GinaG3

I'm a reading girl, born and bred! A lot of people outside of reading seem to see the festival different to how we always saw it. It was dubbed one of the worst festivals about 5-7 years ago and a fair few incidents were happening with drugs etc but police now have a overwhelming presence across the whole festival. I haven't heard of anything happening out of the ordinary for festivals for a few years now. Everyone has fun and enjoys themselves. It is very expensive but it's the next best thing to Glastonbury for a lot of people! In another sense think yourself lucky. When my friends finished GCSES we all packed up and jetted off to Ibiza for 2 weeks parent free - woohoo. Now that was hardcore! Not to mention I needed nearly ?1500, I was working though! I think so long as your teen is sensible and knows how to stay out of trouble and stay safe it should all be fine. If there is anyone there that's too drunk (I'm talking paralytic proportion - usually get dragged into medical tent though if had too much to drink) just try to steer clear, this is normally where the trouble erupts although normally gets dealt with swiftly. Best advice to give I think really. Hope this has helped. Don't be worried. It is a highly supervised event and stewards are particularly vigilant of minors. Usually identifiable either by no over 18 wristband or by generally looking underage. There any people you can go to for assistance too should you need it.

I always diluted abidec with water as a juice for my daughter and she always accepted with breakfast. She has had vitamins since birth. She is now taking bassetts soft and chewy from about 30months old, 6 months before recommended. I always gave her vitamins as I breastfed for 2 years throughout ongoing health issues with myself. She never dropped feeds ever between this time. Until she self weaned at 2 she was still feeding as if she was a newborn although a lot of it would of been for comfort more than milk. Whilst I was breast feeding I was found to be extremely vitamin d deficient (my consultant had never seen such low levels of vitamin d in a woman of my age - I had almost none in my system) I had to start immediate high dosage of vitamin d to boost my supply. This made me very weary of her lacking in vitamin d too, since then I have always made sure she took a multivitamin supplement.

Ruth, odd I know but have you tried the cold cabbage in the bra trick used for engorgement (but also helps with the inflammation of mastitis) or if you can stomach it 2 or 3 raw cloves of garlic very good natural antibiotic and has an antibacterial effect too. Does sound like its getting better although if you are worried its better to be checked just for peace of mind, I've also always had positive experiences with SELDOC especially during breastfeeding. If that helps! How is Lex feeding, all fine?

Well, I've been spring cleaning, since new year!!! I dedicate 2 days a week to cleaning, organising and putting away. I must say the bedroom is the worst. We have a built in double wardrobe but it just isn't big enough, so we then have a chest of drawers which just isn't big enough, so we then also have a shelf, turned on its side like a sideboard containing the washing baskets, an array of shoes, and then these sloping mountains of clothes on top, which have either no home or I can't be bother to find a home. Right now it is in order, after my most recent dedicated cleaning day I got fed up, chucked it all on the bed, tidied up and I'm at peace with my messy alterego for now. I must say, I am the sort of person that will run round flat out, until I can nearly not stand to make sure not a fleck is on the floor if someone is coming over. I like people to think I secretly live in the tidiest place you ever clapped eyes on, but I don't. The secrets out!! Today's to do, you guessed it. Cleaning. But I've got to get out too. Cleaning, out, cleaning, out? Which will it be? What came first the chicken or the egg? This is a dilemma. Mother in law round for Easter lunch tomorrow, either don't feed her, or allow her to see mess. No option sits right with me. It's going to be a longgggg day. Definitely need robots for household chores.

It's wanted to say good luck. I know how you feel, kind of. Our daughter is 3. Since 21 months she started sleeping through but has never had a routine. She has constant energy and doesn't go to bed until sometimes 1am - its really gruelling. We had problems like you where she would wake up for blocks of 2-4 hours during the night and it was absolute murder for me, my partner just got on with it, he wouldn't even notice as he just slept through whereas I would deal with thrashing tantrums to get back to sleep. I found it so hard. I did notice pushing back bedtime, although I know unrealistic and there are other solutions really helped and almost immediately stopped her waking in the night. I noticed putting her to sleep anytime before 8 was an absolute no no. Napping during the day was a big no no too, I only ever allowed her to sleep after 8pm and that's when we truly had unbroken nights sleeps, apart from illness etc. But that's expected so I can't complain. just make sure you get her up in the morning at the normally time, if you do try this. She will be slightly more tired than normal but should easily fall into a new pattern. I've talked people through this before with sleep issues and it's helped a lot. Feel free to PM me, if you would like. The later issues we are having with sleep now are unrelated to this and are my own fault as I was put on sedative medication leading me to not being able to get up in the morning, meaning she slept in to, after 2 months I'm still trying to break this cycle but finding it sooo difficult. I can't wait to get back into a normal sleep pattern again. You just don't feel right do you?!

I've had this for months on end my daughter is 3, I've literally tried everything from electric toothbrushes to bribery, rewarding. Hell, I've even tantrumed myself. It's the most frustrating thing ever. My daughter loved brushing her teeth, very day she leapt to do it, no questions asked then she just stopped. We've been through every character of toothbrush, every design, electric, manual, sparkly, different flavour toothpaste. But now, we're using a flashing toothbrush!! Stocked in tesco it cost ?2 it has a button on it, they press it when they put the toothpaste on then have a good scrub. After 60 seconds the flash stops, meaning they have brushed for a full 60 seconds and 'done a really good job' we all clap and cheer etc and then sometimes our daughter even wants to press the button for round two. It's really been great. I'd recommend to anyone having problems where all else seems to be failing. Good luck, you have my sympathies. It is very frustrating. I too have had visions of black teeth etc. my next step is to get her to see a dentist. Trying to find peppa pig episode where they visit the dentist.

I've been considering using one of these for years too but have always had vision of it falling out and spilling everywhere or something. How embarrassing!! I've thought about the sponges you can get too, but not sure about those either. After giving birth and lengthy fight with doctors I was diagnosed through surgery with endometriosis, I find tampons extremely painful to use, it actually makes me feel like I want to be sick, but I'm not sure I'd feel any different with one of these. Got to do something, relying on sanitary towels for me is not sanitary at all. I just find it, yuck! I think we need more options.. Pronto!

Just to say thanks for the info, I regularly take my daughter to the park as we live on the estate. We are there on our own more often than not. I've never seen anyone hanging around, that I can recall. Just to say though there has been a police presence on the estate over the last 3 days or so, one policewoman 'patrolling' as it were. Maybe this is the reason?

I feel your frustrations, apart from we're the opposite in that the violence with my daughter (now 37 months) is towards us and never other children. She's been very violent with me since late in breastfeeding at about 16 months, I asked for advice on here when I just couldn't take anymore. It's been general hair pulling, biting, scratching, punching, hitting, charging, anything and everything. Her speech has never been slow, at 21 months she could ask for and answer pretty much anything in full sentence. So I knew that was never a problem. I put it down to hormones and just growing up, learning the ropes. We still have bumpy patches now but nowhere near as many as before, she has learnt to express herself differently. It's just a phase don't worry, as long as you remain adamant in the facts that you won't tolerate violent behaviour, I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. We all go through something we struggle with at some point. That's parenting isn't it?!

Having been on benefits, to now not being on benefits, spending the whole time whilst on them wishing everyday I could come off them and feeling like I cant even provide for my own family. I wouldn't understand why anyone would consider putting themselves into this position. It's horrible. Everyone treats you like your in the same boat. You know just taking what you can get, going along for an easy ride. Even if your not! The hat fits and all that.. If my child was happy, I could keep them fed, warm, loved and safe that's enough for me. A child can come from nothing and make a great life for themselves. Without the need for an 'amazing' school. Being on benefits and not knowing what's around the corner, having your claims stopped for assessments, altered, running about with paperwork, hectic phone calls, worrying about when you will be paid. It's not a nice situation. I never wish to be in that situation again, let alone out of choice. You've got to be mad! That's my opinion..

Might take my daughter today but wondering, does it get busy? How much does it cost and is it actually any good? Just want to do something with her for hour for an hour or so and need to head to Peckham anyway. Not much info on the Peckham pulse website. Typical. Thanks x

Anything happening this Friday, or anyone want to do anything? PM me any suggestions please. Need to pop to Peckham at some point, so probably afternoon, unless anyone fancies Peckham softplay?

Hi. I used to volunteer at southwark breast feeding cafes. Your closest cafes are Townley road, running Monday mornings 10-12 please turn up before 11.30. Or Peckham, on the 5th floor of the library running Thursday mornings 10-12 once again please turn up before 11.30 as this one in particular is extremely popular. Your fine to take children and partners with you, just so you know. Peckham is probably better if taking a toddler, they have a huge selection of toys to bring out to help distract older children whilst getting advice. I'm sure you will get answers and feel reassured attending the cafe. Good luck x

I find it easy now, I've adapted easily to how I've wanted to live, if you know what I mean. We used to do a fortnightly big shop and spend ?150 but it didn't work out as well and I'd be defrosting meat or forgetting etc. it depends on your typical spends, spending habits, a lot of things. Obviously one persons shopping will be cheaper or more expensive than the other. I think for people that enjoy quality buying more at a butchers and portioning yourself then freezing makes a lot of sense and definitely I believe cheaper in the long run. If you were to meal plan say 1 or 2 weeks and alternate each week going to the butchers twice a month 'to stock' is a good idea. Organic fruit and veg, again, depending n how much you get through a box delivery may make for a better and cheaper option for you, it does for a lot of people. In regard to mysupermarket it really is a brilliant tool, any online shopping takes a while your first few goes, but if your at home all day it shouldn't be too difficult. I love it! I look up on my meal planner, find the week we're in, write down all the ingriedients I need. I then dont browse mysupermarket but use the search bar at the top to find everything on my list and find the cheapest option. The first couple of shops may take you hour maybe even 2 but you will get faster as you learn the way and you will find better deals too. If I have money left at the end of my list I am inclined sometimes to spend what I have after browsing special offer section. I cook everything from scratch, I buy hardly any ready prepared stuff, if any. I don't buy sweet stuff as I bake constantly anyway but my cupboards are always stocked for baking, that is one of my most important cupboards!! One thing if you are going to use, be sure to book the delivery first as it will show the offers corresponding to your delivery date as opposed to now on, which will be no good to you and end up costing you more money at full price. For quality purposes; I grew up with the luxury of waitrose food and this only my whole life, my mum and dad spent excessive amounts on top quality organic everything, meat, milk, vegetables just everything you can think of. I left home at 18, and moved in with in laws who came from completely different background. I found it really hard to adjust food wise. It makes me feel guilty to admit that, Im not snobby it's just how I've lived my life. Anyway there is a point to this! When we moved into our own place I shopped at sainsburys and tried to get back what I'd grown up with but it was impossible on our budget, from this I learnt there is a middle ground and middle ground it fine, it's still of good quality and it's still nutritional. I'm not an organic buyer, I don't buy free range meat, but I do buy free range eggs. I don't buy value meats but I buy value staples, they are fine for the intended use. Most of my weekly spend comes from fruit, vegetables and meat. And kitchen roll, I'm obsessed with dettol and kitchen roll. Germ germ germ! Anyway, the point is.. Waitrose, quality yes, price no no no. If you CAN afford it fine, but if you can't try somewhere else. It may surprise you. Never ordered online with them, no comment about delivery or service. Ocado, quality yes (with some stuff, I've had bad experiences with them), price not too bad - price matched to tesco supposedly. If you can afford to shop here, go ahead, once again though there are cheaper options. Ordered online before, had bad experience, things leaking in bags, late delivery. Customer service took ages, in the end money back for 'bad items' and 13p compensation!!! Ridiculous, yes. Vowed never to shop with them again. Tesco, quality, good, price fair but creeping up the most of any supermarket. Watch out. Best place to try if shifting from Ocado or Waitrose. IMO. customer service fantastic, delivery drivers all brilliant. Not many stocking problems. Clubcard points!!! Always quick and fair with complaints and normally give you ?10 off next order if anything is wrong. Sainsburys, quality, fair, price once again creeping. I find the quality in sainsburys lower leading me to stop shopping with them. The meat want keeping as it should of been, the vegetables were 1 day from use by date etc. the one good thing is the customer service, ive had brilliant money off deals from sainsburys and customer services always compensated me very reasonably. Asda, quality is fantastic actually, price is very competitive. Never had a problem with delivery but the one downside is that normally a fair few products are out of stock, I've switched to allow them to pick me substitutes now, which are reasonable and mean I don't sve missing items. I can give these back to the driver for a full refund if unwanted. I'm not charged more for the substitute but the original price of item I wanted. Hope this anyone.

Great tip! Never be loyal to a brand, what makes them loyal to you? Nothing! Although I must say I have to stick to the same nappies and washing liquids due to severe eczema reactions. I think that's the only instance where money saving is my lesser priority. Value brands for things like washing up sponges, pitta bread, pasta, tinned tomatoes, flour, frozen peas and sweet corn, chips all are brilliant and intact I like some better than brands valued at 4 x the price. All can be bought for anywhere from 10-70p. Well worth the change down. And I'd like to add, people think I'm a snob. Pah! Perrrleaseee..

Saffron for catfood check amazon, no word of a lie, they now sell groceries (in wholesale bulk) direct from supplier. Edited to add; save ?14 on rrp free p&p http://www.amazon.co.uk/Felix-Sensations-Meaty-Steaklets-Pouches/dp/B003K0WD6Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331049110&sr=8-3 Last month Andrex themselves (not cat food related I know) were selling 40 top quality toilet rolls for under ?10! The bargains to be found are ridiculous. Also check approvedfood, search in google. Another brilliant tool in fighting shopping prices.

Oimissus and anyone looking for tips on online shopping. Try mysupermarket it compares your basket for every major supermarket and then allows you to checkout at the shop of your choice/budget. Also, if your new to online delivery you can take advantage of ?10 off your first ?70 delivery etc, they are all different, worth doing if it ifs just for ?10 worth of free nappies a week. Im a member of every supermarket and have taken advantage of every introductory offer. PM me if you want anymore information, I'm all for giving people any information on saving money, those big companies get enough out of our pockets. If you ever have a problem, always complain. My first months shopping with sainsburys, they forgot to pay for a ?80 shop, I told them but they didn't mind, ?80 free, I got a ?20 compensation for delivery being an hour late, I regularly get a bumper load of vouchers to lure me back to shopping with them, usually ?12 off over ?40 a week every week for 4 weeks. Always use your loyalty cards too, they make a huge difference it the long run. Don't forget with nectar you can get points on a lot of online shopping too, from eBay to amazon. Cashback sites offer competitive rates too. Last Christmas I saved and earnt back ?200 on my Christmas shopping within 6 weeks. I'm too savvy for my own good.

I use asda, shop online. I meal plan monthly, budget, and stick to all outgoings. Our weekly shopping budget for 2 adults and 1 child is ?70 although this does include nappies every week and household items (still equipping our flat with bits and bobs) I could realistically spend ?40-50 but I do allow upto ?20 for say last week we got a frying pan and a duvet. I do everything to save money, not because I have to but because I want to, and I enjoy it too. Sounds ever so sad doesn't it!! I search brand coupons everywhere I shop, I use hotukdeals for supermarket deals and pricing, I use discount codes on my online shopping, enter till receipts via asda online for 10% difference guaranteed. My weekly shop even after coming upto 4 years is still my favourite thing to do. You know, I'd even do it as a job. Roll up, roll up!

Tracy you hit the nail on the head! That's exactly how I feel, I need some motivation and determination. I need to do do more outside of the house before I go insane. Relationships from birth tethered off, and no relationship since has bloomed. Sometimes being a parent is so difficult when all you want is the best for your child. People have have friends already more so friends with children or even better friends with children the same age are blessed from the start I tell you that!

I'm contemplating getting one too. Although I wouldn't use it much. I tend to just slow cook in the oven. Sainsbury have a breville cream one on offer at the moment down to ?14.99, might have to try getting it in store though as sold out online. Think it serves upto 8. Might be worth that price if you want to try it out. It comes highly recommended, 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Thanks Molly. It's been a really difficult time for me since she was born. I vowed when I fell pregnant I'd do everything I could for her. She completely changed my life in an instant. Ive given her everything in her life apart from this opportunity as my health has been overshadowing a lot of day to day stuff for the last 2 years. Need to bring her needs back to the priority again now. We would love to soft play, another lady PMd me who would be interested too I think. I'll get back to her. I've had quite a lot of messages and slowly trying to sift through them on my iPhone. Plus checking back for typos.. Perfectionist? Yes. Damzel; thanks for your reply. My daughters been the same. As much as I rush I could have another child now I'm bound by restrictions. Ho hum. I'm sure my daughter will be exactly the same when she starts nursery. I'm looking forward to it. I love creating children's parties. I'm sure you will be fine. Best of luck to you x

I really would never do something like this. So bare with me. A lot of you know me 'on forum' although have been otherwise engaged as of late and haven't posted at all recently. So hello again. I'm Gina, mum to Lily who has just turned 3! Can't believe it! Now what else can I say. She starts nursery in 6 months and I'd love for her to start socialising with some children her own age. Up until now, she always and only interacted with adults, to the point now, I'm her best friend and she does indeed act like a 15 year old. Don't worry, she is 3! It's my own fault. I'm breaking barriers this year, so on the hunt for friends. I'm not keen on doing groups, as I'm sorry to any dulwich mums that disagree but I find it very difficult as a young mum (I'm nearly 22) I feel so unwelcome Everytime I try a group. I'm not your average teen mum, I promise. We found a little girl (not literally) but bumped into at the doctors the other day at the gardens. My daughter won't stop talking about her. She is a piglet lover, as it appeared was this little girl. Both carrying around piglet. If you remember, it was you and your child, Ella. My daughter would love to see her again. You never know who is reading do you. Anyway my intentions are good, my daughter needs interaction, if your like me, or just friendly. PM me. I must do something. Can anyone point me in the direction of some nonjudgmental, free, people will talk to me groups? Did I mention cake? Thanks for reading *exhale* X

I too have left feedback on my experiences with Melbourne Grove via NHS choices. Its right for a newly registering patient to be able to make an informaed choice based on the views of other registered patients, a GP surgery will never sell itself as anything other than friendly and professional if its looking to take on new patients, no matter how realistic the statement. I hope they sit back and take notice of the negative and work on the feedback they recieve from patients. Everybody deserves adequate medical care, and everyone deserve reception staff to act professionally and in a warm hearted manner. After all the reception is the first port of call when requesting to see a doctor and leaves a last impression on the whole practice.

Are you referring to Lordship Lane Estate area, if so its fine around here. Been here 4 years, never any problems, no trouble, everyone keeps their business to themselves. Relatively quiet, can expect the odd kids playing but thats understandable. We are in a private rent, ex council owned but are charged a extortionate amount, over ?400pcm more than its worth on private rental market (and the condition its in!!) and over ?700pcm the council rate for the same flat.

Odd questions, but is anyone using high watt bulbs in a low watt light socket, possibly forgetting to turn the light out and it being left on longer than usual? This can also sometimes cause a very pungent chemical type smell. Probably not, seeing as happening to alot of people but possible..