Mrs TP

The only poverty the robbing scum have is a poverty of brain function. They all have Blackberries and the latest trainers. Real poverty is wondering when your next meal will be and not whether you should smash and grab some KFC or Greggs.

Soup Dragon has a sale on and I got one of those short sleeve short leg fully body swimsuits with built in sun protection factor for a tot the other day (?11 / ?12).

I tried those wristband pressure point things but no improvement. I realise you are asking for alternative remedies but I was so bad with my middle child (now 7) that I took some sort of travel sickness / anti-histamines prescribed for me by my doctor who had to come out to the house as I could barely stand without chucking (about wk 10) and was told if they didn't work I would have to hospitalised. Thankfully they did work and had to continue them until about 6mths pregnant. Was nowhere near so bad with other two pregnancies and just had nausea and little sickness. Had reflexology towards end of all 3 pregnancies to cure swollen ankles and worked a treat - defo worth giving it a go for the sickness. I love it but it just may prove very pricey depending on how often you need it. Good luck and however severe it is, it does eventually pass, just extra difficult if you are working and/or looking after other children.

Police community support officer was walking along Lordship Lane about 2pm advising businesses to close and all to go home as, and I heard this secondhand, 'a mob on the way from Forrest Hill'.

We have rec'd a v. odd letter through the royal mail and addressed to the 'occupant' at our address but not our full postcode. The envelope is handwritten and contains four A4 pages of typed drivel. It is titled 2011, England Well Disillusioned and claims to be from an unnamed 80yr old man who has lived in the UK for 78yrs but who has never been on the electoral register and then he drones on about politician on gravy trains and suggests I write to the Queen to fix things. Anyone else been sent this? We are Goose Green / Bellendish way.

I would recommend St John's and St Clement's. I have two girls there and it is fantastic. My husband is catholic and I am methodist but went to Church of England as a child for Brownies and Guides so we are a bit mixed in our house. St Johns Church which the school is 'linked' to is 'v. high church', communion representing the body and blood of Christ and lots of sign of the cross during the service, lots of incense. Try the church and see what you think. With any school the child's development depends on the encouragement they get from home and the attitude to education. St Johns and St Clements has some v good, experienced teachers and its Ofsted rating doesn't represent the school I know.

Just the name is fine. There will be a lost property box / boxes at the school and anything will usually find its way back there. Cardigans, jumpers and coats are the most important to name as these are the items the children can easily take off at anytime - school playground, play dates, local park after school etc. I don't think there is any harm in having your mobile on it but most people will just hand things back to the school. Hope she has a fab time.

Thanks guys - had not actually checked out what the cinema listings meant (doh) and had wrongly assumed under 12s couldn't go. All delighted here she can go and now just need to sort out the trip.

Hubbie was casually planning to take our 9yr old to see the latest Harry Potter at the cinema when he noticed it was rated 12a (she has seen the others on DVD not at the cinema). Neither of us are comfortable taking her now we know this and she was mildly cross as many of her friends have seen it. What do others think about the rating and would you / have you ignored it?

Many thanks Saffron and Zeban for putting my mind at rest - these are my first kittens and so learning every step of the way.

Our female cat is approx 8mths old and was neutered 3mths ago. Over the last week I have noticed she has a really saggy belly although generally she is an incredibly sleek cat. Her twin brother was neutered at the same time and has always been a much chunkier cat but remains sleek and does not have a saggy belly. Is her saggy belly the result of neutering and just one of those girl/boy differences or should I be more concerned? Her belly is not lumpy and she does not seem at all bothered when it is stroked. It really seems like saggy skin.

Oh lovely, enjoy your little Scout. It is a pretty cool name but do be prepared for surprised faces. One of mine has the middle name Loveday, which caused serious giggles amongst the other family having their little one Christened the same day as ours. However have to say I can't remember their child's name but no doubt they remember mine - is that good or bad?

Argh, two in a month(ish). The first was a reversible sunhat, turquoise on one side with pics of seahorses on it and plain bright pink on the other side. Prob lost it 4-6wks ago in Goose Green playground. The second lost yesterday between Goose Green playground and Lordship Lane - a flappy reversible sunhat, multi-coloured stripes on one side (red, yellow, green orange) and white with hearts of various colours on the reverse. Both toddler girl hats. Anyone seen them? ta

... a date with my hubbie is grocery shopping in Sainos.

Too funny, thanks for sharing this gem, pity no pics though.

I used avent bottles after breast feeding for 18mths. Have you got anyone else who can give it to her rather than you or her Dad, someone a bit more distant with you not around? I am guessing you are trying to prepare her for someone else looking after her and to be honest the first day she may refuse from them but day 2 / 3 she will go for it and at 8mths she won't starve if she misses a breast milk feed or two out of stubborness. Good luck, it is a huge worry but you will get there with her.

Hadn't got to the bottom of this thread and was also thinking Tiffanys so do echo sophiechristophy, but do think carefully what colour jewelry she goes for - gold / silver? Other than that can you compile photos from her childhood and present her with an album through the years of her / the family. Good luck - I have a godson, which I think will be even more difficult when we get there but he is only 10 at the moment.

My youngest (2yrs & 5mths) has recently got the hang of colours and has grasped many of the basics but still consistently confuses green and orange. I don't think she is colour blind just stubborn about being corrected.

Nappy Lady - My girls are happy to offer A G K L and only want the P in return. Am near St John's and St Clements school.

Pop along to Goose Green playground any school day at 3.20pm and it will be rammed with St Johns and St Clements current pupils and many pre-school siblings! My eldest daughter is in year 5 there and started 'alone' with no nursery friends and it was instantly fine. Good luck.

Do use their website as detailed above. I emailed them on Fri as some bugger nicked our brown bin. Had a message back same evening saying new one had been ordered for me and would be delivered within 10 days - was actually delivered today. Tiptop service.

Thanks for the feedback all. It is difficult to judge when someone doing door to door. We were initially suspicious but then did think it quite enterprising and we did like several pictures. Still couldn't help being cynical as all paintings same size, which struck me as a bit odd and also do students really sell their lovingly, crafted final year work? Would like to think it genuine but????

Anyone else encounter this chap selling final year paintings door to door? I liked some of the stuff and thought he quite genuine but didn't have any cash in the house to purchase - the one I asked about was ?65. What did others think and did anyone buy?

Glad Fuschcia took my comment lightly as it was intended. Do agree with craigy and also with littleEDfamily especially about where your priorities lie (we put holidays before a new kitchen / bathroom / windows etc, which all needed). I have 3 kids and 2 cats and am only a stay at home mum since child no3. The wear and tear on the house now is unbelievable compared to when I worked full time and the older 2 were in childcare all day. Our fab cleaner does 3hrs a week but in reality the house needs 3hrs per day. A wise friend once said 'do you think your kids will grow up remembering there was dust under their beds and the sofas are a bit tatty or will they remember the fun you have at home and on hols'. My 90yr old widowed Nan is always telling me she wishes she spent less time cleaning when her family was young and more time having fun with them.

Gives us more time to waste on the internet.