Oh blimey, Tara. Sorry to hear that this happened and by the sounds of it, anything you said didn't warrant enough action. Sometimes a clean break is for the best; even this is not the only reason, I'm sure the fact that those same children are still there would have made things difficult for Mia if things had got so bad.

I am lucky that Missy hasn't had issues of this magnitude, tho she does have an issue with another child, who went out of her way to tell her that she's not invited to her parties "because my mum thinks you've been mean to me". Now, I know she's not an angel but that's just not her way; everyone I've mentioned it to that knows her are incredulous, and she is well known to be the one who sorts out problems between friends. She doesn't seem too bothered about it but this same child has made a slitting throat motion to her and her friend in the playground back in summer term and once called them stupid fat idiots at a party. Yet, other days she's their friend.

I spoke to the school and they were not aware of major issues but are keeping an eye on the situation. I suspect the root of the problem is not the child but the parent. Nuff said; I'm not going into details on the Internet. So, I've just encouraged her to stay playing with the girls she does get along with and are kind hearted.

I hope she will love her new school. We have regularly gained children mid-year at our school for similar reasons and they are all happy kids now.

Soup is great when you're without heating as it's very warming. Also, it's worth having an "emergency" heater stashed away - we have one we sometimes use for the conservatory, which we bring into the lounge and just heat that room; it's a convector heater. Also, when you do get boiler insurance (I consider it essential, it's saved me a small fortune more than once), do ring around. I have cover with a local company who are cheaper than British Gas, more reliable (and easier to get out quickly in the event of a breakdown) and service/check my boiler over once a year. It keeps it running well - the only thing that has gone wrong with my boiler has actually been the main circuit board, everything else has run fine its whole life!

My first cake club was a similar theme! I made a neapolitan marble cake but I could also have done coffee sponge with coffee buttercream. The recipe for the marble cake is on my blog.
My recent post Meal Planning Monday - the summer easy cook edition!

The first wedding my children ever went to was their cousin's civil partnership ceremony to another man. At the time, they were 4 and 3 and I don't think they even questioned it for one second, they have known both of them since they were babies. They are probably coming to realise that it's different to the usual but they don't think it's bad at all.

I would have no problem with either of my children telling me they were gay. Personally, I don't think they are or will be, as Missy is very girly and Monkey is very alpha male but they are still young.

When I was young, some friends of my parents found out their son was gay - he came out to them. At first, they were shocked and didn't know how to react. My mum was telling me about it and I said to her "The thing is, gay or not, he is still their son." My mum told them what they said and I think the lightbulb came on in their head. He was still their boy, but he was just a bit different to how they thought he was (although I can't believe they couldn't see him, he was one of my best friends for a while but quite camp!)

I'd like to think my children know that I'll love them for who they are, not what they are. I hope if they are gay, that they feel confident to tell me without trying to keep it a secret for a long time.
My recent post Meal Planning Monday - the quick and easy May edition!

ooh, I made one like that. The first place I saw it was on my friend Susan's blog called A little bit of heaven on a plate.
My recent post Meal Planning Monday - the moving into February away from snow edition!

Oh blimey, Kate! Congratulations. I'm keeping everything crossed extra tightly for you, my lovely.
My recent post Meal Planning Monday - the Christmas 2012 edition!

I struggle this way with my Monkey, not his sister. She can be diva-like but is more likely to sulk. Monkey regularly leaves me thinking I can't do this. I blogged about it recently when he pushed me over the edge and I sent him to bed early. I called the post "Parenting - not for the faint-hearted".

The important thing is that you care enough to deal with the difficult bits. As much as she needs to feel she's won small victories, she needs to know when she has overstepped the mark. From the sounds of it, she did.

Don't look around you and think all other parents have got it easy. I don't know a parent who really has a hard time with one of their children at some point. Anyone who says they haven't is either very forgetful or is lying.

My favourite is sausages in onion gravy, the recipe for which is on my blog!