Pickle

Does eating Bisto gravy granules dry using a teaspoon count as a guilty pleasure? Or suggesting to my small children that they do some dancing purely so I had an excuse to play Aqua's "Barbie Girl"?

I spoke to Asquith Peckham Rye last week and was told their waiting list is 18 months +

I was induced for both pregnancies at 37 weeks due to illness. Both times I was in the labour ward right from the start - first induction took a couple of days (take plenty of books, music, games etc just in case!) but second was very fast. I used the drip first time round and managed the labour using just a TENS machine, so I really do think it's a very individual thing, as I didn't find the pain unbearable. Second time just the pessary was used. For my second induction I was encouraged to go for a walk, so had a lovely time wandering round Ruskin Park in the sunshine with Mr Pickle. No matter what happens, just remember that at the end of it all you will have a baby - it makes the whole process a lot more bearable. And if it does happen to take a while, make the most of those hours you have, as you won't get time to yourself again for a while ;-)

There's a nice pool at Beckenham Spa - only a 15 min car ride away

We used to get it regularly (Upland Rd, near Underhill) but haven't seen a copy for months now. Did notice a copy at the Southwark Registry Office when I was there today though, so it obviously still exists!

My son (2.5) had his most recent haircut at the new barber (Jazz, I think it's called) and the guy was excellent with him - he has children so was able to chat happily about Bob the Builder, which kept my son happy (as well as the bribery chocolate, which I think is a haircut essential!)

We've had problems with our neighbour's cats coming into the house and spraying, so have upgraded to a microchip-reader cat flap which (after our cat got used to it) has been brilliant. Gives us peace of mind that only our cat can come in, he seems much happier now that the house is his again. Flap we got is this one: http://www.sureflap.co.uk/

Be brave and go to Brighton, it's not that bad, honest! My sister lives down there and I've done the trip with both of my children (2.5 and 14 months, although my youngest was only 4 months the first time I did it) both by train and by car. Train, in my opinion, is the easiest as you can entertain the baby, feed when necessary etc. Once you're there it's so lovely to stroll around taking in the sights, lots for baby to look at. Beat the weekend rush by heading there early (i.e. leave East Dulwich before 10am) the trains will be pretty quiet. The South Bank is another good option, quick and easy to get to, and although busy at weekends still plenty of room for a buggy and loads of places you can stop to feed. P x

Hi Clare - they definitely have the facility, and there's one room in particular (room 2 I think... on the left as you enter the maternity ward) that has a built in water birth pool as well as mood lighting etc! They also have portable pools on offer, there was one in a room I used for #1, although I didn't use it. As far as I'm aware you can't "book" to use the pools, it's a case of if they're available when you arrive you can use them. Although I'm sure someone who's actually had a water birth (Fuschia?) may be able to provide more info. Good luck! P x

At the moment I find the 1 o'clock club excellent to take my two children (2.5 and 14 months). Now that my youngest is mobile - not walking unaided, but happy to push a trolley around - it's good fun for her, wears her out nicely, and her older brother loves it. Also a good indoor area with plenty for the little ones to explore. If you're able to drive, the soft play (Buzz Zone) at Beckenham Spa is excellent - much better than Peckham Pulse, kept my two entertained for a good 2 hours on Thursday morning. Swimming there during "Family Splash" times is fun. Playgroup at the Goose Green centre at 10am on Thursdays is good for that age, loads of toys to keep them entertained and a nice group of Mums/carers to chat to - I think it's stopped for the holidays and am not sure when it starts up again, but I'm sure someone will know. Leapers, as Fuschia mentions above, is excellent - although not everyone's cup of tea in terms of being quite structured, with some interesting "health and safety" rules to abide by. Completely sensible, but possibly the only group you'll go to where you have your cup of tea sitting in a plastic bowl (the cup of tea that is, not the person drinking it)... That said, I think the lady who runs it is brilliant, very passionate about education, and it's a good group.

Oh yes, the good old MAU. I basically lived there from 30 weeks onwards with both pregnancies - although despite the boringness did think the staff were lovely. By the end of my 2nd pregnancy I was pretty much able to arrive, take my own bloods and hook myself up to the monitor. And I had a favourite chair! Good luck Heidi - star jumps, curry, pineapple... none of them work but at least you'll feel like you're trying! :)

We used one of the hard plastic moulded bath supports with #1 from birth - he was tiny so for the first few weeks he got bathed in the hand basin (without using a support) then we went straight to using the big bath with the support. We found within a couple of months it was almost easier to bath him without a support once we were confident and with #2 never used one.

:)-D Fantastic!

We're a 2 monitor family... both BT (one older model, one new) and they've been great. Well worth the money in my opinion. I've never used a sensor monitor although have read varying reports on them (can sometimes cause more stress to parents if they go off and there's nothing wrong etc.) - and through the BT monitors you can hear the baby breathing as they're really clear and pick up the smallest sounds. P x

Belle, no, not tall - average height and skinny! But I think they'd be fine on a tall baby :)

I used Bamboozles for my son from 10 months till he potty trained at 2.5 - the M size saw me right through and they were very reliable. I bought these through The Nappy Lady and they still sell this brand. Not so sure on One Life - not a brand I'm familiar with (and I'm a nappy addict!). Bamboozles are quite slow drying, but in winter if you've got heated towel rails, or a really warm bathroom (which we have) it's not too bad and they'll usually dry easily in 24 hours.

Sad news, sorry to hear about Woody. At least you know what happened and won't be left wondering. Hope you're all holding up OK.

Poor thing... my 2.5 year old had the pox about 2 months ago so I feel your pain! For us the best things for relieving the discomfort were aqueous calamine (normal calamine seemed to irritate him more when it dried) and Piriton. Cool baths, light clothing etc. will all help. Good luck.

All ages welcome! I won't be there this week due to long overdue use of a spa day I was given in January, but should be there next Wednesday. P

It does sound like teething - we're going through similar with our nearly 14 month old who is currently getting two teeth (number 5 and 6). She's usually a good eater with a healthy appetite, but for the last few days she's been refusing pretty much everything apart from yoghurt and milk. It's easier this time round as we can actually see the teeth and because she's older it's a bit more obvious to see what's bothering her. Keep offering milk, breastfeeding will help him with the pain a bit, so might be worth giving him a small feed then trying him with some solids? Hopefully all the stress will be rewarded with some new teeth in the not too distant future! Keep offering him food - you may find the change of scene while you're on holiday takes his mind off it (and you'll come back with an 8 month old who loves cheese, ham and croissants!). Have a great holiday. P x

My 5 year old nephew has a serious allergy to eggs, dairy and nuts - he goes for regular allergy testing and things don't seem to be improving for him yet, but I know the consultants are optimistic that he'll certainly grow out of the egg and dairy allergy. My sister in law now copes with ease, having had to first change her diet when she was breastfeeding him. He also refuses to drink soya milk (don't blame him, horrible stuff) but is happy drinking rice milk instead. The whole family use "Pure" margarine substitute, and at 5 he's pretty good at knowing what he can and can't have. Good luck, it must be a confusing time for you x

I'd say when they're about 30, financially independent and able to buy their parents nice things? Seriously though... for me I'd say when teeny weeny newborn (although only 2nd time round when I was more relaxed about it), when starting to talk and develop a definite personality around 12 - 18 months. I also think the age of 2.5, which my son is at now, is maybe the most rewarding time so far for me in terms of communication. Despite the terrible tantrums, stubbornness etc. that comes with a 2 year old I've noticed a real change in the last month or so from "toddler" to little boy and am able to have almost a proper conversation with him. Nothing quite as nice as entering a room in the morning (wearing a new top), being looked up and down by my son, and being told "oooooh, Mummy, that's a LOVELY top you're wearing". Very sweet. Of course husband hadn't noticed, so I figure little boys gradually grow out of this stage ;-)

I, even still, find it easier to get out in the mornings than the afternoons. When weaning started I'd give milk on waking, then breakfast. Babies generally slept for a bit at 9am then straight out the door at 10 to whatever activity we had for the day (or I could have gone out at 9am and have them sleep in the buggy, but that was just too early!!). I used to do a milk feed around 10.30am whereever we were. Then home quickly after the activity for lunch at 11.30 - 12ish. These days things are much more relaxed as neither child sleeps in the morning, there are no mid-morning milk feeds, and they're happy to wait a bit for lunch if necessary (I always carry a good selection of snacks to keep them going if need be). The "difficult" stage when you first start weaning doesn't last long, and you can always feed when out and about. P x

Sorry I didn't get much of a chance to chat ladies, we ended up leaving while you were in the class (after it turns out Pickle #2 doesn't actually like bubbles, great!). Pickle #1 is now a leopard, and seemed to have a ball. Chaotic, but a great turnout. Hope you both had a fun morning. P x

Yep Fuschia, we'll be there. Will go in the morning, aiming to be there by 10am. P x