bluesuperted

I found this comparison really helpful (from a Canadian retailer) when deciding to buy a Manduca as well as my Ergo (and other slings, ahem). Good luck and happy babywearing, it's the best! http://extraordinarybabyshoppe.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/product-comparison-ergo-vs-manduca.html?m=1 Edited to add link!

Eek and if you have a big boy I'd actually recommend the Manduca - gives more space as they grow, has built in infant insert and will allow you to front carry a very hefty boy as you can cross the straps for extra support (til you're ready to back carry). The Ergo is great but is always recommend the Manduca now, have used both for my 2yo. Sorry to complicate (and the Manduca is pricier but worth every penny).

I've always wanted one... But I have four slings (and three are soft structured carriers...) but ?46 is such a steal!

Was just about to put this! But have an extra code, if you use mumsnet20 it should bring the price down to ?46.60 Pretty good deal! I so don't need one either but they are lovely... http://www.zulily.co.uk/invite/lucypucy566/e/rose-and-rebellion-zulily-exclusives-081012.html?tid=referral_email

I think Dunelm Mills is great, their ready mades are really good value (often cheaper to buy and alter than buy material on its own) and they have a very wide selection of fabrics for made to measure. We go to the Dartford branch. It's loads cheaper than JL too.

Hi filmmaker, so sorry you're having such an upsetting time. I don't have any experience of being in an unhappy marriage but I do have divorced parents. I just wanted to say, and I don't want to make you feel worse, that my parents separated when I was 8 and then got back together before finally separating when I was 11. And I definitely knew things were not right or happy. I remember being acutely aware to the extent that when they called us downstairs to finally tell us, I pretended I didn't hear them as I wanted to live in denial a little longer. So the sooner it can be out in the open the better for your child (and you) IMHO. On a very positive note, apart from the odd gripes my parents get on really well now and have been very involved, loving grandparents (even sometimes doing things together) for my son so they've really handled it in a great way over all. All the best with your difficult decisions and take care.

I think if you need to contemplate driving to Stillness school you won't get in, the intake is 3-form but have been researching houses in the area (as we are hoping to move to HOP) and you have to be within 500m at least from what I've gathered so far. God, can't believe I'm now part of these conversations!! I guess that's the way with a two-year old in SE London... :S

I use Dulwich cars with a car seat and you now have to fix it yourself (didn't used to be the case) - I was told this is due to health and safety recommendations they were given, so maybe Rye Cars have been told the same.

I asked my GP to refer me to audiology (for my son's glue ear) who are indeed based at Sunshine House. Appointment takes a while to come through so it might be worth calling, citing parental concern and seeing if you can self refer. A 3yr old's hearing should definitely be prioritised.

You're a star (but we did know that!)

That's great, haha! We think we've worked out who you are too from your username... Guess we'll find out tomorrow (were you involved in a pond-dipping incident with our intrepid 2yo this summer? ;)

Hi all, Wondering if anyone can help. My husband is a teacher at a local primary school and has been made aware of a child with a very difficult home life who is desperate to join the school's guitar club. However the proviso for the club is that each member has a guitar to practice on at home. Needless to say it's not an option for parents/carers to buy one (already uses a school-sourced PE kit). I wondered if anyone here had a child's guitar (that would suit a 9 year old) lying around not being used that they would be willing to donate. My husband would love to pick it up and give it to this child to give them something a bit fun to get involved in. He was planning on buying the child one himself and will do this if necessary but I thought it was worth asking here! Many thanks in advance! BST

Also, we are not loaded, we get by and have a nice life, so I'm under no illusions we are the target group, whenever I've been to Bookstart etc, I've always felt grateful to have that on offer (un-means-tested) but realised it was a perk of living in a diverse (and deprived) area and not something that was to be expected.

This is an interesting debate and the line is blurrier than having a nanny = wealthy. However I can see why they've done it because knowing the high cost of nannies in the area (due to demand and ability to pay) it is probably, in most cases, a pretty accurate proxy for who has the greatest need and who doesn't. If I had chosen to go back to work, a full/part time nanny would have been unsustainable and that does not mean dipping into savings, it means only possible through, say, ?5-10k of debt accruing every year. The situation would also have been tricky with a childminder or nursery but not as bad. Incidentally, myself and the vast majority of SAHMs I know (and I know a fair number) in SE22, SE15, SE5 and SE21 are not supported by wealthy husbands. Most I know have to be careful about paying for classes and groups and welcome free activities. I personally go to one paid for group (Hummy Mummies) and actually see that as fun for us both, but actually my 'hobby'. Everything else I do is a) outside or at mine/friends' houses or b) free. So think there are stereotypes on both sides and in a time of huge cuts I can see why this rough line was drawn.

On H and B note, I like: Hermione (yup Potter fan) Hermia Hero (mild Shakespeare theme emerging!) Halina (variant of Halima, my friend called this is Polish) Hettie Belle (but depends on first name) Bunty (don't think I'd use it but I find it really sweet) Bonnie (ditto) Funnily enough I don't think any H or B names feature on my lists!

But she's so awful in Harry Potter!!! Why I love the name Iago or Jago but could never use it - couldn't bear my child to have such an evil literary twin!

Girls' names would be really fun although I have 3 very strong ideas for girls so I wouldn't be as intrigued from a inspiration/ personal stand point!

And I was just thinking again about the comment re: bullying... Sadly anyone with any name can be bullied and it's down to the bully unfortunately. In my year at school the names of people who were sadly bullied were things like Mark, Neil, Clare and Helen. I was never aware of serious bullying for names alone... And a very good friend of mine was called Arilda which is pretty unique!

Loads of names on my shortlist are here and I think they are lovely and not strange :) And many of the names Mum2be you may think are v unusual are likely to be very historical/biblical I think. I love old testament names and will probably pick a second even though we are atheists too. Definitely horses for courses and I know where I fall!

We have a Golf and the Britax 2-way elite, I love it and my son definitely prefers it to FF when he recently had to on holiday abroad. I read they like RF as once they are up high (ie not in a maxi cosi) they can see loads and get to see things for longer rather than just flying past iykwim. I'm short so it doesn't bother me that it takes up space but I also know people with longer legged passengers who haven't complained about feeling cramped.

That's a strange logic dg2, the most 'traditional' names are still massively popular and you can often find 3 x James, William, Charlie, Benjamin or similar in many classrooms in ED. Plenty of people are still going the traditional route, which is fine but personally I would stay away from top-20 for that reason.

Think Gideon is another great fit with Reuben. Nameberry forum often has great threads on 'sibsets' if you're a name geek!

Belle - oooh love the idea of Sirius but got a resounding eye roll from husband... Ruth - Ahhhh E's middle name is Michael! Did we know that they shared a MN? I love it...even though it's conventional for me! But would never use it as a first name as don't like Mike, you have to be at one with the nickname... Even if like me, you love the nickname but never use it yourself (mother's prerogative!). I love Micah and think it's lovely with Reuben. But I like the meee-kah pronunciation whereas I think most pronounce it Mike-ah? Again brings me back to Mike as a nickname so out for us!

I LOVE unusual boys names even more than I love unusual girls names and am currently struggling with our boy choice for number two as my son's name is my absolute favourite and can't find anything to match it (plus I am totally drawn to names beginning with E but I'm not keen on two Es...). I commented on the last thread but here are some extra thoughts for Reuben: Isaac Sebastian Josiah Jonah Jonas Silas Caleb Also I know a seven year old called Peter, a 20-odd year old and a lovely but sadly deceased dog. Nice name but a little too sedate for me. Oh and imho NEVER tell anyone your name before baby comes is my big advice! We didn't and I'm so glad because people are not rude when you introduce your newborn baby and just accept it, but pre-birth it's like everyone plays an uncontrollable game of word association (or Mallet's Mallet for kids of the 80s) as soon as you so much as breathe a name you like!! I'll be keeping schtum this time again, if we ever decide! *edited to say, I know a third human Peter who is 30 and a really good friend, whoops! He did once forget my name though so we're equal!

Just bumping this for the OP in case anyone had further thoughts.