astrid83

Hi fatcats, we moved to Folkestone from East Dulwich last year. I love London and thoroughly enjoyed my years in ED. But house prices pushed us out, and I wanted cleaner air, less people, less traffic, more space. Come down for the day and see Folkestone. It's a hidden gem but won't stay hidden for very long. So many Londoners are moving here, and bringing certain life style with them. The train to St Pancras is expensive but commute is very doable as its only 53 min. I still love London and do love visiting which is easy enough to do. I feel we have the best of both worlds here, with the coast and country side as well as London near enough to visit for the day.

A sling. Both my kids refused prams the first couple of months. And I used it a lot indoors too, handy if you have a baby that dislikes being apart from you. My sling was a life saver for this, I could still get on and do stuff with the baby attached to me. I specially used this with my 2nd as my first was only 19-months old when his brother was born. Apart from that, clothes (mainly used baby grows to begin with) and we liked the Sleepyhead too. Most unneccessary item in our household - cot. Our kids never slept in it and it just became a big thing used for storage!

My son went there from when he was 2 and has just left as we moved out of London. It is a lovely nursery, very low staff turnover and amazing outdoor space. My son has ASD and thrived there, they really did go to great lengths to support him there. This nursery is what I felt most emotional about as we left london last week!

I am interested!

The new cafe Spinach (same location as La Chandelier) is quiet and no children roaming around as I remember.... I've got two toddlers, both boys, and we have a double buggy and only ever go to the park cafe in Peckham Rye or Cafe G, and sit outside. And we have 10 minutes max, as my boys can't sit still any longer than that...

How awful, I think they should be reported to Ofsted. I would be horrified if that was my child who was being laughed at!

My sister is 10 years older than me and my brother 5 years older. My sister always looked after me when I was little and I adored her. My brother and I never played, I was probably the annoying little sister who never wanted to leave them alone but I never felt like a "only child" and love having siblings now when I am an adult. My sister and I are quite close and speak on the phone quite a lot!

I spoke to Gary and tried to give him directions and advice on how to find a tense machine! I'm glad someone else could help him. All the best.

I work as a social media moderator from home - it's easy and quite fun, I just do 10 hours per week spread out over 5 days.

We got a referral through sunshine house in Peckham, it was pretty quick although we were already under sunshine house for other issues. The hearing test was done at St Thomas's.

Ok thank you , will look in to that!

My 3-year old has ASD and although is language is coming along slowly, he is still not that interested in other children . He is at nursery where he is happy but spends most days on his own.:( Our speech therapist has suggested signing him up for a group where he can learn basic social skills - something with a bit of structure. Can anyone recommend anything that might suit?

I've also hers that government guidelines have changed and that all summer babies have the right to defer a year and start reception when they are 5 , not being forced to go straight in to year 1. I wouldn't like this for my son as I think he would miss out. I found this which might be interesting! https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/458797/Nick-Gibb-open-letter-summer-born-children-admissions.pdf

We are in the same boat - i would also like to defer a year. My son is born in June, he was diagnosed with ASD a few months ago and isn't speaking much yet and has limited understanding. I just can't see him being able to cope with school in 15 months time!

I'm a stay at home parent- got two boys , one who will be 3 in June and one who is 15 months. I believe there are quite a few people in same situation so you are not alone.

My little boy was diagnosed with ASD in January this year. He will be 3 in June. Are there any other families going through this who would like to meet up or form a support group? It can feel quite lonely sometimes and I think it wiukd be nice to chat to other people in a similar situation and maybe exchange ideas on how to help your little one.

I would be interested!

Blacklashez - it's so so hard. I was absolutely sure we would have the assessment and they would send us home without a diagnosis. I've heard of parents who are desperate for a diagnosis as they have known for a long time that their child is autistic - but for us it wasn't like that at all. We just thought he was speech delayed and a bit behind. So when they said he fits in to the criteria it was a massive shock. But that's great that your son is communicating. Being able to ask for things must be awesome!

Hi, I know this is and old thread but my son was diagnosed with autism last week "or fits the criteria". Husband and I are in shock as we generally thought he wasn't going to get the diagnosis. He is 2.5, non verbal but has just started to do pretend play and his eye contact has improved hugely just in the last month. I find the whole thing so difficult to accept and deal with - wouldn't mind speaking to other locals who have been through the same thing.

This is a disaster!!

Hello, Can anyone recommend a dietician? My husband is wanting advice how diet can help relieve symptoms of arthiritis. Preferably someone local or not too far away from east dulwich!

Thank you Blue cat, I'm glad I'm not alone! And I'm glad your daughter grew out of it. We've had some improvement this week but cuddles and gentle strokes turns in to a push as soon as I'm not watching!

Our second child was born January this year and is now 9 Months old. Our toddler was 19 months when he became a big brother and is now 28 Months. He is very jealous and aggressive to the baby and I'm wondering if anyone here has been through the same and when will it get better? Today for example, it's just gone 6 am And he has already made the baby bleed By scratching his face.... He pinches and scratches, pushes him over. I've tried teaching him "gentle hands" and to stroke nicely which works for a bit, but if I'm not watching he always hurts him. He can't stand if the baby is making any noise, And that's when the pinching normally occurs. He is not interested in helping out or being involved.... I try to give him as much 1:1 time as I can, I still let him be a baby, I still carry him in the sling if he wants to etc... It's so hard - will it get better? Is this behaviour "normal"? My two year old doesn't talk yet which makes the whole thing even More difficult.

It was my neighbour who helped your son, she told us about the incident. I have sent a screenshot of this to her. Hope your son is ok.

It's my neighbour who drove home your son, I've sent a screenshot of this to her :) hope your son is ok!