Norfolkvillas

@Lottie87, I have been in the position of moving whilst pregnant - or at least I was pregnant when the whole house-selling / -hunting shebang started - we didn't actually move until my son was born and about 4 months old, but we ended up moving into rented which meant the additional complexity of storage and a further move when he was 11 months. My point is that I found the actual moves very stress free - it was the anticipation and worrying about it beforehand which was much more stressful than the reality. I would really recommend just throwing a bit of money at it if you can and have people come to pack for you and do the move - for a studio, I can't imagine it would be more than a couple of hundred quid, and it makes the world of difference knowing you just continue your normal life right up until the day before the move, with no other preparations to worry about. We have always used a company called Clockwork who I think are excellent, but there are also plenty of recommended 'man and van' services on the forum who I'm sure would offer this service... Good luck!

The latest timetable says Monday Jelly Babies starts at 11am, but I'm not sure if that applies on Bank Holidays...

I haven't personally visited either (unfortunately) but I bet the spas at either Coworth Park or Syon Park are top notch. The latter prob just under an hour's drive from Dulwich, Coworth perhaps slightly further? http://www.londonsyonpark.com/spa/spa-intro.php http://www.coworthpark.com/spa For something in central London, I hear the Espa spa at The Corinthia is 4 floors of amazingness: http://www.espalifeatcorinthia.com/

My son is just coming up to two and a half and I feel like we've only just hit the 'speech explosion' stage. I got some informal advice from a friend of a friend who is a SLT a while back, and haven't sought further help after reading reassuring posts from others on the forum who are at the same stage / age. Am interested in your comment about bottles Lochie - I would never before have made any association between bottles and delayed speech, but my son still has 3 bottles a day.... hmmm....

Not sure if it might be too far away, but there's a Clapham / Wandsworth mum's forum called nappyvalleynet.co.uk which I still read from time to time, and I see jobs posted on there, specifically targeted at part time mums, so it might be worth having a peruse / signing up to the newsletter if that kind of area is feasible for you - they're pretty much always very locally-based roles. As an employer, I actively recruit mums returning to work for certain part time positions, which has so far been really successful - the theory is that if I can offer interesting work and the right hours, then in return I get a very loyal and committed employee (usually with significant amounts of life / work experience under their belts) - it's a win / win. (Unfortch my company is based miles away in deepest West London, and I wouldn't wish my commute on anyone for a part time role!) My point is that being a mum returning to work after a break is definitely not always seen as a negative. There is another website which is prob similar to the one referenced above called jobs4mothers - that might be worth a look?

Both Martinhal and Domes can book airport transfers and you can specify a car seat. I think most dedicated family-friendly resorts would offer this service.

We use Taxing Nannies who were considerably cheaper than Nannytax and seemed much more knowledgable on nanny share set ups.

We went to Domes of Elounda in Crete last year with our then 20 month old. That would tick all of your boxes, and you get your own private plunge pool. If you search the forum I think I've given lengthier feedback on it in the past. Likewise with Martinhal in Portugal - the Ocean Houses are great for families and it's not really self catering unless you want it to be. Someone else on the forum has also been and enjoyed it. Other places to look at are Porto Sani Village (Greece) which friends have raved about, and for this year, I've also been looking at Borgo Egnazia in Puglia (from memory, I think its the grand suites which have two separate rooms) which looks beautiful but quite pricey, and I haven't been blown away by that part of Italy when I've visited previously... Hope this helps!

Sorry for yet another nursery thread, but I've searched and searched and can't find any previous feedback on the Upland Rd branch of Mother Goose nursery - have read plenty of lovely things about the Greendale branch, but would really appreciate any feedback from current / past parents with little ones at MG Upland Rd. I've been to look around, and whilst the interiors were a little on the shabby, I liked the fact they had numerous different spaces, and I loved the outside space - my son would adore helping to look after the bunnies! I also really liked that some of the staff have been there for many years. My son would be going 3 mornings a week from the age of 3 (that is, assuming I can secure a place... but that's for a different thread!). Any feedback would be much appreciated - thanks in advance!

This sounds brilliant, I will definitely be taking my toddler who is mad about trains! Thanks for highlighting!

The Phil n Teds one is SO light and portable, so if you're actually planning on carrying it anywhere, I would recommend it - it's about the same weight as a largish handbag. I think they're pricey, but I found one in brilliant nick second hand - travel cots are often used infrequently, so quite a good thing to purchase second hand as a general rule, I would have thought. On the other hand, I once used a friend's Mamas and Papas one which was really easy to put up, but I could barely lift it up the stairs let alone travel with it.

Is this the boarded up double fronted house on the corner opposite The Actress? I have always wondered what that is / was!

I second the recommendation for Martinhal - we went when my son was 10 months and all of us enjoyed it. We've also been to Domes of Elounda in Crete last year when my son was about 20 months, which we found similarly relaxing and family friendly - I think I've recommended both places before on the forum if you do a search.

Maldives is 10 hour flight away, and BA fly direct now. There are plenty of amazing places to stay within a half hour speedboat ride or seaplane from the capital, so transfers are quick and hassle-free. Absolutely bugger all to do once you're there, but amazing diving / snorkelling to fulfil the excitement quotient... Happy to recommend places to stay if that would help

Congratulations to all. I've just today had my 12 week scan, and am officially expecting my second baby on 7th October, a month before my son will turn 3. All very exciting, but am also hoping I will stop feeling so sick at some point soon!

I am almost certain that the maxi cosi plus adaptors fit straight onto the easy fix base. It's been over a year since we put our maxi cosi away, but I'm 99% sure it was possible

Perhaps an infant probiotic might help replenish good bacteria? My son spent from 10 months to 18 months struck down by tummy bug after tummy bug. 48 hour bugs could last for weeks - it was grim for all. I started giving him a daily probiotic (health food shop on lordship lane has several infant ones to choose from - we use Udo's Choice) and it has made a world of difference - bugs much less frequent and he is far less affected by them. I think after a course of antibiotics is one of the times that probiotics are particularly recommended. Could be worth a try? They're not cheap though unfortch...

My two year old, who only has a handful of words, keeps calling "Joan, Joan" in a sorrowful tone - he is really missing her. I also heard she is going to set up on her own, but hasn't yet found a venue. I hope she does soon, my son is heartbroken!!

Another vote for the nappy lady's technique as described above. My son hated it as much as our usual nappy changing scenario, but the difference is that you are in complete control and can get it done in minutes without crap going everywhere and you ending up in tears as well as them! It was just a phase and now my 26 month old is happy to be on the changing table. From memory, the phase lasted a couple of months....

We've got quite a few years before our son will go to school, but we're in the lower numbers of Friern, and I think wouldn't be within catchment for the first round of places on distance - we're almost equidistant from our two closest - Heber and Goodrich both just over 400m away. I guess I'm just hoping that, as we are surrounded by primaries, and all ED primaries seem to be good / improving, we'll get a place at one of them by hook or crook. Was pleased to find out that Harris Boys, literally around the corner from us, has just been rated Outstanding, so at least that's secondary sorted!

Just adding my voice in support of Piplings - as a parent on the waiting list for both sites (lucky for me that they are both within practical distance of me), I really do think it's a shame that a nursery whose principles and credentials are an asset to the area have been put in this situation. Pipling, is there somewhere else (more official) we should register our support of you?

Gratitude from Norfolkvillas too - looks like this will be a great resource!!

Hi again Catgirl If you could face a slightly longer drive (circa 4.5 hours from ED I think) to Salcombe (or maybe even it's possible to fly to Plymouth??), there's a 2 nights for the price of 1 deal with Mr & Mrs Smith at South Sands which would give you a 2 bedroom family beach suite for 2 nights for a total of ?320. The beach suites look really cute and family-friendly, and Salcombe is super-picturesque. I don't think they have a creche though. I checked a random weekend in March and it looks like there's still availability... http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/south-sands if you think this might be an option Edited to add: or what about The Pig in Hampshire - they have 2 bedroom family suites for ?250 a night: http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/the-pig and this should be easily reachable from ED within a couple of hours drive. Friends have been (admittedly not with kids) and adored it.

Was it this thread here - I recommended (and still do) Calcott Manor http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,680147,680245#msg-680245

As I crossed the junction of Friern and Underhill at 7.20 this morning, there were armed police (do they all carry guns nowadays - I must be getting old) stationed at intervals down Friern Road, and police dogs looking in front gardens...