He’s going to have two daddies

Kids can be injured in a library by a book falling on their head.

Ya gotta be chill man.

Have you followed the Sozlet thread? I'm not sure if it would help in the "hey, look, the kid (and parent) got over that" way or if it would give you more things to fuss about.

Chill.

haha, I need a chill pill

I haven't seen sozlets thread yet but I'll look for it today

http://able2know.org/topic/17621-1

the thread started 8 ! years ago, when the Sozlet was 3 years old

Drewdad also has a great thread on things his kids have said and done over the years

Hey M&M



There should be more than 2 adults for 30 kids in that age group. The ratio at Antonio's age group should be between 1:8 or 1:10 depending on the excursion. Normally there are 1 or 2 teachers plus a/some teaching assistants or parent helpers going on trips. Antonio's school should have a risk assessment available in the office which list possibilities and actions and each staff member should have read or be aware of the RA.

e.g. all staff should have a contact list for parent/guardians including medical info re inhalers/medications/epipen/diet allergies etc, carry a mobile phone, first aid kit... and the RA should cover anything from being stung by a bug, going to the restrooms with adults, stranger danger... to having a sick bucket on the school bus, suncream, hats, water, a band-aid supply for falls and cuts and everything and all in between. It is standard practice (even in the US I imagine, probably moreso with the sue culture there).


Just give a call to admin and you should be entitled to see the risk assessment which could even be emailed to you.

We take kids out as young as 4 years old and attempt to cover any and every eventuality... all staff should have child protection training (safeguarding), first aid training and be aware of specific needs of individual children in their group. You should also have signed permission slips for Antonio to leave the school.

(just in case <I hate saying that out loud>, ensure the school are aware that you have Marco's permission in writing to make decisions for Antonio - over here, only parents who have "parental responsibility" can make decisions about allowing a surgical procedure or whatever... not gonna list those things 'cause you'll just worry, bless you and it can complicate matters if the necessary permissions aren't in place )

Try not to worry, I'm sure the staff will take real good care of all the kids and if ever you are concerned, just have a quiet word with teacher whom I'm sure will reassure you. These learning experiences are so good for the kids, not just on an educational level, but on a social level also. Kids loving going on those trips with their peers... it's more scary for the staff! I have to admit, having done this for many years, I STILL (and can't ever think I won't) worry about the kids each and every time I go out with them ... imagine 'forest skills and big drills and knives in their little hands', I iz a noivous wreck by the end of the sessions, but man, they have a great time, and truly, it's fab

Thank you ladies for the comments, as I said he’s a nervous nelly. Today he said he’s taking the day off and following the bus. Chances are they may call the po po on him.

So how did the field trip go?

I was just having a conversation with someone who is a fairly new step-mom, and was thinking of you guys.

It's really, really natural to be a bundle of nerves when you first become a parent. It's such a huge responsibility! So much could go wrong!

When you first become a parent of a newborn, the baby and the parent kind of help each other along in that process. The babies don't do much of anything right away, and you can become acclimatized.

Gotta hold that neck at all times... OMG I DIDN'T HOLD THE NECK I JUST BROKE HER NECK SHE'LL BE A CRIPPLE IT'S MY FAULT... oh. Wait. She's fine. Whew!

Gotta be careful that she doesn't roll off the bed, put those bumpers up.... OMG SHE FELL OFF THE BED SHE'S NOT MOVING SHE'S DEAD ISN'T SHE SHOULD I CALL 911...hey her eyes just opened... she seems OK actually....

Gotta keep an eye on her as she learns to walk.... OMG SHE JUST FELL IS SHE OK WHY WASN'T I CLOSER THIS IS ALL MY FAULT.... oh. She's fine.

They're actually pretty resilient little creatures.

And after years and years of the fears proving to be overblown, you start to relax a bit. Eh, it's fine.

This is just in time for the kids to start branching out on their own more -- preschool, kindergarten, etc.

But when you're a new parent of a kid rather than a baby, you've missed a lot of that reassuring time where they proved their resilience while you still get to keep a watchful eye on them all of the time. So I get that it can be harder.

But really, they're resilient. And more than that, they have to experience challenges and independence to become the strong, adaptable, confident people you want them to be.

They don’t go until Monday Morning. Morgan has been reading some of the threads ebeth posted and he’s still a nervous nelly but feeling a little better about it. Although I wouldn’t be shocked if he says he’s working from home and follows behind the bus.

Antonio is excited, his first field trip!

Tell Morgan to stop being a big Nancy girl.

My son went on field trips when he was in the first grade. He will be fine!

And everything was just fine! He had a great time and all were safe, nervous nelly didn’t need the chill pill after all.

He's jealous of my hair! It draws attention from a lot of people and he gets embarrassed easily.

Try not wearing makeup, that will do it too!

I came home from the gym and Smokey the cat bit one of Antonio’s lizards head off. Isn’t that just beautiful.

pack it in ice maybe they can sew it back on.

Lizards are not safe around cats or dogs. My dog will snatch up a lizard and snap it dead in an instant. I found another dead one near the doggie door yesterday.

Aw. How's Antonio doing?

He’s doing good, he doesn’t know about the lizard, he just thinks it got out. There are hundreds of them outside and he catches them all the time.

We’re going to the mall after I pick him up from school. He grows out of his clothes so quickly!

Here's a tip from generations of parents of young kids...

Buy shoes and clothing one size larger than needed. They'll grow out of them quickly enough.

I did that the last time we went shopping and some now fit but he can only wear the same outfit twice a month or he wouldn’t be the child of two gay men

He's six years old he doesn't have to dress like he participating in a fashion show. Weirdo!

A straight couple lives next door. At first I was a bit concerned and alarmed. I mean, we have a small child. But then I thought, equality should be across the board.

Just know, we'll be watching you!