hpsaucey

Hi - this is John Procter's shop. v nice guy and will give you good advice - I say this as a customer! Helen Renata Hamvas Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There is a string instrument shop on Evelina Rd in > Nunhead. It's upstairs on a corner above the > ?talking heads music studio (where the > haberdashery used to be 3 or 4 doors along from > Sopers. The entrance is round the corner, and you > need to ring the bell. They also restring violins, > guitars etc. > Renata

I'll second this. Jonno - guess you need to have boys to know them properly .... bluesuperted Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Jonno's comment has summed up for me what I worry > about, the other side of the coin for those of us > with sons. My little boy could never be described > as feral but he has boundless energy and does not > like sitting still (at 21 months I don't expect > him to!). However I think while with girls the > pinkification and lack of female leads in stories > etc is a big worry, the worry for boys is that > society views their ebullience with disdain from a > young age rather than letting them be until they > are old enough to calm down a little. I think > there are lots of disparaging comments made about > boys even before birth that you don't hear about > girls - oh you're overdue, you must have a lazy > boy, oh you're having a boy, he's going to cause > you trouble and be a massive handful, a second > boy? Oh you must have been hoping for a girl, will > you try again? Or after, what a greedy little boy > (re feeding, have never heard the same said about > newborn girls), it's kind of sad that we start > with the negativities of boydom so soon. There's a > great book called Raising Cain written by two male > psychiatrists who explain how boys are treated > emotionally very differently to girls, basically > told to man up from an early age and not given the > same level of emotional guidance and therefore > literacy that girls are. Really recommend the > book, it really makes you think about society's > prejudices towards males and consequently why > boys/men are far more likely to fail/get into > trouble at school and in life than girls - as a > bit of a feminist not something I'd given much > though to pre-children! > > Slightly off topic but something I think about and > notice a lot now I have a son, the other thing > being that parents of quiet, 'typical' little > girls often don't understand the very different > needs and nature of toddler and preschooler boys. > I know nothing about looking after little girls > and defer to parents who do, but sometimes, if in > receipt of a withering glance from a parent with > an exceptionally still daughter in a music group > or whatever, I do feel like saying, do you also > have a son, because if not, do not judge!! > > Personally I adore having a boy and would happily > have four! My son is a Duracell bunny of energy > but he is also loving, kind and sweet-natured. > Just because he won't yet sit and follow > instructions for a whole nursery rhyme does not > make him troublesome or feral, just made a little > differently.

Hi there - I looked at Rye Oak, Hollydale and Bellenden - but that was about 3 years ago and things change! I really loved Bellenden (small and friendly) and Hollydale (good head and happy children) and it also seemed that Rye Oak was on the 'up' with nice staff (those I saw) and happy kids in the school. Best advice - go and look around. As you say you can only get so far with Ofsteds (we ended up putting a school with a 'satisfactory' Ofsted before those with 'Good' Ofsteds in our list of preferences as we decided our son would get on better and be happier there). Also - hot tip given to me by a primary teacher friend - go and stand at the school gates at drop-off and pick up time to get a feel for the school, children and parents. Good luck - I'm sure other people will have more 'up to date' opinions' on these schools. ...

HI there Gidget - yes I will - thanks for the email. I've also completed the Dulwich Healthcare survey also on another thread. It's not just about GPs but provision in general but sees to be a good way to give feedback and there is a section on GPS enabling you to talk about your local surgery (they have a list of the local ones to select from). http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,820674 Cheers Helen

What I don't understand is how I'm meant to ring, ring and ring again for what... 40 minutes sometimes ....in the middle of getting kids out to school/ I'm guessing other people are running up phone bills whilst trying to get through on the way to work, but you can't really watch your children and be on the phone on the way to school.Such a stupid system. Yes there are some great doctors at Crystal Palace Road but what use is that if you never get to see them. Its like a gated community.Seriously fed up. Will try that PALS number - given that GPs are now getting more 'control' over the NHS this should be in their remit.

Inspired by the thread I remembered I was after one of the thermal ones and found a new one in the charity shop for a bargainous 8 quid! Bit 80s style but looking forward to using it and saving on my gas bills hopefully. Even has a lock so you can take your food out and about.

I was all for getting a slow cooker until I saw these which look even better - is that possible??? Works in the same way - shove ingredients in, cook for ten-20 minutes, but THEN you switch if OFF and it cooks in its own heat. Basically an old hay box idea/big thermos flask I suppose. They're not cheap though. Anyone used one?? H http://www.thermalcookware.com/ http://www.mrdscookware.co.uk/ http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=1997835&page=2 http://questionersgardentime.blogspot.com/2009/02/using-urban-hay-box.html

I'll second the Ritzy! As snowboarder says, the films vary widely in their age suitability - the LOst and Found/Gruffalo double bill was a cracker - so you need to check whats on in advance. I took my two when the older one was 4 and the younger 2. We took a few toys for the 2 year old in case they got bored, plenty of snacks and sat at the front so he could play on the floor if he wanted. Never had any problems even with longer films as he ether watched, played quietly or fell asleep and always had a fun time! This Saturday's film is Ratatouille. snowboarder Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We have been to the saturday morning kids club at > Brixton Ritzy - the films vary in terms of their > suitability (we saw a double bill of the gruffalo > and Lost and Found!). It was great...and since > then have been to a couple of things at Streatham > odeon on a saturday afternoon. Z loved it but I > do think found it a bit loud/dark/scary too...

Curmudgeon Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > having lived here for more years than I care to > mention I am mildly interested at how ridiculously > expensive the entire area has become with flats > selling for considerably more than houses sold a > decade ago. > > I remember when you could buy all this for a fiver > and still have change for a poke of chips on the > way home ..yaddaydadda > > feel sorry for people trying to get on the housing > ladder - good luck I'll second this as one the one's to 'feel sorry for' and despite a deposit, with no real chance of getting anything. My kids love bursting bubbles and I'll happily join them in bursting a housing one! Off now, to stop feeling sorry for myself and scoff some lunch.....

The other thing to bear in mind, which I'm sure you already know, is how emotional you will be feeling as you/them discuss it. My father died from cancer fairly suddenly and my youngest - then nearly 3, now nearly 4, still asks my very matter of fact questions about why it happened and how. I've been as straight with my two as I can, using simple language, although its obviously a difficult subject to understand for such young ones! I still feel myself choked whenever he asks, and when it happens out of the blue as it often does it can still knock me for six. So that my two don't think that what happened to their granddad happens to everyone, I have said that what he had was quite a rare illness, that doctors can fix most illnesses for people (otherwise they start worrying every time you or they get a cold for example), but that there are, just sometimes, some that are harder to fix. We are also recording thoughts about him and memories of him so that they can explore their feelings, and also so that they have something precious to share later on with their cousin who is still a baby and doesn't have such precious memories of him. I am so sorry you are all going through this.

Chose my son's names so they couldn't really be shortened lol - Linus and Keir. People will always find some way to turn them into nicnames though I suppose. Ruth_Baldock Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Agree re: names with cute shortenings. I have an > Alexa; never called her that, she's my Lex :)

You can get yourself referred/or refer yourself to the Maudesley. I saw a wonderful therapist there for CBT Clare Kenyon, although you can't ask for particular people. As 'Belle' as said they were keen to make sure that those who were pregnant/with young children got the help they needed. Also, CBT doesn't suit everyone, but I think they offer a much wider 'personalised' range of therapies/avenues these days - including computer programmes to do on your own etc. for example. I didn't use the drugs as I, personally, very strongly felt I didn't want to take the Prozac I'd been proscribed. I was also thinking about planning a future pregnancy at the hazy future. However, as you've probably encountered from various responses people can feel very differently. I remember a friend of mine at the time very forthrightly saying I should absolutely definatley take the medication as she had found it so useful herself during her own depression. I just knew it wasn't right for me personally. Each to their own. Good luck - I feel for you.

Dear Ruth. Another poster with nothing new to add to the comments above - so very sorry for your loss. I hope you have support up there to help you in these difficult times. Helen

ALso this for a free personal video from the man himself! http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home Enjoy.

Hhm - yes I'm sure faith schools get some things but not all right??? Down to personal opinions on some of this I'd have thought - but then my point of view is that of an atheist who thinks putting crucifixes in classrooms is getting it wrong... Non-faith ones are quite capable of getting things right too. Helen macaroni Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Dear Vickster, my friend's daughter attended 4 > years ago and I have heard mixed reviews in the > years that have passed. It's so hard to choose and > no one school will be perfect, my own go to a > catholic school, I'm always intrigued how faith > schools seem to get it right, if possible consider > that avenue. Dear Reader, do not vilify me!

HHm - might be remembering wrongly but I'm pretty sure one of my friends mentioned similar warnings being given to parents at Goodrich after a similar incident in the vicinity a couple of months ago. H

I'll 'second' this one. Although there can be many reasons of course, it's worth knowing the 'markers' of things like Aspergers and keeping an eye out as they get older. These things can, oddly, creep up on you unawares! Helen BB100 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Noise sensitivity can be a sign of Aspergers. Some > children are very high functioning autistics and a > dislike for noise can be an early sign. It's too > early to tell at this stage but it's worth keeping > in mind as noise avoidance maybe the only kind > solution.

I use Touch and Talk' on my small boys - 5 and 2; and big boy - 39, without telling him lol! Works EVERY time. Bless 'em. Helen

Also Ivydale School fair and market tomorrow (Sat)- 2 till 5 p.m. if you're near there.

Sorry - meant to post this a couple of weeks ago but forgot. Found a plastic mermaid doll near the one o'clock club on Peckham Rye Park. Anyone lost one? Of course it may belong to the club. ... Helen

Another happy punter! Took my son and Dorothy was so lovely! Got a stylish and a bit different pair of shoes. He loves them so much he said he'd wear them to bed if he could! Also going to post on the thread that mentions Dorothy's shop's name to give it a better 'heads up'. Hope Dorothy's here to stay! Helen

Hi there - I'll second Blanch House, although it's been a few years since we stayed. Lovely people, quirky rooms, nice food and good cocktails!

Was wondering if it would be OK to get signatures for your petition outside schools? I could probably drum up a lot of support outside Ivydale for example if the school doesn't mind? Fingers crossed the children's centres decide to take it on though! I'm more than willing to help, but it would take a lot of dedication and organisation from a fair number of individuals to run it and I suspect most parents like me who would be willing are pretty busy anyway! What would people's responsibility be for example for First Aid/Health and Safety etc. be if they were opening it? Helen

Hi there - thanks again for taking this up. I'd like to come along to the next meeting, although probably can't make the 16th. Think the petition is a great idea. Helen

Cool! Informative in a 'teachy' way all at the same time lol. Why haven't I seen this site before!!! ruffers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > This easy?