EmilyPie

What about going to see the fish at the horniman?

I'm sure you will! I have boys. The oldest is only 2 1/2 but is already very obsessed with cars, diggers, trains etc. with very little encouragement from me. (At least we're mostly through the looking at pictures of caterpillar tracks on google images phase, which involved him flicking through the images and me being required to describe the type of caterpillar tracks on each image. Aargh!). Anyway, I do mostly buy him that kind of stuff because I know he likes it but I also try and balance it by: also providing a few dolls etc, which don't really get played with; allocating female identities to any fireman, builders etc without facial hair; and by trying to ensure that both his parents provide role models that show that working, childcare, housework etc are not gender specific. I'm sure it will all become increasingly difficult as they get older, as the whole robin thicke, lily Allen music video debate shows (on a side note, why are none of the interviews about what teenagers think about this stuff ever with teenage boys?). I'm just going to try and tackle it a bit without being too extreme about it. A bit like most things in parenting I guess. Do post a link to the presentation if you have one. I'd be interested to watch it.

I alsO quite like these dolls http://www.playmerrilytoys.co.uk/section/223/1/corolle-les-cheries-dolls

This article/doll might be of interest? http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-womens-blog-with-jane-martinson/2012/nov/27/make-way-barbie-welcome-lottie

I am resident on lewisham but sometimes also do stuff in southwark. Is it still useful for me to fill it in?

I would have similar reservations to ClareC. Not something for us at the moment anyway as our 2 are so small and we're so knackered. However, although I think it is worthwhile and have thought of it for the future I wouldn't want to have to give up work. I would also be cautious about the possible impact on our children if the kids to be fostered were very demanding, so maybe something for when they've left home/I've retired.

Have you looked at www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk I often look longingly at their holidays!

That's not a bad idea gwod, maybe she could send them an interview with an aspiring archeologist as part of her request. The latest archeology related event she's been to. Her favourite item from her collection, what first inspired her, where she'd like to be in 10 years time. Would showcase all that passion and might be fun to do.

I was also wondering about archeology magazines. Not quite as hands on but a related field and might get round any possible health and safety concerns of a hands on role.

Dear Santa, please may I have Some sleep A bath A poo with nobody watching me If none of that is available I'll settle for a new handbag or my own body weight in chocolate.

We had some great photos from shutterbaby.she was very nice and very patient.

I'm looking forward to spontaneous outbreaks of coordinated prancercise down lordship lane. It'll be like our very own SE London musical!

I like the ones at traidcradt: http://www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/c-718-fair-trade-christmas-nativity-sets-.aspx?pagenum=1 Lots of choice and they're fair trade. I like the recycled paper one best.

As far as I understand it, the reasoning behind extending the vaccine to toddlers is twofold. Firstly, they are more vulnerable to complications if they do get it as their immune systems are less developed. Secondly, they are major carriers of infection due to their propensity to sneeze without using a handkerchief, rub their germy hands and faces all over everyone etc. Vaccinating toddlers therefore helps reduce the spread of flu which helps protect other vulnerable groups. Mine is booked in for next week and personally if it means we reduce our chance of spending the winter flu-ridden and miserable I'm all for it!

Signed.

This is worth a read http://www.csp.org.uk/sites/files/csp/secure/acpwh-pgphp_0.pdf it is the chartered institute of physio therapists guidance for health care professionals on pelvic girdle pain. Always useful to know what they should be doing!

Your physio sounds a bit useless IMO! Did they give you a support belt? Nothing fancy, just a big white elastic belt that fastens with Velcro that you wear round your hips. Helps hold it all together and I found it really helped. Not the most comfortable or elegant thing to wear but I found it really helped. You could try asking your gp for one if not. May also be worth seeing a different gp if yours is no good, and just be bullish about it. They shouldn't be allowed to dismiss it as just pregnancy related. Also make sure you do your pelvic floor exercises as much as you can as it is those core muscles that help pull everything together. I also did a pregnancy Pilates class which I found helped but you want to be careful that you find a class with someone who knows what they're doing as you don't want to end up making it worse. Also make sure you keep your knees together when you are turning over inbed, getting out of the car etc. Good luck. It is really grim so I hope it gets better soon!

I often look wistfully at the places on baby friendly bolt holes http://www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk/ Bit on the expensive side but some lovely looking places.

Saffron that's hilarious!

Free craft sessions at the horniman for ages 3+ tomorrow.

Hilly fields in Brockley is open. Has good playground and a cafe.

We have a 2 1/2 yo and a 3 mo. We had a small cot for the 2yo which he was happy in. Have now bought him a bigger cot bed and moved the baby into the small cot. Our 2yo is still happy using it as a cot and we were v keen not to have him climbing out of bed in the night and adding to the general sleep deprivation. We were also conscious of space. They're going to have to share a room so a cotbed and a small cot will be much easier to fit in there than an adult single. Hopefully this solution should last at least another few years, ESP as my eldest is quite small for his age. Eventually we'll prob move them into bunks, or move, but thought we'd cross that bridge when we come to it!

We've got an exercise bike. Not that I actually use it, but my husband does and finds it a really useful way to squeeze in a quick workout. Our one is good and very quiet. I can have a look at which one it is if you're interested.

Royal festival hall is great for hanging around. Cafe, lots of space for running around, sometimes free live music and lots to look at on the south bank. Also the dish and the spoon is a good kid friendly cafe on the nunhead side of Peckham rye park. Kids toys at the back, nice cake, very welcoming. There is also sometimes story telling etc there. Details on their fb page.

1st birth was a bit grim: waters broken as baby in distress; immediately into very intense and painful contractions; whole thing took ages with lots of monitoring and baby's heart rate dropping, all quite scary, and followed by a balls up on the stitching up which took over an hour and which they had to unpick and re do. Second time much better. 3 1/2 hours from waking up with contractions to baby arriving, all very straight forward with manageable pain despite no time for pain relief (I don't like gas and air). My husband was back home before our little boy woke up so he wasn't disturbed at all. All very positive, as these things go. Good luck!