snowboarder

Some suggestions here... http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,1341941,1341941#msg-1341941

Sorry, I'm going to sound dense here, but I know someone on here will be able to advise! We have a really wide 173cm window in my son's room. The John Lewis ready made curtains I like are 165cm wide. But on the blurb about curtains it says "While our curtains are sold in pairs, the dimensions on the pack refer to each individual curtain. The total width of both curtains should be two to two and a half times the width of the track or pole". Do you reckon in that case I'd get away with them? So they're actually 165cm each curtain?? Am totally confused and not up for spending made to measure kind of money (and they don't do this print in made to measure...)

Belle - I know!! That house = fun times, even if we didn't know it then!!

We did a side return extension in our old house, and I pondered for ages on whether to make the back living area and kitchen one space or keep a knocked through larger reception room. In the end we went for the latter, and so just had a kitchen diner side return extension. It was quite tight but worked really well - we had a big storage wall with a TV that we liked having (as opposed to others views!). I've attached some photos from my friend who helped us with the drawings' web site - their are other schemes on his site with more generous spaces that might act as inspiration....http://www.russellhuntarchitects.co.uk/Silvester.pdf

We used an agency to find our nanny and they always specified a gross rate per hour for all their candidates. I wouldn't even start to deal with net rates!

No they seem fine. The splashback itself gets a bit smeary as stainless steel does but the utensils always seem clean! I am still in love with our kitchen a year after we did it..:-)

Re microwaves - we have ours within one of our wall mounted cabinets - with a small cupboard over the top. Works well...pic attached you can just see it top left...(hopefully!)

I kind of had the worst of all worlds with my second after a c section with my first - I also really wanted a 'healing' vbac birth, instead I ended up with 4 days of labour and an emergency c section (not dramatic but classed as such) and a further week stuck in kings with the baby on iv antibiotics. Which was pretty crap, not healing and meant I was away from my 20 month old for nearly 2 weeks. I'd go for an elective for sure if I ever had a third (unlikely!), but it's hard the second time as you only have the one bad experience to base it on.

My two are now on their second sets of trespass ski gear - seems to be fairly affordable and warm. They've always had dungarees and jacket as more flexible...have fun!

School is def good - if nothing else it limits the amount of time they spend together. My two are currently dressed as pirates and attacking each other with cutlasses. They've both been to their bedrooms once already after fighting over a lego batman. Have to get out of the house soon!

Just to add - mine are a bit older so understand a bit more - but sometimes I start the day and say we're going to have a competition about not shouting and fighting today...obv this doesn't stop it but they respond quicker when I catch them at it - there's usually some chocolate waiting the best non fighter/shouter (I do sometimes award it to myself!).

I don't have any (good) solutions but I have two boys that fight ALL day long. With our two it is actually mostly the younger one (3.5) who thinks all the toys are rightfully his and goads his brother (5.5). I often feel it's like having 2 babies again as I can't leave the room for fear of war breaking out - older son usually ends up snapping and walloping younger one (which tbf I can understand!). I just distract, try and point them towards different activities, go out more as they fight less when we're out. Often they actually seem to enjoy bundling and tussling with each other - it's like a magnetic attraction - and like you say in some situations they do look after each other! They fight in the car too which is stressful - I have been known to pull over and just silently sit and wait until they realise we're not going anywhere until they stop. I do bribe with and withhold treats variously as a carrot/punishment. It is stressful but I think it is just the way it is with some siblings. I'm generally quite laid back and not very strict and I loathe constant shouting - my husband tends to yell at them and I think that makes it all worse!

Hi - I need some advice! I have a 5 yr old son who is completely terrified of dogs. He's never been attacked or bitten so it has no basis really. We've talked about it and he understands that it's irrational. I talk about my pet dogs that I had as a child and how I loved them and they were my friends, and we talk about how silly dogs are and how they just want to play, and don't understand how big and bouncy they are. We also have family with a (rather unfortunately large) dog who we visit...with dismal results. He absolutely cannot control his fear - we did have a coping strategy whereby he would stand stock still and wait for a grown up to help him, but he can't do even that atm - and had complete hysterics when approached by a jumping puppy yesterday at the park. Dog owners are a bit unhelpful as they cheerfully insist the dog is friendly (well, good - I wouldn't expect it to be off a lead if it wasn't!) and try to get him to stroke them - causing more hysteria. I know lots of kids are scared of dogs but this seems to becoming a full on phobia. He's not keen on other animals (including our cat!) but generally they are not as present and uncontrolled as dogs so can be dealt with. What to do as it's almost becoming debilitating at parks and beaches etc - a dog experience completely ruins his day!

I wouldn't get too fixated on the snack thing - we only have a very short walk home and I've never taken a snack, nor has my little boy ever asked for one - we just have some milk and fruit/biscuits etc when we get in which helps with a bit of a wind down. We also never seemed to suffer from extreme tiredness etc - it all just seemed to be a fairly normal transition from pre school (he used to do 5 mornings). Re uniform - I'm a bit rubbish at keeping on top of the washing and so we have loads - started with 5 polo shirts and 3/4 pairs of shorts though, with 2 sweatshirts, fleece and pe kit. I soon added another 3/4 plain polo shirts! the thing I find the hardest to keep on top of is the continual letters home about important dates, trips, dress up days, own clothes days etc - it makes my head spin and I live in fear of forgetting whats going on. I have a chaotic magnetic fridge display of school stuff....I don't recommend it!

Hi - yes you would need to contact the tree officer at southwark.

Is it a standard size cot? My 5.5 and 3.5 yr olds are still in their converted cot beds! We are changing them asap but they've been kind of cosy in them and it's given them more space in (especially the younger ones) bedrooms for a while. They are both hankering after bunk beds now - we're probably going to go for the ikea kura with it as a low bed for the 3.5 yr old - who has a tendency to fall out!

We have the same as you Fmm - a just 5 yr old who when we have tried to go cold turkey actually is wet multiple times...whilst his 3 yr old brother has been dry at night for a year, which kind of implies it happens when they are ready. I'm just going with the night time pull ups and no stress for the moment but can't see when things might change...

We have karndean - vinyl planks - throughout our ground floor - it is great - no maintenance, no scratches despite heavy use by two young boys and their toys. Would recommend.

Yes - wetsuits all the way in Brockwell for little ones (it takes my breath away!).

Or Brockwell lido :-)

Hi Susan - how was it?

We're going here - http://www.simpsontravel.com/greece-holidays/lefkada/villas/mousses-creche-and-childrens-club - for me it struck a happy balance of being a bit sociable and with some kids activities on offer, and there is a small bar/restaurant, but not full on hotel style big scale type place. We like to self cater and like to have a room for us and for the kids. I think they might have been offering free childcare in sept/oct? I can update after we've been in a couple of weeks!

Where're you off to pebbles? Good luck, I hated moving...

Our guys packed for us so I think it took 2 (poss 3 - I decamped to my parents place with the kids!) days - I think we just did it on the last day when they had finished, with some beers!

Hmm we possibly gave them ?20 each? I can't remember but we def did hand over some cash to the guys in addition to payment.