Lula

No, it's not just you. My 3 y.o. Is being a terror at the moment - it seems there are challenges at every age. He is terrorising his younger sister who has just started crawling so is now in to everything, including his toys. I can't really leave them alone for very long at all. This brawling behaviour coupled with whiney requests and tears at the drop of the hat make for trying days. I can't wait for the weather to get better so we can just head out all day, then he can run off some steam! Come on British summer - where are you?!

PS Thanks for the tip on collapsing. My other half is quite handy so I'll get him to look at it.

Interesting, my handlebar locks went too. I replaced them with a new set from Bugaboo. We were one of the first to buy the Bee Plus - it was just released when our first was born. We also had the dodgy wheel problem. OhNoGeorge, we may not be the only ones... Time will tell. Will PM and post here you with result from buggy pit stop.

Just out do interest, OhNoGeorge, is it the same side of the buggy with the fault? Ie right side if standing behind the buggy.

Hi OhNoGeorge, Funny you posted today as I've just had a frustrating two weeks trying to sort it out and just today a woman from Bugaboo called me back - not good news. Starting from two weeks ago,I called the bike shop on East Dulwich road. They were very sweet but explained that they've tried to fix this fault before and got into trouble and had to send it on. I then contacted Bugaboo to explain the situation. The girl there asked for my serial no and then said it was covered under warranty... I was surprised as it's over 3 years old. Not arguing with that we arranged to drop it off at Tommy's buggy shop in Peckham and they would pick it up from there. So far, so good. Then Bugaboo asked for a copy of our receipt of purchase, which Tommy's kindly passed on (very good of them considering we didn't actually buy it from them). Two weeks go by, when I end up borrowing two different buggies off friends and my other half calls Tommy's to find out what is happening, and it transpires that Bugaboo haven't even picked it up yet?! Then they say, that it's not covered under warranty (two years only, apparently) and we need to buy a new chassis costing ?200! I am really cross, as we've spent a lot of money on this buggy - got the cup holder, buggy board, sunshade, car seat adapters and they want another ?200! I have been borrowing a McLaren Quest from a friend and I have to say I'm tempted to ditch the Bugaboo in protest, if it didn't cost us so much money. Next step is to send it off to Buggy Pit Stop as while Bugaboo say it's unfixable, I think they may be able to... I will keep you posted. As yours is just over two years old, I'd contact them and argue for them to replace the chassis at no extra charge. The woman I spoke to said that they would replace it if it was just over two years old.

Last Wednesday, 8th May, I lost my Connecta somewhere around Honor Oak. I was at the Jenner Health Centre then walked back along Brockley Rise. At some point I took my baby out of the sling, but 'Mummy brain' prevents me from remembering exactly when... If anyone picked it up, I'd really appreciate it if it could be returned. Willing to pay a reward of ?20 as these are currently out of stock. Thanks

Thanks for both of those suggestions. I'll check them out. Bugaboo did get back to me and told me to take it to the shop where I bought it... But we bought it online from a shop up North, so not so easy. Seems like much less hassle to bite the bullet and pay someone to fix it. Cheers all.

We've had our Bugaboo Bee Plus for three years now, and it's been fantastic but just last week the oval white sliding mechanism on the right side of the handlebar of the buggy (ie not the one with the black button)seems to have broken. When I try to collapse it in the normal way, the oval sliding mechanism is just loose and doesn't engage. The left side seems to be alright. Has anyone had this problem before? I've tried emailing Bugaboo but had no answer so far. I am happy to buy a new part to fix it and the only available spare part that seems relevant is the handle bar locks but I am not sure this is the right part. Any advice gratefully received.

I have had problems on/off with my little one when he went to childcare and I think it's actually acidic drinks. At home, my son drinks water or diluted juice, but at his childminder, he would often drink full-strength juice. Maybe ask your nursery to not give them juice for a week, only water, and see what happens? Blisters on skin is horrendous though and does point to infrequent nappy changes.

Thanks, everyone.

May still have baby brain but I am applying for my second child's first passport and I can't work out whether you need to send off their birth certificate with the application? In the lengthy guidance notes, I can't see any reference to including it but it seems mad not to include it as proof of my little one's claim to a British passport. Has anyone recently done this?

Daytime nap is definitely the problem. My son is 21/2 and has dropped his daytime nap except when he goes to the childminder and she encourages him to sleep. I had a word with her about it as we had a similar situation, with him not going to bed until 9pm (!) I still insisted he go up to bed and he's in his first bed now but he would come down the stairs. The best tactic, I found to discourage this behaviour was to take him straight back upstairs. I do find him hugely challenging at the moment, demanding to do everything himself. If you do cut out the nap, ensure you serve dinner earlier. My son was used to eating at 6pm but if he has no nap, he would get really tired - too tired to even eat at 6pm, so I serve his dinner at 5pm, and keep him engaged in activities in the late afternoon when he wants to drop off to sleep. TV doesn't work him, In fact it has the opposite effect. I am also philosophical about it and expect that it is just a stage he's going through and hopefully we won't have this problem by the time he starts nursery.

Fantastic pushchair. We had it for our first and my son loved it. Slept in it like a dream with a cosy fleece on the seat. It's great now with our second as we don't have space for a double and I use it front-facing for toddler with baby in a sling, rear-facing with baby plus buggy board for toddler. It's lightweight, especially good for London and if you use public transport, getting in and out of small shops and easily fits in the boot of small cars. We also bought the UV sunshade for summer which was wonderful on holiday as baby was out of sun completely. Highly recommend. Don't get a bulky travel system unless you only plan walking from home to local parks. If you don't get on with the Bee, people seem to like the McLaren, though I love my Bee as you can manoeuvre it with one hand. The other pushchair that seems to be popular is the Quinny Buzz. A couple of my friends have it and love it. Get the assistant at JL to show you the features of a couple of buggies you like (no more than three or you'll be bamboozled) although you'll probably end up buying the one that the assistant likes, as we did (-:

More brilliant tips, everyone - thanks. I'm going to try the Albrighton Centre, Belle, thanks. And thank you for the reassurance that it will get easier. My colicky baby is now peacefully sleeping in my arms and toddler is in bed, hopefully asleep, so I'm off to bed too.

Yes, totally in awe of Etta, Princess and Pickle. I am in that unpredictable stage with a newborn (7 weeks) so may be able to achieve more as she gets older. Although I have just laid out toddler's clothes, breakfast bowls on table ready to go, restocked change table with nappies/wipes and planned tomorrow's dinner. Thanks everyone - I am also glad I'm not the only one who finds being a fulltime mum a challenge.

Spanners45 - I have crazy hair too! I also do online shops so I don't have to brave the supermarket with kids - if hubby goes and he does quite like to, it's no good for me as he doesn't think about lunches throughout the week for us and the snacks. Lots of chocolate and coffee to keep awake throughout the day.

How do you juggle two kids? In my case a demanding newborn who doesn't like to be put down and a cheerful but exhausting toddler. Top tips needed! I'll start the ball rolling: I shower in the evenings - one less thing to do in the morning Sleep if by some miracle both are asleep at the same time Arrange play dates so when Monday rolls around you are not staring at a blank diary although not one every day

Thanks everyone. We looked on the fence at no 58 but nothing there. Flat Ted didn't have any clothes on so maybe it was someone else's teddy...

Hi all, thanks for your messages. No, not found. Ordered another one but it's obviously not going to look anything like his old one which had one threadbare leg and it had shrunk from washing a few times. Learnt my lesson though - no special toys allowed out on trips from now on. He's asked for Flat Ted a few times but I managed to distract him and take his mind off it. Not looking forward to having that conversation when I have to.

On Forest Hill Road between Peckham Rye park and up to Honor Oak yesterday. It's a dirty beige/grey Flat Teddy. See post in Lost and Found for more detail. If you've seen it please call 07940476122.

Hi all, We're moving to Honor Oak and need to change our doctor's surgery. Any recommendations welcome ? particularly child- or baby-friendly surgeries. Thanks!

Am going to pop into Kings MAU this pm to check. I wouldn't classify the pain as severe, just mild like the first signs that my period is on its way. It comes and goes but isn't regular and I haven't had to take anything for it. Can feel baby kicking occasionally so that's a good sign. Thanks for all the reassurance and advice ? you are all super for taking the time to respond to me! xx

I am pregnant with my second baby and didn't experience this last pregnancy (that I can remember anyway!). Can anyone else tell me whether these are Braxton Hicks (not sure I had these last time either) and does it indicate anything like a pre-term labour? So not ready for baby no 2 yet. Haven't got anything ready or out of storage so just want to be prepared. Am seeing midwife this Friday so will also get her advice, obviously, but just wondered what others have experienced.

We're contemplating the same thing. I'm leaning towards mornings as my son is raring to go then, full of energy. He tends to have a short nap still in the PM so it's nice to be close to home in case he really wants to lounge about. If transport is not an issue and you're a stay at home mum, then go with the session when you think your son will be most alert, happy and easy to get out of the house!

prm: we went last year to the southern part of Kephalonia near Skala, staying in a villa with my 18mo and another family. It was a lovely holiday although we did have a wasp problem. It was a different time of year though (Sept, so you're prob fine) and I think our villa was near a nest. The beaches all have sun loungers and parasols. Sand is nice and water is nice in the south. Restaurants are great. You'll have the option of either pizza or Greek tavernas. The Greeks love kids are v relaxed and accommodating. Most restaurants have high chairs too. If not, it's not a problem. The Greek waiters will entertain your child or carry them round while you eat. One disappointing thing for us was that you couldn't buy fresh fish in the south of Kephalonia as I think the main fishing port is Fiskardo in the north. This all depends if you are self-catering. Go to Assos for nice little fishing village, and walk up the sigzag winding path to the top of the village for lunch at a really nice taverna. Worth the walk. We didn't get to Fiskardo as it is quite a long way with winding roads from Skala. But we did spend the day in Assos which was great and went to Myrtos Beach (en route to Assos). Have a great holiday