Pickle

I opened this expecting to see some kind of weird 1am gathering of women with kids!

The one I enjoyed the most was called Little Oaks - Wednesday mornings at the Forest Hill Baptist Church (just up Forest Hill Rd a bit the road from the Herne Tavern, on the other side of the road, corner of either Mundania or Therapia). Lots of stay at home parents and a lovely group of childminders.

Child #3, so no surprise to be offered a place at our first choice as it's where both siblings attend. Good luck to all, I remember how stressed I was when I applied for my first child.

I'm a SAHP, although now that all of my kids are at school I work from home - best of both worlds. The playgroups I went to were mainly attended by stay at home parents, and also the cr?che I used (Magic Moments) tended to be used by SAHP due to the short 2 hour session time. Your child is missing out on nothing by not attending nursery, honestly, don't worry. Quite the opposite. My kids all transitioned from being at home with me to school with no problem. I used playgroups as a chance for them to do the messy stuff that I don't really like doing at home, but time spent at home with a parent is very valuable for a developing child and shouldn't be underestimated.

Your milk supply will be fine at this point. I had to leave my then 15 month old for a week to go to NZ for a funeral. I took a pump, but never found the time/energy, but on my return all was fine and she carried on breastfeeding when I returned. Sounds like you have reached a sensible resolution, and I hope all goes well - time without children as a couple is great, so enjoy!

Hello. Another kiwi Mum here. I went along a few years back to a couple of coffee meet ups, but didn't really follow up on it and I'm not sure if it carried on or not. I always meant to go to Kohanga, but Saturday mornings always seem busy, so we've never made it. We did go to the hangi that they are part of a couple of years ago, which was great. I YouTube clips of the traditional songs we did at school in an attempt to educate my 3 kids on the kiwi side of their heritage! We are moving to NZ at the end of this year, after 15 years in London. Happy to meet up - my kids are all at school now (youngest mornings only), but maybe we should try to arrange a kiwi picnic once the weather warms up?

Take him to the Horniman Museum, it's perfect for rainy days. Mostly free, just a small charge for the aquarium (unless you have an annual pass).

We are regular users - swimming lessons for the kids, squash courts, the 50m pool, and in the past gymnastics. Great facility in need of some TLC. I haven't heard anything to say our swimming lessons will stop, so hopefully an unsubstantiated rumour!

What an odd response, Angelina! Notwithstanding the fact that this thread is 6 years old, where does anyone say they're using alcohol to relax?

Wow, 2010. I'm happy to report that I'm now able to manage more than 1 or 2 glasses of wine in one sitting, and all three children have survived me drinking the odd glass of wine while breastfeeding with no obvious signs of damage 😀

I disagree. Holding a pencil is something they learn in reception, don't worry about it beforehand! Try to relax about the whole process, reception is actually pretty gentle.

Just wanted to add some reassurance that what you describe sounds very normal for a 4 year old. My 4 year old is the same, her siblings were at the same age, and they speak properly now with no intervention. I think the South London accent has an influence, I have noticed many changes in my little girls pronunciation since she started nursery in September (dropping t's being the prime example).

I installed on my laptop a week ago, having ignored the pop up for months. Glad I did, much better than the version I was running before (7, or 8 maybe - whatever it was, it was awful!). Hasn't slowed my laptop down at all, much more user friendly in my opinion. Womanofdulwich, you shouldn't need anyone to do it for you. Just follow the prompts and leave it to do it's thing. Took about an hour on my laptop.

Peter Bennison - he's a heating engineer and excellent. I posted a recommendation a few weeks ago with his contact details (he has a website if you google). P x

Personally, I think if it's the social side of it you are looking for, then don't spend money on NCT. The NHS classes will teach you the basics (nothing really prepares you!) and the forum is full of groups of expectant parents that you can join. My NCT experience (albeit 9 years ago, as I only did it with my first baby) was a bit "meh". A very anti-intervention teacher, and I was in a situation where induction was necessary due to illness. It was a small group, but none of the couples really formed a bond and we didn't keep in touch beyond the first month or so after our babies arrived. That said, I know lots of people who have strong friendships with their NCT classmates. Good luck, whatever you choose.

DulwichFox, I'm not going to waste my time. Perhaps read back over your own posts.

Here's the post that took it off topic... DulwichFox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I am always amazed at the number of people who > seem to be eating out these days... > I eat out in the evenings occasionally .. Mostly > Curry.. > .. But Breakfast... Brunch.. Lunch.. Afternoon > Tea.. ?? Does anybody ever cook these days... > > I simply do not have time to eat out.. Travelling > to Camberwell, Peckham, Forest Hill for a Coffee > and a Croissant.. > > Cooking is Fun.. More people need to try it.. > > Foxy

The thread was taken off topic by DulwichFox, and replies have been made to the ridiculous things he said and the contradictions to his own posts. Apparently nobody should eat in any of the cafes or restaurants, as it's a sign that people have no life, but it is fine to drink in a pub. You agree?

But it's ok to go to the pub every night DulwichFox? Does this differ in your mind to people that go to restaurants/cafes to socialise with others? "It's a bit boring being in all day apart from shopping and hour or so's walk and then having to stay in in the evening. Home alone.. For a month.. I'm used to being out every night. I'll probably go insane.. but my liver would of recovered. Foxy.."

What's to say the person you see having (shock horror) afternoon tea in a cafe doesn't cook breakfast, lunch and dinner at home 7 days a week? Or the person having lunch is eating out for the first time in months? Bizarre conclusion to make. People could say the same if they see you sitting in a curry house!

That's a nice idea, will buy some eggs and get in touch.

Similarly, I've had a few in recent weeks from what appear to be UK numbers (one earlier this week was an 0207) about my supposed accident. I'm registered with TPS too and it's been pretty effective up to now. I ask to speak to a manager (after having a bit of fun asking how they know about my accident, can they forward me the details etc), at which point they always hang up.

> Maybe you should stop running past people and > scaring the bejesus out of them. That would spoil my fun 😉

A good reminder to be aware. I go running a lot, and am amazed at how many people get a fright as I run past as they're so engrossed in their phones while walking along. It would be so easy for someone to grab their phones. Keep them out of sight! Glad you're ok.