hanstands

What time is Goodrich on please?

I heard it was on tomorrow and is split into two sessions. 10am start for first and 11.15am for start of second [i think!].

'How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk' by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish 'Letting go as children grow' by Deborah Jackson 'Complete secrets of happy children' Steve Biddulph Books can really help some people...I'm defo one of those...Reading up latest research has really helped me find my own way in parenting...and not just go with what my parents did with me or what my peers are doing with theirs kinda thing. Hope the above three are at least worth a look, for you...and that you find the books that will encourage your own way of doing things... [all have been great for me, in different ways with my toddler and have allowed me to pick and choose from them what seemed to work for us--really great in fact]. All the best!!!

Thanks so much for this fascinating info on this book F!! Really have to read it...if anyone has one to lend I'd love to borrow for a bar of choc or similar?? Will try library but there might be a waiting list...:)

Thanks ladies, the tips really helped. Spent the day in Ikea, hunting for storage, ooh my back and legs...and thanks for all the congrats.

We have very limited space [no bedroom space left] and with a second child coming along we need to reorganise our sitting room. Anyone any good storage solutions to tidy away kids' and baby stuff in a sitting room? Anyone know of any changing tables that don't look like changing tables that would look like a small dining table/drawers etc or large cupboards or drawers that would help our sitting room look more adult by storing away the toys/nappies/baby clothes etc at the end of the day? Thanks for any ideas in advance!

The Barry Road and Upland/Hindmans Road...are these for unwearable clothes...so banks that recycle old clothing/fabric?? Just checking before our car-less family lugs down sacks of fabric on foot...Big ta for all your info ED Forumites!

Thanks everyone...

Old clothes that no one would want to wear again...does anyone know where I can recycle these? Rather than in the bin for landfill! Thanks for any info...

The nurseries you mention BB100 sound amazing and ideally what I think we'd like best. If only we could make the journey. We don't have a car and pub trans to Deptford I think is slow and tedious. Hmmm. Might take a look anyway. I called up the Dulwich Village Preschool and they said they are 'allowed' only three quarters of an hour a day outside on the grass which doesn't sound long to me. But as you mention Ludoscotts they can feel the weather on the veranda section which is something I guess, anyway off to visit that one too next week! Thanks again for all the really great suggestions.

Thanks so much all for posting your thoughts. I defo feel I've a list of possible nurseries to visit now, Buds, Oak Tree and Kindergarten all sound interesting and hopeful for what I think I'm looking for, yes, and the 'leftfield' German one too though we have no German connection -- if the attitude is outdoors and climbing etc then it could be great. Who knows, I'll know when I visit I guess. Woman of D, the problem isn't that my boy doesn't concentrate, he does, he's really good at concentrating its just that he tends to concentrate on climbing, balancing, testing his strength and speed! I don't see this as a bad thing, its simply him living out who he is. It feels so against the grain to force him to sit at desks at such a tender age if he doesn't want to. I hope that he'll have plenty of opportunities to sit down at desks and study in his older child years at the earliest and that it will come naturally in time...? Anyway, thanks all again for your inspiration.

Hello there! Wondered if any parent can recommend or suggest any nurseries where there is more of an emphasis on physical activity and/or outdoor play [even in winter] locally or beyond?? I have a son who really takes little interest in painting/sitting at tables/being indoors etc and really at nursery age I would rather he was spending his time doing what he loves to do most...any ideas or other options besides nursery greatly appreciated...? Thankyou.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Everybody-Poos-Taro-Gomi/dp/1845072588/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297634943&sr=1-1 Everybody Poos! I never bored of reading this one to my son, he trained between 19-21 months so the info must have 'gone in' -- though it does feature a boy as opposed to a girl though most of the book features animals. Its all the same actions for both this stage though -- its so funny. Worth adding to your collection -- great images, humour etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Talk-Kids-Will-Listen-Child/dp/1853407054/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291667271&sr=8-1 'How to Talk so Kids Will Listen' http://www.amazon.co.uk/Becoming-Parent-You-Want-be/dp/0553067508/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291667350&sr=1-1 'Become the Parent You Want to be' See the above two links to my fave toddler books -- I searched long and hard and asked alot of knowledgable folk to arrive at these two books -- fantastico! Non-patronising, gentle and they work with the way you'd like to do it.

If there isn't a group then perhaps we could start one? There seems to be enough keen on here to start one...

Listen again here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vy305#p00c7m6z

Same as what F says, I did some nannying with two wee ones that didn't settle on their own in their cots at nap time, this is normal, I just used to plan the day around their nap times and take them out for walks in the buggy or one in a sling and one in buggy and they slept then, worked fine--everyone happy! I used to either come home and chill out or stop off at a cafe and have a coffee.

What I mean by this is that I'm hoping to be a seller at a carboot sale but would need to take my 2year old with me, has anyone done this on their own with a toddler and managed ok?? Eg is there anywhere where there is intended or unintended attractions for children while you sell, kinda thing?? Just thinking maybe its a no-goer?? Or maybe if I took a friend who also had a toddler and we could take turns in selling and childcare?

I know a caring doula who offers pre, during and post labour services--she's really keen on natural births where possible incl VBAC's. I don't have her number to hand but if you were keen to call her let me know and I'll chase it up.

You've probably thought of it and tried it but what always worked was 6month old in sling front or back using the sleep hood which makes it darker but I think it was the security he felt being close to me that sent him off to sleep wherever we were. We used the Ergo at around that time on front or back. Not sure if that helps.

What age does this group go up to please?

They sell a biodegradable potty in Karavan Eco shop [think they're a tenner??] on Lordship Lane which has been good for us, enough room for a boys bits to stay inside, unlike some of the smaller potties we tried previously.

Hello!! We did baby led weaning and although there was more breastfeeding involved and was harder work producing all that milk it was perhaps easier than cooking meals day and night that may or may not be eaten by LO. Don;t know if it 'works' in terms of making a baby a healthier eater etc but so far my near 2yo loves his healthy food and will eat most veggies and fruit though it has been a slow process.

An Ergo all the way...really lightweight too, can be used from 4months to 3 or 4 years old--really great weight distribution...

Poor you this sounds so tough, we have had similar experiences and still do from time to time so I have an idea of how it feels for you..My toddler is not the best sleeper and sometimes shows the same waking up and staying awake behaviour--like your toddler it seems that he tries to get himself back to sleep but can't do it and gets frustrated about this [as well as me!]. The only thing that has really helped us is to go back to square one in terms of setting a consistent and very peaceful bedtime routine at the same time every evening if possible. This involves giving him ALOT of gentle cuddles and kisses, stroking his head as well as lots of quiet book reading alongside some soothing classical music [like Chopin's Nocturnes]. You can also tap into her imagination by talking to her about relaxing things before bed, like "Think about you being on the back of a big gentle horse, rocking and rocking you to sleep" [or other things that are relaxing specifically to her]. This seems to give him a sense of love and peace and security and after a few days of consistent lots of loving before bed things seem to get back into the swing of things. Its a slow process but builds them up, makes them feel loved and secure and at peace just before bed. Perhaps you could also try putting on a calming CD in her room [if her sister doesn't mind!] when she is struggling and also try to keep yourself from feeling stressed about it as your daughter may be able to pick up on it and may contribute to her staying awake. A quote from a book I read said: "'The baby [toddler in our case] needs peace more than sleep. Believe it or not, so do you. So don;t struggle over sleep; just learn to be peaceful together.' If we, as parents, can come to terms with what we really get to control, bedtime struggles will diminish." Hmmm, to me this all sounds quite ideal but it did help me a bit to keep this at the back of my mind when thinking of how to best handle things and to help me not get so frustrated about sleep. Not sure if any of this will be helpful to you but its what has helped us. All the best with you all getting some long, peaceful nights again soon...