northdulmum

Dulwich village out

Really? We go to local state school so that n of one contradicts you uncleglen and use the nhs through two kids births etc.

? He won a campaign by gay bashing despite being gay himself. Of all the extreme acts by politicians to gain power that takes the biscuit IMO so to me, unforgivable.

Inheritance tax threshold increased and upping the higher rate of tax threshold

Failing to attach a link. Shattere Just Google Simon hughess and Peter tatchell 1983

... er feel sorry for SH? You live by the sword you die by the sword. What he did back then was unforgivable.

I voted Lib Dem. First time ever (always been a labour supporter) and firmly in the champagne socialist camp. However I see nothing wrong with that. I personally wanted a Lab-Lib government to initiate a transfer of wealth that is long overdue. Bloomberg headline today ''bankers dodged a bullet in UK election'' Great. So are we to expect social unrest and riots as a direct result of this grossly unfair world? Do kids in london state schools really think politics is an option for them? Right now it's a completely different world. It's a different world to most people on this forum (those that are currently in power that is). It feels like a hundred years ago elite, so outdated and backward. What will become of the NHS??? The tax cuts have to be funded from somewhere. I don't see what we gain from the richer getting richer. It feels very short sighted and frankly irresponsible. I'm exhausted and bewildered... rant rant

Tory win with lib-dems? So no change?

Perhaps say you're considering opting for an elective C-section - you'll definitely get an epidural... I failed to get an epidural on my first birth (2009) despite it being the only word on my birth plan... but things may have changed since then. In fact, I'm sure they have. For my second birth, i requested an elective C-section, the midwives were falling over themselves offering me an epidural to stop me going for a C-section. Wish I'd done this first time around.

I think that's right to an extent for a lot of people. But don't forget, class sizes and sports facilities are the major drivers of difference btw state and private (for me anyway). From speaking to other mums, I'd say 20% are for 'landsberger theory'. The rest for smaller classes and sports, music etc etc. If Charter had 15 pupils in each class (room - not social group!) and JAGS sport facilities, the catchment would be zero. So it's not just a social thing.

Thanks - i'll pass that on. And thanks to those who have pm'd too. Really very kind and helpful info.

Emro - yes I read that too. It's the 'middle of the road' kids that benefit most from private education. The very bright do well wherever they go, according to a study in the press about a year ago?

My sister has just moved over there, with four kids, for her husband's job. She's incredibly independent and bright but is struggling to find decent childcare and/or a smart way of eating healthy food, on a budget. She never thought it would be *this* hard. Does anyone have experience of this and/or have advice on this or know anyone that's worked it all out?

Good point - and I hope that's the case. I also really want my kids to be able to walk to school and live near their friends etc. Just been reading up on st dunstans (on mumsnet) sounds nice and laid back, which is what we'd be looking for. Also the leaving destinations look fine (3x Oxbridge and the rest to good universities. That sounds like a good balance to me. But it's obv not 'local'.

I too am slightly freaked out by the ever decreasing Charter catchment which we'd get into (just) this year but not sure about 6 years' time, when we'd be looking to apply. So I've decided to look at private options (and basically start saving now!) OTHER than the obvious (ie Dulwich College and Alleyn's) what options are there? Alleyns (imo) is a non starter ie much brighter kids have failed already, let alone at 11yo. We may have a shot at DC but apparently it's getting harder and harder to get into. I think currently only 1 in 3 boys get passed the exam stage at 11yo... My two are just normal state educated kids, average ability, possibly a bit sportier, not particularly musical and i'd rather not go down the extra tutoring route as I don't want them to be miserable and unhappy once there. Moreover I really want both kids at the same school.

we have gone down the after school club (4x days a week) mixed with an aupair, she does drop off and breakfast for two kids, then picks up at 530pm. Tbh I can't see how we could live w/out her. Also means if kids are sick or school shut last min, there's back up care. We both work FT too. We use holiday camps for half terms and holidays, with aupair doing drop and pick.

For me the downside constrained viewing times and tricky vendors is far outweighed by cost savings. I'm also a foxtons avoider - I've moved house 5x and never been tempted to use them when selling. Plus I regard houses they market in a negative way, makes me think the seller is either totally na?ve or a bit of a greedy so and so and has an unrealistic view of the price. So it actually puts me off. Foxtons moving to rye lane??? Why on earth is that surprising? it's expensive to live pretty much anywhere in Londo which means considerably high fees for estate agents. That's the aim - fees. Where there are fees, there will be EA.

Saying '2 bed' is a bit misleading In terms of price / square foot and the spec It looks in line with everywhere else in that area Which is expensive but this isn't an outlier when take into a/c the spec

Thank you! Just called Steve. All sorted

Sounds like element has gone has anyone else experience this? Who did you get to fix it?

I think Kings, as with many teaching hospitals, are amazing when things get complicated / go wrong. However, when things are 'normal' and 'low risk', women are let down. Most of the first-birth experiences above (I'm willing to bet) probably could have been prevented with decent care in the first place or perhaps a structural change in attitude to pain / delivery method. Women so often walk away wondering what the hell happened, often shell shocked and in massive pain. When I had my elective C-section, I was treated like a genuinely cared for patient. I was asked if I felt anything (WTF?!), if I was ok, if I was comfortable. Such a different experience to when I had my 'natural' birth. The attitude was so different. Pain and horror was not going to happen. They were going to make sure you and the baby were safe and ok. That is what a lot of women want and you cant blame them.

Another vote for kings elective c-section I was out 2 days later (was allowed out 1 day but wanted to stay another to avoid my lively toddler). The 'terrible' recovery I'd been warned about never materialised. I took far longer to recover from my first natural birth. I refused induction, so wasn't assigned a consultant as such. Had to fight to get section when I was 2 weeks over due. But managed and so very very grateful and thankful I did. I loved it!

I did my placement year at boots skin care (!) I worked on the scientific side, ie testing various ingredients for anti-wrinkle properties I'm a biologist by training. Basically the active and most important ingredient in a face cream is the factor 15. Put that on every day and there is evidence to say you will protect your skin from aging. That and don't smoke or sit in the sun for hours Everything else is sort of bollox and just for marketing Oh, another tip is to use baby oil to remove make up and nothing else. This stops you dragging on your skin too much. I use olay or no.7 with factor 15. (basically anything that's on a 2 for 1 offer!)

We moved from Melbourne grove to elm lodge. Different league

At the risk of sounding like something out of 'the four yorkshireman' .... Right... I'm a FT working mum with two young boys, one has started school. I'm the main bread winner (which tbh doesn't make any difference to us). I get up at 545/6am as that's when my youngest wakes up. I do housework, wash and get them ready. Leave at 8am but I have a nanny which makes things much much easier. However it's brutally expensive so we are switching to nursery next year and I'm dreading that. To add insult to injury, my partner travels a lot with work. He's currently away for 2x months. So I'm covering xmas presents and both their birthdays which all fall during this time. Things that help: My commute - is my break. I read trash and relax. We have a home help to do laundry and linen changes plus cleaning. Weekends are hardest. Being at work is so much easier than looking after kids (don't let anyone tell you otherwise). I go to bed at 9pm every day. Kids go to bed at 8pm and I have to log into work btw 8-9pm and on line shopping!! I get clothes sorted for me and kids the night before. We eat out occasionally (real treat) at a child friendly restaurant at the w/e. Things that suffer Sometimes at the w/e I just put a film on. It's a gorgeous sunny day and my kids are sitting there, totally gormless and I have massive guilt. I don't look great. My wardrobe consists of stuff from years ago, when I was a completely different size and shape... I never have time to shop. It's intense but I don't have it too hard and i am actually happy. I love my job and I see a fair amount of my kids each day. However I take all this back when sickness hits us... nothing worse. Also, there are plenty of single mums out there, in badly paid FT jobs who have no cleaner etc. So I feel v v fortunate. Edits as I keep remembering tips. I sometimes bring my two boys in the shower with me in the morning. That way I get a night off bathtime in the evening (which I can be a bit much sometimes). All this is fine but it's very lonely!!