h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

""Oh, and that soccer coach who keeps offering to babysit for free, so you can get some time to yourself? NO ONE WANTS TO BABYSIT YOUR KIDS JUST TO BE NICE.""

Blimey pretty poor view of people. I have often taken friends kids to the flicks to watch films that don't interest them but I will enjoy as much as the kids (Huge fan of animation despite being a grown man!). Seems a win win for all concerned.

FB

On the question when we were little one of the reasons my olds got us a dog was that they though if we were out all day playing with a biggish dog with a deep bark we would be safer. Don't know if there is any logic to this.

FB

Thinking about it, my parents did leave me alone for several week-long periods when I was 16 and 17. No one saw it as a problem at all, and I'm sure my school knew and saw no reason to do anything. What is there to do?

wow, The Doc, those two incidents must have been frightening for you. In the toilet incident, I think your dad did the right thing. I can't help that feeling now some Dads might just go in and beat the carp out of all 4 men...

As for your daughter and her teacher. I will agree that his behaviour is odd. But I think you are worriying (as parents do) overmuch about how you go on from here. Your daughter has already done the right thing in bringing both the notes and the fact that he stopped outside your house to talk to her to your attention. And your further action. She seems very sensible to me.

although I shouldn't, I can't help but at "mount Ikea"

and I'm also a little in with Hoo and FB for taking the time to introduce kids to fantastic films