Ellie78

I guess this is a really draft question. I can't find the info anywhere. Is the dish and spoon open on Sundays again? I was really looking forward to going tomorrow but Google says its shut... Anyone know?

.... Looking for such a thing on Saturday afternoon and failing miserably If anyone has any ideas I'd really appreciate inspiration!

We did our cp vaccine at London travel clinic on borough high street. Location suited us - probably not may others, but just wanted to add they were very nice to my son...

Thanks everyone Stupid week. Son sick until Friday. We ( myself and husband) have a take away that night because we are exhausted and fed up. I get food poisoning. Hurray! I feel I have somewhat maligned my oh. He is completely involved in childcare - he's happily looked after our son on Sundays whilst I desperately try to finish the phd, and does absolutely everything he can to support me. I Shouldn't have moaned, I'm really lucky. We just haven't ironed out this emergency issue and it frustrated me. Because my work is technically far more flexible it ended up falling to me on default mode. He recognised that this wasn't fair. But we have now sorted it out I think. He talked to his boss and said that from now he's going to take on half of this. It's a really difficult thing to get right though, isn't it. My son went off to nursery on Friday not infectious or overtly sick but he really could have done with another day of rest I think. And I felt awful about that all day. And I don't like that my immediate thought when nursery calls is a quick 'I hope he's ok' followed by a terrified 'how are we going to do this! I love nursery in many ways but these are the times I wish we could afford a nanny.

Both from a familial and organisational PoV? Son is sick and I'm going to nursery to pick him up. I'm looking forward to the cuddles but I cannot miss tomorrow's work for all sorts of reasons All my usual routes are proving fruitless. And I'm generally annoyed that it's always me that this impacts on. My other half - whose job is far more established (civil servant)- always says it's impossible for him to miss a day.... Argh!

We hired the 1 o'clock club in Peckham. Has a play area suitable for age but also loads of other activities for older kids. Any there's a fridge/freezer in the kitchen...We brought our own music, booze, and food. It was mainly for adults but was a great way to have kids entertained at the same time. We did it again this year and the outdoor cars were particularly appreciated!

As ever, throwing myself on the mercy of collective expertise. I have taken tomorrow off work, and my toddler out of nursery, in order to get him immunised against chicken pox. I thought I timed it brilliantly: jab was going to be followed with his first visit to the cinema at Greenwich picture house Toddler Time followed by a nice lunch out somewhere round there. But - typically - there is no listing for TT this Monday, so it doesn't seem to be happening. Grrr. Anyone have any ideas for a suitable substitute? I don't want to take him to a playgroup/soft play really (as then he might as well be in nursery) but I have to say I'm failing miserably at identifying something else...And I'm disappointed that I won't be munching on popcorn at 11am tomorrow morning when I'm meant to be at work....he he. The weather's not looking too good either...

Posted in Recommendations - but trying here too.. There have been a few really great threads swapping design ideas for Kitchens etc. I thought I might try it on a bigger scale and ask about how people (non experts) set about developing a family home. The short version of the story is that we're trying to get a development project off the ground and I am completely clueless as to what's the best way to go about it. It's reasonably complex, but not massive: we're putting 2 flats together and, as one is a basement, there are some water/structural issues to sort - tanking and possible underpinning. At the moment, I've been looking for an architect to help us with the design. The search is ongoing but a few ED based ones have, very nicely, turned us down on the basis of being too small a job (under 150,000 - not an extension etc). We recognise we're clueless as to property development and will not be managing the build ourselves. But where do you turn to? A lot of architects offer a project management role as part of their services - is this enough? Or are you better off hiring a project manager, separate from a builder (do these exist?) - or a company that project manages its own construction? How on earth do you sort the contractual issues of the build? We don't want to waste money - as our budget (at c. 85-90,000) is hardly massive by some standards, but we are so completely without a clue that I recognise we need help. But how much? It would be really good to hear how you did it! Both of us work full time and want to spend time with our son when we're not working, so, whilst I want my design ideas to be taken on board, I don't want to get into the nitty gritty. And how to manage a build to be not totally disruptive to family life would be a good story too! As ever, thanks for any contributions.

Hey - I'm a bit confused about how this works. I'm looking for a cafe where I can take my toddler and his friend this Sunday. Is the cafe toddler friendly, considering as it's attached to Gymboree? does it have a toy space for them (a la Dish and Spoon). I don't want to let them run off wild but it would be nice to catch up with his friend's mum a bit....! I don't even know whether it's open on Sundays. Normally, I'd just go to the Dish and Spoon but someone told me that it's not open at the moment so I'm very lost.

Sorry - I'm using my account on different devices so different names....

We're full time and I understand that places might come up for part timers more quickly (especially if you can be flexible with days) but the admin fee I paid to them should cover THEIR admin and I shouldn't have to consistently nag them about it. I don't see how they could prioritise full timers on any other point apart from when they joined the list and, in this case, I think it's more than likely that other children who went on the list after mine have been let in. In which case, I think I would like my ?30 back. I know that another child who went on the list after mine got a place (because he now goes to the same nursery) but he was 3 days a week, which I understand is a different kettle of fish. Having said that - I would like to have been offered that place, because it's easier to build up days when you are actually in the door. And I did ask to be informed of ANY place, part time or full time, but unfortunately I don't think I've got that request in writing, although I will check to make sure. My point is I paid them a fee to go on the waiting list and, for all purposes, we never got on that waiting list. So I 'm going to ask for my money back.

Thanks for your thoughts. Sounds a nice group.

Bumping this, as we've just been offered a place. Any experience to share with the Nunhead class? My son is 2.3. I wonder whether the routine of structured weekend activities is a good one for a boy his age....He's at nursery 5 days a week and maybe this is a step too far.

Putting this out for some Forum wisdom. My son is happy at his nursery, but I'm not convinced that they're quite right for him from 3+ for various reasons. He's only 2.3 now so I need to get my skates on as to putting his name down so we have the option of moving him if needs be - although I'm going to be talking to the nursery about my concerns and see how they address them. I've posted here regarding nursery advice and I've been to a few to have a look round, but they're not that different from where he is now. I wanted somewhere that really focuses on 3+ rather than just has a pre schoolers room to investigate now. As ever, we are limited by distance and location. We live in Telegraph Hill, so would have to be nearish us in Nunhead or New Cross Gate. I've googled, but would prefer recommendations if at all possible.

Just that. Very annoying. I've seen repair kits- just wondered whether anyone has tried that for this problem and found success?

It's Robert. Iron man 4. Am assuming he's fighting on the side of local independents. But I guess he might be being mislead by Starbucks. Plot spoiler alert

I haven't closely read all responses so forgive me if I'm repeating. I would say - it can seem that you are/nt experiencing typical life stress scenarios. But please don't forget the power of timing for one thing. If things happen in a particular order - even if they weren't individually things you'd count as stressful - then they can pull you out of whack. Personally, I looked at the list you put at the start of your post. You mentioned PTSD and pnd, plus bereavement.....seriously? I mean, yes, people deal with loads. Some people might have had this all before breakfast. But I'd still count stress after the fact as normal under these - very hard- conditions....I think a specialist PTSD counsellor might be worthwhile. I think you might be overestimating what is 'normal' - although obviously you seem a get up and go person..

Convex- is it the stokke toddler bed you already have? Confused, as couldn't see how you could take side off the standard stokke.... We were thinking of getting the toddler extension kit for our stokke, but if this is what you already have it's obviously not doing the job!

Jennyh- there's a charity in Wandsworth that specialises in cranial osteopathy for kids. Or at least there's was 18 months ago when my son was this age. Guide price for treatment is 30 quid but it's guide only and you pay whatever you can. You can always make a small donation now and more when finances are better of you value the treatment. At least that takes the finances out of it. If it's still open....

Thanks chunksmum and saffron. I really appreciate both your comments on it. I have no experience with dogs. Worryingly, it kept howling throughout the day (another neighbour is very concerned) looks like no one came home last night; and I think it's only in the past couple of hours that someone has got home today. Ridiculous.

Good luck Buttercup. Sounds horrible! Hope it's over quickly

Really? I wouldn't expect people to dash back if we're talking a reasonable time for a night out but, past midnight, I think I do expect the owner to take it seriously both as a noise disturbance and because they're responsible for the health and well being of the animal, as the owner, and if they've been upset for a number of hours that needs to be addressed. Perhaps that's just me. But I think you're right regarding the reason - I think he is just lonely, although there might have been the added discomfort of last night's heat and the closed windows.

For stresses read stretches- brain not working I don't have the luxury of a sleep in.

It's nothing to do with any thunder storms. There weren't any between 10 and 130 - the worst time- and it's happened on nights with absolutely no heat/rain issues Though I do worry that last night particularly he was very uncomfortable having been left in an airless flat... Is it unreasonable to expect the owners to return from a night out if the dog is exhibiting this kind of stress? Personally I don't think it shoukd be left in the first place, for such long stresses, if it's known that this is its behavior. He eventually quietened at 2ish.

Our neighbour leaves their dog at home at night whilst they go out. Sometimes they're ok, but regularly (particularly recently)the dog howls intermittently until 1am or whenever they get home . Like tonight, it's still going - I can't sleep (it's right below us). We have informed them thT this happens. I've texted tonight but received no response. So I guess they're just ignoring it. WhAt can I do? I'm absolutely shattered.... Is there also some issue with the dog. I've never owned one so don't know what they're like but it seems a but extreme. There's no obvious cause for the upset, no one comjng near the flat, so I guess it's lonely (although probably thirsty & hot too - it's a small flat and no windows are open.