ryedalema

ClareC Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Don't read if squeamish, but for me, I had no > idea whatsoever how much you bleed afterwards!! Or > how long it lasts. It's not horrendous, just was > a surprise and unexpected. I'll second that - every time I moved (got up, took a step etc) I bled. Do not, under any circs, wear your 'good' knickers. And I agree with most if not all that the other posters have pointed out + a major one for me. You cannot get time to yourself. I really, really wanted (and still do) to go to the loo, have a shower or have a bath without someone else in the room being rather too interested in what's going on. Privacy? Aaaggh. In about 18 years I guess. Love them to bits though - them and their 'Mummmmmmmm---- what's that?? And why is yours furry????'

Loads of spare change - either for the parking meter if you are unfortunate enough to have to park at Kings, or for the vending machines. Cold soda can on back of neck/small of back = bliss!

I'd go British Film Institute bar (indoor). It has lovely comfy sofas and it's quite dark (ish) so helps with the dignity side of things. Good luck - having bfed on a ferry to France in the middle of a boy scouts' jamboree I know the value of a modicum of privacy xxx

I totally agree - I'd love a wife. Or maybe, if I could just clone myself???>:D< I reckon I'm ok at the tidying/cleaning/baking/sticky backed plastic type stuff (cept ironing - life is wayyyyy too short). I just need more time...and my clone could swap for me in shifts. I'll be in a yummy Clarins bath reading a trashy, sorry, improving novel. "Ryedalema #2 - bring me a lycheetini!!!'

Oh I'm sure I've gotten the bus there (HO station) from ours. And that I'd seen something on here celebrating the fact. Sorry - some serious senior/sleep deprived/caffeine deprived moments going on here obv. Or maybe it was a glorious dream........

Ha ha - I wake up (too bleeping early with a baby's finger shoved up my nose) almost every Saturday morning thinking: "only two days until they're back at nursery..." I know it's wrong...but I'm glad I'm not alone. And totally agree with the 'let them make the decision thing'. We got through (well at least I hope we're through) with giving our eldest choices that didn't involve a 'yes'or 'no'. So... 'would you like to wear a skirt or dress today?', 'which bubble bath do you want?', 'pasta or rice?' (almost never get 'rice' though). That + the naughty corner (which she gets to send us into too!!!) and reward charts seem to have done the trick. I do say that with crossed fingers behind my back, touching wood and holding my breath though. Good luck xx

The 63 will take you from Honor Oak station to the Rye (Clocktower) junction of Barry Road.

Ummmmm - when you say 'get your shoes on', do you mean laces in bows etc or just on the right feet? Our 3.5 year old can just about do the latter - not a skerrick of a hope with the former. She also gets to choose the shoes - so more often than not sandals when it's stair rods outside, wellies in sweltering heat (you get the jist)...and sometimes not matching too. I think the nursery should be encouraging him if they feel it's necessary - but singling him out is way unfair in my view. Obvious from all the posts here that he's far from unusual in shoe-eyness.

We've used reward charts from about 2 years old (eldest is now 3.5) and have had massively good results. And you're right, she now displays the behaviours without expecting the sticker each time. We have/had items such as eating vegetables, caring for your sister, dry overnight pull-ups, cleaning teeth (without asking), tidying up, clean plates, staying in bed until the alarm....so plenty ;-) and they change as the behaviours cease to be a problem. We always focus on the positive, so 'caring for sister' rather than 'not strangling sister'. although the issue was the same and it really seems to be doing the trick. Mind you we also had a money box which got us through potty training (literally spending a penny) and she no longer expects money for each (ahem) deposit... So I guess you could say we're fans...good luck with what you decide. Oh - and one last thing - we got her to help design the reward chart to start with, we decided the categories together and she decorated the chart with glitter etc and we did it at a set time each evening after dinner. Both the regularity of it and the sense of ownership as she'd 'designed the chart' seemed to work really well.

Marscapone - have found account number and am pming you...

Hi Leanne - one unplanned home birth (madam wanted to see the world NOW!) and one unplanned hospital birth (just!). I'd say both were great (well, you know, relatively speaking). The feeling after number one of waking up the next morning with her in the Moses basket and my OH on the other side gazing at her was glorious - but then we had the same with the second as we were only in Kings for a couple of hours. Our second was a planned home birth with a last minute dash into Kings - which was expertly handled. Of course you will worry about a last minute dash but I'd say that the training/expertise of the staff is immense and I felt in really good hands, so if you need to get to Kings quick then the resources are there. You are minutes from Kings and on really good/wide roads so if you plump for a home birth then a 'dash' would be just that. Good luck with the decision and please pm or call me if you'd like to chat it through x

Is Edenred the new name for Accor? If so, we will have them somewhere and I can root them out.

Me too - I got vouchers (M&S) which is the only way I'm allowed to spend money (OH saw the Xmas joint account statement! :-$). Am so glad the kids aren't newborns - I'm trying to get rid of stuff in the house, but I might have to wait until they go to Uni for this. Only 15 more years......

We've got two daughters at Mother Goose (the Greendale one but the Waveney Avenue and Upland Road ones look fab too). Our youngest was in there from 4 months - I know :'(:'( But they both love it - our youngest (now one year old) loves all the cuddles and our eldest gets to play with her lots while enjoying time with her own age group too. Have a look at their website - they just got an outstanding Ofsted for the Greendale site and I can understand why: - go kart/wagon/trike race track around the nursery - huge veg/fruit patch that they regularly cook from - masses of diversity, celebrating every festival under the sun - guinea pigs and rabbits (fox proof!) - cookery, French, music,dance lessons etc etc etc I'm not on the payroll in any way btw - just evangelical as it's a such a relief that the girls are in good hands. They have lots of parental get togethers too and quite a few of the parents are on here. We've made lots of friends - both for the girls and the grown-ups. It gets a bit daunting at birthday times (have an RSI from the party bags alone), but is all good. Oh - and they're open 8-6pm, Monday to Friday.

Millsa - I'd love to train with you. Am exactly the same. Have had two kids and just lost 45 lbs (massive weightwatchers drive) but am size eight with a significant muffin top!!:-$ Oh the joys.... When would you be free and what kind or PE are you interested in??

Morning all - after the third night of cocktail experimentation and early rising little darlings I'm thinking about all the chocs/turkey/nuts/alcohol I've consumed (Beth I hope you are not reading this) and ways of getting really trim in 2011. I have a wonderful trainer (the aforementioned Beth) but need to supplement these training sessions with the gym (as it's freezing outside) and/or fitness videos. I've done Davina to death... - has anyone got one of the new batch of fitness videos that they can recommend (bearing in mind I 'fall off' the step in step class so nothing too choreographed);-) - can recommend a really good local gym (ideally with pool). This is my (ahem) treat to myself so could even go a bit posh on this (not sure there is a posh gym around here though??) I was considering Crystal Palace, Peckham Pulse, Dulwich Hamlets.. something with classes during the day would be really good. Not sure about Dulwich Leisure Centre - is the gym still a duffer?? I'd really appreciate any help - and of course if anyone wants a seriously malcoordinated gym buddy.......... ;-)? xxxxx

Our two girls are at Mothergoose Greendale too. Which room is your little one in?

Morning all - is there any point trying to get to DKH Sainsburys today by car? We live in Ryedale so it's Forest Hill Road, ED Grove, then DKH.

This is a completely unscientific answer but I'm a big believer in fate and serendipity. Fairlawn fell into your lap at the eleventh hour. It was the one you had an instant heartfelt reaction for. Children adapt to change REALLY quickly and a couple of weeks in he'll have new friends/adventures etc and won't remember Goodrich. Good luck with it - I'd be interested to see how you get on as we've chosen these two as first and second for next year. xx

I'd be happy to help too. I've been vetted for the magistracy so I'm guessing that includes a CRB. I've no expertise with electrical/gas/plumbing breakdowns, but am handy with a shovel and a shopping basket. Last week I saw an old lady seemingly trapped in her top floor flat crying for help - it's so sad that this sort of thing continues to happen in our age of 'communication' and 'localism'. I hope this doesn't get too over complicated with H&S challenges. I know they are essential to maintain the safety of those we're trying to help, but awful if it stopped us helping anyone at all.

Hi Paperina - I just wanted to give the other side as I went back to work full time when each of my girls was 6 months. It's hard - I can't deny that, and for the following reasons: - you miss them so so much, with eldest DD I was even getting taxis back from work so that I could get a few more minutes with her each day - work now has very strict childcare boundaries - it might be different with a nanny but I have to dash out of the door on the dot every day to make the one train that gets me to the nursery on time (something that i find hard while colleagues are working conspicuously long hours) - illnesses (again it might be different with a nanny) almost never fall when there is a lull at work, so you end up shuffling meetings back, cramming them into the next already heaving week, while feeling desperately guilty that you haven't been there when your child was not feeling great, or not reading the signs while you rushed out of the door to join the daily rat race. Things that aren't so bad though are: - the money obv (but don't forget to offset lunches, travel etc) - childcare vouchers (every little helps) - the loss of the quality time with your children - I have 2 hours in the morning and about 2 hours most evenings which is completely family (no emails, errands etc - that's what lunch breaks are for) - loss of relationship with them. we have loads of cuddles, talk about their days (with the eldest obv), plan our weekends and yes they love their nursery staff and friends, but I think that's quite healthy and just like the fact that more people get to love them (and they them). I do worry about not seeing their 'firsts', but I think the nursery staff know this about parents so strongly deny having seen any (which is sweet). I obviously haven't been at home with them full time, so can't give a balanced perspective. But just wanted to say that it's not all bad, especially from the children's perspective who seem to be having a ball!! xxx

Hi Ruth - sorry I've only just gotten to posting (Christmas is mad!) and congratulations also! I had the same panic as littlest was born on 23 December and none of my usual friend/family options were available to us AT ALL! Everyone was Christmassing (and/or p1ssed!) and she was 10 days early too which didn't help. We weren't too bothered though as we'd planned a home birth and it looked like it was going to happen while eldest was asleep - perfect. But we ended up dashing to Kings for a very short sojourn so our neighbour ended up looking after her. Someone we hadn't even asked to be part of things. So if things fall apart someone will always help - thank goodness! Hope this helps - it might even mend some bridges with your 'kitchen-hater'. All the infinite best xxx

Am up and Virgin box not working (boo - so no Garrow's Law). Anyone else up? x

I'd go for Sainsbury's - up Dog Kennel Hill. Safe and predictable, but they have plenty of stock.

Congratulations Fuschia - you must be so glad you're home (and putting your feet up!!). Did you have a boy or girl? And is all well with little him/her? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx