canela

er, are you sure your haven't borrowed my son for a while? sounds extremely familiar! echoe all of the above. I find it is about keeping the environment right and trying to prevent as it is too difficult to deal with once it starts to happen. This means LOTS of exercise, healthy food, limited screen time, and lots of love bombing. School is important too. The school day is a long time and if (as our son) he is well behaved at school this can be compensated for by playing up at home. Talk to him and his teacher in case there is something bothering him (though I have to say our school was pretty poor in responding to us about this). Also, have a think about what situations or activities make him relax and do more of them. For us it was going for long walks. Sounds like there might be a slight communication barrier that frustrates him, which will get easier with time. It is hard to be a kid in some ways. You do basically have to do what other people tell you to do most of the time. Try and find ways in which he can really be in control sometimes, whether that is planning the afternoon's activities, deciding what is for tea, etc. Good luck!

It is right next door to the Church at the very top of Barry Road. There are usually some minibuses parked outside.

I wouldn't advise calling your hubby a sexist moron, but you might want to just flag up to him that his children may grow up to be girlie boys or boyish girls. They may grow up to be gay. They may grow up and want a sex change. His son may want to be a ballet dancer, a nurse, a hairdresser etc.... My daughter is a real tomboy and I am constantly shocked by how often people feel they need to comment on this, rather than just let her enjoy her football/blue clothes/boys shoes or whatever. My hubby found it hard at the beginning to accept and kept buying her princess dresses and trying to convince her to wear them. It didn't work! Now he is very proud of his tomboy and just lets her get on with it.

The refugee centre at the top of Barry Road needs donations at the moment.

I took some donations of children's clothes and toys to the Barry Road refugee centre over the weekend, and the manager said they would be very happy to get more. They are open 8am - 8pm and you just go in the front door and leave with the team at the reception.

not strictly family room, but just wondering if anyone can recommend a hot desking place nearby as I'm getting down working at home all alone! I think there used to be one near Brockwell Park?

try and find Peppa Pig themed activities and toys if she is a big fan. My niece had a Peppa tent that she would play in for hours. There are loads of PP colouring books etc out there. Also agree that even if it is cold life is always easier if kids have been outside for a run around.

Hello. It's getting too cold to go to the park everyday after school! Does anyone know any drop-in clubs/activities that could get me to Christmas and give an idea of what is out there? I'm keen to book up for some regular activities in the New Year. For 6 -10 year olds, anything from sport to craft etc. thanks in advance.

oooh, thank you!

also, interesting to note that the gender pay gap means that from now until the end of the year women are effectively working for free..... http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/09/gender-pay-gap-women-working-free-until-end-of-year

hmmm, have you seen this? http://everydaysexism.com/

you have to contact the council and they will send you the right form. it might be too early still for next year, as if you get a place at the school you want you will need to take it up soonish. i would do in the summer term. if you are really keen on the school near you, you could just do it now and wait till a place comes up there, even if she then moves before year 3.

really liking this thread. some great ideas. does anyone have any ideas for quick, easy and nutritious puddings? We either don't have or just do fruit, yoghurt etc and it would be nice to liven it up once in a while...

we took the train from Ho chi Minh to Hoi An (not sure how is spelt) - an amazing place and the kids loved the train ride

couscous! quickest thing around!

Another vote for early cooking here. Just bung on some rice/pasta/potatoes, and put some veg in the steamer, and let it all cook whilst you get ready in the morning. then the evening meal is half done! I just hate having to come in and cook. fried eggs and rice are another hit with us.

do you have a pressure cooker? to do a batch of lentils, beans or chickpeas takes literally 5 minutes to prepare and then you just leave on the hob for an hour. Then have with rice. You can freeze half. Just fry up some tomatoes in oil, add a grated onion, then add the lentils, salt and water, and cook. remember if it's beans or chickpeas you need to soak overnight first. easy and very healthy! adults can add chilli flakes to make more interesting! another very easy tea is pasta and pesto, with salad.

I'm a bit more bottom-tastic to be honest!

just off to buy first bikini in yonks.....any ideas? am looking for a bikini/swimsuit for the beach/pool that is "forgiving" as they say...

have a look at this. It comes from the States, but I'd be willing to wager the stats for the UK are not wildly different: Spent Friday at a conference in Cardiff on girls' education. Came across this amazing project (only in Wales!) that supports schools to counter unconscious gender bias... ie use of the playground, different learning areas etc. know it is not strictly on topic of thread, but relevant! Despite strides made in equality, our children (boys and girls) are navigating a difficult landscape of gender stereotypes. http://www.agilenation.org.uk/fair-foundations/

sports clubs at Holiday Drop Off is great. Dulwich Hamlets also do one I think.

I am also shocked by kids TV and cbeebies. Nearly all of the cool main characters are boys. Why are there only 2 girl Octonauts on the whole crew? And have you seen Cloudbabies? Baba Pink and Baba Yellow look after the house and care for the stars and sun, and Baba Blue and Baba Green look after the garden and do the DIY! If you want kids films, TV shows, books etc with strong girl characters you really have to look for them.

our house move is co-inciding with a long-planned holiday so our poor cat needs somewhere to go for a week. I hate to think of him being bundled off to a cat hotel place but I think it might be the only option. Has anyone used one before and can recommend anything?

my sister took a part-time role very below her level in a company that she really liked. she explained at the interview that she had family responsibilities but wanted to work in an environment that was interesting and in her sector. it paid off, as now both kids are at school and she has worked her way back up to her level and beyond but continuing with a flexible schedule. it meant she had a few years biding her time, but then was in the right place when there were openings that were only advertised internally.

This is sorted now. Thank you to everyone who got back to me.