Polly D

These are pretty useful: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200246/activities_and_things_to_do/768/fun_for_under_fives/1

Hi James Have to echo other people's comments re the Denmark hill traffic lights and the knock-on effect on camberwell green. This evening coming home from work on a 185 at 5.30pm, traffic was at a total standstill from camberwell green to Denmark hill. And pretty much no traffic got through the lights. I got off at CG and walked all the way to lordship lane without one bus passing me. I see from a previous post of yours that work is due to end today or tomorrow. I sincerely hope so; can't take much more of this. Would also like to echo other posts that your presence on the forum is appreciated. Thanks Polly

I loved the Faraway Tree series! There was a series about a magic chair too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wishing_Chair_%28series%29 Or he could try the Borrowers? or Emil and the Detectives?

He sounds like my nephew (aged 10 but English not his first language). He loves The Famous Five. Any good?

Jeez, what makes someone want to flash their bits to innocent bystanders?! And what does it lead to? I grew up in the countyside in the south-east and was unwittingly exposed to (pun intended): Man masturbating at a bus stop (I was 12), and Man who stopped to help my friend and me with a bike puncture, took his willy out of his shorts..., we fled, and Man on train with shorts on got his willy out. At the time we were terrified but didn't tell our parents because we knew they wouldn't let us out again. Looking back I feel they were sad and pathetic. Okay, I understand mental health issues to some extent, but if I came across this now, near my son's nursery no less, I'd be furious. I feel for your wife peeps and hope she, and the old lady are ok.

Advice heard on the radio was to add at least 15 mins to your journey time and that pedestrian traffic would be one-way, like ikea! On another note, I would add at least 20 mins to journey if going by bus through Denmark hill.

prm is right: storytelling is great for babies and upwards. They usually have brilliant (jobbing actors so I'm told) storytellers. However, the craft sessions are suitable for 3 up, I would say. Or if your toddler is capable of cutting and sticking already!

Gosh that's a bit harsh! I couldn't believe how positive they remained, must have been scary. Changing the subject, the Polish girl was amazing.

Are these two for real?! They're made for each other.

We're in need of some sun so we're thinking about going to Croatia over Easter/Royal wedding/bank hol period. But we know nothing about the country except that it is meant to be gorgeous, and perhaps relatively affordable. We'd like somewhere within walking distance of the sea. And no need to rent a car ideally. Any suggestions for a family friendly villa for 2 people and a toddler gratefully received. Thanks P

I would think it's fine! My son (2) is mad about cartons of apple juice. Some might say not to give neat juice because of the sugar but I remember reading advice on here a while ago that it was better to drink Ribena and be hydrated than have a battle over water. I do try to make sure he brushes his teeth well, tho of course this is usually unsuccessful.

Someone else has suggested a homeopathic remedy called euphrasia which is meant to be more gentle. Jamma - I caught my son's eye infection last time he had it and used same drops as him. It didn't stink exactly but was pretty gross as the liquid goes through the sinuses and leaves you with that horrid taste as if you'd swallowed half the English Channel. I do feel for your little one. Hope she's better soon.

Strange - I read your post last night and thought 'poor you' as we had to administer drops in my son's eyes before Xmas and it was pretty dramatic! And then he woke up this morning with conjunctivitis...so back to the drops. What worked for us last time, sort of, is going through a whole rigmarole of saying 'drops for mummy, drops for monkey, drops for iggle piggle...drops for R (my son)!' and then he was quite brave about it but I did have to straddle him and pull his eyelids down and felt awful about it. Someone at work gave me a top tip, make a cammomile tea and when cool, dip a cotton pad in it and wipe over eyes. I haven't tried it yet and don't want to endorse something I haven't tried and could be hocus pocus, but could be worth a try?

Really? That is so good to hear! Thanks. Did your 2 year-old sleep in the bunk bed, or did she need a travel cot?

We are meeting up with lots of extended family on a holiday in Ireland this summer. Getting there, logistically the best bet seems to be an overnight ferry from Swansea to Cork. Our son will be 2.5 by then. Is this mad? We'll be taking his travel cot anyway for the holiday, and booking a cabin for the ferry, but somehow I doubt it will be an easy bedtime. He doesn't get carsick but seasickness could be a different issue (I get it really badly). We don't want to fly because we'll be taking half our home with us and would have to hire a car the other end. Any experiences (good or bad) of taking a similar aged tot overnight on a ferry, and top tips, gratefully received.

My advice would be: don't scrimp on the mattress. There are many advantages to having second-hand stuff for your little one but personally speaking the mattress is something to get just right. The day we moved our son from his moses basket - which to all intents and purposes was a floppy piece of foam - and into his cotbed with a mattress from m&p, he slept through. However, like everything, and as others have said: it's a personal choice and also very much down to trial and error, which can get expensive.

Royal Festival Hall, on the sofas.

You complete superstar! Thanks so much. Her blog tickles me everyday. Hope you enjoy it. P x

Poor you. We are going through similar dilemmas. There was a thread not long ago about this, hope it might help: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,599811

Help - before Christmas I saw a reference someone made to my friend's blog about parenting. I told her about it (she lives in Costa Rica and was very excited) and promised I would send her a link to the thread. I've tried searching for it but to no avail. I know I've referenced it myself a while ago; weird it doesn't come up. I'm sure it was made in ref to something about sterilizing bottles. I thought the forumite who made the reference was Saila or Saffron, or another 'S' but I can't find it. Can anyone help? This is the blog: http://1000reasonsimabadmom.com/ And this isn't a shameless plug for her blog. Thanks

Teary and broody watching this episode last night. Loved Tendayi and Maxwell, especially when he was reading out loud from that book. Was really struck by how chilled all 3 couples were. Wish I'd trained as a midwife, what an amazing profession.

Fuschia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > What makes me cross about this press flurry is > that there is basically no new informtion, it's a > viewpoint based on a selective appraisal of some > of the previous body of evidence, but by the time > it ends up as press reports esp in the tabloids > the message gets so mangled it will lead people to > think that breastmilk to 6m is no longer > adequate... and there was already a lot of > pressure from HVs/MILs/rubbish baby mags to back > the "hungry baby at 4m" brigade. > Really? You know, equally there's a hell of a lot of pressure to 'keep going' with breastfeeding and 'keep off' weaning until 6 months. The truth is we all hear what we want to hear, and it's about making well-informed but personal choices about what's hopefully best for our children.

Those kids are hilarious! Let's talk about horses.

New series starts tonight on Ch4 @ 9pm.

Hi Ole I do suspect, from previous experiences, that it could be an ear infection but he had one at Xmas and had a course of anti-biotics for it. Maybe it hasn't cleared up. Oh dear. P