bluesuperted

*Disclosure* I do not like many of Supernanny's techniques and often disagree with her advice. I also wouldn't personally do CC, which the above is a variation of. I'd give the extra cuddles. 20mo is still really little, and he won't need you like this forever... But then, I cuddle my son to sleep (and love the time, actually really look forward to it each day) and it often takes 45 minutes/an hour for him to settle to a deep sleep. Obviously not as easy if you have more than one child but this time will still pass very quickly and you'll be onto the next stage.

Anna that's awful!! I hope you feel OK now. Re: freezing, I googled it a while back and I do put in things frozen sometimes, I just add 3/4 extra hours and check it's really hot. I personally don't like defrosting in the microwave and we don't have one so maybe it was that? I don't use a meat thermometer but have read suggestions online that say that's a good way to go as well. I usually just stick in the pork (and have used pork belly, pork shoulder, joint, pork steak - all seems to work because like Molly's chicken, the meat becomes so tender anyway!) and cook in the slow cooker for 8/9 hours, sometimes with onions, seasoning and garlic, sometimes completely on its own. I then carve all the meat off, separate it so it's nice and fibrous, and mix/marinate it for about 30 minutes in a barbecue sauce (shop bought, Jack Daniels do a nice one, but could make your own, I'd like to do that sometime...) sometimes with a bit of honey squirted in. If I'm using the cooker for rice afterwards I stick the pork in sauce in a Le Creuset pot in the oven to 'finish it off' while I do this. It's amazing in buttered baps but obviously not the healthiest meal, we tend to have it once a fortnight instead of a takeaway ;)

My 18mo started with this new level of awareness (but again, no fear) about a month ago too, so hopefully the hyper-sensitivity to it is just a phase, poor little thing!

I very rarely brown before either! But sometimes brown at the end to make things look a little nicer and crisp up. YUM YUM YUM! Did oxtails a few weeks ago from the Nunhead butchers, was so delicious and made a vat of soup from the leftover bones. (sorry vegetarians amongst this thread). Loving this thread too, and the distraction it is offering me from finding academic references....!

Belle - a rice cooker is similar science I think but not all slow cookers can cook rice and I think vice versa is true but may be wrong - mine has different settings, the rice one is amazing, add water and press go and it works the rest out, literally restaurant level rice every time! This is our model and I love having both options (plus steam cook which I haven't used): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tefal-RK701115-Steamer-Porridge-Brushed/dp/B000T76URQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330718411&sr=8-1 Totally recommend it! Crystal7 - I do veggie things in it sometimes, IMO it excels with meat making it (especially cheaper cuts like lamb shoulder) taste really tender, but I've also made yummy lentil and veggie dishes too. A bit of a carnivore household, I'm afraid though, hence why the meat dishes always spring to mind. Pickle - I don't work, but I am busy in the day, and am very sure you are too!! We always go out in the morning, so I'd be really unlikely to get into anything protracted first thing, but chucking a load of bits in the slow cooker and turning it on is very doable and takes little thought (can put in frozen things too) as I do it around breakfast time and then forget about it til the evening. My model has a 'keep warm' function - think most have this but worth checking as invaluable.

Totally love my slow cooker and do all sorts in it. Pulled pork is delicious, stews, curries, casseroles, roasts, even cakes allegedly... Leaving it on is only like leaving a radio on, or the TV plugged in with the standby light on as the electricity used is so minimal (hence why they are so economical, 8 hours of slow cooking is much less than 45 minutes blasted in the oven). I have the Tefal 4 in 1 rice cooker which is awesome as it makes the most amazing, fluffy rice as well. We got it four years ago when we got married but only started using it last year - it's a godsend with a baby/toddler; partly as my toddler likes to play around with his toys in the morning (as if he forgot about them overnight!) whereas in the late afternoon/evening he wants more cuddles and attention. The major key though, is keep it out, on the worktop, ready to use, in view! If you hide it away in a cupboard it won't get used but since we keep our (slightly beasty but not too ugly) Tefal on the top, we use it pretty much every day for one thing or another. No-brainer, especially if you're about to get very busy with your studies SW!

Also used photo box and it was cheaper to not specify that it was a BA card - a lot cheaper. I just made the jpg in PowerPoint and added words etc to it myself do didn't need to use their (quite cheesy) templates. It was a bit of a mission finding the time with a newborn so can't imagine it with more than one child, next baby might not be so lucky!

Ha, glad to hear it :) ...especially as we follow each other on *the other place*...

Radhabee - your comment hadn't come up when I read this thread earlier, we cross-posted! I wouldn't have worded it quite like that if I'd seen yours! As I say I only read a short amount before bailing (as I have a massive pile of unread books, mainly child/baby/motherhood-related, by my bedside, I have to be ruthless!) and I didn't enjoy what I saw.

Sophiec - of course you are welcome to borrow, I will bring it tomorrow, but knowing you and your general enjoyment of motherhood I don't know how much you are going to get out of it! I agree with others, I read a few pages and found it bleak and not something I could identify with either. My poor husband really thought he had found a great book for me and I think that's the only reason I kept hold of it ;) bless him and his good intentions. Agree also, nothing like the wonderful work of Naomi Stadlen. xx

I have it but didn't get very far (well meaning gift from husband but I found it a little depressing...). Would you like to borrow it? x

I will try, have never made a FR drinks before and am manic at the moment with freelance and study but where there's a will etc!

We used (and loved) our Ikea Antilop from BLW at 6 months to 18 months (first with genrous-sized tray, then pulled up to table). We have now switched to a secondhand Tripp Trapp as my son could escape anyway so wanted something a bit more independent for him. Love the look of the TT and the supportive ledge for feet, and can see it's going to be ace for crafting/helping activities too. Also recommend a table, especially if you have the space! We used to eat a lot of our meals in the living room on our laps pre-baby and pre-weaning and now we never do this which I much prefer.

Yikes I'm also confused as to what was patronising about the above posts. Genuinely confused.

Was going to say the same as Prickle. The inclusion agenda means that all mainstream state schools include many children and young people with special or additional needs which range in severity and complexity.

It was so hard to watch. Made my EMCS seem totally zen in comparison. I was in tears watching it, through my fingers, gripping the sofa or my husband. I thought the team were amazing - but to me their tension was palpable, understandable but didn't seem that calm to me. Thought the husband held it together really well, poor things!

I hope you have a lovely day and he continues his great recovery. Think the trainset idea is great and also adding to the previous idea of a game, how about a treasure hunt with train related clues and forfeits/tasks around the house and garden? It will take a bit of brainpower but I bet it'd go down really well and could be incorporated into the playing/revealing of the gift too. Have fun, you sound like a very thoughtful Auntie! x

Loren - I know Richard will say yes yes yes! And I know all the mums will adore a 6 week old in their midst :)

I'm sure Fuschia has all the tips and will be along soon...

I love simple lamb shoulder slowed cooked with rice and vegetables. Also the lamb tagine (really simple) in the BLW cookbook is wonderful - I still slow cook the lamb and make a vegetarian tagine separately then combine at the end with the lamb off the bone and cook for extra time - you could do it separately all the way through for a veggie option as well. Ingredients include: onion, ginger, garlic, coriander, turmeric, cumin, cayenne pepper, 3 tomatoes, raisins, apricots or prunes, some stock, black pepper. We have it spicy but I've made milder tagine for friends' children who don't love spice. The recipe doesn't say to put I bulk it out with chickpeas and lentils. It's delicious, makes loads and freezes/reheats really well. Serve with rice, natural yoghurt and/or pitta.

I was just about to say well said pincushionqueen... And Otta well said too! It's all linking back to 'do you want an obedient child at the cost of everything else?' thread. Against evidence that children develop at different rates and should be accommodated, especially at 3; like someone else said (can't see now on my phone) it's quite nuanced to understand that dancing with mummy or sisters/brothers in the kitchen and grinning inanely is not quite how it's done in a ballet class... Realistic, evidence-based expectations of preschoolers' abilities are vital for all such classes.

Too right Molly! I think unless it had a big old swear word unnecessarily inserted in its name there's not much you could call our lovely choir that would stop me attending! From a language perspective 'hummy' is not a value statement, perjorative or judgemental, or a personal adjective like 'yummy' it's just a nice, lighthearted and importantly catchy way of painting a picture of some tuneful mums, they are hummy because they hum [sing] it's something they do, not something that defines their being. That's quite different from the 'yummy' (or it's evil twin 'slummy') mummy tag.

Madmum, your mum sounds phenomenal! Susyp, I'd have been livid too!

QueenMab - that's a sad statement!! *Falling* in love is transient I suppose, but I am still very much 'in love' with my husband after 12.5 years together. Good luck OP - I think both of you prioritising each other (and then later, your family) above all other commitments is key.

Bellingham also really good (right next to Bellingham station) - similar size to Brixton Recreation Centre but very different layout and cafe connnected to it. I mix it up between all three and they all have their benefits - my 17 month old loves all of them, so even though I find Peckham less exciting, it's still a great wet day option and so close: went today and 2.5 hour nap ensued ;)