newtoedf

My daughter's took a while recently as the counter signatory didn't see the first letter from the passport office asking for verification so they had to write again. I'd recommend gently double checking with the counter signatory just in case! Also - remember to renew it when the child turns 5! I forgot they only last 5 years which meant a major change of plans. I know a few others who have too!

I think 3 is when they start lessons on their own rather than with the parent in the pool too. They start with ducklings and then move on to preschool before stage 1. I was told that children can't start stage 1 until they are 5 which can mean doing the same level for a while. However, my daughter never complained and was moved to stage 1 when she was only just 4 so I think it probably depends who you speak to... Definitely go in and see them as the phone is hardly ever answered. I've been really pleased with the lessons and the teachers but I do think it makes a big difference if you are able to do extra swimming with your child as well as half an hour a week is not a lot. I used to love the chance for a half hour swim on my own while my daughter had her lesson then she'd join me for a splash for half an hour after her lesson.

In case anyone is wondering after last night's excitement, the fair is definitely on! Bellwood road is still closed but the main entrance is open.

Hi - the fair is definitely on! Access is through the main entrance but Bellwood Road is still closed so use lanbury road instead - please spread the word!

I was starting to think I'd just got the season wrong for ballet but have just seen a groupon for copelia at the coliseum 11 - 14 July which we are going to try. http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/london/curated-by-groupon-events/23323844?p=1&nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_178&a=9&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&sid=0372f07a-bca0-46a2-8a80-49e3959ecc74&division=london&uh=19a55154-bbfb-47dc-979f-4906931ce64d&date=20132706&sender=rm&s=body&c=deal_img&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=curated-by-groupon-events-23323844 Note that it says that they will not admit under fives though!

Also worth mentioning - I've just had a mumsnet swears by email with a 5% discount code for Ultrasun.

Thanks for all the replies - very helpful suggestions. Will give these a try and see what works. I hope it isn't just low spf that's the answer though - we are pretty careful about covering up but I like the reassurance of a sunscreen for the bits you can't cover. I am a bit paranoid about the sun having grown up in the tropics and burned a lot as a child myself but also, my son had a bad burn to his chest 18mths ago and has very delicate skin there that we need to be super careful about.

My children seem to be allergic to most sun cream even things that say they are suitable for sensitive skin. Both have very fair skin so it is essential. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you!

Sounds like a tough day at the coal face. My daughter had some spectacular tantrums at that age and my son who is 2.5 seems to be attempting to outdo her record so I feel your pain! One thing I have noticed with both of mine is that the worst tantrums seemed to occur when I had overpowered them to force them to do something like get out of (or into) the bath or just remove something dangerous from their grasp. I try (but don't always manage) to find other ways round the issue now and make it a game for example. I wonder if the other mums were being disapproving or if it just seemed like that. I don't think I know any parents who haven't been there themselves and aren't just thinking "thank god it's not my turn". If they really were disapproving it is almost certainly because their own little angels are too young to get up to such tricks and poor deluded souls that they are, they think that's down to their brilliant parenting... Pity them, they'll soon learn the truth! V unhelpful neighbour though

I worried a lot about whether or not I should be getting my daughter started on phonics before she started school but although she loves stories she wasn't really interested and I didn't push it but worried I was letting her down by opting out. However, as soon as they started phonics in reception she was fascinated, and now is making use of the books and games I got her last year by the third term of reception is reading quite independently. By which I mean, she picks up story books we had already at home and reads them to herself with requests for help on particular words. Which is really just to say phonics is an amazing teaching tool, they do it brilliantly at school and when children are ready to learn they will just soak it up - so if you do what I do and buy a load of books that your child isn't interested in, don't despair!

ooh also meant to add - we had wooden worktops in our last kitchen and it was a disaster, we just didn't get round to oiling them often enough and they looked pretty ropey as a result. Also if you want to waste a lot of time try looking at kitchen photos on Houzz.com

Our kitchen came with the (new build) house and it looks like the developer worked through some sort of modern kitchen check list as we've got: induction hob - brilliant - so fast to heat up and really child friendly - the rings themselves are not hot unless a pot is on them. Haven't had any issues keeping it clean. We've got a built in electric oven and a large built in microwave that can also be used as an oven which helps with capacity. white corian work top - still looks good after 2 years, love that it is seamless high gloss cupboards - don't seem to have an issue with sticky finger prints built in fridge and freezer - avoid! The freezer is tiny! Deep drawers - great but would also love a pullout larder/pantry. woodfloor with underfloor heating - lovely but temperature changes take a long time

I've used a fair few with my two, I much prefer carrying to pushing a pram and found it much easier to keep up with an active toddler with a newborn when I was wearing the baby rather than pushing him around. I have found that different slings/carriers are better for different stages/ages and activities: Baby bjorn (handy round the house but not good with a heavy baby as well as baby support issues described above). Coorie (a kind of thick fleece band which is easy to use and good for popping on and off quickly.) Moby wrap (really comfortable and easy to tie once you are used to it but I did get fed up of all the material in the summer). Woven wrap (better than a jersey wrap when the baby is a bit bigger as it is not so stretchy and the more independently-minded child finds it harder to escape!) Manduca - I'm still using this with a hefty 2.5 yo because the weight is so well distributed.

My 5 yo is very keen on ballet (as is her little brother)and I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for shows to take them to. They'd both be happy so sit for up to an hour. We saw the christmas show at the royal ballet the year before last which was amazing but i'm struggling to find something they'd like without wading through the small print of every show in the season (sorry this is really me just saying - I'm too lazy, has anyone done this already?!) I think they'd probably prefer classical ballet. Thanks!

We are in the fortunate position to like the school at the end of our road but one thing that I had not realised before my daughter started there was how much we would all love being so close to the school. It's not just a matter of convenience (although that helps) but there is a fantastic community around the school and connected to it, that we would not be part of if we lived further away. It would also be much harder to support your child's friendships. Moving into the catchment just to get a place and then moving back once you've got it, would mean you'd miss out on all of that side of things.

Thought it worth pointing out that even where a development passes the daylight sunlight planning criteria it may well still interfere with a neighbour's right to light as these are quite separate calculations. The RICS has a useful guide http://www.rics.org/Global/Downloads/RightToLight.pdf

we got ours at emmanuelle marshall in the ed warehouse

I've used them for my two and had the same experience as others mention above, generally work well and not much more work. Definitely better than disposables at containing poo explosions. Between them my two went to 1 nursery and 2 childminders in cloth nappies - no-one ever batted an eyelid so I wouldn't worry too much about how childcare might be affected. Also, and this is purely anecdotal, it is possible that children in cloth nappies are out of nappies sooner. My two were both in training pants from 20 mths and my daughter was completely dry from 27months. My son is 28mths currently and has an accident probably every other day so is getting there.

The standard practice is for the school to send out a letter on their letterhead and enclose the leaflet from the student support centre. The school are very clear that they are circulating this but not (I hope!)about the sales practices of the firm involved. That's why it is probably a good idea to alert them in advance. I dropped a letter of complaint in this morning to the head and one to the chair of governors and explained the situation to the office staff - we'll see what this afternoon's book bags hold...

LA school - an awful lot of schools are caught out by this firm. It might be worth sending a copy of the article to your school and warning them in advance. Hindsight is a wonderful thing...

I don't really want to name the school - I'll be handing in my letter of complaint tomorrow so I'd rather deal with it that way. Posted this mainly to warn anyone else receiving a similar letter.

We've just received a letter home from school about the student support centre. If you get one too then I suggest you read this article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/9018047/The-2700-tuition-hard-sell.html It's not exactly a scam but very sharp practice at least, signing people up to a credit agreement which they can't get out of if they decide the programmes don't suit their child. Several thousand pounds for something you don't want would be a big issue for most. The schools receive a fee for the number of forms they send back.

I've got a copy of a booklet called "milk-free zone" which the dietician gave me about a dairy free diet if that is any help in the meantime? I think you might live quite close to us.

My little boy was on nutramigen until just after his 2nd birthday by which time he'd grown out of his allergy. Ask the HV for a referral as you need to discuss calcium supplementation. Mini-newto was starting to refuse his bottle at the end so I had a long and helpful discussion with the dietician about alternatives (the suggestion was a syrup that you give once a day). V unhelpful GP!

Sorry, I mean that when you hire a car normally you pay by the day so if you want to leave on Saturday morning and return on Sunday night you might end up paying for Friday and Monday too to allow for pick up and drop off. With zip car you'd just book it for the specific hours you needed, eg. 9am Saturday to 10pm Sunday, it can make quite a difference.