jennyh

It's hellish, now spending 2 hours a day travelling to and from nursery in Dulwich. Have tried so many routes but all lead into the same few roads which are rammed!! Anyone got a secret way? Have even tried going via nunhead but takes ages too.

Now we have moved we are struggling to make the ridiculously gridlocked journey back to Dulwich for my daughter to attended nursery. As sad as I am to uproot her, the 2 hours sitting in traffic each day is a killer. So whilst I know it's the east Dulwich forum, I also know there are many families living in other areas so I'm hoping for some opinions and advice on forest hill nurseries, or potentially honor oak at a push! Fingers crossed you lovely forumites can help! Thanks

Do you mean in labour or just generally needing support!? I had my second 4 weeks ago and was really stressed about childcare as he was due over Christmas and everyone had plans etc. have no local family so built a list of friends who were willing to help if needs be, I went over by a week and each day I checked in with friends to see who was about that night/day. I'm fortunate to have a strong group of friends who know my daughter quite well so if she had needed looking after by one of them it wouldn't have been too odd. As it happened we had my mother in law here for 3 days waiting for baby to come, I suggested she went home after my third sweep as not much was happening and they were talking about induction dates etc. off she toddles back to Norfolk at lunchtime only to have labour kick off that night. A very kind friend came at 1.30am (I stayed at home as long as I could) and baby was born in kings at 3.30, husband got home for 6.30 before our daughter woke so she was none the wiser. Mother in law drove down that day. Soo...we made it work but yes is it stressful. I would say though that the anxiety surrounding childcare can be a real hindrance to labour...nothing scientific to back this theory up but my body was physically ready for it all to happen having started to dilate and having so called 'perfect' conditions, a week later I was increasingly anxious and nothing was happening but constant fake labour pains. I decided to have a massage and reiki and felt so calm after that, I genuinely think my brain sent the right signals as I went into labour not long after. Try not to worry as you will find a way, if you don't have local friends who could help then I will! ;)

Just to confirm it is still closed and traffic around the area is still bad.

I've not seen but a friend told me that there were loads there when she went, when the water was at its highest. Not nice.

Have sent you a pm

I once took a photo of the ones in rocca because I thought the same, not sure where to buy but they are from a brand called minui handysit.

I've always been a big fan of vaporisers and have this one - http://www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/3768851.htm?CMPID=GS001&_$ja=cgid:11009688545%7Ctsid:41370%7Ccid:147740825%7Clid:48708269825%7Cnw:g%7Ccrid:37283276465%7Crnd:11353673191002448062%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o1. Has its pros and cons and you have to be careful to try and dry the walls after use or end up with possible damp and mouldy spots if you use a lot. Put some olbas or sweet thyme oil in. I've also started giving my daughter 2 pillows to elevate her head a bit more which can help. Good luck! It is a particularly bad cough going around and seems to keep coming back! Every winter is a beast for illness in our experience and this is my daughter's 3rd winter in nursery!

Baby due next week and finally getting my head in gear to do something to prepare. Does anyone have a ball I can drape myself over whilst watching eastenders between now and then? Reluctant to buy one due to space so if anyone can loan I can collect and would be eternally grateful! Thanks

Thank you! It's really helpful. We've just moved house as well so she's had a lot of change, has a new bed etc as well so the more I hear your opinions the more I know you're all wise! I will be grateful for any support in settling her once the new baby comes screeching into this world!

Thanks everyone. And yes you are all quite right that its a small thing in the grand scheme, it was actually my husband who wanted to get rid of it whereas I'm not so fussed but thought I would show some proactive initiative! So when using two BT monitors were they the same ones? I had thought about getting the same old one second hand and introducing the same lullaby so that when they do share a room it works for them both...

That's good to know pickle. I had visions of switching on the wrong ones and having constant interference or cracking or something and not knowing which it's coming from! I feel trapped by this part of the routine but then equally reluctant to rock the boat when it's been a rough road and I still tend to have to settle her myself a fair amount.

Hello My nearly 3 year old has listened to the same lullaby on her monitor since she was born, we turn it on remotely during the night and more often than not it helps settle her. It's definitely true to say we fell into a trap of relying on it to develop a bedtime routine etc and now she's quite fond! We are expecting a baby in a couple of weeks and so thought it wise to try an alternative and wean her off the monitor as we will need one for the new baby. I bought this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00020IPDW on the advice of a friend as it has worked brilliantly for her two and they use it to fall asleep to and turn it on themselves in the night etc. we tried it tonight and after a very excited introduction and playtime she was really keen, understood it was for big girls and that she could switch it on when she wanted to but that it wasn't a toy etc. Well after the first round (10mins) I heard her bashing about and she came out of her room upset and saying she didnt want it and wanted her old ones. Being 38 weeks pregnant and knackered I just gave in, took them away and switched the other one back on! I would have persevered but she doesn't nap anymore and is exhausted so just wanted her tk go to sleep! So...any advice??? I'm wondering if there is something with a soft glow that plays twinkle twinkle and that has a nice big button she can switch on. The light on the Tomy star is too bright I think and the light show wasn't that popular, think it freaked her out. Plus she is used to the Bt monitor version of twinkle star. Open to suggestions if anyone has any. If we end up with two monitors I'm not sure whether they would interfere with each other...any experience?? Please help! Thanks as always!

A friend of mine ended up at a bowling place in Surrey quays which did mini bowling at certain times of the day. She didnt end up bowling so no idea what it's like but worth looking maybe.

Went to the Horniman today and was really disappointed with the Santa. My daughter is nearly 3 and can be a bit shy but had geared herself up to saying her name and how old she was and worked out what she would like etc. we went in there full of confidence but he didnt engage her or her friend at all! He briefly asked them what they wanted before going on some bizarre monologue about pop music and how he is going on tour with Jessie j and how Robbie Williams is desperate to make some money. It was really strange. There was nothing about being a good girl etc. complete waste of money in my opinion.

Agree with foil containers. When I was on mat leave with my first I did a load of cooking and froze in varying sized portions. Then whacked them straight in the oven once defrosted, made pie fillings etc and then just added mash top etc.

I've not been through it so no advice but just wanted to say how much I admire people who so suffer. As someone who hasn't had morning sickness I have a lot of respect for those who do, I don't know how you manage to function through a day so if you're worried about what people think, try not to. They prob feel for you, I know I do!

Just to say I was in there on Thursday for daughters flu spray. 2 people in the waiting room, a couple of people in the office doing psperwork and one receptionist who was chatting to a man who was doing something with prescriptions. They weren't talking about work...was general life chitchat. No-one had a phone to their ear once. I asked my husband to try and call in just as a test which he did...yep, was still 6 on the queue. So staffing has to be an issue but I feel there has to be more to it as there appeared to be no efforts to even answer a call despite the presence of staff so i can only presume theyve been instructed to leave the phones in favour of other jobs. The thing that also shocked me was the huge sign out the front saying they are registering new patients which I find astonishing. Was gobsmacked. Having said that the nurse we saw was absolutely fantastic so want to spread that little bit of positive opinion!

I will definitely call and complain too. No point in voicing a complaint on here if you can easily tell someone who can also affect change. I think everyone's experiences sounds quite shocking and even if it is a particularly poor situation at the moment it would be good to see some recognition and hopefully improvement.

I tried calling at different times of the day and it didnt make any difference. I am sympathetic to a point and if they are short staffed then of course that's understandable, but yes would be good to record a message to let people know. If you have to speak to them then there isn't much choice to hang up and try again, just a shame there is no better way of easing the pressure, it can't be nice to work there when everyone is getting annoyed with you either! Maybe an online system I check appointments would be useful.

Sadly we couldn't go in this time but I agree it is prob best. The annoying this is that it was actually to enquire about whether an appointment had been made as I got cut off at the vital time of booking it last week! I did wonder if it was a fault as I don't see how you can spend 20 mins on the phone! Although I guess if they have to look after reception and the phone then phone calls might take a backseat.

Hate a Dulwich medical centre moan but took me an hour to get through last week, going from number 7 to getting answered. Taken my husband nearly 2 hours to go from number 7 to number 1. How is this possible?? Surely it's a fault, I know it's a bad practice but that is insane. They never even have appointments so once you get through why is it taking so long to deal with the call. So frustrating. Before anyone asks...I will be moving surgeries ASAP but have my midwifery care there so for now I have to put up with it and whinge instead!

Cool! My toddler is at nursery on tues, weds and Fridays so anything for Mondays or thurs welcome too! Thank you everyone.

Thanks everyone! So far all is good but it's only been a week! We're just off Perry Vale so a little walk from the station and high street but still trying to get my head around the local stuff. the neighbourhood seems so friendly, all the neighbours have been very welcoming and even brought over candles during a recent power cut. The house nextdoor to us is up for sale so hoping for some more nice people to join the road! Will be checking out swimming tomorrow and then will google all the other recommendations. Although Horniman has long been a regular of ours and I agree it's a great place on the doorstep. In the meantime we are ok Dulwich every day pretty much and will definitely find the family room useful for the foreseeable future as it has been for the last 3 years! The baby club sounds great, upto our eyeballs in unpacking and handling a tricky toddler at the moment so prob can't make it tomorrow but I'm hoping to be on mat leave from next weds so will get in touch and see if any more meetings are planned.

Like many east Dulwich forum users I have just moved out of the area but still use the forum...albeit only down the road in forest hill. I imagine that I will still be in Dulwich very regularly as my daughter still goes to nursery there and friends are there but looking for some recommendations for good places that are a bit more local. I have a daughter turning 3 in February and a baby due at Christmas. Looking for any forest hill or honor oak based classes on Mondays or Thursdays or anything good for newborns/little babies from January any day of the week. Keen to check out the swimming pool and I think there is a good library? If anyone can point out the cafes that are good for a quick bite to eat with toddlers and parks (other than mayow) that would be very helpful! Very excited about being part of the area but just trying to find out where things are!