gwod

I know where you're coming from Newcomer - but I guarentee you'll change your mind when baby newcomer is older! Also, there is a unspoken rule that you only knock on decorated houses, a signal that they are joining in, which rather takes the notion of "begging" I think. Happy Halloween!

Sadly for you jelly rabbits are these: http://www.justjellycat.co.uk/Browse-by-Animal/Bunnies/c-1-7-108/ Hope you find your pet soon.

Come What May.... Ewen Mcgreggor and Nicole Kidman. I challenge you to listen to it, thinking about your children it without bawling. Its not possible. Its got a long intro though so feel free to scroll through the 1st 30secs to get straight to the schmaltz.

http://www.emmaus.org.uk/south-lambeth

Glad to know you are well (if a little frazzled). Such a shame you felt you needed to go. A good reminder for us all to excersize empathy and careful writing in the family room. As a mother of 4 as well I was interested in your views. I'm glad I started this thread and hope it goes some way to redress any nastiness the forum brought you.

She was such a big voice in the family room and had good google-foo for research and info - not a peep for months. Its a pity, good discussions were had.

All contacted up now, thanks everyone.

I want one of these. (Scroll in about 20 seconds to avoid boring intro)

That certainly is them Mr Shorty, but I think this was their exhibition for Dulwich Artweek back in June, which is where I met them....but where are they now? Very Mysterious.

Does anyone know how can I get hold of the Skip Sisters - their website has no contact details or info about how to buy their stuff - and a want to buy something from them

I used these when the girls were little http://www.amazon.co.uk/Goody-Multi-Clear-Elastic-Holder/dp/B005CSYTCU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316169537&sr=8-1 They stay in really well (after the initial struggle)and one at the front to one side looks very cute as there hair grows into a cutable style. They sell them in most chemists etc

I agree that the bereavement books would be of little help in the early months. I couldn't read anything longer than a poem or magazine for several months after our bereavement and then looked for fiction to escape into. Eventually I did find accounts of people who had suffered losses similar to ours very helpful - just to know you are not alone. A piece of well chosen poetry was always good though, succinct and beautiful and without empathy, which was strangely helpful. I would advise reading about grief before one is bereaved, so that we can properly support our friends and know a little about the process before we are plunged into it ourselves. As an aside, the most helpful gifts I received in the desperate early weeks were food. You can never know how relieved you are to receive a shepherds pie, when your children need tea and you cant even think about food, let alone make any. The least helpful gifts are flowers - you get too many, you have to get out and borrow vases from your neighbours, your house starts to smell like a florist, and the water all starts to turn brown. I wish your friend strength and peace.

Maybe it's a parent of schoolchildren thing then...I think I'd like it more If I were out and about hunting for conkers with the kids instead of sending them off dressed in acrylic with a packed lunch!

The house is quiet, the children are back at school, it is evident that they have all grown over the summer - shoes and uniform no longer fit, new school starters in the younger classes look tiny by comparison. Old friendships are rekindled and parents and siblings are downgraded slightly. Sigh.

My brother put me off jelly babies by making a little squeak each time I bit into them when we were kids - he's got a warped sense of humour and had his eye any unrequired sweeties!

All go to adventure playground at Dog Kennel Hill - there is a room for tea and cake afterwards

I too love this book, Such a helpful read for mothers - not just a fix to get through a particular phase but a gentle attitude changer that makes all parenting easier.

I had my youngest child when I was 38. I thought it may take a while to get pregnant because of my age but it really didn't (hence 15 month age gap between my 2 youngest). I know 3 women very well who have had children in their 40s...two of them planned. My impression is that they found the pregnancy more tiring than in earlier pregnancies but conception, birth and general health of everyone concerned is fine. Best of luck with your decision. I hope you go for it - you always sound like a great mother!

I had one of each for my 2 youngest and they were equally as good as each other. I think the tripp trapp is much nicer to look at but the babydan is much cheaper (especially 2nd hand). You can't attach a tray to the babydan ...but the whole point was to have them sitting at the table wasn't it?

So happy for you all. Well done!

Farmers on Lordship Lane sell nice gift bags.

Make one up - flower girl or ballet kid or whatever she's into. As long as she's got a cape and a mask and some imagination it'll be easy peasy!

...and it does this too.....!

Do you mean one of those circular embroidery things - Ive got one you can borrow - PM me.

first mate Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > It may be a bitter pill, but there are a number of > Mums that don't work and volunteering to do > lollipop duty may be viewed as a useful > contribution to ease the general tax burden. Just > a thought. It would be a bitter pill. Especially to those of us who already have to volunteer loads to support the govenrnment in educating our children, and whose entire job is already voluntary. Also, being a mum unfortunately doesn't necessarily mean that you are a responsible enough to escort about 800 children over the road each session - as Bert does at the East Dulwich Road Crossing - until Friday that is when they will have to muddle through themselves. Please put your name to the petition.