tarafitness

Yes, it's down today. My partner WFH on Fridays, so this is less than ideal.

My partner and I have noticed this too, I seem to be frequently walking past new fresh tree stumps. It's very disheartening.

the Albrighton Road community centre, runs a really lovely soft play for younger children. There are lots of soft play blocks, and a bouncy castle :) It's on Tuesdays and Thursdays http://www.albrightoncommunitycentre.org/activities/under-5s-activities/

thanks for the heads up :)

I've found Dr Laura Markham's Aha! Parenting website to be a source of incredibly useful information. I really like her email newsletters too, lots of good tips and anecdotes. Also heard good things about 'No bad kids', and have bookmarked a couple of her articles: The Real Reasons Toddlers Push Limits and Don?t Leave A Testing Toddler Hanging Personally, I find it always helpful to silently repeat to myself "he's having a hard time, not giving you a hard time", and "I'm the adult here" type thing, during any spectacular meltdowns (that are thankfully few and far between), and stay with him, telling him that I'm there for him if he wants a cuddle. I also learnt to not do things like break a banana in half, or eat a bite of his food... wow, big mistake.

Adding to the recommendations here for Brad and his team. We've spent a lot of time in the last six plus years renovating and improving our home, including both cosmetic refurbishment and major structural work, using dozens of different firms and individuals, and I can honestly say that Brad is one of only a handful of tradesmen that I would recommend unreservedly. In the summer last year we had our lounge renovated, then more recently our child's bedroom. Both rooms were fully redecorated, including preparation and painting of walls, skirting boards, door frames, etc., and on both occasions we were very pleased with the work. Notably on the second job, Brad also replaced the skirting boards at our request, doing a significantly better job than the carpenter we got to fit them previously. The standard of their work is, in my opinion, excellent - they clearly take pride in their work. Additionally I have found them to be generally reliable, punctual and always polite, friendly and considerate when in your home. It's testament to their abilities that they are always so busy, but worth waiting for.

"The killer is still out there. Snarl, the RSPCA and the police continue to receive regular reports of mutilations." Are you going to quibble over semantics? Not sure what the purpose of your contribution is?

sensitively written piece by the BBC. Horrifying to know that this cruel killer is still at large :'-(

as a pram-pusher (well, buggy), there are few things that anger/concern me more than parents who push their - supposedly precious - children out into the road before actually looking at the traffic first. It happens so frequently!

Can something be done about the zebra crossing at Goose Green? In particular, where you cross going towards LL and with your back to the edge of Goose Green itself? It's a lottery as to whether cars will either a) see you, and b) stop (even if (a) applies). I feel very anxious and uneasy on something that purports to making crossing a safer experience, especially when with my young son. However, I do understand that the way it's set up makes it difficult for motorists too. And yes, as someone who's just learning to drive - all the above applies. Pedestrians thinking it's a given that traffic will stop (perhaps they should consider that there are learner drivers whose natural driving reflexes aren't that honed yet!). Unlike on East Dulwich Road - where the entrance to GG is cleverly positioned halfway up the road, which no crossing nearby - there are numerous pedestrian crossings to use (though there's still the unsafe junction of East Dulwich Grove and Lordship Lane...). also agree about other drivers blatantly flouting the 20MPH rule, despite this area being heavily populated by children. Worst seems to be the delivery drivers speeding along in white vans while checking their phones! Not to mention we're in prime Christmas Drink Driving season now :-/ Wow, that was cathartic!

Good question! I've always wondered that...

Our son goes to the Soccer Stars Football Academy sessions on Peckham Rye, saturday mornings from 10 - 10:45. The coaches are really brilliant, so friendly and encouraging :-) Best to contact them on 07522 425 931

Albrighton road soft play is fab, soft play in the truest form as it's just one room with a load of big soft tiles and things to climb on - plus a little bouncy castle and slide. My almost 3 year old was by far the oldest last time we went, but still fun for him. Definitely geared more towards younger children though. The softplay at Peckham Pulse is currently under refurbishment, but will look awesome when it opens - more of an activity centre as there will be levels to climb up/slide down from - as well as the obligatory ball pit(s) I imagine. Great for older/active kids. Then there's Tiny Gym which runs at the Camberwell Leisure Centre on most days it seems. It's only an hour's session, and it's a fiver now, but there is actual gymnastic equipment like balance beams, parallel bars, various climbing things like pikler frame and slide. Good for active kids who like to climb on things (mine doesn't). They also do songs at the end of the session which is nice.

So fed up with the poor intermittent service

That's really good news regarding the highchairs. When we asked if there were any, we were just told 'no', so good to know that, thanks! :)

Just wanted to warn some of you with younger children who like to eat out, that Meat Liquor has very high benches and stools, and no sign of highchairs (this may change in the future, but not exactly sure how it will work as the tables are also very high). We were quite surprised by this, but perhaps this is deliberate and they're marketing themselves at an older audience, which is fair enough :) It's not a problem for children probably say 4 or over who are taller with better balance, but my 2 year old slipped forward off the bench a few times and I was worried about him bashing his head on the table as he went. Could also see him falling backwards off the high stools so they weren't an option. Not an issue for us, as we're quite local so my partner just nipped back home and picked up our booster seat which has its own table, but just wanted to pre-warn parents of smalls that you may have to do likewise, or get them to eat off the shelf behind the benches? Food wise, we both had the bacon cheeseburger which was very tasty. Only criticism would be that they were too salty (partner noticed it too, and we're both fans of seasoned food). The fries with onion and hippy sauce were very tasty. Our son had the chicken finger sandwich, which looked great, and I think was a bargain for ?5. They do apparently have a children's menu too, but couldn't see that on the main menu so you have to ask - another indication that they're hoping to attract a different demographic to say GBK? Generous portion sizes, and their beer selection is pretty good too :) Tara

Unfortunately I've been told that the Worlingham Road one is not going ahead :(

coming soon...

We've just logged it with UK Power Network on 0800 316 3105. Please do likewise :)

Yup :/

Our samples arrived from the two companies. They're both great, but definitely prefer easigrass, particularly the Mayfair, which is so soft and padded. We're laying over tiles, so want the kindest for toddler knees ;) They sent this extra piece of compressed foam bits (see picture), does anyone know what it is? Is it for laying down first on concrete/hard surfaces.

Thanks! They look fabulous, I've requested some samples :-) Also requested some from Grass Direct Did you fit the grass yourself?

We're not going anywhere. We have a two year old and absolutely love this area. My 20 year old, however found it very difficult when we move here as having not been to school locally he didn't know how he could make friends.. there didn't seem to be any youth groups he could join. However, we were lucky enough to buy a large house almost 6 years ago that needed a heck of a lot of work so was cheaper than most other places. My son's best friend at nursery has just moved because his parents had a flat, and couldn't afford to buy a bigger place nearby. It's very sad, he keeps asking for him :'-(

Hi Dulwich mums and dads We have a lovely but very small garden with a patio area of only say 3 or 4m x 5m. The limestone slabs are really not very toddler friendly and I think it discourages him from playing out there. I've been told that artificial grass can be directly glued onto paving slabs, which would provide him with a much nicer surface to play on. Do any of you have artificial lawns? If so, can you recommend high quality grass types and companies to supply and potentially fit? Also, any pics would be superb. Thanks!

There is an update! Southwark Council has selected two architects to design new play facilities and a changing room area at Peckham Rye Park. It was announced on 21 March 2016 that Curl la Tourelle + Head has been chosen to design new changing rooms next to the football pitches and a new children?s playroom, while Turkington Martin has been appointed to conceive a new children?s play area for Peckham Rye Common. The project is funded by the Olympic Legacy Funding and the council?s capital funding. Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for parks, leisure and public health, said that the council was ?very keen to ensure the local community remains involved in the project throughout? and would therefore be establishing a stakeholder reference group ?to keep information flowing to all interested parties?. He added: "This time of austerity has raised many challenges for us, but I am proud to say that despite this Southwark Council has still been able to invest millions in our parks and open spaces, including this significant project in Peckham Rye that recognises the importance of this historic open space to residents.