Jamma

Second everyone that says do what you want to do. Most important thing is you're relaxed. Some people relax in hospital knowing help is nearby if needed, some relax at home in familiar surroundings. I would however really recommend the book Birth; a history by Tina Cassidy. Puts the whole thing in context. It doesn't propogate the daft notion that 'African ladies just go under a tree and give birth' but does explain that births have been happening for a while now, the vast majority safely and happily without medical intervention.

Lots of recommendations on here for Mother Goose in Greendale but anyone got experience of the one on Upland Road? I guess if they are branches of the same company then should be just as good but would be interested to hear from anyone with first hand experience before taking the plunge and sending my 2-year-old there. Thanks

Fandango. Excellent caller to the Adam and Joe show a few months back on this subject said her daughter had asked this very question while in the bath one night. Parent replied that she could call it anything she wanted. Quick as flash daughter fired back 'Harry Potter'.

Justin's got an MBE.

YOu're basically employing your childminder, as an employee he/she's entitled to paid holidays and bank holidays. If you can make his/her holidays fit with yours then obviously that's better but if the minder has more than just your child/children on their books then that's not necessarily going to work out is it?

The one we got at the weekend charged ?6 per hour. But some go up to ?9. I think ?6 p/h is entirely reasonable for just sitting. If there's actually some looking after required then maybe a bit more.

Go to the Hob. You won't get a stronger line up. Really big names in a good venue. THough the compere last saturday stank.

Baby Booters at JAGS on Saturday morning is worth checking out. 11am-noon and just ?3. Be warned if your kids are gentle, the fella that takes the class shouts a bit and has a loud whistle!

If you are properly ill you go see a doctor. Health Matters employs no doctors. Allergies, proper ones, are serious and best taken seriously so go through the NHS. My nephew did, was properly diagnosed and his parents now know what to avoid.

Up till now we've only used friends and family as babysitters but this weekend there's a do which will feature all our friends and family so we're going to have to hire a random as a babysitter. My daughter's old enough now that she doesn't wake up of an evening so the person will most likely only be required to watch TV all evening. There's a few people on this forum offering babysitting services but has anyone any advice on picking one? Would be good to give a teenager or an au pair a bit of extra cash but how do you know if they are reliable/not mental? Or indeed can anyone recommend anyone?

Making cakes and cards is ace. The kids are too young to get the sentiment necessarily but will love the activity. But buying things on the other hand is a nonsense. Valentine's day is about love and romance not buying tat and shizzle. And certainly not buying things 'from' children too young to grasp the whole concept. I'd suggest if you appreciate your husband's efforts as a dad tell him exactly that on Sunday and it'll make him happy.

I wouldn't worry about a buggy lasting till 3. He should be able to walk by then, so he can be made to walk. You're going to be using it much less past age 2. And what's the worry with bumping down stairs?

I too received a parcel on Sunday, posted ten days earlier. Could give the Royal Mail the benefit of the doubt and put it down to the weather. If I didn't live in an area with an endemic post problem. If one pays for something and it doesn't do what it should you are entitled to a new thing. If someone pays to send me a parcel first class and it doesn't turn up for ten days surely that sender must be due some sort of recompense?

Catchment area must be quite wide given the number of (INSERT SWEAR WORD HERE)'s who drive to the school to drop their children off and park in such a haphazard way.

Of course it's not 'off' to use this forum to market an event like this. It's what the forum is for. (Among other things). However, I do have a problem with the name. Going out for a drink and being 'glamourous' does not make one naughty. Suggesting so only makes those that do go out feel bad surely. A woman's lot is not to be tied to the cot/washing machine/bedpost. Or at least not for the last 100 years.

Agree that Jelly Babies at Peckham is best. It's nice and warm. But don't assume that liking the bath will mean she likes the pool. I took my daughter at about 4 months and it was a disaster. She wailed, I struggled on, other mums swam up to offer advice (which was nice but made me feel like a total failure) before we beat a hasty retreat. Tried again 3 months later and she loved it.

I don't want Val's to close. But hopefully having Sainsburys as competition will nudge them to charge sensible prices and sell veg that is better quality.

How many forumites did a little wee upon hearing the EDT mentioned on the Royal Variety Performance? (For the record I thought Adam Hills was lame (pun not intended). All he does is make jokes about having one leg.)

I'm not having a go but I really think you should give some thought to what you're doing here. It took two of you to start the process you're more than ever going to have to work as a couple once you're parents. If you are the shizzle during the birth and particularly afterwards, doing your share, changing nappies, getting up in the night, taking the baby out in the buggy etc then she will love and respect you more than for handing over a bauble. And although you may plan to do all that AND give her a present psychologically surely there's a part of you saying that you got a big present so that exempts you? And it seems a dreadfully sexist thing to do. I repeat I'm not having a go and not being personal and I'm not trying to start an argument. I just think that one needs to think about ones motives and the best idea is to ask your partner if/what she wants.

On the bus this morning I notice what was previously a Chinese 'Medicine' place at the library end of Lordship Lane seems to be about to re-open as a butcher. Albeit with the Chinese Medicine signage still in place. Anyone know any more? When will it open? Is it someone decent behind it? Did they make plans to open before finding out a Sainsbury's Local was going to open directly opposite? Etc. What with that and Sainsbury's local days away the Upper East Side is suddenly the place to be huh? (Plus we have the best Xmas trees from Keith what operates out of the Plough car park)

Yeah I went in on Saturday and chap just said to sit tight as they are working through the backlog. Massive queue at Silvester Road stretching down the road. I thought I was getting the good end of the deal going to the post depot while wife went to the butcher but turned out I was queuing much longer! A parcel I'd ordered the previous weekend turned up Saturday afternoon and two of the three missing parcels were delivered on Sunday. One of them had been posted Oct 26. OK so it seems the posties are now doing what they are paid to do. Is it because of this thread? Is it because of pressure from Tessa Jowell? Is it just coincidence? Whatever the answer it is an utterly appalling state of affairs.

Yeah I PM'd TJMP too but that just seems a bit piecemeal to me. I mean there must be some sort of process to deal with situations like this. I'll try get to Silvester Road tomorrow morning and see where it gets me

OK gang so there's a serious problem here. What can we do? Does anyone know, or has anyone got the time to pop along to Silvester Road to find out, what can be done. Nothing is not an acceptable answer. Should we all take our specific problems to Tessa Jowell? Should we get on to Postcomm? Can Silvester Road offer a guarantee that the parcels will be dealt with (I don't mind if they are returned to sender, just want to know where they are) within a timescale? Silvester Road's opening hours are such that it's impractical for me to get along there really but it seems like it should be the first port of call. (If only their manager was inclined to come on here a la Station Manager Barry Jones)

I've had a response from TJMP. Says she can raise my specific issue with manager at Silvester Road if I want her to. And that she's asked about the poor service generally. Sounds like the answer is to go down Silvester ROad in the first place and chase things up. But it really shouldn't be necessary. I don't want to do any Xmas shopping online because can't be sure that items will be delivered. THat's an appalling state of affairs. This is 2009 not 1809 isn't it? Anyone know the names of the local news reporters that appear on here from time to time, perhaps the local press would be interested? It's certainly a campaign they could really get their teeth into.

I notice TJMP has found time today to post about a 'huge funding boost' for local schools but not to reply to my message re this thread.