My daughter is in the second full week at her new school but I've already had to collect her before lunchtime twice this week, and it's only Tuesday. My son, however, hasn't yet gone back to school.

My daughter's first week was remarkably uneventful, apart from an invitation to a school assembly where she was part of the day's event. She looked terrified, in front of the 7 to 11 year olds, on only day 4 of her school year. She also needs to learn how to sit in a skirt, another job for me that her mother didn't cover.

This week however started with toothache caused by a new tooth taking too long to crown in the space of a milk tooth. Twice the school suggested I should collect her. On Monday she had lunch (and some CalPol - paracetamol) before returning to school. She did PE that afternoon so no problem. She missed no school time.

Today the pain was more severe. I got the impression that the school didn't want to take responsibility (actually that's the school policy!) but something else was going on. I decided to do two things to sort out the problems. Firstly I rang the GP surgery and got an appointment for her 45 minutes later. Then I walked to the school and signed her out for a doctor's appointment. It was almost lunchtime so she missed 15 mins of school.

While we were walking towards the hospital that houses the GP clinic my daughter commented that her teacher had told her off for going to the school medical room twice today, and twice yesterday. That was the reason why she was upset. As soon as I could, I rang the school and left a message for the Deputy Head to call me.

The GP checked her out carefully. I had told him a couple of months earlier I hoped she'd be living with me so he knew much of the background already. He declared her fit and well, agreeing with the tooth diagnosis. He prescribed 10ml (two spoons!) of Nurofen (Ibruprofen solution) for as long as needed. Thanks to the NHS I didn't have to pay for the two 100ml bottles, even though I could have bought them from the supermarket without a prescription.

She went back to school on time for the afternoon lessons. I still hadn't had a call back from the Deputy Head but after a five minute wait she found me in Reception. We had a quick chat and I left for home.

I didn't need to be hard on the DHT, I've known her for about 35 years - our parents worked at the same place. This was one of those situations where a simple explanation will do, you just know things will get sorted.

I had no calls from the school and had to run to be there on time to collect my daughter. She was smiling as we left there so I asked a few questions. The DHT had spoken to her after our chat and then her teacher had apologised. That, so far as my daughter was concerned, was the end of the issue.

I dosed her with another couple of spoons of goo shortly after dinner and put her to bed a short while ago. Big smiles and no worries.

My son, however, is a different story.

His school records have reached the new school and didn't make good reading. His grades have slipped and his disciplinary record is awful. He will also be a southerner in a northern school. Not the best situation, the accent will only be one problem. He may be allowed to start at the school later this week but will have missed 4 weeks of school (two in July and two in September).

So, he's bored.

I'm visiting him in two weeks time (and his school if he's actually still there) so will be able to see for myself. My daughter will join me for the 7 hour train journey and overnight stay.

Meanwhile, there still hasn't been a police check on the Aunt and the local social services haven't paid a visit like the court order said they should.

Nothing is ever simple with my son!

Topsy