Pickle

One product I took a punt on was "Magic Minerals" foundation - one of the terrible "as seen on tv" things that comes with a 30 min infomercial. I saw it on offer for ?10 for two compacts, and have been very pleasantly surprised! I use it as a quick take the edge off (also known as "don't scare the kids when doing the school run") product daily, then pop it over top of a liquid foundation if I'm going out.

I was just going to link to my old thread, it was so helpful! I'm loving my Clarins eyeliner and now have more Bareminerals products than I can justify. I also really like the Avon Magix face perfector, great for creating a nice base before applying makeup and also for wearing alone. It's not tinted, but does clever things with light to brighten your skin up.

What a great outcome!

I don't get my nails done often (probably about 5 times in the 9 years I've had kids), but the best/most relaxed experience I've had was with Shanie from Manipediwaxclub. I found it less daunting having someone come to the house, and she is really chatty and lovely. Better manicure than I've had from the other salons too. Good luck x

It's not introduced until year 5 at our school (as part of classroom teaching). I don't think it's offered as a pay for option at all.

Just to add - could you fit in some of your retraining while you are at home with the children? Thus cutting down the time lag before getting back to work again when the time is right?

It's not unacceptable at all to do what you propose, especially as you plan to retrain. I could think of nothing worse than leaving small children at home while I went out to a job I didn't like. The preschool phase is over in the blink of an eye, if you are able to afford to be at home and enjoy your children, then do it. I left a job I was unhappy in before I had my first child nearly 9 years ago (accountant, in the city, working in banking). I've since had 3 children and have built up a bookkeeping/accountancy business that means I can work from home. Best of both worlds, as I'm home for the kids when they get back from school but using my qualifications too. I'm surprised your friends were so negative! Best of luck, with whatever direction you choose.

I've had similar in the past, and always go straight to Daniel Harvey (chiropractor) on Crystal Palace Rd. You can usually get a same day appointment, and if he can't fix it he will tell you - but chances are he will, he's brilliant! Good luck.

:) It's great, isn't it! Think of it as an investment in his creative future!

Interesting, I didn't know this happened here. In NZ, the year before secondary, we all had to sit a test. We weren't told what it was, just that we had to do it. The results were then given to the secondary schools and used to put us in "streams" according to ability, so I guess it's a fairly widespread practice.

It's definitely possible to manage without a people carrier - I love cars and point blank refused when Mr Pickle suggested one a few years back! We manage to fit three children across the back, two in boosters and one in a Maxi Cosi Toddler (massive!) seat, and before that, two boosters and an infant seat. It's a bit of a squeeze to get their seat belts done up, but they fit.

I would still put it on your list. Not all religious schools locally require attendance at their church (the catholic school at the crest of the hill heading up Forest Hill Rd being an example). If it's a school you would be happy with, put it on the list. P x

We will be doing the same in a year, to the extreme as we move to the other side of the world. Kids will be years 5, 4 and reception age. I've already been in touch with their new school (all very simple in NZ!) and they are invited to attend for as many days as they like when we go there to visit in March. Helpfully they have a YouTube channel so we have already been watching very cool videos that the kids make, which gives a real feel for the school and culture. As we have planned it all in advance, we have been very open with the kids, so they know exactly what's happening, and the time frame. Children are pretty adaptable :) Good luck with it all x

Makes sense if you have to leave that early :) Baker Ross is a brilliant website, it's my go to for party bag things as well as stocking up the craft boxes at home. Really nice quality and they do good sales too.

I'll stick my head into the firing zone... If it's ridiculously early, why encourage him by doing engaging/fun things? I'm sure my nearly 4 year old would love to do gluing/sticking/colouring before 7am, but I'm afraid I just wouldn't entertain the idea. I've got three kids, I need to be able to vaguely function for work, there's just no way I could do it. However, Baker Ross (online) have some very cool craft stuff.

Personally (just my opinion), I think having your closest school at the top of your list is a really good option. Schools change very quickly, and what you feel on a school visit may have no bearing on what it's like when your child is there. No matter where you are, if you are prepared to get involved - both in helping your child at home, and by mucking in at school as a volunteer/making cakes for cake sales/helping on trips etc - you can make the experience what you want it to be. For me, the biggest thing is that if you go to your closest school, your child gets to know local kids. On our walk to school in the morning we know most of the people in the houses we pass. My kids knock on the door of their friends houses, and play dates can be impromptu. We don't get stuck in traffic, can leave home 5 minutes before the bell rings, and life is much easier for it. Worth thinking about.

Yes, lovely Pebbles. Sadly not an ED dweller anymore, but a friend on Facebook. I'll point her in the direction of this thread.

Lots of people put their first preference down as a school that's not closest to them. If you miss out, it will simply be because you are outside of the catchment area, not because you live closer to another school. If you have your heart set on a particular school you will need to research carefully to find out the catchment area, which is a bit of an inexact science, especially if you're right on the border of their reach. Good luck.

Brume do a made to measure option, which is what we used. The windows were brand new, so we had confidence they were square, and it fitted perfectly, no razor blades needed.

We used Brume film in our kitchen, has been up 5 years now and still going strong. A bit of care and good preparation of the window before you apply it required, but very simple to use and looks nice.

A few school nurseries locally offer the option to stay all day and pay to top up - Definitely Goodrich, and I think Goose Green & Fairlawn, probably others too.

Life is too short to faff about making your own fish fingers/chicken nuggets - and I'm speaking as a mum who works from home, so in theory has time to make them. Unless there are allergies involved, shop bought is fine, and normal. I can't add much, as being at home means I do have time and energy to cook evening meals, and I'm a keen cook. I make one meal that I eat with the kids, and my partner reheats when he gets in from work. Winners for my kids are meatballs - I find it easier to oven cook them rather than fry. They like them most when I add a bit of Parmesan to the mix (which is generally just beef or pork mince, or a mix of both, some onion and some mixed herbs). Cook and freeze, then they're super quick to reheat with a bit of sauce and some pasta. Bolognaise, a staple. Macaroni cheese - I make cheese sauce if I've got milk that's needing used up and freeze it.

I'd say emptying the bins is probably the reason. Thousands of houses to get done, no way of pleasing everybody.

This thread has really opened my eyes, what an unfair system :( Hope you get the advice and help you need to make things work, Hellosailor. Seems so wrong that it would make more financial sense for you to stop work and claim benefits! I assume you've looked into tax credits etc?

When we went to Brighton in the summer holidays we went from Forest Hill station - an easy change at East Croydon then straight to Brighton. If you're easily able to get to Forest Hill I think it's easier and cheaper than trekking to London Bridge first. You can walk to the aquarium, it's quite a long way (downhill), so you're fine as long as you don't have a whining toddler (which we did). There are loads of busses that go from the station to the seafront.