bluesuperted

Wow glad to change lives! Especially as I forgot the link, here 'tis: http://www.theimaginationtree.com/?m=1

Absolutely agree, thank you for saying something. I walked down my road last week dodging what can only be described as a ridiculous trail of (still warm!!) dog poo and it made me so sad and so so angry! I wish the council earnt itself money by properly patrolling and fining people. They would make a fortune in Peckham I'm sure. Oh and in the dog free bit!!!!! Extra extra rage!

Check out the fantastic imagination tree blog online and on Facebook (local mum, think she's on here too, with loads of play-based ideas and a big following). She does a great series called 'invitation to play' where she sets up inviting but simple play ideas for her little ones. I've started doing my own version for my 22mo where I assemble a few bits and bobs every day before bed so there is something new for him to explore when he comes downstairs. For example I might put a playmobil man on a horse on top of a saucepan or pull out some wooden animals he hasn't looked at for a while and put them on his table or in the middle of the carpet. Or set up his teddies with his tea set and some cutlery... I find it engages him better than a big load of toys first thing. I also do this on Friday and Saturday evenings when I know my husband is getting up with him! Oh and if I'm full of energy after naps (not that my ideas are labour intensive anyway but you know what I mean!).

My mum was termed 'geriatric mother' in the 80s when she had my sister. She was 33.

I remembered this thread from ages ago and actually looked it up last week now that we are in the (early days!) realms of Duplo and playmobil - found it hilarious! Don't quite have the need for this hallowed box yet but did finally get an Expedit for our open plan downstairs and it had changed our lives already! It's so much better having the toys in easy, ordered bliss - I agree it makes them easier to play with for both parents and children alike! Really recommend compartmentalising over massive toybox of junk! So much better all round and turning untidy me into someone who quite enjoys tidying up my son's things now!!

nikki73 - not sure actually, good point. We were there at 5pm and left by 6pm but that was our choice! No mention was made of a latest time for little ones and there were quite a few kids there when we left (the outside space and table tennis table makes it have a real family vibe).

Yes please PM the name if you don't want to do it publicly ;) I think it's extra outrageous if not even fruit was on offer! I find that if I am in a coffee shop (fairly rare with my toddler now as he's so active), I am always up for buying him something if there is something a) healthy and b) well priced, but I would have no qualms about feeding him something I brought with me; funnily enough I don't think he'd understand if I explained the finer points as outlined by the waitress. RE: The Chandelier - they are so anti-parents/kids in there, awful, I haven't been back since they told me that they had too many prams (I was entering with a 4mo in a sling!) already.... I wish we were more Continental in our approach to dining with kids, although having said that I went to the relaunch of the Rye last night (really fab inside and out btw) and they were wonderful with our 22mo. We ordered him a small side and gave him some healthy bits off our plate but didn't bat an eyelid while he munched on oranges and strawberries before the food turned up - presumably because they had some experience/knowledge of under-3s and their patience thresholds?!

My son also got his first tooth at just under 4 months and exhibited signs before then. He had loads of teeth by the time he was 6 months (can't remember, maybe 8) and had 16 by first birthday. Funnily enough teething only really bothered him much later on and it never made him miserable just wakeful.

I think you're not overreacting. I'd be really irritated, toddlers have to eat lots of snacks every day to maintain energy levels and unless the restaurant was specifically selling healthy individual snacks at a reasonable price (e.g cut up bits of cucumber, individual packet of raisins, single rice cake etc) I don't see how they'd be within their rights (certainly don't count pur?ed shop bought meals as equivalent). Even if they did I feel that they should be longsighted enough to realise a happy munching toddler is much more preferable to a grumpy one and will probably be accompanied by a mum who buys more cake and coffee!!

'weanling' I like it! Saffron - that is very interesting re: spoon-feeding each other. I wonder if I was very open to BLW and not so keen on spoon-feeding because of a great lecture I had in dysphagia management(nb dysphagia = trouble with swallowing, which forms part of speech and language therapy).... we spent an hour feeding each other liquids and foods of different consistencies/textures and giving each other sips of drinks. It was awful and I hated it, we pretty much all did, it really made me feel out of control and dependent. It gave us a great insight into dealing with clients (adult and child) who need to be fed and the need to treat them with the maximum amount of respect while doing so.

Great thread, lovely stories. Not sure it's quite the same, but it definitely sticks out in my mind as a random stranger who made a difference to me... I was living in San Francisco the day of the London bombings, I was gutted and worried to see it unfold from so far away and had a shocker of a day at work, was super busy but really unhappy all day, felt like my colleagues, while lovely, did not understand and were just getting on with their lives, while I was crossing all my friends names off a terrifying list as I heard from them one by one. So my lovely husband (then boyfriend) came to meet me at 5pm. As he walked towards me on a pretty empty street, I outstretched my arms as in 'I need a hug'... He did the same. We met in the middle and hugged... Meanwhile a guy drove past and wound down his window... he shouted to us 'My wife and I used to do that, we used to do that, you just made my day'... little did he know the day we'd had and that he'd made two sad Brits abroad feel a little better about the world.

Around 5 months I began to feel less full, I think it's almost certainly nothing to worry about and very usual at that age. I also stopped wearing pads around then. I have never had any problems with supply though and still feeding now at 22 months. Boobs are now smallest they've ever been but I still managed to squirt myself in the eye checking if I still had much milk the other day! That's a weird thing to admit/do I grant you...

Absolutely agree BLW is easier on mum than pur?eing etc, and would never make someone think (or indeed even think myself!!!!) that someone was less of a mum for going the spoon feeding route, each to their own. As the product of a disciplinarian father who never allowed any waste (I still clear the plate regardless of feeling full!) I found the initial wastage hard to deal with at first but then I started clearing his plate too, whoops! And I actually found it liberating (like lots of my parenting decisions, which are decidedly more laid back than my own childhood!).

I agree people confuse BLW with finger foods and it's more than that, definitely more a mindset. The people who I know who pesevered (makes it sound negative but you know what I mean) with BLW, meaning they gave weaning control to the baby are so so glad they did. Those who didn't like being in the baby led weaning mindset (which involves thinking, if they eat it, great, if not throw it away with no fuss and try again another meal/day) added in spoonfeeding which to my mind as Saffron said, meant the were no longer BLW, just spoon feeding with finger foods.

I loved it and found the approach was so stressfree, we did what you are doing Pickle (although only have one!) - started involving him at mealtimes propped in high chair, giving him utensils at first to gnaw on and then moved onto food (just bits and bobs from the main meal to begin with, but pretty quickly he was just having small amounts of everything and making a big mess!). It's been such a great experience and I think it makes SO much sense for second and third babies, in fact I would be willing to bet they'd ingest more quickly due to peer interest/peer pressure, sure it'll go brilliantly!

I waited til 6 months and did BLW, it was one of the best things we did and seemed to perfectly fit with baby's abilities and needs at that age (plus so much easier just BF until then). My son got into food slowly but steadily and by a year he was eating well; now at nearly 22 months he has a brilliant and healthy appetite, knows when he is full and isn't drawn to unhealthy food. Yesterday at his great grandparents he was the star of the show eating broccoli, avocado and pepper salad, pasta, quiche, lettuce leaves, bread, pickled onions, guerkins - you name it he will give it a try, they couldn't believe it! Maybe he was always destined to be a non-fussy eater but I am SO pleased we waited to 6 months and so pleased we did BLW, it meant that mealtimes were never a battle (and I did throw away a lot for months but just took it as normal part of experimenting/playing - "food before one, just for fun" was the mantra) and we have eaten healthy family meals together since the word go. The BLW cookbook and theory books are both brilliant.

My 22 month old is very active and has pretty runny poos still. I use cut up fleece blanket from the pound shop and it works quite well - definitely takes the brunt.

Nunhead library has all True Blood 1-3...

Sorry we bought it and resold it on Amazon - it's a good way of watching boxsets when they launch as you can get virtually all your money back, minus fees.

I love box sets! Perfect parental viewing... All time favourite is the West Wing (amazing amazing!). Also love: Sopranos Damages Prison Break (season one, the beauty of Wentworth Miller... gets a bit silly after season one) Gavin and Stacey (so silly, so fab) True Blood (wasn't sure, now I LOVE it, very camp, very explicit, have season 4 waiting for me!) Glee - just getting into this, very funny and watchable Game of Thrones (again wasn't sure, watched first episode twice and then was hooked, very husband-friendly) House (although didn't like watching when pregnant) Grey's Anatomy and spinoff (which I prefer) Private Practice (again not one for pregnancy) If I think of any others I will write again...

I think one of the parts Norfolkvilla might be talking about is Assos, which is one of the most beautiful fishing villages/paddling spots I've ever seen! Went there in 2003 and would love to go back. We didn't stay in Assos but definitely worth a day trip (or several) as just so gorgeous! Have a great time! x

I know of at least 3 other toddlers, plus my E, who are up LATE at the moment! Two of the toddlers nap, two don't so I don't think it's the napping I think it's Echo's midsummer madness! E is having a good nap and going to bed between 9-10 whereas previously he was going 7-8. We are going with it as he's sleeping in later so think it will just adjust again as the seasons change. Plus going on a Mediterranean holiday in the summer and will love his later schedule then so in a way we have the summer excitement too ;) Not sure how helpful I'm being but I reckon (wait for it) it's just a phase! (boom crash!)

Oops I meant bamboo boosters, I bought a load cheaply on eBay but don't use them much. Also I use no detergent just bambino mio, I have noticed the times when I did pop in some powder by accident they have definitely been a bit less reliable.

I part time cloth nappy and love BG v4, hardly ever experience leaks unless I leave them on too long (3+ hours). I use the popper ones and they are snug fit on the loosest setting for my 21 month old but not crazy tight. Have you tried boosting with microfibre inserts? And also do you wash them with anything like detergent or napisan which can damage absorbency? I use bambino mio nappy santiser which seems really gentle plus I do an extra rinse cycle. Sure others will have more ideas!

Jonno's comment has summed up for me what I worry about, the other side of the coin for those of us with sons. My little boy could never be described as feral but he has boundless energy and does not like sitting still (at 21 months I don't expect him to!). However I think while with girls the pinkification and lack of female leads in stories etc is a big worry, the worry for boys is that society views their ebullience with disdain from a young age rather than letting them be until they are old enough to calm down a little. I think there are lots of disparaging comments made about boys even before birth that you don't hear about girls - oh you're overdue, you must have a lazy boy, oh you're having a boy, he's going to cause you trouble and be a massive handful, a second boy? Oh you must have been hoping for a girl, will you try again? Or after, what a greedy little boy (re feeding, have never heard the same said about newborn girls), it's kind of sad that we start with the negativities of boydom so soon. There's a great book called Raising Cain written by two male psychiatrists who explain how boys are treated emotionally very differently to girls, basically told to man up from an early age and not given the same level of emotional guidance and therefore literacy that girls are. Really recommend the book, it really makes you think about society's prejudices towards males and consequently why boys/men are far more likely to fail/get into trouble at school and in life than girls - as a bit of a feminist not something I'd given much though to pre-children! Slightly off topic but something I think about and notice a lot now I have a son, the other thing being that parents of quiet, 'typical' little girls often don't understand the very different needs and nature of toddler and preschooler boys. I know nothing about looking after little girls and defer to parents who do, but sometimes, if in receipt of a withering glance from a parent with an exceptionally still daughter in a music group or whatever, I do feel like saying, do you also have a son, because if not, do not judge!! Personally I adore having a boy and would happily have four! My son is a Duracell bunny of energy but he is also loving, kind and sweet-natured. Just because he won't yet sit and follow instructions for a whole nursery rhyme does not make him troublesome or feral, just made a little differently.