gnulover

Random request but we have a street party every year and have had bands play in the past which has really added to the vibe and been great fun. Unfortunately the band who came last year are now spread around the corners of the globe so I am wondering if anybody would like to come along and entertain a crowd of enthusiastic neighbours. I am afraid there is nothing in it apart from some burgers and luke warm beers but thought I would see if anybody fancied helping us out. Date is Sat 10 June 12.00-15.00 (although you don't need to play for the whole 3 hours!!!). Thanks Jacqui Tarbert Road, SE22 8QB

The best thing you can do is to spend time with your neighbour over a glass of wine and discuss what they are doing. Talk through everything, look at the plans, understand what they are doing and how it will impact you. Then either agree, specify some conditions or ask for whatever you need. Charlie

Not sure it helps but neither of mine drank milk out of anything but a bottle for over 2 years. My youngest still does (2yrs 3 months). He drinks out of cups, glasses, mugs and anything else you can fill with juice but refuses to drink his milk out of anything but a baby bottle. Have decided it will happen in time so am not stressing - although he doesn't take it to bed. Without wanting to start a different debate but if he is using it as a dummy, have you tried giving him a dummy instead of the bottle. You will still have the issue of weaning him off it but you will hopefully stop him vomiting in his bed. My son weaned off his dummy at 18 months within a couple of nights (those 2 nights did seem like a lifetime however!) so it may be an easier solution in the short term. Good luck

Hi I think there are quite a few threads on this so you may want to do a search but Asquith nursery on Waveney Ave in Peckham Rye defo does half days as my son started and then moved to full days Jx

Used to live there. Really liked it. Love all the shops at the end of the road on Bellenden Rd. Great greasy spoon cafe for Sunday breakfast, Fenton Walsh for some cool clothes, the book shop and the recently refurbed wishing well (don't know what it's called now and haven't been but apparently it's great). Really quick walk to Peckham Rye station which is great to get to both London Bridge and Victoria. Go for it

Hi, I have received the following flyer regarding a training programme on Sat 17 July for parents with children between the ages of 3-12 with autism. I unfortunately can't go but if you have been unable to get on the EarlyBird course or would like to learn a bit more this sounds like a really useful session. Details for signing up are in the attachment. Thanks jacqui

Tina, we have a son with autism and have just gone through the school process and got into Dulwich Village Infants before we got the statement which came through last week. It depends on how your son is but we liked the smallness of DVI as it is only an infant school so there is slightly less chaos at playtime (which is the time when we think he will need most help in socialising and playing with others). They also have a good buddy and mentor system in place to help children (with and without special needs) to integrate into groups which I really liked. However, my friend has a daughter with autism and is going to Goodrich as they have a good unit within the school so if things get too much they can be taken out of the main classroom which I like the sound of as well. You really need to visit all the schools and go with what you feel. Meet all the Sencos as they are the people you are likely to interact with the most. The Mag group is great. We have been going for about 8 months now and they are not only good fun but really useful to find ouut what resouces are out there, courses, etc. I would also suggest you join Contact a Family's mailing list as they have a great newsletter (not Autism specific) and can help you fill out the dreaded Disability Living Allowance form if you haven't already. If you want to chat, pm me

Was in Dulwich Park cafe yesterday when the lovely Minnie Driver was spotted on the table opposite me. Was enjoying the sun withh her little boy Harry and some friends. Loved her in The Riches!!

With my first I had a great pregnancy and didn't see any point in leaving work early. Had planned on finishing work on the Friday with my due date being the Monday. Little one had a different idea and came a week early so was expected in work the day after I gave birth (of course I didn't go). With the second I thought I would give myself a bit more time but of course when you already have one you don't really get any time to yourself anyway and thought 2 weeks would be enough. I felt really tired towards the end (dealing with a 2yr old really saps your strength). However life intervened again and I managed to fall off my Vespa at 34 weeks (no lectures please) and broke my arm so was signed off work to heal and then went straight into maternity. In an odd way I am really glad it happened as I had time to sit down and relax and enjoy a bit of me time before number 2 destroyed our peaceful house for ever! But as most people say it is very personal and depends on how you are feeling in your pregnancy. You will double in size in the last month so one day you think things are going fine and the next day you wake up and you've doubled in size and you can no longer get out of bed without a winch system! Jx

We used www.totstofrance.co.uk last year and are going again this summer. Have places all over France (although they do seem to be very popular over the summer months so you may be out of luck this year). Great because you don't have to take all the usual stuff you carry - they supply cots, bed guards, baby baths, high chairs, monitors, sterilisers, blenders, stair gates, toys, etc and most places also have outdoor equipment to keep them busy - swings, sand pits, wendy houses. We took our 6 month old and 3 year old last year and had everything we would need (although we still managed to fill the car to the rafters!) Jx

Hi, my son has autism and although we haven't used a private S&LT there is a lady called Tina who runs a session called Babble and Squeak at the Mag as a drop in on Friday mornings. You could pop and see her and ask her about private therapy (I know she does it). Their website is www.babbleandsqueak.com or you can email them at [email protected]. I went along to Townley road initially as there is a S&LT there who can assess him and refer him to the pre school department. Not sure what day it is so call and find out. If you are around on Wed there is an autism support group that meets at the Mag on the last wed of every month from 7.30 and you should come along Jx

It's so funny how you start out without children thinking a certain number is perfect. Mine was 4 - OH an only child and sounded quite lonely. I'm one of two and we don't get on. 3 always thought one would be left out so 4 seemed to be the best number all round. 2 children later and I can't think of anything worse than having another baby. 1 was a doddle in hindsight! Two exhausting. And then No 1 got diagnosed with autism which is a whole other challenge in itself so feels like we have 4 children sometimes. Also don't like the idea of being outnumbered as parents. Hard enough keeping them out of the middle of the road or heading for that really fast roundabout/swing at the playground!!

Hey Lorraine, when will the playgroup start up. I have found it really difficult to find a playgroup to take both kids to so will be good to be able to bring them both along Jx

I find the Herne is great for those on the move. You can sit out in the garden or in the conservatory and watch the kids run round in the garden and on the massive wooden climbing frame/slide structure they have. You can almost forget you have children!

I used www.totstofrance.co.uk. Not sure that October will be a good time to be in France but a great website for your next adventure. They also do Italy (www.totstoitaly.co.uk). We had a great holiday with our nearly 3 year old and 9 month old in June. Proper cots, high chairs, sterilisers, monitors, toys, stair gates, games, slides, wendy houses, chickens (went down a storm), pool, etc. And babysitting (for a fee) so we got to go out for dinner a few times without them.

Wow, we are a resourceful bunch! I must admit I think I have the perfect solution (except in the winter). I managed to change my role to a jobshare when I went back after my first child. So I now work 7am - 2pm as a secretary in the City. Managed to keep my salary as I still do a full 7 hour day and because I job share I never get caught at work late. The mornings can be a bit brutal when it is cold and dark (especially as I scooter into work) but I know that when the kids go to school I will be able to pick them up and find out all about their day (dropping them off is not as satisfying!). Unfortunately because of my hours we only had one choice of childcare which was a live in au pair. Not to everyone's taste but we have loved it - especially as they are around to babysit most nights so you also get a bit of your social life back when you are not falling asleep in your dinner. I am due to go back to work in 3 weeks after my second and we have just hired another au pair and I think it works really well for us. I also liked the 1-1 care they got and didn't put gnu1 into nursery until he was 2 and plan to do the same with gnu2. Have to admit am less enthusiastic about going back to work this time but am definitely not a full time stay at home mum but it's really nice to see them every day but share the pressures of that day. Makes the tantrums seem bearable when they are only for half the day!! Good luck with your decision and if you decide to do some baby franchise stuff I look forward to coming along! Jx

FelicityNormal Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > char1ie Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Just had a visit from the police to take > details > > of the con woman. They advise that if she > knocks > > on your door you should dial 999. They are > > actively looking for her. She is currently > > targeting Glengarry, Trossachs, Tarbert Roads > > apparently. > > > > Charlie > > > They can't be looking very hard, ROFLMAO. She's > reportedly already been arrested and prosecuted in > the past, she is 'known' to police, she is very > very active and yet the police can't find her! > LMAO! Maybe they lost her address.