Any ideas?

[sherrardk]

Twice in the last five days someone has counted my children (I have five) by pointing at them and mouthing the numbers 'one, two, ... etc'. As the number gets higher they look more and more outraged. What would you do in this situation? I don't want to adopt a full-on fish-wife attitude or to tell them to 'fcuk off' but I want to be prepared for the next time it happens. (And I know I am biased, but they are really well behaved so it's not like they are running wild or swearing and shouting at each other.) Thanks

[NoMercy]

When Bobjugs comes to visit me in Hereford, we'll pop in :-)

[saxy_jag]

There was perhaps a time when I would have tutted, but my best friend has 4 kids by three different fathers and it would be easy to dismiss her as irresponsible. But when you learn that the father of her eldest did a runner the minute he knew she was pregnant (she was 16) and her mother threw her out, the father of the second rejected the eldest outright and the father of her two youngest ran her into debt before leaving her for another woman and rendering her effectively homeless, then it's clear she's doing her best under very difficult cricumstances.

For all that, I cannot fault her ability as a parent, nor the behaviour of her kids (they're a lovely bunch). She and her kids are thoughtful, respectful, self-respecting and well-mannered and she is rightfully proud of them.

I also knew an Irish Catholic family with 7 kids. Easy to turn your nose up at them, but best not to, because the parents were both GPs, the kids were all very talented musicians and the family hadn't claimed so much as a penny in benefits. The Mum said she wouldn't have had them if she had thought for a minute she couldn't raise them properly.

So tell the next person, when they adopt this attitude, "Yeah, five. Bet you wish you were as lucky/clever as me!"

[AlBags]

What's the pub on the main road near the turning to what was RAF Hereford?

[NoMercy]

Lord knows... I haven't been to Credenhill in years.

The Bay Horse is the one on Kings Acre Road.

[sherrardk]

There's the Traveller's Rest at Stretton Sugwas.

[sherrardk]

Sorry Vibra - missed your post, I quite like my picture thing.

[NoMercy]

I used to go there as a child, Sherrard. They had a great garden for kids.

And we used to pop up the Priory. Is that still there, perchance?

[sherrardk]

It's the Priory Hotel now - not been there or heard anyone talking about it.

[benny3008]

yeh the priory is still there i think.

[Mick-Talbot]

is Noms avatar the skeleton of sherrardk?

[HardDrive]

As saxy-jag says //as lucky as me// you are lucky! a child is a blessing. there are12 of us, now we care for and adore our parents. we wanted for nothing, love, food and shelter, we were brought up with good values that i hope i pass on to others. there are many couples out there praying for a baby. how lonely there lives must be, jealous fogies to point at your children. also children don't be kids forever. they'll still be old, lose their memories but your kids will know them, maybe be frontline carers and one day have a call out to those two.....

[NoMercy]

It's a shoe For Funks Sake.

[benny3008]

Hahaha, love your response nomercy!!!

[boxtops]

Yeah NoM ;-) but it's quite a point, if you put your and sherrard's avatars side by side, they are the same, but sherrard's is wearing more than yours....

[sherrardk]

Oh no - NoM is a sexy shoe and I'm an old boot!

[Mick-Talbot]

thank you boxtops (the second most intellgent poster on AB)

[joko]

go over with a price list...ie, browhaired girl, 4, £1000...etc...print a few copies for a larf...