ClareC

Both excellent! My eldest was born in Tommy's, I swapped from Kings at @ 36 weeks having had a bad labour ward tour at Kings. My youngest was born at Kings. If I were to have a third and were to choose between the two I would choose Kings although would be happy with either. Happy to confide more in a pm

I was self employed during both my pregnancies, yes Maternity Allowance of @ ?5k is paid.

We have a TP 14 ft Octagonal one - probably too big for most London gardens (we have moved out to Kent now), but they do do smaller versions and they are really good quality and safe.

It isn't easy..... I work 3 days each week, also in legal (Solicitor not Barrister). I am extremely lucky in many respects, I have a really good job that is interesting and pays at market rate - rare in the legal profession! My partner does the drop off's and pick up's on the days I work and I take full responsibility the other days. He works for himself and from home so he simply engineers meetings to be held on my non work days or alternatively where he is unable to do this I work from home giving him more flexibility. Added to this we have amazing childcare. Everything is about as good as it could be. The negative side is that my position is basically a full time one squashed into 3 days, its also a senior position. The reality is therefore that I get 3 days pay, rarely take lunch and more often than not get contacted on my days off including holidays. With modern technology it's hard to be "unavailable". The company even schedules Board Meetings (which I have to attend)on days I don't work! Sometimes I feel I would be better off increasing my days and at least getting paid! I enjoy work and enjoy being with the children but don't seem to have enough time at either! A 8 day week would be perfect ;) 3 days work 4 days children and 1 day house/me stuff!

Garden every time! My two love playing in the garden, they play well together, spend hours out there and best of all the house stays tidy! I second the trampoline tip - best buy ever! It's like a giant playpen with the springs outside the netting so safe too! I bought a large one on the basis I could use it too (really good exercise) - course hasn't quite worked out to plan as if I go on it they want to too which means I can't bounce properly for fear of catapulting them!! Great for when their friends come round though, they all pile on and seem to love taking the space hoppers and old birthing ball on too! Paddling pools, play houses and slides also seem to be excellent entertainment.

What a fantastic brother! Lucky you :) Coombe Abbey is gorgeous and not far from there, they have "feature" rooms which are really special. Great food too. http://www.coombeabbey.com/ Have a great weekend whatever you do

Awful incident and hope the perpetrators are caught ASAP! People like that are pathetic bullies! Although descriptive that they had a dog, I do agree it is misleading and unfair to imply the dog was part of the attack when it wasn't. Hope your Boyf recovers quickly and you get back to running in the park ASAP - I ran in the park daily for a number of years and only encountered unpleasant people (fortunately rarely and nothing like you describe). I have toddlers and dogs, it's such a shame that so many children are taught to be afraid of dogs now. Bring then up to never touch a dog unless the owner says it fine but to be scared....... Better off teaching them to be scared of people.... Far more likely to be harmed by another person!

Whatever happened to Ian Easy (hugs)?

I wondered how long it would take before a thread was started on this :) I'm tempted to do the long test to see if its more accurate!

I would have liked to do it (its only since the system changed I've been allowed). It's really prohibitive to the self employed unfortunately. I'm an employee now but work for a small company so I know they would struggle if I were called again.

My 3 year old loves hers, her brother (nearly 2) also loves it and is getting one for his birthday. At that age though, expect to end up carrying it!

Think there is an offer on Mac's in John Lewis later this month - think you get free broadband for a year

I was called up pre children, I deferred once no problem and then the second time cited that I was self employed and contractually obliged to provide services to my clients. Accepted without question - in my experience they are not unreasonable and you should be fine. Good luck x

My friend was there with her family this weekend.... Wil ask her. I know they were in a lodge and according to FB had a lovely time

My iPhone knows but my iPad doesn't..... How does that one work?!?!? We actually actually spent our first three days in Fiji an hour ahead! We had tea on the veranda at 5am, turned up to a restaurant reservation an hour early and nobody said a word. Finally worked it out when the Omelette man was 'late' to breakfast. The penny finally dropped and was mortified.

We went to a pool in a private house near Dulwich College with baby swimming, may be the same one...

Thank you, that's all really helpful. All the website advice seemed really low quantity's, it's helpful to know from real experience! I have a high quantity of depressed lawyers too ;) Looks like 3 bottles per person should be a good guide - the post church drinks reception is from 3 and the evening has no specific end time, although the band stop playing at 1230. Did you all provide beer too? I was intending lager and ale but haven't looked into that yet!

That's a lot less than I was anticipating....

Hello, Has anyone got any top tips on knowing how much alcohol to allow per person when catering? We are getting married in the summer and intend to buy the wine / beer / soft drinks - the reception will be from around 3 until late.... As late as people want to stay really. I don't know where to start and wondered if anyone had any experience they could share? Thanks Clare

Barrister's work on a self employed basis..... Far more tax efficient than PAYE. ;)

I'm struggling to see how measures attempting to end the trap of not being able to afford to work (due to the prohibitive costs of Childcare) can be interpretated as insulting to those parents who choose not to work. It's not like the Childcare is being given for free, it's a tax break..... you have to be paying the tax and NI to get the discount on what you pay, pay being the operative word. Perhaps I am missing something but encouraging people to work has to be good for everyone, more tax and NIC collected.

Never pop to Sainsburys local...... Needing a litre of milk always seems to mean spending ?40 ;) Local corner shops may be more expensive but at least you buy what you went in for and nothing else! Also never food shop when hungry!

We swapped from pull ups at night to training pants, called them night time knickers. My daughter was dry at night just over age 2, she was dry daytime a few weeks previous although too be fair I think she was ready earlier, I delayed due to moving house and starting a new job!

Picture gallery

Bosch definitely!!