Sarie

My son has lost his much loved Peter Rabbit so am posting here in the hope that someone might find him! We think he may have dropped out by the bus stop by the Horniman Museum (we were getting the 176 back to ED) or he might have dropped him on the bus. I would go on a hunt for him now except I'm now back home with another little one who needs her nap. If anyone happens to see a Peter Rabbit on a 176 bus or near the Horniman I'd be very grateful if you could PM me. Many thanks!

We're thinking of moving house this year, (growing family etc.), but it's the same year in which we'll need to apply for a place at a primary school for my son come September. Do you need to have lived somewhere for a particular length of time before applying to a school and/or have to prove how long you have lived somewhere? As realised we may have missed the boat this year already if there is some kind of rule about these things! Be very grateful for any advice. Thanks

I've found myself unexpectedly without my partner for the next 3 days, as he has to return to work, and with a toddler and baby to entertain! Anyone got any good tips on things could do over the next few days given the usual local things are all shut for Christmas? Preferably locally? Thanks

Thanks everyone for your advice/comments and those who have kindly sent PMs. It is tricky as I don't want to give too much away, (or even mention gender!), but here is one example. When I went to pick up my child the other day I could see he/she was really distressed and no one seemed to be to paying them any attention. I was watching from the door way for a few minutes. My child didn't see me. When I went over my child was shaking they were so upset and wouldn't look at me for a while. Clearly I don't know if a member of staff had been comforting them or not a few mins before I arrived but given the state my child was in it seemed unlikely. When I queried why my child was so upset I was told it's that time of day! Which I can relate to! But... are my expectations too high? Would you not expect your child to be comforted? Is it any better at other nurseries?! Thanks in advance for any response. And will respond to the PMs too when get another spare moment!

Am after some advice... one of my children is in the settling in period at a nursery and it's not going very well. I appreciate that settling in can take some time but there are a couple of things that have happenned that do not fill me with confidence. There's a possible offer at another nursery. Has anyone else been in a situation like this before? We don't want to cause added trauma for our child by moving them somewhere else only to find similar things happen at other nurseries and it's actually no better and that maybe it's just my expectations of what a nursery should do/provide are too high! I'd be grateful for any advice or words of wisdom from people who have or who have not decided to move their child in a similar situation. Sorry to give no further details but I don't want to get too specific as it wouldn't be fair on the current nursery. Thanks

Hi my baby is on the move and wants to be everywhere! She'll no longer sit happily in her bouncer chair. We haven't got a large house but does anyone have ideas for how I can contain her/keep her safe when I need to? I don't think I want a play pen unless anyone can recommend a small one but any other ideas? Are there other types of chairs/activity things that work for the baby that doesn't want to sit still! Thanks

Hi does anyone happen to know if the Coppleston Centre playgroup starts again tommorrow? Thanks

Sadly our lovely childminder is changing professions so I'm now on the hunt for a new one prefably near to the Villa where my oldest is hopefully going to get a place... Or if not near to the Villa then within walking distance of Bellenden Road. Grateful for any personal recommendations from parents. Thanks

Beccy Hands, (yes that really is her name!), was brilliant! I went to see her about a week before I gave birth and I wish I'd seen her earlier as not only was the massage great but she offered some top tips about different exercises to do for my back etc. She does do home visits but otherwise her studio is in West Norwood. http://www.beccyhands.co.uk/natalmassage.html

Just wondering for those that have tried post natal yoga with their babies how does it work!? Do you use your baby as a prop? Or does the baby sleep next to you (ideally!) while you attempt to stretch and relax... I loved pre-natal yoga at Yogarise so was hoping to give the post-natal yoga a try but would love to know how other Mums have got on with it or similar. Thanks

Thanks everyone. I think easylawn is the way forward then!

Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions. Happy to take more if anyone has any!

Hi all I've a toddler and now a 5 week old baby and am after suggestions for where is good to go to locally with both on either Tuesday or Friday mornings. My ideal place would be somewhere for the two year old to play without needing much supervision but where if necessary I can either keep an eye on the pram with the baby in it (sleeping hopefully!) and/or could feed her if needed. Some of the places that I use to go with just my toddler I'm now thinking are probably not 'right' with the baby too! So any advice as ever gratefully recieved! Thanks

Am after some advice... We got our garden re turfed last summer but as predicted by my husband (!) the lawn has turned into a mud bath over the winter thanks to our pesky dog. We debated at the time whether we should have put artifical lawn down instead and now we're coming back to the same debate. It's only a small area but I recall that artifical turf is pretty expensive compared to the real stuff and am wondering if the dog is only going to wreck that as well so not sure what to do for the best. So am wanting to know has anyone else had sucess with artifical lawn and a dog and two small children?! Is there such a thing as dog friendly/child-friendly artifical turf and can anyone make any recommendations for what supplier or gardener to use to lay the stuff. Will be grateful for any words of wisdom anyone can offer! Thanks

Just wanted to say thanks everyone for all your helpful advice. I'm glad I stuck it out and think the brisk walk up hills did it in the end as went into labour naturally at 40+6 and little baby girl following day! xx

Hi I'd really appreciate anyone's advice about 'natural' induction methods. I'm only 5 days over due and in good health etc. and baby still kicking away but because of my age the pressure is on to start inducing me earlier than normal. I'm really anti induction due to a very traumatic experience with my first. So just wondered what various forms of 'natural' induction people may have tried? I've already tried a number of things including eating far too much pineapple! I've heard acupuncture can work. Has anyone tried this and can recommend someone local? Or any other suggestions? Thanks

Thanks both. In case anyone else is wondering I went this week and it does take about an hour with a chance to look round afterwards if rooms are free so could take up to hour and half if you decide to hang around for all the questions! It was very informative though.

Random question! But does anyone know how long the water birth talk at Kings lasts for? Thanks!

Funnily enough there was an article about this in the Guardian today! http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2014/oct/10/top-five-bath-toys

Hi everyone I know this has been discussed before but does anyone have any recommendations for which is better the Lascal mini or maxi buggy board? (Our pram will take both). My son is using the maxi one with his childminder and apparently loves it! We've got baby two on the way soon so was going to get one but there's a ?20 difference between the two and not much difference in dimensions. So am thinking would I be a cheap skate getting the mini and regret it, (e.g. wondering if feet get stuck underneath, toddler not happy with restricted place to stand etc.), or do people think the mini is a good idea? Sorry am rambling - it's the baby brain kicking in this time of night! Thanks x

Wilko many thanks for taking the time to respond with such positive feedback! I really really appreciate it. You've totally put my mind at rest now. I had a very traumatic first delivery so the Aylesham team sound just what I need. Thanks again. x

Hi Hope you don't mind me jumping in on this thread but if anyone else has heard about the Aylesham midwives I'd be really keen to know too and Alison if you did use them what has your experience been? I ask because I've also just been referred to them. I was feeling really positive about this but now am a bit concerned by the post above saying they had had replaced the Albany midwives as have actually just read some really negative things about the latter. Does anyone know if they are actually the same people? Or just that the Aylesham midwives have adopted a similar model? Obviously you can't trust everything you read on-line! But any reassurance anyone can give about the Aylesham midwives would be really appreciated. Thanks. x

And another recommendation! I'd echo everything that has been said above. Helen knew exactly what I wanted and Steve and the team were not only a pleasure to have around but totally transformed our wreck of a garden. They were also the only people who we got a quote from who really understood that we had a tight budget and did their very best to stick to it. They also had to deal with a toddler and a dog and could not have been more accommodating!

Thanks for that very helpful x