Katymac

I had an immediate replacement - so their speed of action was very good; however it's the same type leotard so hopefully it won't have the same problem (which is me being unnecessarily pessimistic, but I did wonder if they were seconds - but not labelled as such) DD is pleased as she liked the style, so we will wait & see

It's daft I guess as we know she is going, but we just aren't sure where yet & it's all about money

I've found DD being at FT training has decreased our costs (apart from the course fees - which her grandparents paid) Mainly (I think) because everything is so far away here in Norfolk so every class involved miles of travel (& that's for petrol, timeoff work & train fares) whereas although I drive to see her fairly often (4 times a term?) the over all mileage is SO much less At the moment her child tax credits & child benefit and our working tax credits pay for her accommodation & food & travel - but next Sept they stop & I'll have to do it on just my Working tax credits and the DaDA allowance & tbh I am a bit worried about it edited to add - it's been a great thread - Thanks Tulip & I haven't found the other one about costs mentioned

I have to be honest the waiting is getting me down

I thought I'd give them a chance to rectify it before 'naming & shaming' - but after a preliminary phone call things aren't looking good Sheila - I hope you don't mind I've emailed you for a bit of advise - sorry to 'use' you!

Sorry sugarplumsmum - we must be talking of different things £25 for food a week is very stingy in most of DD's friends eyes but £10 a month cannot be for food...... To add: DD doesn't buy toiletries out of that (maybe an odd toothpaste if she runs out) - I but most of that (& washing tablets) during my normal shop & she just collects & takes it down with her

Yes - she has a snack when she gets in & makes her lunch for the next day & later eats ready meals for tea as she is so tired Loads of dried fruit, tonnes of pasta and a meal out every two weeks or so

& here was I, a newbie to the world of Ballet thinking "If it's that easy, why do people keep going on about it" as one of the 6th form colleges DD applied for was about 1 in 25

How much are people giving their children for food? DD has been managing fine on about £25 a week but some of her friends are having twice that I won't be changing the amount she has - but I wondered about how much others have (& if I'm being mean)

London Studio Centre is 18 only I think Northern Ballet do a dance strand

There is a lovely hall of residence in Muswell Hill - it's expensive but fully catered & DD has stayed there occasionally for courses/Associates. The bus goes straight to the end of thhe road Urdang is in. (Pm me if you want more details) Urdang is an amazing MT college definitely in the top 3. Very commercial in style.

I know - & it fits beautifully & she looked lovely But It's coming apart - I'll try & ring tomorrow

I bought DD a leotard at Move it (so Sat 14th Feb) for auditions We kept it for 'best' so that it looked nice for auditions - after about 8 wears the stitching is unravelling in 2 places So that's 2 months ago.....am I being cheeky to try & return/exchange it or is 8 wears reasonable for a leotard?

With these sort of things you have to think of 'worst case senario' How many seasons a year? What happens if you don't sell the required amount? In some schemes you can be charged the amount you didn't sell so you come out with a debt If you don't sell the required amount over several seasons what happens? What are your requirements for Tax & NI - could the 'free items & free postage be seen as 'wages' and therefore you owe Tax on them Is your status clearly employed/self-employed? If someone absconds with the goods without paying who is liable for the cost (probably you) These things are rarely in the favour of the seller & often completely unfair

She did the audition & got it; but as far as we can see there is no funding so she can't go Which is a shame

DD was yr 9 when she started Ballet - the teacher gave her 2 private lessons/assessments and placed her in a Grade 5 class on the understanding she also attended classes 2, 3 & 4 each week until the exam. The intention at that point was that she would not do the exam with the rest of the children in April, but the following exam submission. DD did her Grade 5 in that April & so did some of the other girls who had not planned to that exam then. But the teacher had also taught DD all of the other syllabi & tested her on them so she was ready (as apparently an examiner can ask about any of the previous Grades during the exam). I don't know how that helps your DD tho' sorry But DD still attends both lower & higher classes when she returns to the school in the holidays

Sorry - no idea DD eats very enthusiastically!

How scary - thinking of you all

DD got an offer from Performers but no idea about funding yet & also an offer from The Centre with a scholarship - but not enough to enable her to go

I helped with costumes for the show 2)rs ago; because of the hall we were in one night a week I got to watch the dancing. The foyer was too cold & had no electric so at on the stage & watched while I cut out, glued, pinned, attached & sewed The girls got used to me being there and I felt honoured to watch It was a very special 6 months for me

I hadn't thought of that but you're right it's good the school either don't record weight or haven't been worried about the gain

My smilie face was actually b ) not an intended smilie face at all this one is intended

DD has put on 2 stones since she started her pre-vocational course in September I think this is a relief because a) she is eating (& cooking for herself), it is a transfer from fat to muscle At least I am assuming it is a transfer from fat to muscle as she is wearing the same size clothing and hasn't put on any inches But I was worried that she would loose a lot of weight & initially she lost inches but stayed the same weight I was very surprised & DD is chuffed as she is now heavy enough to give blood

Me too I've volunteered to do the costume for the show as I miss it so much

I'd would quite like to support them but as I don't earn enough to pay Tax I look on in awe!