rebeccaben

Horniman doesn't open until 10.30. So Friday at 10.30 in the foyer area! Perhaps a wander through the weird animals and then to the conservatory/orangerie thing-y (it is outside next to the museum's cafe). As Jane says, you can park easily behind the gardens or opposite the museum (Wood Vale or Sydenham Rise are the closest streets). xx

Yes please to the Friday meet-up with toddlers!!! The crappy weather makes it even more important to have something to do. The only decent soft play I know is Gambados in Beckenham which is great but does require driving. My only recommendation would be the Horniman as it's always our rainy day go-to place. Mimi never gets tired of looking at the dusty old animals or playing with the instruments in the music room. And then we can gather in the orangerie for coffees and the toddlers can run around together in there? Open to any other suggestions though. Sadly Cheeky Cs is on half-term break until next Friday. xx

4 days at home with a 2-year old. Any great suggestions for toddler-friendly activities somehow linked to the Jubilee or otherwise this weekend?! Would love to try to get to some vantage point for the flotilla on Sunday but pretty afraid of the crowds and traffic.

Hi Jayne, My first baby was very clingy and went through lots of phases (sometimes would only sleep in a moving pram, sometimes only on me, etc). Firstly, I would say that it is almost surely a phase that will end in a couple of weeks or less just on its own. In the meantime you might also try squishing him into a slightly propped up nursing cushion on the sofa. Both of my babies loved that and Sam has currently been snoozing away next to me like this for 2 hours quite happily. Best of luck, Rebecca x

Great idea Jane. The weather is meant to turn again by the end of the week so it'll be good to make the most of this lovely sun! See you guys tomorrow. R xx

We have been in a nanny share for almost 2 years and it's been great. We found a nanny who already had been working for a family for years so we sort of 'joined in' (i.e. we didn't start with two families looking to find a nanny together). From my experience, the answers I can give are: 1. Generally agree which days you will be at which house - it seems to make sense to keep this consistent. 2. When you register with a nanny tax company, they will give you a template contract that you can tailor to your needs. 3. I strongly recommend that both families use a nanny tax company - it doens't cost much and takes so much headache away and personally my nanny appreciates that she gets proper paperwork from us every month and at year end. Plus they are always available to answer questions about tax codes, etc. I have been using PAYE for Nannies and they have been brilliant. 4. Absolutely. This is a real job for your nanny and it is illegal not to be registered as an employer with HMRC and pay over the tax, so both families must do this. The one thing to be careful about is that you ensure that you share the tax code, otherwise one family will pay an unfair share of tax (this presumes you agree a net wage with your nanny and are grossing up - if not, then it doesn't matter). 5. Not that I can think of. 6. Not that I know of. I have never heard of any other families getting this either, but again I'm sure the nanny tax company could advise. Feel free to PM me with any other questions!

Goose Green Centre - http://www.stjohnseastdulwich.org/

Yes, I think the sling is the way to go for The Gardens (or anywhere really that 20+ mums and babies turn up together!). Look forward to catching up again next week and seeing some more new arrivals! R x

what a strange post! how were you 'stung'? obviously you saw the item you wanted and noted the price before making your purchase. if you thought it was extortionate, then you shouldn't have bought it. personally, i think it's a nice shop. yes, it's expensive but it has some lovely things and i think makes a nice addition to LL. if i was a suspicious type of person i would suspect you might be the proprietor of a competing shop...

Jenny and Rosie - I think our three must have had a word with each other yesterday morning when our backs were turned. Sam screamed from yesterday afternoon through until 11.30pm when we both passed out (him on my boob). My charming husband managed to pick that day to have a "working lunch" turn into an all afternoon/evening session at the pub. The joys of parenthood!

What about 2pm at The Plough for a late lunch/nibble/coffee (or all 3 for me!)? xx

I just heard about the Kids Club that The Ritzy does on Sat mornings (Lion King this weekend!). I would love to take my little girl for something different to do but not sure if she is too young. She is almost 2 and does love her TV and DVDs (bad mother, yes). Has anyone else been with a child so small and would you recommend?

Great news Laura! Looks like the Spring Babies Club is doing its part to raise the name Sam through the ranks of the popularity charts. And you're not alone with finding the breastfeeding tricky. Have a look at the breastfeeding homepage on Mumsnet for some advice and tips, I found it really helpful and reassuring. http://www.mumsnet.com/babies/breastfeeding Caroline - you are totally normal! My little guy has generally been a dream compared to my first one, but this weekend he seems to have turned the tables on me and is playing the "crying all the time, feeding non-stop, never happy" game. Charming. I'm ready to play the "throw the baby out the window" game! ;-) Seriously though, just muddle through as best as you can and remember that it will settle down and become more manageable - there is light at the end of the tunnel!! I'll try and make it to Dulwich Park tomorrow depending on the mood of the little monster. x

oh dear...where are we going? unfortunately those that don't read this and go to the plough for 11 will just encounter a locked pub and go home. so i'm going to head to the dulwich park cafe as the weather is nice and hopefully a few ladies will make it! xx

Congratulations Jo! NO PAIN RELIEF??? I am in awe. Hope the hypnobirthing helped - the fact that you are checking the forum and not rocking in a corner means it probably did. Can't wait to meet little Arthur (sweet name!). Rebecca xx

Thanks Jo for offering to book Saturday's breakfast. Please count me and the wee one in! x

Hi Tomk i have done this and removed the wheel from the buggy, but the problem i am having is removing the axle from the wheel? any ideas? many thanks

Hi i need to change the complete rear wheel on our Phil & Ted sport buggy - the replacement wheel has arrived but i can't remove the axle on the existing wheel - any help will be gratefully received! thanks! Ben

Would love to come along to breakfast on the 3rd...and I will bring my new arrival - Baby Sam arrived early yesterday morning, two weeks early! I guess he might be the first baby in our club, although more should be arriving any day now! ;-) Rebecca x

I'm also up for breakfast at the Mag on the 22nd, so please count me in! Rebecca x

At this rate it will probably only be pregnant ladies in Franklins tomorrow! Look forward to seeing everyone. Rebecca x

another vote for Cheeky C's. i went a couple of weeks ago with my 18 month old daughter and she loved it. there's so much for them to do but as it's not an organised class as such, the mums can actually relax a little and have a drink and a chat. alos like that it is on for such a long time so you can just drop in whenever suits you in the morning instead of rushing for a start time. we will definitely be back!

I would agree that normally sole charge is about ?9-10 net per hour. You can possibly do a share, especially if the child with the other family is on the older side (we currently have a share with our one and two kids in the other family). Share price is usually around ?6 net per hour per family. You can check an online calculator to see what the total gross cost to you would be: http://www.nannytax.co.uk/calculator/new-calculator.html

I'm definitely up for the 8th! Can't wait to see everyone again and meet some new people too. Rebecca x

Also try www.ownersdirect.co.uk. We rented villas in Cyprus and France from here and both were amazing and such good vslue as it is from, erm, the owner's direct... This doesn't quite fit your brief as you said you weren't keen on France and it's not near the coast but we rented it this past summer with extended family and everyone LOVED it! http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/fr5465.htm