GinaG3

Snap! My near 5 year old daughter is exactly the same. Pasta, grated cheese, plain rice, cucumber, sweetcorn, peas, fish fingers, baked beans, pizza (although I no longer use pre-made, I use a pitta as a base to make my own), yogurt, ham, jacket potato, mango, apple, banana, pineapple, toast, jam and carrot. That the exhaustive list of her diet. I gave up a long time ago, I figure she is still eating, not starving, getting a pretty good range, not eating a load of processed junk and is happy so what the hell. Her tastes will change as she grows up, she will become more interested in things especially as I cook adventurous world foods every night. I've tried prep help and that got her eating tomato and basil sauce with her pasta 'under the disguise of pizza flavour pasta' for about 4 times, then she gave up. Last night she tried tortellini as I promised her the cheese was just inside the pasta like a present instead of outside, this resulted in dinner being 2 pieces of garlic bread, 6 slices of cucumber and 1 piece of tortellini which she apparently hated. Ho hum! I didn't think she would eat school dinners, having just started reception but she threw the biggest tantrum at not having them to start so I did switch to them 3 days in to the term. At first she dabbled a bit, cheese and onion pasty (enjoyed), melon (hated), mashed potato (liked) but since then nothing. Every single day its 'so what did you have for lunch today?' 'baked potato and cucumber' 'how did I guess that?'. Hugely frustrating but I'm hoping seeing other children eat around her and enjoy their food will prompt her to try new foods. I always tell her its fine to not like some things, but trying stuff is good so at least you know. We always have this conversation; Mummy doesn't like everything either, I like lots of different things because I've tried lots and lots of nice food, but I don't like fish fingers and I know that because I've tasted them lots of times, just to make sure!

Berbel don't panic, lots of questions will be being answered every year on the forum each time applications come around. You're never alone. Also please do check online thoroughly your income on a benefit calculator, I don't think your getting all the help your entitled to. The calculators are very accurate and a massive help. I also think you are entitled to a council tax reduction as a single parent, although you are not entitled to mortgage payments as you are aware. You will need to check council tax with Southwark.

I would refuse homework too up to about 6 or 7 years old. We are getting 1-2 different books home a week, ability/willing dependent and 3 words to spot/spell a week. My daughter loves learning and is coming in every night and doing spelling on an ipad app, wanting to read, write so I'm all for it but if at any point she doesn't want to I'm completely with her and stand by her decision. They spend enough time in school to learn and pick up stuff, they don't need additional work forced on them at this age, in fact I don't think they ever do.

She has now been, without any help but a lot of encouragement and praise! Its so difficult to see them like this, I get in a panic with the withholding. Now to school or not to school tomorrow, will have to see how she gets on with needing the toilet next time. I really don't want her feeling uncomfortable at school. Shame though today was the first day she actually really wanted to go, she's found it really tough to settle!!! Thank you all xxx

I have considered that but at the same time don't want her needing to go in the bath for every wee. She is complaining of pain sitting in her regular baths, she doesn't have any products in there because of her skin conditions so it's not that. Will try shower method.

Back with the utination problems today! Daughter 4.7y was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with vaginal strep (confirmed by swabs) and prescribed amoxicillin. We took the course completely and things seemed to clear up very well. Today I've taken her back to the doctors when she woke with green discharge again, more swabs taken and another course of amoxicillin prescribed. School haven't allowed her in today and think she is best with me as she has not passed urine since 6 last night! She is desperate, dancing around but petrified to allow urine to flow because of stinging pain 'down there' it's very red and irritated, I completely understand her fears. I've tried to calm her, reassure her, hold cold tissue while she wees. Any tips? I'm really frustrated were back to this, 20 hours with no urination is way too long!

I breastfed my daughter until she was 2 in public. I cant think of one single bad experience, people looked I'm sure but no-one ever said anything. I was 18, so felt like I stuck out somewhat. I breastfed on packed buses, trains rammed to bursting whilst sitting on the floor, very openly in front of a bunch of 17/18 year old boys, in the front row of church during a wedding ceremony, numerous restaurants, you name I couldn't give a damn my baby was hungry. Theres probably thousands of people out there that have seen me public feeding. Dare I say I have even been known to be actually walking/hiking and feeding at the same time, thats a skill every mum needs to learn, does get you some looks though! The first time I ever did it I remember feeling so nervous and apprehensive, I really thought I'd get comments especially from younger people my own age but I never once did. I sat under the big tree by the courts in Dulwich park while my partner and his friends played football in the sun, loads of people walked past but no-one said anything, I slowly built up my confidence to GP surgery waiting room, and buses. Then all hell broke loose and we were feeding everywhere. I hate these posts because they make me realise how much I miss it all desperately, and how proud I was of myself, I never thought I would be able to do it but you do a lot for your kids you never think you will, I've definitely learnt that. I was up at 5.30 this morning, with a 4 year old that knows I'm poorly myself!

I still haven't got one! I have been meaning to pick one up for ages but its an expense I cannot spare right now. My daughter is nearly 5 and still coming into our bed anytime between 1-4am. I'm being pushing to the point of clinging on the edge of my mattress, in a kingsize! I researched and researched peoples views on these with the aim of getting one and was really impressed. Here to hoping I find one, and it works. If anyone has one they are selling ;-)

The lady that owns the cat got it straight away and rushed it to the vet immediately. It was an absolutely savage attack!! I'm unsure whether the cat made it or not as I've not seen my neighbour since. Very unfortunate, but also avoidable in my opinion.

I'm after the Magimix le micro mini. After searching for months and reading hundreds of reviews on various mini models this has come out tops for me. I've got a kitchenaid blender and a handheld but they only do bigger quantities, I need another to do smaller. All this tech, just need the money to splash out now. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magimix-Le-Micro-Mini-Chopper/dp/B0007R8OKY

My daughter is so bland, she used to love everything now she likes nothing. Its the worst thing imaginable when I spend 1 hour plus cooking foods of the world for us and she sits there eating boring crap! I've tried and tried. She has just started school and insisted on school dinners which really shocked me, and is slowly trying things. This week she tied beef (but "definitely didn't like it"), cheese & onion pasty (winner), watermelon (which I know she hates anyway, and still does apparently), mash potato (winner), scrambled egg (winner - because school don't put pepper in it like I do, doh!). We are getting there, slowly. For dinners she eats: fish fingers in a corn wrap/pitta bread with cucumber & homemade potato wedges spaghetti/pasta with cheese/ham & carrot (coins only) cheese & ham cappelletti & garlic bread pitta pizza (tomato sauce & cheese on pitta bread, 2 minutes in the oven) roast without the meat or with fish fingers - yuck!

My daughter has had this for years, no sign of anything but caused bleeding down the neck and base of hairline for months on end from itching. She only now has visible eczema in her hair, definitely cant use any shampoo or conditioner products. Were were using shampoo until 5-6 months ago, free from everything and costing me a bomb online though as we weren't given prescription within her eczema repeats as no visible symptoms. We have now been prescribed a shampoo suitable for children, I'll check the name and get back to you its not prescription only. For the last 6 months I've been washing her hair with plain water, and using nothing at all in her bath. Does the job fine, they don't get that dirty anyway. Her hair has been amazing, wish I could get away with it. I personally wouldn't use Tgel, it is a very strong formula and could cause much further irritation.

http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-boys'-cotton-school-trousers-grey/p396647 Worth calling our local stores to check their stock. I share your frustration, my daughter has severe eczema and its been a nightmare. Her uniform is grey, I've had to opt for black as her skin has to be my priority with reoccurring infections. It's a horrible business this polyester uniform! Good luck xx

Have you tried sending a message via the find my iphone app, or triggering the alarm? I would not knock on someones door. I have tracked a range of apple products before and while it is accurate, its not capable of giving you a pinpoint location. My guess is, you've dropped it in the street and its still there, or someone has picked it up (waiting to hand it in, or not) or its in your house given its proximity to your address. I would use the message tool to display a message saying something along the lines of 'If found, please call XXXXX on XXXXXX'. Hope the device is on and see if you get anything. If not also try the alarm and see if you can hear it in your address or any location along your street. You be kicked in a bush, or under someones gate and have gone undetected. The tool is very useful and every bit of the app is worth a go.

I'm hoping school helps out my girl, she's got the most overwhelming amount of energy its totally ridiculous! I'm not looking forward to it at all, but praying for some exhaustion and routine. I keep thinking of 6 hours to myself everyday but at the same time SHE has been asking when she is starting for the whole 6 weeks. "Can we go to school tomorrow.. Can we go to school tomorrow". I cant believe I'm here at this point already, it seems like these years are going by without me realising. I'll admit this 6 weeks has been hard and cant wait for it to be over now. Now just hoping she will be good at school, I know she will cope, I'm sure I will too. Do I sound anxious or just exhausted? Ha.

I get this too and have a range of gynaecological conditions confirmed since childbirth. I know ovulation from the physical and mental exhaustion, feeling of severe bruising across my pelvic region and dragging pain internally although because of all my conditions its hard to know what causes what. My consultants and specialists are vague and say it can be any as a lot of gynae conditions cause problems and pain/referred pain in other areas of the reproductive system. My hormone levels also fluctuate wildly and I suffer a lot of on and off fatigue. Your menstrual cycle also then plays havoc with your hormones, in turn putting your body out of sync. Its a lovely life for a woman! The first things I had checked in the beginning of my lengthy tests was bloods. Hormone, CA125 marker, vitamin levels, anaemia and iron to name a few. I was vitamin D deficient and had higher than normal testosterone and oestrogen levels. The hormones apparently don't explain much but vitamin D did, obviously. I was given urgent vitamin D units at 20,000 a day for months which helped my overall fatigue for ages but I don't remember if it helped my fatigue during ovulation. I still get it now, but no longer take my prescription vitamin D as my levels are stable for now.

Hi Samantha, Our local cafes are inside Townley Road clinic on a Monday morning 10-12 and Peckham library 5th floor Thursday morning 10-11.30. Please turn up to either for advice or support. Bare in mind as it gets so busy, especially at Peckham, that although sessions run until 12 you should turn up before 11.30am, especially if you are looking for advice/support. Both great cafes to have on our doorstep. Some people come from reasonably far to visit Southwark cafes. I recommend getting to either within the first half an hour of session. I believe there is also one at the Albrighton Centre on Dog Kennel Hill but I'm afraid I don't know day or time for this one, someone else might. Good luck x

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Water-Leak-in-Your-House Try these steps. I feel your pain, my parents went through extensive assessments to find a leak that was costing them greatly a few years ago. Luckily my dad had knowledge of plumbing and pipework and after much detective work was able to isolate the problem. If you haven't already done so I suggest you try all of the tips above. I think my parents problem turned out to be the hot water tank and an upstairs bathroom of which there were 6 which all needed checking individually, the whole heating/hot water system was in desperate need of re-plumbing but got put off a further 4 years with no problems since. If you have shut off the supply and the meter doesn't move this would suggest the leak is INSIDE of the house.

We have just done our daughters room. She absolutely loves it. Everything is packed away in built in wardrobes toys etc so I can just shut it away. We have the Ikea Kura bed which can be used forever as it even takes the weight of an adult and can be used as a four poster or a cabin bed. At the end of this we bought the stepped trofast unit to use as stairs, so she goes up the ladder and comes down the stairs, this also contains another mass of toys. I've put the old cotbed mattress underneath with loads of pillows to make a upcycled sofa section, with her play kitchen at the end but think that needs to come out as its too much, could have a small bookcase there instead. We also threaded old christmas lights round the bed. Other than her bed she just has a chest of drawers in her room. Its decorated with changeable items. Right now she is in to pirates so I picked up some pirate bedding and pirate flag and intend to put wall decals up and find some cushion covers from under the bed. I was doing this on a tight, tight budget of less than ?300! We are limited to what we can do as we are in private rental as I would love to paint the room in blue and white stripes nautical theme! Try to upload a picture of what we have done.

A lot of people don't protect their internet connections as they should. I can readily access a lot of wifi networks when I'm out and about and need to try and hop on somewhere although I don't like to take advantage of peoples lack of security so I don't. Many others do though. Of course in the day and age of hotspots you cant assume someone is 'stealing' others internet. BT has 5 million hot spots in the UK alone, that can get you a connection almost anywhere. People park up right outside my mums house (on a very busy main road, with no parking in a popular seaside town) just to use the designated BT hotspot coming out of her kitchen and sit there for up to 2 hours taking up her parking space!!! Looking on BT hotspots there is actually a hotspot right on that corner, Dulwich is a dense hotspot area, they are everywhere. I can see 12 hotspots on Crystal Palace road alone.

Could you sit down with her for the night on your own? Maybe popcorn, DVD, sweets and have a girly night together? Or something else she really enjoys? Try and find out the problem and how you can help, let her know you are there for her whatever she needs. Could it maybe be linked to nightmares? Or simply wanting to spend alone time with a parent if the child is one of a sibling? Possibly something has happened at school and they are looking for reassurance over the holidays and its playing out in separation anxiety. I hope you find a solution thats right for you and your daughter is okay. It may well just be a phase. xxx

I've been through a lot of potions, lotions, creams, steroids, bath additives etc for my daughter who suffers with severe eczema flares all over her body. We are only just now getting it under control with the help of a brilliant dermatology nurse after over 4 years of failed treatments. She now has on off Diprobase (honestly don't know why I trusted it for so long as our daily 'go to' moisturiser) and put us on Doublebase Dayleve gel, this stuff is honestly amazing at helping keep moisture in the skin and not letting any moisture escape which is exactly what eczema needs. It is a world renowned and highly praised moisturiser used by eczema sufferers. Often referred to as the leading moisturiser in the world. We have rigorous skin regimes to stick to morning and night, including antiseptic bath additives, antiseptic soap substitutes, Dayleve gel and 5 different steroids all the way up to high potency but the Dayleve itself is really helping us not have to cover our daughter in steroid as often as we would have before. I cant believe it wasn't recommended to me before. I'd recommend it to anyone, especially in less severe eczema cases as I believe you would probably see significant differences to the skin after just a few days of use. It should be available in sample sizes to trial as we have a sample tube that my daughter carries around to apply herself during the day, check online or ask your GP.

Thats great news number 2! Hope everyone else is getting on okay too xxx

I'm on O2 and have been with them for 13 years. Since moving to London from the coast my signal has been ridiculous. For the last 2 years I've been spending ?40 a month on a contract I can only use 50% of the time. Now I come to upgrade I'm at a loss of what to do. O2 offer me the best prices and package but weak signal that drives me insane especially being cut off a premium rate line 25 minutes in!! But I have no experience of other networks and could end up with something more expense and with even less network coverage. I checked on O2 online signal map which says a mast is out in the se22 area around 3 weeks ago, I don't know if this is a Long running issue..

My daughters bed had waterproof zip covers on the mattress so we didn't need one for her bed. As we co-slept mostly, or she came into our room through the night we had a small waterproof protector from John Lewis that had been handed down from my mum who had used it for all us kids, 20 odd years old and still did its job on the 3 occasions it needed to. It is exactly like they stock now, although they are full size of a cotbed now instead of just a disposable pad size. We also have John Lewis waterproof mattress protectors on all our beds, feel a bit crinkly at first but wear in quickly and all the mattresses are like new, not sweaty either with the plastic underlay. Would recommend them too, reasonably priced. http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-baby-waterproof-soaker-pad/p230507875