srisky

Options 1-3 and a little bit of 4 (a small-moderate compromise) #2 was thanks to our base rate tracker, which allowed as to have very very low mortgage repayments for over 5y #5 depends on what you mean by "much older" cantthinkofaname Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We are thinking of selling our large 1 bed flat > for something bigger. Naturally this won?t be in > East Dulwich anymore as it?s eaten itself but we?d > like to stay south of the river as our jobs are > here. I?m interested to know how on earth others > got on the second rung of the ladder. I fear it?s > going to be harder than being a first time buyer > even though we have decent equity. > > Side note, although we could move to a 2 bed flat, > it seems like a bad use of funds: big stamp duty > fee, gain an extra small bedroom but not much more > overall square footage. So, like everyone else, > we?re trying to jump to a pre-war house. > > How did you do it? > > Did you suddenly come into some money, e.g > inheritance? > Did you save like crazy to plug the difference? > Take out a big mortgage and stretch yourself? > Compromise hugely on area and pray it changes? > Wait until you?re much older? > > Any real life experiences, good or bad, would be > gratefully read.

Thanks, both - we'll check out the maxi and then hopefully get a second-hand one from the forum (pink, please if anyone is selling - my DD always had gender neutral things as a baby/toddler and now is defiantly pink crazy!)

Thanks, missee22, good to know that this happens and can improve! Monniemae - I will check out that app! Belle - I feel your pain! Thanks for the link - my son's poos are very very soft (TMI) so not constipated but I definitely need to watch for any withholding so we don't end up with a new set of issues.

That would be really helpful, thank you - I will PM you. Pickle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Yes, it will be fine. My daughter moved to a maxi > at about that age (she had worn out the micro), > and she's pretty average height. You're welcome > to come and try one of ours for size if you like?

My 4.5y old and 2.5y old are battling over the mini micro and, instead of buying a second mini micro, I was wondering whether to just get the maxi for the 4.5y old. She is about 105cm, which is probably average-to-small for age - is that too short for a maxi? John Lewis states from age 6y but it also states the mini is from 3y and my kids were using it from 2+yrs. Thanks!

Thanks all for taking the time to post. We also have a wee song and poo song, as well as a wee dance and poo dance, which we used with success for my elder child! Yes, maybe he is too young - he was at stage when he would tell us he had done a poo so we felt he may be ready for training. He's definitely not comfortable with the poo in his pants but I think he doesn't want to admit he has done it! I think he must have picked up on an element of frustration from me/us, as the accidents seem to happen at the worst time (the latest one was just before I was about to leave for work). We'll play it by ear and keep in mind your suggestions - thanks, again.

Not sure how to deal with this so I welcome any advise.... ....we started potty training our 2.5y old son in July and he is ok with wees (occasional accidents but can take himself to the loo and is generally dry). Poo is a totally different issue - we did the whole naked from the waist down, then commando etc and he did manage a few poos in the potty, several on the floor near the potty but he had the general idea and it was a matter of getting his timing right between feeling the urge to go and actually going. We have now totally regressed and over the last week every poo has been in his trousers and he has even stopped telling us he has done it. It has made going out difficult, as we don't know when it will happen, and I am fed up of cleaning crap! How should we tackle this issue? Luckily, he has no attachment to his poo so is not upset when it is flushed away. We have tried praise, bribes etc. Thanks!

I second tippitoes - both my son (2.5y) and daughter (4.5y) use it and climb on and off themselves without the seat slipping off.

You're right! Looks like the majority of major terminals and stations in between would be covered (London bridge, Victoria, kings cross st panc, Waterloo/Waterloo East, charing X plus Thames Link). Thanks to all 3 of you for your help!

That's really helpful, thank you! I will do some number crunching to work out whether it works out cheaper once leave etc is factored.

Thanks, both - yes, I thought there may be no such thing. Problem is that the journeys are by different train operators (South eastern and Southern). 4 days a week I travel Kent House-Herne Hill and then North Dulwich-London Bridge and back, so was wondering if there was a cheaper alternative to PAYG

I use national rail only between zones 1-4. I have different start and end stations depending on the day, so standard season ticket with stations specified is no good. Is there such a thing as national rail only travel card to use at any station within defined zones? The regular 1-4 travel cards cover tube, bus etc which I rarely use and is more expensive than using oyster PAYG for my commute. Thanks

How desperate they must have been to take the risk. Righty Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I think we're getting beyond the Calais issue > now. > > However, the death of those brothers was > absolutely tragic - but their parents' decision to > shove them on an inflatable boat across a major > shipping lane was lunacy. They took a very > unfortunate risk with the lives of their children.

Hello, welcome to ED! (Although we have actually moved). There have been quite a few threads about nurseries so worth doing a quick search. General recommendations are: - My Favourite Nursery, Upland Rd (which is where my kids are/were) - Gumboots, Crystal Palace Rd - little Jungle, Amott Rd - Mother Goose, Upland Rd - there's a relatively new Montessori on Barry Rd - Mother Goose, Greendale - bright Horizons, in Sainsbury's car park - Piplings, Peckham Rye (although I have heard some not great things about this one - I can PM you if you need specifics) - no doubt I have forgotten some equally good ones! The waiting lists are variable (but long). Worth visiting a few so you can decide what feels right for your child, the ease of commute to and from work after drop off, distance from your home. Another aspect that is important to consider (and you can only find this out from other parents) is how good the admin staff are at handling your money and queries. Our nursery, My Favourite Nursery, are very good wrt this. Child minders/nannies are another option if you are not set on nurseries. Good luck!

Also remember that people remember their childhoods and their parenting skills with rose-tinted specs. Much in the same way that their darlings always slept through, always are their greens and never forgot their P's & Q's. Flash forwards 20y and we may become those same people, too!

Does anyone know whether we can take ella's pouches (120ml) in our hand luggage on a Ryan Air flight? The info online refers mainly to infants but my son is 2y and we'll be flying during his meal time. I don't think emptying the contents into a clear bottle would work for him - part of the appeal is the pouch itself. I called Ryan Air but I am not convinced the guy knew what he was talking about! Thanks!

Yes, without question!

On the thread in the general section the buggy has been returned!

thanks!

I am no longer an ED resident but will be driving through that area next week - does anyone know which stretch of Underhill rd is affected (in relation to other roads, rather than house numbers)? Thanks

My husband and I (and, therefore, our kids) are non-white and race has not been an issue for us. We are friends with quite a mix of people in ED (from at least 4 different continents), so don't let apparent lack of diversity put you off! Good luck with your move!

Anyone have any experience of the infant (Reception & Yr 1) drama and/or dance classes? Would you recommend? Thanks

Sweet dreams are made of cheese

helena handbasket Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We added a bed rail when my son switched > to it from his cot. It's a good size for bedtime > snuggles, and when he's ill and sleeping in my bed > with me, daddy sometimes ends up in it. He's five > now and he'll be in it for a long time yet. Easily > my best baby purchase. Also contemplating this for our son's first bed - which bed rail fits the day bed? Thanks

No problems with parking around there but would avoid Ruskin Walk.