echo

there is a smaller handle stick for the mirco scooter which makes it perfect for 1/2 year olds. My DD2 (two soon)has it and she was scootering a whole year earlier than her big sister.

Thanks for posting everyone, with your experiences. Our holiday was a camping sumer camp, so lots of communal activities and meals at the Yarner Trust in Devon. Alas, they have told me (after much thought) that we can not attend. It's a shame as I was really looking forward to our holiday. So we will have to wait and see if DD1 does develop the dreaded rash. Apparently it is much worse for siblings?

OH no- our camping holliday about to start this weekend and our youngest daughter has got chicken pox. The spots started last saturday. The big question is whether my eldest daughter will get it too?

Oh dear, as a SAHM I feel if I visit the local ones again (se5, se15, se24) I will scream!.... So we went Hyde Park last week and to Wandsworth Common over the weekend.. lovely.. it felt good to explore Which other ones can anyone recommend? Especially at the end of bus routes up north, west or east...

I got a 'puky' bike for my 4 year from Brixton Cycles. They took the pedels off so she can use it as a balance bike first, then the pedels, therefore skipping the stablisers stage. Its a good bike, but seems heavy to my untrained eye....

thanks for posting this:)

I agree horrible. No excuse. How much they get paid is part of how well they get treated? These 'nannies/au-pairs' get significantly less that the living london wage of ?8.50 per hour. How much?? ?200/400 per month live in?? for long hours, no leave? Does anyone know of any organisations who support immigrant workers and tackles discrimination and exploitation? Also it would be good to know what sort of things makes a 'good' family to work for? Any au-pairs willing to share their thoughts?

My little one is at "The Nest' Pre-school at Longfield Hall, Minet Road. It is a lovely place for 2.5 years to 5's. You may need more than the part-time hours they do, 5 mornings with 3 afternoons. It is also a very popular, so it depends when you need the place for?

What about carrying him in a sling until he is a little bigger? You may find he then settles into his pram??

There was a simular thread on this recently. I paid the london living wage for my 'mothers help'

Would using the term 'mother's help' be a better way of describing the type of role you would like? Last year I found a wonderful 'mothers help' via the EDF to give me a bit of respite a few hours a week. She was a student nurse and was brilliant at doing a range of tasks, including babysitting, taking the kids to the park, cooking their meal etc etc. Mostly I was at home, but occasionally I would leave her in charge whilst I got on with things childfree (hooray!) I put an ad on the EDF and offered the London Living wage. I was pleased with the responses and we found our brilliant H. She is working full time now, but I know if we need her, I can call and she may be available. There are lots of very suitable people out there, maybe look for someone who is very interested in play? who is studying in a related field such as a trainee primary teacher/social worker/ etc? But mostly it is someone who is motivated to make your children happy because they like them, respect them and are interested in doing the sort of things they like. Good luck with finding someone

it is very, very light at the moment- it's effecting us all. Mid summer maddness.....

I do, although I also worry..

Mine slept naked last night, with no bed clothes... They kicked them off...

Can any recommend their childminder in the Tulse Hill/Herne Hill areas? My friend who lives in the area is starting to look for her young son. I'm never sure how far the EDF operates, but I thought I would ask..

we have a stokke- brillant and good for when they quickly grow into toddlers

Magic circle are changing to Tuesdays. It's on tomorrow:)

I've never made it yet? Is it on this Thursday?

mine did:)

Has anyone read this book?? I've heard about it but not read it... Shattered: Modern Motherhood and the Illusion of Equality by Rebecca Asher

I'm more of a roundhead, than a royalist, but I do know this event is on at Battersea Park.. not for republicans

I have no experince of the maxi scooter. My youngest has the mirco with the 1-2 year old shorter attachment. She has been scooting since 1.5 years, a whole year quicker than her sister with the normal height micro.

Thanks for you 'no-nonsense' approach Minder. Thats what my mum would say. I will say I have tried most approaches including pin down and telling her she will get dressed NOW!! NOT worked. Yesterday we went to the park bared legged. I then asked another Mum to dress her, she allowed it but then had a complete fit of tantrum. Bless, she took her leggings off but nappy stayed on- Result:) Pleased to hear more toddlers are like this. I don't think most are, but my second daughter is.

You have a gut feeling her speech is not quite right, so Fuschia's idea to speak to a professional is the best. There seems to be (still) a lot of provision for speech language support in Southwark. Also your GP/health visitor should know more about local services. There was a drop-in 'speech play group' run for toddlers at the Magdna Pub on lordship lane? Just googled and 'talking Tots' came up, but there was defiantly another one. Maybe worth thinking about?

She was bare legged at the weekend. If you do see a naked toddler, refusing to sit in a push chair, please don't think I've just forgotten to dress her or strap her in!