BeccaL

It's my night for bucking the trend! I went back to work full time when my daughter was 5 months old but was v lucky that my husband is a SAH dad - he wanted to try it and we thought we'd see how it went. 4 years on it is great, but helped by the fact that i work in herne Hill so daughter and i have breakfast together every day and i'm back for 6. Thoroughly recommend SAH dads! Will add more when not on mobile - getting sore thumb! BeccaL

Hi Belle. Just to give another perspective - we've only got one child intentionally. Thought we might have another before she was born but decided we were happy as 3. Can't count the number of times i've replied 'we like the one we've got' when asked if we're going to have another one... One thing to consider (in my view anyway) is that 2 kids seems much more than twice as much work than one as well (that might seem v selfish, but there you go!) Happy to discuss our view of the only child debate! Becca

I'd second sophie's steak house - not that cheap but also not too busy when we've been and v child friendly. Avoid giraffe unless you're going outside usual lunchtimes as the queues are terrible!

I'd second sophie's steak house - not that cheap but also not too busy when we've been and v child friendly. Avoid giraffe unless you're going outside usual lunchtimes as the queues are terrible!

Another vote for somewhere selling CDs and DVDs

Xfm is on fm at 104.9 as well

Xfm is on fm at 104.9 as well

Tempted to go down now! What time was this?

You can use this website (http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/route_list.cfm?c=England&lg=-1.47216796875&lat=53.3833283676&zmLevel=13) and actually calculate the route to whichever point of the school you need to from your front door - gives you accurate numbers!

During our appeal hearing, Southwark told us that the criteria were changing for 2010 admissions to "as the crow flies", whereas previously it was "by the safest walking route" which was equally non-specific. I guess that's their way of writing "as the crow flies" but agree, it's not very well phrased.

Hi Josiebee We got a place only when they opened the bulge class this year and by their reckoning we were 935m from Goodrich (we think we were about 650m but that's another discussion...). Where are you - our friends got their daughter in on the first round of applications and she is about 600m from the school. Happy to discuss on PM if that helps (or sympathise as well)

I think you definitely have to have the discussions in private, and back up the other parent even if you disagree with what they have done - my husband is stricter than me, despite my best efforts to maintain consistency, but if I'm disciplining our daughter he lets me get on with it rather than appear to her as if he doesn't agree with me. We often discuss what is/isn't acceptable, but I think the two of you being as consistent as possible to the children is vital, even if you disagree between yourselves - agree what you're both happy with and try to stick to it. My husband felt that when our daughter was younger he was being "bad daddy" and was worried that she would hate him for it in future (she still might, who knows!!), but she responds very well to him as she knows he won't take any nonsense. I often end up using "Would you do that for Daddy? No, then don't do it for me" which at least (I think) helps her understand that we both think that it is important. She's currently a bit shocked that we discuss what she's been doing - when I ask her about something which happened the previous day that her dad has told me about she looks aghast and says "How do you know?" - well, we do talk to each other after you go to bed sweetheart!!

Definitely disciplinarian - it gets me mad when friends don't tell their children off when they're being naughty. We find removal of treats pretty successful and our daughter is fairly well behaved in our opinion! This could all backfire in future - who knows... I think the important thing is that you are their parent primarily not their friend - it's your job to teach them what's right and what's wrong.

We use Sue's route - misses out the chaos which is the A23 in streatham - enjoy!

Also depends if Lewisham are changing their distance criteria - I know that for 2010 admissions Southwark are measuring distance from school to home 'as the crow flies', i.e. shortest direct route, rather than going by 'safe walking route' as they have done previously - this may work in your favour?

Probably - we didn't get a place there this year and I think we were about 900m away, but were about 10th on the list. Lewisham admissions are very helpful and nice (particularly compared to Southwark), so if I were you I'd phone and ask them.

Oh, yes, got me too (I found the whole high wire thing terrifying!) My 4 1/2 year old daughter loved the budgies though, she thought they were hilarious!! - I guess it really does fulfil the something for everyone criteria! Think we'll be going again next time the circus is in town.

Thanks everyone - we went yesterday and it was great. All loved it, though the high wire made me very nervy!

We went yesterday afternoon and loved it. My husband was sceptical but despite being selected for the ballet if enjoyed it! There's an online booking discount in a thread in the family discussions if anyone is interested.

We got goodrich nursery last year and are about 650m away and got school there over the summer but I didn't think they did catchment area for the nursery?

Our 4 yr old daughter did a week's classes with little kickers over the summer. She loved it and we were amazed how much she learned. Would definitely recommend

Yes, both good (IMHO) - they were our 1st and 2nd choice, and we'd have been happy with either (though obviously wouldn't have got into Heber as would have been in 5th criteria).

Thanks - didn't realise there was a break - that makes all the difference.

We also finally got a place at Goodrich having lost our appeal - if anyone does have any information about council focus groups please let me know - the Southwark process was so ridiculous and painful from start to finish they need to know about it! We're going to complain about the appeal process because it was such a farce but want our daughter settled in at Goodrich first.

ClareC - it is changing to "as the crow flies" distance measurement from 2010 applications. Heber will probably be your closest - I know someone who lives on Goodrich between the Castle and Landcroft Road and her daughter didn't get a place at Goodrich but did at Heber, because she was under the 4th criteria for Heber but 5th for Goodrich (no kids got into Goodrich under the 5th, I don't think, even with the addition of the extra reception class).