Lochie

Over the summer I was on a bus from Liverpool street to Denmark hill with my baby in a sling. A woman got on with a toddler in a pram. About 3 stops later a mother pushing her teenage daughter in a wheelchair tried to get on but the lady with pram refused to fold the pram saying it was 'unfair' because she was there first and she didn't want to wake her sleeping baby. I think the whole bus was stunned and there was a lot of tutting and sighing at this woman. The driver indeed reminded her that wheelchairs have priority and turned the engine off until she folded her pram. She never did fold her pram, others just interviened to make way for both buggy and wheelchair. But the consensus from all passengers was total disgust at such a selfish act from the pram owner. I would check with TFL what the policy is because from what I remember the are signs on all buses saying wheelchairs have priority and if the drivers aren't enforcing this they probably aren't doing their job properly. I wish you the best of luck. I've recently started using the tube a lot with a pram and have found it terrible how inaccessible they are for pram and wheelchair users (Brixton seems to be the only station with a lift)....it's a bit of an embarrassment London being the major city that it is (but that is a whole other topic!)

My son was given this as a hand me down from a friend and it's still going strong a few years on http://www.elc.co.uk/Lights-and-Sounds-Fire-Engine/130578,default,pd.html

Yes there are a few trolleys with metal 'trays' over the trolley that you can plonk a car seat on and attach with straps. Or I found it quite easy to walk round with trolley with baby in sling Good luck!

Thanks so much for the advice it is so so useful. I think I just needed reminding. My son is at nursery 2 full days a week I would happily put him in a third but it's too expensive. With having a new baby I think I've tolerated a lot of bad behaviour just to get through the day, as snowboarder said, I picked my battles, but picked less and less of them as baby 2 has got more mobile and needy. This hasn't paid off though! To pick up the slack I overnight became tolerant of nothing and turned into 'shouty mum' which I hate. so i need to readress the balance. I showed this thread to husband last night it's really useful and we both agreed consistency is key.

Please help! My son has just turned 3 and I don't know how to discipline him anymore as he doesn't take me seriously or seem to care! He has started having really bad tantrums where if he doesn't get his way he will literally put himself in danger e.g. Driving up dog kennel hill after sainsburys trip he recently demanded kicking and screaming that I give him a pack of sweets that I'd just bought - as I said no he decided to climb out of car seat in protest. As I refused to give in to him we drove the remainder of the journey home without him strapped in. This is quite a common occurrence, everything is a battle...even getting him to put coat on to go out the house. my current punishments are taking toys away, naughty step, no stories at bed....he either makes such a song and dance I give in (rewarding bad behaviour) or he doesn't care about the punishment and enjoys 'being naughty'. I am a bit stuck on how to find an effective method to help make things easier for everyone. I have a 7 month old and actually he has got a lot worse since she has become more 'grabby' (he has a real thing about 'not sharing') at the moment. Up to a month ago he has been lovely with sis. He had also developed a great deal mentally in last few months I feel my punishments are not sophisticated enough? If anyone has any tips I'd be grateful. I really hate rewarding his bad behaviour by giving in to his dictatorship demands! ;-(

Another vote for Elm Lodge. I've been with them since I was about 3 years old whenever I've lived in London. I've read the thread on the DMC and its pretty easy to get an appt with Elm Lodge - usually engaged when lines open at 8.30am in the morning but after a few tries I've always been able to get one for that day. Also there are some appts available to pre-book. I've got 2 young children and the doctors are good with them too. They do have a catchment though so depends where you live...

Thanks mima. I have gone back to baby rice now at HVs advice. I have tried finger food but she doesn't have the motor skills to get it anywhere near her mouth! I am a bit more relaxed about it now as weigh in this week showed she was 90th centile so I'll just plough on as per above advice and let it happen slowly. hopefully she won't be a fusspot forever! ;-)

Oh thank you both. Bit more reassuring. Yes pickle my son would sit with mouth open waiting for food within a few days of weaning which is probably why I worried a bit this time round as my daughter is the biggest fusspot. I'll try and be a bit more patient ;-)

I am about a month into weaning my daughter onto solids (she is nearly 7 months old) and she is just not interested in food. Every time I feed her with a spoon she uses her tongue to push it out. I have tried home made purees, ellas kitchen pouches, whole bits of broccoli, banana, carrots etc so she can feed herself. It's as if she doesn't know what to do with food when it is in her mouth. I really don't remember it being this frustratingly difficult with my son. Does anyone have any tips? Or is it normal at this stage to literally eat only a spoonful of food a day?! Or if there is a thread on this already anyone know where it is? Thanks in advance :-)

I just want to say I went to little clipper on Monday and Jodie cut my son's hair. She did a great job, really put my usually melodramatic son at ease and all round provided a great experience. I didn't mind paying ?13.50, she spent nearly half an hour with him so I will be back. I live in herne hill and the hairdressers round here seem to charge at least that for a kids cut without the cartoons/cars/chuppa chup at the end!

My son is nearly 3 and I have had exact same problem. I bought about 8 different cups from sainsburys over a year ago, he will drink water from them but only milk from bottle. Consensus from both GP and health visitor were it doesn't really matter, it's only if bottle/dummy are in use constantly and therefore can delay speech/cause dental problems. My GP bluntly said 'i doubt he's going to still be drinking milk from a bottle at 18 is he'. So i gave up the battle and he loves his bedtime bottle of milk and I guess he'll give it up when he is ready (at least I hope so...)

Oh dear whoops sorry if caused offence. I only know the bad Botox look shown in press, if it can be used for a natural look then I had no idea (perhaps that is the point). And yes each to their own etc etc. TBH its less Botox itself and more the fact that ageing is seen as a bad thing that needs to be 'treated' with injections that I object to....perhaps because I've just had a daughter and don't really want her to think that looks are so important. But then I'm probably being naive it will be as normal as face cream when she is 40. Who knows...

How can you compare Botox to make up? Only similarity is they are both there to 'improve' looks. I find idea of Botox ridiculous and the look of Botox even more so.... E.g. The richest of people with access to best Doctors don't look great with it....kylie, Jen Anniston, they don't look younger they just look botoxed!! I also find it a bit frightening in magazines that a 40 year old model might look the same as an 18 year old youth wise. I completely understand the desire to halt ageing especially since having kids - in last 3 years I feel I have aged about 20 years!!! But I'd never resort to needles or knives.if I had time I would defo put make up on each day and get hair done but upkeep of appearance and motherhood don't seem to mix. Maybe I am naieve and Botox will become as normal as fake tan but I really hope not - for me there is a big difference between applying make up and creams externally to improve looks, and injecting a poison into the head!!

Yes thanks cazbee I live round the corner and they were my first port of call as they had the mut in the shop window last week but he's gone now!! Am going to give the dulwich village toy shop a call

Thanks have tried there, no luck they don't have the 'bashful mut' Thanks anyway!

Anyone know any shops locally that stock jellycat cuddly toys? Not Just William though as have looked there. Son lost his treasured jellycat doggy today after 3 years together. He currently believes he has gone on holiday for a while but I know bedtime is going to be a nightmare he is already wobbling about the 'holiday' story :-(

Thanks for the comments. They have helped. I guess I need to look at the detail of reports not just the rating. Really useful thanks again

I need to apply for a primary school for my son next year and am going to visit a number of schools over the next 12 months. We are not tied to property as we don't own in London, so will move near to the school that appeals the most. I've been looking at Ofsted Reports and am mainly going to look at schools that are listed as 'Oustanding'. However, I'm sure I've seen a few comments in the Family Room before suggesting Ofsted ratings are really not that important? Or are they? I'd just be really interested to hear opinions of how indicative they are of the school's performance? Is reputation better than an Ofsted report? The areas I've pinpointed are Beckenham and Honor Oak (and possibly where we live now in Herne Hill as our local school has recently had an 'outstanding' inspection). There are also a few 'outstanding' primaries just beyond Beckenham - I don't really like the area they are in, but will move there if the schools really are worth it as the housing there is affordable. Any thoughts on importance of Ofsted reports appreciated. Or are there better ways of evaluating a school?

We had our then 18 month old son immuized at MediCentre Victoria and it was an awful experience (last yr). Not because the jab was horrible but because their customer service and the centre itself left alot to be desired. Someone was stuck in the lift for half an hour when I was there (lift is only way up, otherwise you have to go down a fire exit that leads onto the station concourse), surly Receptionist, I was 4 months pregnant and was told I had to carry heavy bugaboo down the stairs alone whilst holding toddlers hand because of broken lift. Was told the jab was 70 pounds + 15 registration fee, only to then be told I'd need to pay another 70 pounds for a booster after I had arrived. The Reception was pretty dirty and all in all I wouldn't recommend MediCentre. I complained about the fact I hadn't been warned the cost was 2 x 70 pounds in advance afterwards, and their team then told me 'oh don't worry you don't actually need 2 jabs its just the 1' (convenient). I've since heard from friends that you do need 2 jabs but am probably not going to bother as its too late now (think you need to do it 8 weeks after the first). My GP has also advised against the jab for chicken pox as its not 100% proof and its more dangerous to catch it in adulthood (apparently) as can lead to quite serious pneumonia (am not a doctor so don't quote me on that) so she reckons its better to get it as a child and not immunize. I now have a 5 month old and if I do decide to go for the jab for her and my son I won't go to Medicentre - not sure where else does it but am sure there must be something on Harley St or similar. I've also heard their Victoria branch has closed down anyway. As far as the jab goes it was pretty painless and no side effects in my son after he had it. But as you can probably tell I would advise against MediCentre!!! Good luck

Another recommendation for Rocca from me! Went there for first time last month after I got sick of my Mum raving about it. Staff really friendly and they didn't make me leave pram in particular area when we sat down to eat or fold it down. They are also are much better than Pizza Express at toddler meals, really cheap for a freshly made pizza (think it was about ?4) for my 2 year old - and they went out of their way to ensure we were comfortable despite it being busy and super hot. It's really nicely done inside and the food is great value for money - think most expensive main is about ?14 (fresh fish), they have nice wines and free chilled bottles of filtered water for the table. My mother in law who is half Sicilian insists she eat there everytime she comes down so I imagine the food is very authentic too. Defo recommend for family meal... Sorry to hear about your semi-blackout BST that happened to me last time but at the DKH Sainsburys who were equally nice and got me a chair to sit in the queue at the checkout and also offered to buy me a coffee at Starbucks! Think in general society is very helpful ;-)

We didn't at our nursery (Nelly's). The settling in period lasted one to two weeks and started at just a few hours of attendance on day 1 with mum or dad, then leaving baby for a few hours, then for half a day etc. I expected to be charged but wasn't. In hindsight why should they charge your regular rate when you are not using the full day? I was impressed that our nursery didn't charge us, it showed they were looking at the bigger picture I.e. A good relationship with parents that would hopefully buy good will and a desire to stay on. If you are unhappy I don't think it is unreasonable to question the nursery and suggest a compromise e.g. 50% of usual cost

No offence taken katgod, will look at other thread too! Hmmmm ok maybe I'm being sold by glossy brochure and putting rose tinted view on what is basically a caravan park....back to daydreaming about villa with pool...

Has anyone been to a Eurocamp? Would you recommend? Am looking at booking for southern France or Italy next year when we will have 1 year old and nearly 4 year old. We haven't been abroad yet but it seems quite cheap. We aren't really campers but I've seen you can stay in mobile homes and it seems like there could be lots to do for young ones, but just going on the brochure really! Any good?

I would really recommend going to John Lewis Oxford st or sloane sq. A whole floor of women's clothes, concessions and JL own brand. You will be bound to find something and it's really nice to be able to go into a changing room with lots of brands....no traipsing round different shops. Also the sales staff really helpful so you can ask for help on fit and sizing without being met with a rolling of the eyes from teenage sales staff (a la topshop)! The other thing I've done recently is go on websites of well made classic brands eg hobbs, whistles, and buy classic pieces in the sale that may not be in season now but will be in 6 months. I had your problem in the last year and one thing that really helped was to not be influenced by trends but just buy stuff that suits your figure. Good luck!

Little L has had that on her neck folds so many times! Looks so sore when it flares up. I used sudocream which helped a bit but the best cream I used recently was arnicare, it made it much better within 24 hours (says it's for bruises but seemed to do job) x http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arnicare-100238-Arnica-Cream-50g/dp/B0013GAQQI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343592198&sr=8-1