replaced with strong coffee, and the shopping seems mainly confined to supermarkets and children's shops! On the night's they stay at their Nanny and Grandad's, my heels are dusted off, my prettyy handbags are retrieved from storage and I prop up a bar with a mojito! I try and juggle my commitments to the Nursery, to my Husband, to my beautiful children and my sanity, but every now and then a ball drops. I'm lucky enough to have a fab family and friends as well as my Wikimum pals to catch the falling balls and prop me up while I catch my breath. Being a Mum isn't easy, but I wouldn't change it for anything else in this world. I can honestly say I have never had to time-manage like I do now. An eyebrow wax, Nursery training pack, a healthy dinner are all now planned and achieved in timescales I wouldn't have imagined possible pre-twins!

==Complications==

My little family has had some tough times. My son was born with a rare heart condition called Pulmonary Atresia with IVS. Basically, his heart doesn't send his blue blood (unoxygenated) blood to his lungs to redden up and fill with oxygen. It has meant living in Great Ormond Street Hospital, watching him endure some very serious heart surgery whilst holding his twin sister, and praying harder than I ever knew possible, that he would survive. He did, and he is fighting fit and strong! His name is Thomas. It means Twin. Thomas' story is in the making, just a bit difficult to write. He is back to GOSH in June 2013 for his next major heart operation.

==Happily Ever After==

My life has certainly changed, the lack of time is one of the hardest to swallow. Trying to be a perfect business woman/Manager/ Mum/ Wife/ Cleaner/ Cook and still have time for sleep and maybe to paint your nails or read a book isn't easy. Nor is it achievable. I'm a realistic mum as well as an idealistic mum. I make mistakes, I help other mums when I can, I battle with my new body and life. I have strengths and weaknesses and I'll never profess to know what's right (not all the time!!) I love and adore my new life, with all it's turmoil and obstacles. My two children bring laughter, love and fun to my days, as well as paint, potties and tantrums!! Thomas and Isabella are as wonderfully similar and magically different, they do twin things like tandem pooing and ear pulling, and are chalk and cheese in other respects.

Life is more 'Gruffalo' than 'Cosmo' these days, and I love it! xx

==Tink's Mummy Mojito Recipe!==

* 1 lime, cut into wedges

* Handful of fresh mint leaves

* 2 tsp demerara sugar

* Handful of ice

* Shot of White Rum

* Splash of soda water (I've used Lemonade in emergencies!)

* Fresh mint sprig, to garnish

===Method===

* Place the limes, mint and sugar into a sturdy highball glass and give them a bash (I use my ice-cream scoop!) to bruise the mint and release the lime juice.

* Add the ice and pour over the rum.

* Add soda water or lemonade to taste and stir well. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

* Now this is the tricky bit. Drink before the ice melts. Distractions are everywhere. If you manage to drink it before it becomes room temperature, then you've done well fellow Mummies!

User talk:Mad Margaret

2013-05-12T18:41:58Z

Tink:

Hello Mad Margaret, it doesn't look like anyone's actually tried to talk to you yet. You should get notified about this one though. Love, Kat.

Okay, here's another message, to see how the notification works. Don't click it until you've moved round the site a bit... hang on, by the time you read this you will have already clicked it. Doh!

I'd like to be the first person (your clever Husband doesn't count!) to 'Talk' to you! Cheers for all the Avatar WikiMums Mad Margaret. You're a very talented lady! Tink x

Why thank-you! I had wondered how I was getting on! Glad to hear I don't need too much Editing! xxx

User talk:Mad Margaret

2013-05-12T18:41:43Z

Tink:

The different types of Nursery

2013-05-12T14:06:12Z

Tink: /* Cost */

==School Nurseries==

===Summary===

School based Nurseries provide care for children the term after their third Birthday. Schools usually provide care for three hours a day, and in many schools they offer 5 morning sessions or 5 afternoon sessions. The ratio's are 1:13 as long as a Qualified Teacher is present and at least one other member of staff holds a minimum of a Level 3 Qualification. They are registered and monitored by Ofsted, and you can view their latest reports on Ofsted's website: [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report Ofsted Inspection Reports]. School based Nurseries follow our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, and support and monitor all 7 area's of development.

===How to apply===

To apply for a school based Nursery place you will need to contact your Local Education Authority (LEA). Many LEA's have an online application process. It is free to apply for a place.

===Cost===

It is free to attend a School based Nursery.

===Pro's and Con's===

For working families, the shorter hours do not allow for them to be able to access School based Nurseries unless they have family or a childminder that can collect. Working families usually opt for a childminder or a Full-daycare Nursery. Both of which you can still acess your free 15 hours of childcare the term after your child's 3rd birthday. Many of the children attending School-based Nurseries go on to attend the school the September after their 4th birthday. Your child will be use to the school building, and often willalready have made friends with children that will be in their Reception class. The ratio's also support more children to less adults. This doesn't always cause a problem, but families would need to decide if that ratio would be appropritae for their child.

==Sessional-care Nurseries==

===Summary===

Sessional day-care is often called a variety of different names! Depending on where you live, how you were brought up and the group's themselves they can be called Pre-schools, Nurseries, or playgroups. They all have the same basic structures in place. Sessional day-care groups opertae for under 4 hours a day, they are often over registered for children over the age of 2, but there can be variations. Many sessional-day-care groups will offer you part time sessions, so you don't have to attend 5 days a week. They are usually private, charity, or committee run. They are registered with and monitored by Ofsted. Therefor, you will be able to read their latest inspection report on Ofsted's website: [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report Ofsted Inspection Reports]. Sessional day-care groups follow the EYFS and provide care and learning opportunities to support all 7 area's of develeopment.

===How to apply===

It depends on the type of group it is. Most independant, private and cahraity and committee based groups take registrations for free, and you should contact the group directly to enquire about the process.

===Cost===

If your child is over 3 (plus a term) you can usually access sessional day-care groups for free depending on the LEA's funding criteria, our quick guide can be found here: [[Funding]]. For all other children, the cost is usually lower than you would expect in a Full day-care group per hour. Typically between £9-£15 per child per session, depending on age, location, and staff qualifications.

===Pro's and Con's===

==Full day-care Nurseries==

--[[User:Tink|Tink]] ([[User talk:Tink|talk]]) [[File:Tink.jpg|64px|link=User:Tink|Tink]] 12:49, 12 May 2013 (UTC)

The different types of Nursery

2013-05-12T14:05:18Z

Tink: /* Cost */

==School Nurseries==

===Summary===

School based Nurseries provide care for children the term after their third Birthday. Schools usually provide care for three hours a day, and in many schools they offer 5 morning sessions or 5 afternoon sessions. The ratio's are 1:13 as long as a Qualified Teacher is present and at least one other member of staff holds a minimum of a Level 3 Qualification. They are registered and monitored by Ofsted, and you can view their latest reports on Ofsted's website: [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report Ofsted Inspection Reports]. School based Nurseries follow our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, and support and monitor all 7 area's of development.

===How to apply===

To apply for a school based Nursery place you will need to contact your Local Education Authority (LEA). Many LEA's have an online application process. It is free to apply for a place.

===Cost===

It is free to attend a School based Nursery.

===Pro's and Con's===

For working families, the shorter hours do not allow for them to be able to access School based Nurseries unless they have family or a childminder that can collect. Working families usually opt for a childminder or a Full-daycare Nursery. Both of which you can still acess your free 15 hours of childcare the term after your child's 3rd birthday. Many of the children attending School-based Nurseries go on to attend the school the September after their 4th birthday. Your child will be use to the school building, and often willalready have made friends with children that will be in their Reception class. The ratio's also support more children to less adults. This doesn't always cause a problem, but families would need to decide if that ratio would be appropritae for their child.

==Sessional-care Nurseries==

===Summary===

Sessional day-care is often called a variety of different names! Depending on where you live, how you were brought up and the group's themselves they can be called Pre-schools, Nurseries, or playgroups. They all have the same basic structures in place. Sessional day-care groups opertae for under 4 hours a day, they are often over registered for children over the age of 2, but there can be variations. Many sessional-day-care groups will offer you part time sessions, so you don't have to attend 5 days a week. They are usually private, charity, or committee run. They are registered with and monitored by Ofsted. Therefor, you will be able to read their latest inspection report on Ofsted's website: [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report Ofsted Inspection Reports]. Sessional day-care groups follow the EYFS and provide care and learning opportunities to support all 7 area's of develeopment.

===How to apply===

It depends on the type of group it is. Most independant, private and cahraity and committee based groups take registrations for free, and you should contact the group directly to enquire about the process.

===Cost===

If your child is over 3 (plus a term) you can usually access sessional day-care groups for free depending on the LEA's funding criteria [[Funding]]. For all other children, the cost is usually lower than you would expect in a Full day-care group per hour. Typically beytween £9-£15 per child per session, depending on age, location, and staff qualifications.

===Pro's and Con's===

==Full day-care Nurseries==

--[[User:Tink|Tink]] ([[User talk:Tink|talk]]) [[File:Tink.jpg|64px|link=User:Tink|Tink]] 12:49, 12 May 2013 (UTC)

2013-05-12T13:12:51Z

Tink: /* How to apply */

The different types of Nursery

2013-05-12T13:12:22Z

Tink: /* Summary */

Childcare

2013-05-12T13:11:46Z

Tink:

There are points of stress in all our lives that are widely acknowledged. Moving house; having a baby; illness; bereavement; new job.....

The most underestimated point of stress for a young family is, in my opinion, choosing the right childcare for your family.

On the various pages below we will explore the different options available to you, typical costs, our curriculum, top tips for choosing the right Nursery, settling your child, and what you should look for and expect. We're here to hold your hand!

* [[Nursery]]
* [[Playgroup]]
* [[Childminders]]
* [[Nannies]]
* [[Babysitters]]
* [[Funding]]
* [[Childcare vouchers]]
* [[Early Years Foundation Stage]]
* [[Links for Families]]

--[[User:Tink|Tink]] ([[User talk:Tink|talk]]) [[File:Tink.jpg|64px|link=User:Tink|Tink]] 13:11, 12 May 2013 (UTC)

The different types of Nursery

2013-05-12T13:05:58Z

Tink:

2013-04-28T21:08:35Z

Tink: Created page with "Tink's Story"

[[Tink's Story]]

Sani in Greece

Childcare

Snow White's Story

2013-04-28T13:53:27Z

Tink: Created page with "I've toyed with the idea of writing our story. If you've read my beautiful friend's stories, you will know the struggles and upset they have had to endure along the way to rea..."

I've toyed with the idea of writing our story. If you've read my beautiful friend's stories, you will know the struggles and upset they have had to endure along the way to realising their dreams. I had a very easy experience as far as assisted conception goes. Then I realised, if you're reading this, my story may just give you hope that it isn't necessarily going to be hard or bad in any way. I don't want to make IVF/ICSI seem a 'small' experience, it's huge. But, for me, it was straight forward, personal and very positive.

Here's my story...

My husband and I were married in 2008. My husband has had rheumatoid arthritis since he was 25, and had been put on a drug to help him with mobility and the pain. As we were so young, we stressed that we wanted a family in the future and after doing our own research we insisted on not taking certain medicines known for their effect on male fertility. His rheumatologist was fabulous and prescribed a drug not known to cause any long term effects on male fertility. By the time we decided we wanted to start our family, my Husband had been on the drug for 5 years.

After 10 months of trying to get pregnant we got our positive result. Our relief was enormous, and we excitedly discussed our 'secret' at every opportunity. At 8 weeks I miscaried naturally, and at home. We were devastated. We started to try for a pregnancy again after a couple of months, and nothing was happeneing. We decided to explore privately how fertile we were. I had all the tests first, and everything came back brilliant. We then got my Husband tested. To his horror, he had a nearly non existent sperm count, and poor mobility. After speaking with his rheumatologist new research had confirmed that the drug he was using caused infertility if used for a prolonged amount of time. We were devastated. He stopped the medicine straight away. Knowing we had a problem we contacted the IVF clinic immediately and booked in for a private cycle. Within two weeks of our first consultation we had every test completed, ICSI was recommended, and I was starting the cycle within another two weeks.

We had 14 eggs collected, 12 of which fertilised. 8 got to blast and we had 3 top embryos. We discussed it and decided to have 2 put back. Twins run in our family and we knew the commitment we were making if they both were successful. 3 blasts were strong enough for freezing, so our snow babies are still waiting for me! After a tentative 2 week wait helped by Zita West's relaxation CD, I did the test. I was so incredibly nervous. I knew I was pregnant, but was far too nervous to say it out loud. I peed on the test, and by the time I had walked back to the bedroom to my waiting husband, it was positive!

It was the most incredible moment. At 6am we called all our family to scream the news down the phone! Sod the 12 week wait to reveal the good news, it didn't matter. We were pregnant, and it felt right.

I'm certain that my straight forward experience of ICSI isn't rare. I put the success and ease of our experience down to the amazing family and friends we had supporting us, for my work for supporting my time off, and for the love of my partner. I know, these factors can't be the 'real' reason I got pregnant, but they really did give me hope and certainly kept me calm.

I would recommend any couple trying to get pregnant via IVF/ICSI to make sure that your partner is involved. Get your partner to do your injections for example. I can still recall myself laughing till I cried as my Husband tried to catch me to jab me with the Gonal-F pen! Let your partner get you pregnant! It may not be the 'traditional' way, but it's still important to do it together. For my Husband it also meant he was back in control, and I think he needed that after finding out he had fertility issues. For appointments that you can both attend, take 5 minutes out for a coffee and natter afterwards. It stops you from thinking and worrying unduly. Talking things through before both jumping in separate cars and heading back to your work helps that closeness, and keeps you really positive.

I hope you all realise your dreams of becoming a Mummy. It is truly the very best feeling in the world. I'm now the VERY proud Mummy of two Toddlers. If you're pregnant with twins, don't fear it. It's bloody hard work, but it's the most amazing feeling in the world. My little boy and girl are now 2 and are the light of my life. I hope one day to have a sibling or two for them, but for now, our lives are complete.

Thank-you for reading my story and the very best of luck on your own journeyxxx