bluesuperted

Wow, some people really hate children don't they? What a sad indictment of our society. Total aside: My dad sent me an email this week saying he was feeling nostalgic for times past and so opened a window so he might hear the nearby playground at our old primary school better. A slightly more community- (and joie de vivre) minded outlook. Another aside (!): A friend of mine just sold her townhouse in more-central-than-we-are South London for ?1.2m. Nursery in the house next door. I never once heard a peep when visiting.

Think the name is great and very very marketable, PR-able especially. Can always make sure your language (website, email etc) is tongue in cheek to minimize any fears (!) of yummy mummy elitism! I love the group and sorry wasn't able to make it today - can't say I feel at my most yummy on a Monday morning but I certainly do enjoy our lovely humming sessions. See you next week! Lx

I love this which I get from Ocado: it's really cheap and adds a great (quite spicy) taste to loads of dishes: http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Cirio-Chopped-Tomatoes-With-Chilli-Tetrapack/53933011?from=search&tags=|20000&param=Chopped+Tomato&parentContainer=SEARCHChopped+Tomato_SHELFVIEW Add soured cream to make it less spicy... it's a great cheat food!

When I was studying, we often referred to Moodley, Cooper and Reynell's attention levels from 1970s; this is an NHS cribsheet I used to refer to in clinic but is really lay-person friendly and I think really helpful in being aware of what each age of child can developmentally do (on average). http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2216&p=0 Between 1 and 2 years, toddlers do need to be engaged in activities they find interesting, for some that will include sitting quietly, for many that will not. Even at age 3-4, keeping attention will be a big task for teachers, class leaders, parents etc. This inability to attend for long periods is not indicative of bad behaviour, it is to do with cognition levels and level of distractedness at the stage in question.

Saffron - as usual you speak a lot of sense :) Absolutely agree about learning too - all children respond differently to all types of learning. I am a bookworm and love nothing more than writing out notes from a book, but I sense my son will learn better from doing, I could be wrong, but I hope I will be able to provide him with ways that match his skills/strengths as far as possible as he develops. Teachers are currently trained to teach children using a wide variety of delivery styles, because all learn differently (some are kinaesthetic, some are visual, some are aural - some a mixture of the three). My husband who teaches 11 year olds always has to (and indeed wants tom as it makes for betterv lessons all round) plan with all types of learner in mind. If this is the case at 11, it is even more the case for toddlers and preschoolers! Kes - I found the article interesting because it questions mainstream, Supernanny-style parenting ideas and promotes a gentler approach which is often not discussed more widely (e.g. Alfie Kohn's work). I think being a parent means constantly reflecting on our behaviour, the environment our child is in (as it suggests in the article) and of course what the child is doing, feeling etc. My 'ultimate aim' is actually to raise a compassionate and kind child/person, who is happy and secure through his life and to help him achieve emotional literacy (including considering the needs of others, of course, that's a massive part of emotional intelligence!) through explanations that match his abilities and cognition levels at the time. Dulwichgirl2: I also didn't see the part of the article that suggested out of control is great or that we should say all behaviour is acceptable at all times.

Yes it's ace! I think you should change the name of this post though - at the moment it looks like a post asking about activities, maybe something like 'I've made a useful site for babies and toddler activities' or something *even* catchier than that ;) Thank you for making it!

What a great thread!! And Madmum another laughing fan here! New comedic talent being raised in your house I believe. Poor Woody doesn't know whether he's coming or going... Looking forward to comedy gold creeping into night-wakings...!

Food for thought following on from some recent press articles re: so-called challenging behaviour of babies, toddlers and children, and from the threads about the natural and oft-stifled curiosity of toddlers in overly structured classes. I have to say happy, compassionate and curious are characteristics I'd definitely like to see in my child. Not so bothered about doormat ;) http://m.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/19/are-obedient-children-a-good-thing?cat=lifeandstyle&type=article

I had fab service in there today and was even given a little kids freebie that was otherwise heading for the bin! The space is really nice and simple, really liked it.

I wrote a similar rant last week on a different thread. I have stopped attending groups like this as in my opinion classes where there is too much expectation and not enough flexibility/understanding of developmental needs are that way to justify cost or fit in with strange notions society has that toddlers should start sitting and be quiet as early as possible. I strongly believe it's linked to the too much too soon education perception/reality in this country. I read an interesting thing the other day that we expect children to learn to write at a time when it is not only difficult from an attention pespective but physiologically painful to their growing, still undeveloped hands and actual motor abilities, I find this madness! Hope you find some wonderful, exploratory toddler activities soon! x

Rosendale is the state primary in West Dulwich; Rosemead is the prep school. Little bit confusing as to which you mean as Rosendale isn't a prep school.

We now have a tumble dryer (naughty us!) but coped for almost a year without - I would definitely look into the drying times on nappies you do choose though. Bumgenius and Flips dry really quickly whereas I found Motherease/ anything with bamboo take ages. I think you can rent trial packs with loads of different brands, I wish I'd done that, sounds like a great idea! And don't forget the real nappies for London voucher (assuming scheme hasn't been cut that is).

Poor you B! Another early teether here - first tooth at 4 months and teething symptoms (mainly dribbling and chewing) much earlier, possibly 6 weeks if I remember correctly! Hope he goes back to better sleep soon xx

I'm going to take my Anglo-Saxon chances and happily exchange a few tuts over my toddler on the Eurostar for an increased likelihood of a more community and socially-minded adult in the future!

SB: Maybe your dedication will pay off though, you never know :) My new years resolution (after I took my toddler to a craft-focused baby shower that I should NEVER have taken him too, and he broke, by climbing onto the delicate wooden lid, a lovely sewing basket) is to not do things that make me harassed or toddler unable to meet required standards of comportment! So far it's helping stress levels on my part (think toddler was oblivious).

Well the sample at any given structured class is probably not a representative one - it's likely to be skewed towards regulars for whom the class (and other similar activities) is a good toddler fit, with those who it doesn't work so well for, trying it once and then not going again. If my LO loved sitting and listening quietly and attentively I'm sure I'd be lapping up all the classes I could get my hands on, as it is, I'm getting to know several soft play layouts intimately!

I only have an almost 17 month old but I know that structured classes are unlikely to be for him in his toddler years. I think it's totally normal behaviour and a reason why I believe that our education system is too structured too soon for most (although not all) little ones. Free play and running around are order of the day for my boy too, he loved baby sensory but only until he was crawling (6.5 months) after that I spent most of the remaining sessions scampering around after him and playing in the free play area! Today is a case in point, we took him to the science museum and he adored the interactive, choose for yourself exhibits. Not in the slightest bit ready or interested in the (I'm sure excellent) bubbles show - we didn't push it and I don't see his wriggling as bad behaviour, just his way of demonstrating to us he couldn't access what was going on. IMO 2 is still young for structured classes and while I don't have experience of nurseries as a parent (I do as a professional) I imagine most of the activities are very very unstructured and child-led for pre-3 year olds. When I did speech therapy sessions with 2-3 yr olds, 10 mins was a long activity and 30 mins was long session (group or one-to-one); a lot of paid for classes found here are a lot longer and while this works for some, it is very challenging for other littlies. I think while there are some excellent baby activities locally, there are some I've seen that just aim too high for the level of attention toddlers have at a given developmental age; I took my boy when he was 1 to a class (for walking babies) and he was repeatedly reminded to pay attention to the instructor rather than the curtain he wanted to run behind; I think some classes are structured to look that way (and justify cost) for the sake of parents without taking in the developmental needs of the curious toddler. Needless to say we didn't go back and I save my cash for hummy mummies (free play plus singing for me, perfect) and spent much of the week in the park, the woods and various soft play and free play groups! Wow I've ranted on a bit but repeat what others have said - normal and nothing to worry about as far as I can see!

Another escape artist here too. Considering the cheaper Hauck or Babydan versions as TT out of budget.

You are going to love a good soft structured carrier after all that Bjorning! Ergo and Beco fab, I find Beco Gemini better for front facing-in carry (yes I am mad and still front carry my hefty 16.5 mo) but find Ergo comfier for back carry for some reason. Beco beautiful prints (although there is also a plain black option), can cross straps in front carry mode. Ergo more unisex design, nice pocket feature. Manduca really lovely too, would like one but no justification other than it's really well made and streamlined. All have fantastic resale value and I can't see us giving up ours anytime soon so they really are worth the money. Slumber Roo are great, Debi is really helpful and has some useful word docs comparing products. womanofdulwich - the Baby Bjorn is likely to be bad for one's back with continual use but I can honestly say that I rarely get back pain and I carry all day every day. I use good carriers and limit what else I carry - slimline nappy bag or backpack. On the occasion I've felt a bit uncomfortable and decided to take the buggy out, I've actually felt worse and my back has been sore really quickly - think it's partly because for me personally, a good sling makes me stand up nice and straight to keep comfortable (and upright!) and partly because my posture is conversely very bad when I use a pushchair as I'm not used to it and feel awkward pushing.

Particularly economical reuseables are the Flip and even cheaper Econobum system, you can probably set yourself up for at least day use for about ?100 if you're savvy and get offers etc. But second the importance of trialling one at a time as certain cloth nappies suit certain bottoms/houses/drying situations!

Another BG v4.0 fan here. BG bringing out a new line 'freetime' really soon so might be worth a look, all in ones and I expect pretty slim. Also like my flips but more of a fiddle on a wriggly toddler.

Haha Anna_r oh yes - although I'd totally forgotten about that! Rafe (and Rafa?!) great!

We definitely have had an exhausted but existing on 40 mins only of nap toddler today and yesterday - totally overstimulated! However he went out like a little Christmas light at 630 which is crazy early for him - 8pm usual bedtime! Happy Christmas all! More fun with littlies tomorrow :))

Just a quick Christmas Eve festive greeting to all fellow forumites :) I've met some amazing mums through the EDF in pregnancy and beyond, really do think it's a fantastic and unique online/local community. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! xxx

Hmmm.... I don't know if this will work with a 3yo but I mixed it with yoghurt and (shock horror!) a bit of sugar - so it could hardly be tasted... I was desperate as my toddler suddenly wouldn't touch it and I was having nightmare thoughts of him forever immune to antibiotics because of this! Only problem was I had to make sure he ate the whole lot, but he always did...