BeccaL

Saffron is absolutely right - not your problem. He's a grown up - he may have had a tough time but so did others. He can look after himself. Repeat - not your problem. Look after you and your daughter x

If you're targetting Rosendale, I think that's a Lambeth school - criteria probably the same but check their website too. Distance from school is main criteria throughout I think.

Susy, you have been so brave to post this. You have done the right thing for you and your daughter, no matter how hard it seems. As others have said, the most important thing is that none of this is your fault - you must believe that. You didn't make yourself get cancer, and you didn't make your husband hit you. Your daughter will do better with one parent who loves her in a stable environment than with two in an environment in which she is frightened. As said, it is now up to your husband to sort himself out if he can and rebuild any relationship he wants with his daughter. I had no contact with my father after I was 10 (not for DV issues but because he left) and my mum worked really hard to make sure we had as happy and stable a time as we could - as a mother now, when I look back on it now I am amazed at what she must have gone through, which we didn't really notice as kids. You can do it - and when it gets tough remember the support on here as well as in the real world. I suspect that Peckhamgatecrasher's comment about making decisions will be a wise one - getyour support network in place and you'll be fine. Well done for getting this far - there are many thoughts with you at the moment.

Harris does - it's drop in, ?6 rep session, 4.30 to 5.30 on Tues. Daughter (6) has been going for a year, loves it and has learnt a lot. Suspect she may progress faster elsewhere - such is the nature of a drop-in class - but she enjoys the class, likes the teachers (who we also rate) and goes with school friends which we feel is important. Would give a good taster to see if your child enjoys it at the very least. Classes start back on 6 Sept. Let me know if any other questions. Becca

Like the personalised pencils idea - i'm the wrong side of 30 (by quite a long way!) and still have a set of personalised pencils my godmother gave me when I was young. Would think a scarf quite likely to get lost...

Do double check on parking if driving as there are a lot of traffic wardens about that area and they're pretty hot on ticketing people.

You can get little egg timer type thing from amazon - just check it's 2 mins because the one I just bought is nearer 3! Good for encouraging a decent length of brushing. Our daughter is 6.5 and she brushes in morning and we brush at night. Good balance of control for me and independence for her!

depends where in east dulwich you're going from and whether you have to be there for a set time or not? If you're the goose green end, get the 37 bus to Brixton and tube (has a lift if you're taking a buggy) directly from there, but if you need a set arrival time leave plenty of time for the 37 to turn up... Along Lordship Lane, probably get the 185 to Vauxhall or Victoria, then onto the Victoria Line Up by Dulwich Library, get the no 12 bus - takes you all the way there but allow and hour. Also route via Elephant would work well.

Daughter (6) loves being allowed to read to herself and turn her own light off - massive feeling of independence. We've probably been doing that for about a year or so. Found that initially she often turned it off just after we'd left the room, so more about being able to decide for herself than actually wanting to stay up more! Very rarely have to go and check that she has turned it off when she is meant to (8pm at the latest on a school night, earlier if she's obviously tired)- generally she's very good about it. However, the point of this was that she's in bed for 7.30 most nights, maybe a teeny bit later at weekends or in holidays, but she needs quite a lot of sleep. Agree with Kalamiphile - when I see kids her age up and about at 8.30 or later I always wonder how they manage - she's in pieces if up later than 8.30 for more than 1 night at a time...

We've got a supergirl dressing up set which came from M&S - I don't think they do them any more though :( If you wanted to borrow, you'd be welcome (would offer to give it to you but my daughter might kill me!). PM if you're interested!

Put on wellies and full waterproofs and go to the park to jump in puddles, then come home and dry off and have hot chocolate and biscuits. We don't do this often but if you're prepared for it its good fun!

Got some from Direct Line when I was 28 weeks pregnant, but that was 7 years ago. Probably worth a try though...

Along by Tower Bridge there are lots of nice restaurants right on the river. We loved Blue Print cafe but wouldn't think it that suitable for small children, but there's an Ask and a few others along the front there. About 10 minutes walk from London Bridge I'd say.

New Mother, I think Ofsted numbers differ for children under 1, between 1 and 5 and over 5, though I am not a child minder. As Kristy's children are over 1, she would be able to have one child under 1 (I think!)...

More of Goodrich is open than isn't - the classes where teachers are striking are closed but the rest are open.

Have you tried their website - think you get 25% off the usual price and don't have to queue to get in either.

Mavis, I hadn't met any of the midwives who were present at my daughter's birth in Kings (6.5 years ago, mind you) and it didn't bother me. Like you I felt that I wanted to be in hospital just in case. They were all great, as far as I can remember (had a lot of gas and air!!) and I was lucky enough to be able to have a birthing pool. I think we went through 3 changes of midwife because of shift patterns and the length of time we were there but that was fine - they were all good. Supportive and encouraging as I recall! Hope it all goes well!

Linda Barker is the designer, but she doesn't live on Underhill Road any more - has moved to Battersea...

At the risk of being lynched, some considerate walking would also be appreciated as well - I cycle through the park twice a day and particularly in the mornings you get strings of dog walkers who take up the whole width of the carriageway. They could walk in pairs rather than a long line so that cyclists could pass them more easily (Takes cover!). I rang my bell at someone's dog the other day to let it know I was coming so it could see me and she thought I was giving her abuse for getting in the way... It works both ways I think.

We often make smoothies out of over-ripe bananas - whizz with some orange juice and any available other fruit - frozen blackberries particularly good.

Am thinking about daughter doing a week at Scamps at DCPS this summer (https://www.avpsports.co.uk/index.php?page=introduction-2). Anyone else done this, or other similar schemes locally? Like the mix of different activities, and need something that lasts the whole day (9-5.30 or thereabouts). Thanks Becca

Agree with ClareC - Dulwich park pretty close (much easier to get to than Brockwell Park). Am not their target audience but haven't seen any promotion for this at all, and the place in the park has some pretty discreet signage, so maybe they need to do more promotion. Also think that price is expensive!

Devonlass - Bew Court is on the Lordship Lane Estate - top of Lordship Lane (up past the library and the Plough) opposite the bottom of Overhill Road. Bus stop for 185, 176 and 197 just opposite if you're coming from ED/Peckham Rye direction

My husband is a stay at home dad and has been since daughter was 5 months (she's now 6 years). They both loved it and it made it much easier for me to go back to work. Happy for you to pm me if any questions.

You can get some big sticker-type things which stick on the wall but can be taken off (I think) - they used to stock them in the Horniman shop. Lots of lovely things not necessarily all pink and girly - animals, fish, etc. Always thought they look really good.