Lochie

That is a really good tip about rye lane for brows! I always worry the cheaper the price the more likely they'll give me a really bad 'surprised look' brow but if they are as good as the expensive places I'll give them a go...thanks cazbee

Thanks for all the tips they are so useful, I'm definitely going to get a lash tint and brow shape and tinted moisturiser to get rid of that 'deathly glow' ;-) I've already got some Laura m stuff so will happily buy her tinted moisturiser. Think I need to see gok wan about my wardrobe though to fathom how I get the appearance of a waist and perky boobs...or maybe at leasat buy some spanx and a wonder bra. Just feel my body shape has totally changed so maybe a visit to a dept store shopper would be worth it Thanks again :-)

I was just wondering if anyone has any magic products/ bits of make up they can recommend that they apply quickly in the morning before leaving the house to help them look a bit human and feel vaguely attractive? Also any tips for clothes shops that you've discovered postnatally that you wouldn't have considered before, that have realistically dressed your new figure and made you feel pretty good? (went into topshop this week and will not be stepping through their doors again!) Am very grateful for my healthy offspring but I would quite like to regain some sense of my pre baby appearance with the tiny time I have each day. Current comfort outfits of mouldy primark dressing gown and/or baggy grey hoody are wearing a bit thin. Last week husband 'JOKED' I looked like someone from Shameless and a few days later when I was sporting a greasy side ponytail and fave hoody he joked (again..!) that I belonged in a Tracey Emin installation ;-( Any tip sharing for quick but effective ways to look good as a harassed mum? any shops that have provided you with failsafe clothing that have hidden the bits you want hidden and lifted the bits you want shown?

I used to do loads of babysitting round here 10-15 years ago and until i got my driving license was ALWAYS called a cab by the parents when they returned home....it would have been more awkward if they didn't call one. if the distance isn't that far then it shouldn't cost more than a fiver to get one home. If you feel awkward raising the issue you could always increase your hourly rate by 50p and explain it's to cover your taxi home as you don't feel safe anymore...

Yes great, potted plant ticks the boxes and avoids the wilt factor and some chocs too. Thanks ;-)

I'm being discharged by my midwife this week and want to get her a gift but feel a bit weird about it because I don't know what to get and also don't know if there is a protocol about NHS staff accepting gifts or not!? Not sure about wine in case she doesn't drink, and husband reckons flowers are a no in case they wilt in her car after she visits us. Has anyone else bought a gift for a midwife or have any good ideas of what to get? I want to say thank you to this amazing lady who helped me through a difficult 9 months and made sure I was ok through the whole journey over and above her duty... (I know she does it every day but she really made a difference to us). Top budget about ?30/40 I guess. Any ideas gratefully received :-)

Yes! Haven't been for a year or so but believe it still runs every Friday. ?1 contribution for teas and biscuits...

Congrats everyone on the additional babies and sams! Just to say I'll probs be venturing to bumps and babes at st faiths on red post hill (just by north dulwich station-20 min walk from lordship lane) with newborn this friday. Starts at 10 and is a really good/ friendly new mums group I went to with baby 1. Would really recommend it if u want to get out and about X

My boss (3 kids) keeps recommending feather down farms for 'luxury' camping http://www.featherdown.co.uk/

Hi beany, i posted something a little similar a few months ago here, you might find some of the responses useful: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,828893,829198#msg-829198 The problem is getting a little better now, it seems mainly now my son's speech has really developed - how is your daughter's speech? The nursery my son attends put alot of his behaviour down to not being able to express how he felt properly due to slow speech. Now he is much more articulate and the 'violence' has petered out a little. The only other thing that really really worked was removing him from said situations as soon as they happened. e.g. if he was in a fun play session and he hit someone i'd not just remove him from the incident for 5 minutes, i'd take him home so he properly understood that that kind of behaviour is not acceptable. I had spoken to a health visitor about it and she said that really is the best way to drill it into them (that or just a 5 min time out and then returning to play). I wouldn't worry about your daughter being a bully at all, I think this kind of behaviour is common and have noticed my son being pushed around too. I've just had a baby and the amount of times I've had to use the word 'GENTLY' when my son is around my baby is getting into the hundreds brackets, perhaps your daughter doesn't really understand her own strength. The HV also told us that the reason they can act like this is because its all just a game, gets a rise from adutls, so they do it again and again. Would explain why your daughter laughs about it. It is really hard and the problem isn't fully resolved for us but I think its getting better slowly over time - I think the older they get and the more they understand consequences the better. My son is now 2.5 years old and for example I always explain that he has upset the recipient of his actions and that he must say sorry. He would not have understood that at 21 months but he does a little bit now. So it might just be a waiting game. Good luck!

Well done Emma and welcome Amelie! Xxx

Well done jo, lovely news xxx

Oooooh can't wait kind of want to have my hair done there too!

Great thanks pebbles. No excuse for terrible mullet he is currently sporting, I'll take him ASAP!

I've heard there is a hairdresser locally with a peppa pig chair/car in it, does anyone know where it is? Son is 2 and desperately needs first haircut but I know he won't sit in a normal hairdressers chair for a cut! preferably want to take him next week. Or recommendations for any other local hairdressers with diversions for toddlers would be much appreciated... ;-) Thanks

Hi ladies, just wanted to let you know our little girl Lara was born yesterday at 18.25 after a 24 hour induction. The labour wasn't great but have to say, Kings were outstanding, staff amazing, got side room on PN ward so both hubby and I could sleep (think this a rarity and only due to my exceptional community midwife). We are all home now. Lara was a rather large 9lb 4oz so seems to be a bit of a greedy chops. Already on formula. Big bro olly also calling her baby Arthur - hoping he works out he is a she soon! See u all out and bout when I've recovered Rosie X

Hi everyone I am on labour ward now and just wanted to let u know they have wifi. Sorry it's a bit superficial but I had been wondering and am now glad I bought my trusty iPad - useful during a boring induction!

Well done KS- jealous!! I'm going in for induction today for medical reasons....to be honest at 41 weeks enough is enough anyway! So if any of you guys are on labour or PN ward over next few days look out for me I'd love the company.... Longish brown hair, quite tall, I'll be wearing a White cotton dressing gown! Good luck everyone Rosie X

Hi Jenny, I had really bad engorgement first time round. This caused massive latching problems so I thought I would relieve the pressure by expressing but it made things worse. I then got caught in a cycle of expressing which just produced more and more milk ( and pain)!! So would urge caution if considering using a pump. I'll leave other breast feeding experts to comment on what to do I'm sure there is a solution. At least u have lots of milk xxx

Amazing news Caroline!!!! Knew it was a boy ;-) Enjoy falling in love with your little man x x x

Would love to come on 3rd too and 29th, but am due on weds and generally like tupps, feeling yuk (terrible sciatic pain and TIRED!!!!) Would like to say good luck to everyone, am really looking forward to seeing people again and their babies on the other side Who knows maybe some of us will cross paths on kings labour ward! X

Congrats Rebecca! Well done! Hope the hypnobirthing helped ;-) X

Hi ole, My son is also in nursery 2 days a week 9-5.My mum is a reception and nursery teacher. She is very close to my 2.5 year old son so often reassures me when his behaviour upsets me as she has seen it all before! What you describe is really not unusual I don't think. My son was so enraged at my collecting him from nursery the other day it was virtually impossible for me to put him in his car seat mid tantrum. My mum says she sees it a lot ( perhaps though more in slightly older kids) - they can behave great all day then are stroppy and tantrumy when mum or dad collects them. Not sure why but probably because you are their nearest and dearest and they know they can push the boundaries whereas that kind of behaviour wouldn't be tolerated by their nursery carers? Often for me it happens when my son is overtired from an action packed day at nursery. I have started to take a bottle of milk with me when I collect my son to sooth on the journey home. I'm hoping it's just a phase too as it's very wearing. Good luck am sure it will pass and is only because he loves you so much

I am limited like you but because I have a nonsensical phobia of driving on motorways. However it has meant i've found a few nice trips to the countryside via A and B roads only. Would suggest driving to Ashdown Forest area. Lots of nice pubs there and big country walks: http://www.ashdownforest.org/home/index.php You also go via home of Winnie Pooh which is nice place to stop if you've got kids with you: http://www.just-pooh.com/ashdown.html Best way to go is through Bromley to Westerham, then take the B2026 which has some lovely countryside and pubs on the way. All this is within 1.5 hours drive. Also would recommend going to Chartwell - the gardens are open at this time of year. Absolutely beautiful countryside views from the massive gardens. Probably a good one for fine weather though. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell/ Have fun

I think there are serious plans to reform the care system for the elderly so that there is a cap of ?35k for all care and the gov will pay for the rest - therefore meaning you don't necessarily have to sell your home to pay for care in old age. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13980493 Whether or not this will ever come to fruition is another thing.