canela

I think sometimes our kids can have friends that spark some emotions in us...especially if we think they are not being the nicest to our children and it brings back memories. To be honest, it seems very difficult to know exactly what went on with both the necklace and the toy, so I would guard against making assumptions.

when I was a SAHM I spent several evenings stitching my son an underwater sea scene costume - and loved every moment! now I am back at full-time work I will encourage him to at least go as a human character!

and in days gone by or in olden times we would have lived in larger family groups and have been able to go off and get a nap during the day too!

another vote for futon. needs must, and sometimes the priority is just for everyone to get some proper sleep.

Ole, I?ve done some primary school drama days and it seems that most teachers are in by 8:30 absolute latest, and lots at 8:00... I?ve loved the stuff I?ve done at schools and am seriously thinking about teacher training?.but for secondary, not primary. teenagers are my thing.

top faves in our house are Greenwich Maritime Museum, the London Transport Museum, and Kew Gardens. tho if you can afford it I think a ticket to the Lion King would be a winner!

Ole, maybe we could swap as it would be my dream to work in publishing! I did a literature degree and masters, but made a decision in my twenties to go into community work instead. it?s been a great adventure and I?ve met some amazing people and heard some amazing stories..but I would now love to change track. Having a few years ago found myself in the position of being sole breadwinner of the family, it just doesn?t cut the mustard!

mine would be another vote for keeping things simple when kids are small... I know that when I went back to full time work it definately had a knock-on effect on my parenting skills, mostly that I just seem to have less patience now. I also find that the more hectic schedule of needing to get to childcare on time, worry about the holidays etc makes it feel during the week as if sometimes all my parenting is just getting things done rather than enjoying the journey. everyone is different though. I have friends who much prefer working full time to doing child care. I think if you are going to study something that really inspires you and that you really want/need to do now, then this would give you the energy to get through it. Personally I would stick with what sounds like an ideal situation.

Hi Has anyone got a number for the Taekwondo class held in the church on Goodrich road? I've heard it's really good.....any opinions?

Kew Gardens has a great playground and a tree top walk, plus an aquarium. Kids get free entry tho adult tickets are a bit pricey.

Kew Gardens or the London Aquarium. Both are big hits every time.

There are two elfin groups around ED - Tuesday evenings in the Goose Green Centre, and Thursday evenings in North Dulwich. Both groups are pretty full though so expect a waiting list. Pioneers (over 9s) meet in ED Community Centre on a Tuesday evening.

how much does mr fruitcake charge?

why not let her choose a comic front the cbeebies range? it's a mix of reading, drawing, activities etc. I find they work really well for promoting the idea of reading as fun. mine take theirs away on their own and pass a happy half hour or so.

also bear in mind (as you can see from searching threads on the forum) that there a lot of parents with children at Heber who are very happy with the school. Ofsted is not everything.

I think it would be a little sad to squash his sociability and scare him off. If, as you say, he is still young and always with you or an adult when he goes out I don't know if you need to have a big talk about it. He might get really scared. I remember a random lady on a park bench who took it upon herself to tell my son, daughter, nephew and niece, all under 5 at the time, about stranger danger when they were playing and I was watching them. They were all really scared and I was so annoyed! They do cover this at school and it might be easier to take when done in a group. In my experience, kids tend to grow out of this openness too....or else the world teaches them that it is not always appropriate. I doubt he will be so innocent and trusting for much longer, but maybe it is better if it comes in little doses. I've found my kids tend to take their cues from me, and so whilst they might chat to people in the park they are unlikely to do so on a busy main road. others might have different experiences though.

Mucky72, that was exactly my worry! In the end it didn't happen - so fingers crossed for you too! I think the trick is to move somewhere where you are definitely in the catchment area for lots of good schools - East Dulwich for example - and try and move really close to a few - which is not that difficult as there seem to be primary schools every couple of roads. Then when places come up - and they do - you definitely fit the bill. In my son's class there have already been 2 in-term entries this year alone - people do move for jobs etc, as you know.

We also moved to the area for an in-term entry to Year 1. The council told me to put 16 schools down on the list and "take it from there"!!! I put down 4 and got into my top choice. It can easier during term-time as places come up when people move. I would just choose an area you like and then go for the nearest schools. I think they are all pretty good around here to be honest. I worried about this but it was a whole lot easier than it seemed to be at first. Good luck

how about London outer boroughs like Bromley? very easy commute but big houses, gardens etc. I have friends who love it in West Wickham.

My experience is not London-based, but may be useful anyway. I gave in to anxiety on the part of my mum and took my son to 3 speech therapists in 3 different countries about this between ages 2 and 3. All of them said the same thing, which was that it was just too young to tell if there were any problems. The only thing they would do was a hearing test, which was always fine. When he started school in the UK I mentioned it to his teacher, and she also said it was difficult to really judge until 5 or 6 unless there is a really obvious problem - which there wasn't. It all worked out in the end and I have no concerns. My mum was just worried that I was being too "wait and see" about it all, but that is exactly what I was advised to do. Sounds like there are lots of resources around here, so I would get some professional advice. Good luck.

Have you tried breastfeeding in different positions? Sounds a bit wierd, but one thing that was recommended on a BF Advisor course I did which did help a few people was putting your baby on the bed face up, and kneeling over and breastfeeding him or her with your boob dangling down. Obviously only as an emergency measure to help get lumps out!

Go on holiday! Go to the one place you really really want to visit before it is too late! When my eldest was 2 I visited family and friends in Australia, Thailand and Vietnam. Completely blew all my savings but I don't regret it as it felt like my last moment of freedom before entering the adult world for good. As my wise friend said to me, "with one child you can still just be a young couple with a kid; once you have two it all steps up a gear". Really, I would no way contemplate going off with my two kids now. And once you get into school routines etc, your life is planned out for the next 10 years or so!!! Do whatever it is now that you have at the back of your mind you would still like to do! And, if you don't want to go too far, at least go and stay the weekend with friends and family around the country or even just the city! Enjoy being able to have a drink and not need to get up and feed several times a night.

invite several other families over. let the kids have their party upstairs whilst adults eat and drink downstairs. everyone brings a sleeping bag and kips wherever. in the morning the adults take childcare shifts and we have a big cooked breakfast before going to the park to walk it off.

monster games. you are the monster and have to run around and chase them until they are all burned out. or youtube dancing for kids videos. active sing songs. disco always good.

at 7 some are already a bit too cool - which meant that my nicely thought out craft activity was scuppered by one of the cool ones declaring it deeply uncool. if you do craft or something make sure it is really pitched at your audience, i.e. like horrible science, harry potter themes etc. I think the kids enjoy parties at home just as much. as long as the food and cake are good, seems to be what is most important! I find it so difficult to keep the adults away tho! even my hints of "would you like to escape to a cafe" fell on deaf ears....