Families on boats with kids

[Breals]

I have to say this turned out to be true but they are still 'skinny!' the middle age spread has not reached them yet....

 

Then they're very lucky!

[DHutch]

I remember taking them to the Doctor worried that they would not eat very much and he laughed and said "at this age, they will eat when they are hungry, and before you know it they will eat you out of house and home".

When i went in for a check-up when i moved doctor (back from my school doctor, to the same one as the rest of my family, for while i did my alevals) she weighed/mesured me, and told my my BMI was below average and i should eat more.

- I tryed to explan that my whole family, espcially my mum are "skinny" at that is just the way we are. (my mums a doctor anyway)

- She then got me to list what i ate in a aveage school day, after about 10mins list, she said "humm, that should be enough" and allowed me to leave!

 

 

Daniel

[gringogordo]

ok

 

We now have a doctor for the children on a temporary basis but not for ourselves. (My wife and I), we just have to suffer. THere are no doctors in this area able to take us. This is true of anyone in the area.

 

Sounds very frustrating. I've had similar difficulty getting a doctor when I was living in a flat a few years ago. They were so overstretched that they seemed to have put pitbulls on reception. I remember one finally letting me register but acting like the fact my post code was in the surgeries area was some kind of legal loophole and I'd pulled a fast one. I don't envy you having to find a GP without a standard post code and living conditions. On the whole for what it's worth, which is nothing, I agree with Willaway - play it calm and hopefully they'll go away in the end. But whatever your views of social services as a whole, it's sad indictment that they are happy to spend so much time and energy filing reports and can't spend the time/use their position to actually find you a doctor. Maybe if they provided a helpful service, it would counter balance their (in my view) unwarranted intrusion...

 

Oh well, hope you have a good christmas.

 

Ben.

[gaggle]

But whatever your views of social services as a whole, it's sad indictment that they are happy to spend so much time and energy filing reports and can't spend the time/use their position to actually find you a doctor. Maybe if they provided a helpful service, it would counter balance their (in my view) unwarranted intrusion...

 

 

 

Ben.

clevitt did say they were taken to several surgury,s to get listed with doctor,these matters need to be recorded and filed for everybody,s sake especially the children.

 

clevitt also stated the chain of events began after a visit to casualty dept,this would suggest that casualty had some concerns that warranted "intrusion".

i dont see how you can state "in your veiw "it was warranted or not.

 

i would also like to say that the childrens lives should not be discussed on a forum,they are identifiable and certainly any details relating to their identity would be banned from publication by a court order.

 

the fact that details of the children are on the www could be very detrimental to clevitt and his cause.

[nbtafelberg]

Interesting comments here (and an interesting spelling of my surname!)

 

We went with the social worker yesterday who has now got us to the point where we have a doctor for the children. I think she's coming round to our way of thinking because she said "I think I'd like to live on a boat"

 

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

The reason this all started is because my kids were sick, we didn't have a doctor so my wife took them to casualty, even with a local postal address which we have we tried 4 doctors (3 of them with the help of the school nurse) who had all closed their books.

[Richard Bustens]

Am i not right in saying that if you contact the local health bods they have to give you a doctor and tell said doctor you are on his books. like it or not?

[gaggle]

they change the rules that many times its hard to know nowadays.

if you have a dentist dont lose him or you may never get another.

[DHutch]

they change the rules that many times its hard to know nowadays.

Yeah, i beleave they have recently altered to rules on when surgerys have to accept you.

- I'll find out if you like.

 

 

Daniel

[gralyn]

Am i not right in saying that if you contact the local health bods they have to give you a doctor and tell said doctor you are on his books. like it or not?

 

Richard is correct, it is the responsibility of the local Primary Care Trust to find a GP for its residents. The school nurse should know where their HQ is as she probably works for them.

 

Regards Graham S

nb workinginthehealthservice

[gaggle]

it may be their responsability but that does not mean they will be responsable.

 

local authourities are responsable for the education of the thousands of children that are excluded from mainstream schools but they dont carry out the duties bestowed upon them.

[DHutch]

I talked to my mum and shes said that a surgery basicaly has to accept you if you are in there area.

- If there books are full they can turn you down, but they have to give you atleast onn ther place to try, and if that place turns you down, they should accept you.

[Rosina]

Before you start waving the ECHR around, you need to show that the current UK legislation is in breach of it, the Human Rights Act doesn't impose it's own rules, it just tries to make sure that the existing rules are compliant with the convention rights. It is a creature that evolves over time as individual sections of legislation fall to be reviewed. It works on a kind of compare and contrast principle.

 

If you can find out what legislation they're making their rulings under (Breals below might be able to help you, (very possibly the '77 Childrens Act) then check what powers they have and from there compare and contrast.

 

Or you can get direct advice if you have a look at www.clsdirect.org.uk (community legal services website). look for specialist help in the most appropriate area of law (probably community care), that'll suggest a local practitioner, who's audited by what used to be the Legal Aid Board to a given standard in that particular area of law, they'll subscribe to the correct journals and have all the right books... They might be able to sort it.

 

good luck

 

Hi I've just registered with this forum. My partner and I plan to buy a narrow boat to liveaboard with my nine year old daughter. We are complete novices, and as such are choosing our boat specifically with my daughter in mind. Although we have a great deal to learn, I would imagine that living on the canals is a very healthy form of lifestyle, fresh air in the countryside, good locally bought farm produce and lots of exercise along the towpaths.

 

I work in a school and agree with the other people who have already commented that there are many children living on land that are far worse off, being negleted and worse.

 

Although I cannot offer advice, being extremely new to this lifestye, I can offer moral support and wish you all well through this very stressful time.

[Sir Nibble]

I would imagine that living on the canals is a very healthy form of lifestyle, fresh air in the countryside, good locally bought farm produce and lots of exercise along the towpaths.

It's still 21st century Britain, not disneyland.

[Bones]

It's still 21st century Britain, not disneyland.

 

 

I like the idea though!

[Alastair]

It's still 21st century Britain, not disneyland.

 

I think she's thinking of Enid Blyton land, actually.

 

Rosina, please don't take our ribbing too seriously.

 

Several of us livaboard with kids - I have a 7yr old, two 10yr olds, and, one 13 yr old lump.

 

From the way you've phrased your post, I assume that you are intending to cruise. That will have many of the benefits that you mention.

 

Otherwise, it has more to do with the mooring location than living on a boat. I used to live near a city centre, but had fields for kids to play in. Now I moor near a farm, and there's lots of space. However, my kids get less exercise, because we end up driving everywhere.

[anhar]

... Although we have a great deal to learn, I would imagine that living on the canals is a very healthy form of lifestyle, fresh air in the countryside, good locally bought farm produce and lots of exercise along the towpaths...

Hello Rosina

 

I'd say that one of the difficulties of canalling is the precise opposite of what you say. It is much more difficult to obtain a decent range of foods unless you happen to be near a supermarket which, if you are cruising, is unlikely to be the case too often. As for exercise, my impression is that this is the last thing in which most cutters seem to indulge - unless you count walking to the pub and back.

 

regards

Steve

Edited February 10, 2006 by anhar

[bottle]

Although we have a great deal to learn, I would imagine that living on the canals is a very healthy form of lifestyle, fresh air in the countryside, good locally bought farm produce and lots of exercise along the towpaths.

 

Rosina

 

Welcome to the forum

 

As has been already said, I think you do have a lot to learn, rose tinted spectacles and all that.

 

I do not know how much experience you have but it can be tough especially in the long cold winter.

 

If you want to live on a boat it should be done because you want to live in that way not financial or other reasons.

 

After all that I wish you well and good luck if you decide, after a lot of research, it is for you.

[DHutch]

Also, have a work with Paul (clevett) he lives aboard with his family.

 

 

Daniel

[Rosina]

I think she's thinking of Enid Blyton land, actually.

 

Rosina, please don't take our ribbing too seriously.

 

Thanks for your support Alastair. I know that it probably looks like I am looking through rose tinted glasses into Disney or Enid Blyton land but don't you think that would be fantastic - especially for my nine year old daughter!

 

Seriously though, to all of you who read and/or commented on my post:-

We have researched this in great detail.

We want to do this for the change in lifestyle, not to try to safe money!

We are already finding that it is bringing us closer together as a family.

We are aware of the 'downs' involved in this change, however we are certain that the 'ups' far outweigh them!

Yes, we do intend to cruise up and down the canal during holidays, but will be mooring close to the town during term time, for school.

I have already said we are new to this, but are willing to learn, and the only way to do this is to get out there and do it, like everybody before us!!

Finally, I must say that everybody that we have met so far, has been very helpful and supportive.

 

Rosina

[Pat]

Hi Rosina! Living on a boat is great, I'm sure you will love it. My advice would be to look into a widebeam though. Narrowboats are fantastic, but if you are living on it 24/7 specially with a child, you'll find a wide beam makes a huge difference. I know Paul Clevett lives with his family on a beautiful narrowboat, but you might find that going for a boat that is 50' by 12' provides a more pleasant living environment than lets say a 70' narrowboat. They also rock less. But I suppose it depends on the area you live in, as not all canals are wide enough for widebeams. And maybe something longer and narrower enables you to have a wild party on one end whilst the child sleeps undisturbed 70' feet away? I don't know. I personally love having the extra width. Eitherway, It sounds like you really have looked into this and that you are making the right decision.

[DHutch]

As pat says, if you living on 24/7, a widebeam does supply a lot more space.

- But at the trade-off you cant do any of the narrow canals.

- Again, i would urge you to speak to people who have made the jump.

 

 

Daniel

[Lesd]

And even on a wide canal like the grandunion isn't going through locks in a wide beam harder work ? (having to open/close both gates everytime). I get the impression a lot of wide beam residential boats dont move far (they dont seem to around here) so maybe its not an issue to those people.

 

As pat says, if you living on 24/7, a widebeam does supply a lot more space.

- But at the trade-off you cant do any of the narrow canals.

- Again, i would urge you to speak to people who have made the jump.

Daniel

[Pat]

And even on a wide canal like the grandunion isn't going through locks in a wide beam harder work ? (having to open/close both gates everytime). I get the impression a lot of wide beam residential boats dont move far (they dont seem to around here) so maybe its not an issue to those people.

 

 

You do have to open both gates, but that really doesn't take long. going under some bridges can be a bit of a squeeze, but it's just a question of slowing right down and gliding through very carefully. But you are right, I live aboard but have a residential mooring and only go cruising on weekends and when I have time off. If you are planning to explore the canal system in depth, a narrow boat might be better. But shurely a 9 year old child will have to go to school, and therefore a permanent residential mooring is essential? Also kids need a base so that they can play with their friends after school etc.

[Lesd]

Hi Pat,

Your quite right if your a residential boat with kids. I guess my comment was justifying why I consider a NB the best option in my position now. If my kids were still young and living at home I'd plumb for a widebeam until they were off my hands I think. Then get out and explore the system ! I probably didnt read the thread properly before commenting for apologies for any confusion !

Rgds

Les

You do have to open both gates, but that really doesn't take long. going under some bridges can be a bit of a squeeze, but it's just a question of slowing right down and gliding through very carefully. But you are right, I live aboard but have a residential mooring and only go cruising on weekends and when I have time off. If you are planning to explore the canal system in depth, a narrow boat might be better. But shurely a 9 year old child will have to go to school, and therefore a permanent residential mooring is essential? Also kids need a base so that they can play with their friends after school etc.

[Keeping Up]

And even on a wide canal like the grandunion isn't going through locks in a wide beam harder work ? (having to open/close both gates everytime). I get the impression a lot of wide beam residential boats dont move far (they dont seem to around here) so maybe its not an issue to those people.

It certainly was with this one (estimated at 74ft long by 14ft9in wide, it may have been the biggest boat ever to reach Leighton Buzzard). Even after taking the wooden bits of the wheelhouse off, at a couple of the bridges we still had to stop and cut bits off to get through.