sarahew

And big thanks to everyone who has shared their ideas on this thread, btw. You have genuinely been very helpful, and given me some inspiration. For those new to the thread, please do leave more ideas :-).

Thanks Sunbob. I think lunchtime is the best time for a main meal too. I feel the pressure is off once that meal's done! But, when you say you go for quick and easy stuff, what kind of things do you mean?

Hi Bubbachumps. That's great. Please PM me your email address so that I can add you to a group email about meeting up. Propolla, please send me yours too.

Yes! Of course. Looks like there are four of us. Perhaps we could get a meet in before the school holidays? A week on Monday, would work for me. Next week is a bit mad.

Hi Verds. I definitely miss the office full of women, and the men for that matter. It's been a while for me now as I went freelance a couple of years before having the boys (3.5 and 17m old now). Another mum has mailed me, who works in music and events. She fancies a daytime meet-up, so less wine, but a bit of a break from the norm. If you fancy it, send me a PM or leave a message.

Yes, peas are a winner here too. Do you all eat together Lula? I wonder how many people manage to do that. I'd love to but it feels pretty impossible with husband not getting in til 6.45/7ish.

I get a bit lonely some days, and wonder if making contact with others doing the same job from home as me might help keep the old spirits up. Plus it would be nice to get to know some new writers / media bods.

That's what I'm worried about. We're having a real job getting the 18m old to sleep at the mo, and i can't face having to deal with the 3.5yr old too. that's why i'm desperate for help to find other meal options that go down well. I am a totally rubbish cook, and just lack confidence in this area.

This is totally what i aspire to and what my sister did. Her children were amazing eaters. It feels like I've trapped myself now. We don't eat together because husband's working hours don't allow it, and I'm not a confident cook either. I think I relent too much on snacks, and somehow have let eldest rule to roost for fear of him starving. Gah. How come you get to eat with the children?

Hey y'all. What do your pre-schoolers eat? I know they're all different, and one size doesn't fit all, but I am bored to tears with the menu that my 3.5 year old will eat. I'm finding that my 18m old is having to put up with the same things, or I'm making two different meals each time. The only meals I can reliably get down him involve fishfingers, pasta pesto (god forbid it's not pesto), potato waffles, cold ham, the odd cheese sandwich. Fortunately he will at least eat brocoli, most fruit, and tomato with the skin peeled off. Yes, I am peeling skin off cherry tomatoes. He ate brilliantly as a tiny child, and I Annabel Karmel'd with the best of them. But, jeez, I don't know what's happened. What does everyone else feed their kids, and successfully get from plate to tummy? Sarah

Hi all. I'm looking for a reputable building firm to take on a kitchen remodelling project, to include take down of half an internal wall, new doors and windows. Will need structural engineer and to go through planning office. Has anyone recently had any similar work done and been pleased with their builders? We have not long had a bad experience with builders and would be grateful for a reliable recommendation. Many thanks everybody. Sarah

Hi. We are considering putting up picture rails in two bedrooms, both with chimney breasts. The work is budget and time-dependent. If you are an experienced tradesman, with references, and think you can help us install the rails before week commencing March 25, at a reasonable price, please let me know asap. Regards Sarah

Hi all. We want to replace our kitchen worktops, because previous owners put in black marble and we don't like it. A carpenter recently came around to give us a quote for installing new worktops, and said that the marble was good quality, would have been very expensive when put in, and we should give 'the marble guys' a call, to remove it, and pay us something for it. No idea what he meant by 'the marble guys'? Anybody have a clue? Or, does anybody want a huge amount of black marble? I suppose it can be used for other purposes too - I wondered about fire hearths, though no idea whether you have different types of marble for that. If any 'marble guys' are reading this, I'd appreciate some advice. Thanks y'all.

Aaron has done two jobs for me, and I've been very happy both times.

The shame of it :-/. One of our kitchen cupboard doors has fallen off, again, for the umpteenth time, and we've tried but can't rehang it. Does anyone know of a tradesman who wouldn't laugh, or charge us a fortune, to rehang the door? Also, Amy tips ona damp specialist would be greatly appreciated. We have a very dodgy smell coming from an alcove cupboard. Thanks!

WOuld like to say a big thank you to everyone for posting. The info has been invaluable. There's nothing like real experiences to get a picture of something. Thanks y'all!

Hi everyone. I'm considering taking on a commute to a job in Kentish Town, and was wondering if anyone regularly uses the Southeastern service that runs from Nunhead / Peckham Rye to Kentish Town (stops at Kx on the way I think)? If so, is it painful having so few trains an hour? Does it get very busy? Run reliably? Am I mad to even think of trying it, or is it a stroke of genius? I'm very Tube-phobic (haven't been on one for 12 years!) so I'm rather hoping this would be an ok alternative. But, as I need to get reliably to and from ED to pick up children etc, I need a route I can rely on. Any thoughts gratefully received!

We went to kaleidoscope in lewisham, referred by health visitor. His nursery could also have referred. Good luck.

Hi everyone. Does anyone know where Sam from little clipper hairdressers on northcross road has gone to? I don't mean to be precious, but she's the only hairdresser who has cut my little boy's rather wild hair into a shape that doesn't make him look like a loon. Much obliged for any tip-offs.

Thank you everybody for the tips. I've cancelled the ?80 eye exam! Very helpful advice. Good old forumites! :-)

Hi all. This is a desperate plea for advice on contact lenses. Can anyone tell me if they have improved over the last ten years and if any are particular good for ultra-sensitive eyes? I tried them out 10 years ago, seem to remember trying six or so different types, and all of them burned my eyes after a few hours, and the whole thing was an expensive failure. I'm about to go to optician for an eye and contact lens exam, which is ?80!!! They only stock two brands, which makes me nervous (should I be expecting more varieties? What are the big brands?), and I'm also not sure what I should be asking / hoping for. Have they really changed, or will it be burning eyes again and a whole load more money wasted???! I know it's not the most exciting topic of conversation, but I'd love to know if anyone out there has sensitive eyes and has found a contact lens that is wearable for a full day. Or, am I wasting my time trying??! If it matters, my prescription is only something like -1.5. Many thanks! Sarah

Generally, when you switch from breast to formula, in my experience the gaps between feeds will get a little longer because formula can fill them up for longer. With your baby being so young, it's hard to predict a pattern. I would suggest that you still feed on demand for now, offering a bottle each time she seems hungry whether that is an hour or four hours or whatever. She will eventually find her own pattern, which you can expect to be approx three hourly intervals or four. Be careful not to confuse other needs with hungry. Crying might be windy, nappy, tired, hugs needed, too hot / cold, bright lights, noise. But baby will be able to push out bottle if not hungry, so doesn't hurt to try. Eventually, prob about 3-4 months, if you want a pattern, you could aim for 7,11,3,7,11,3am. That's pretty manageable, if your baby will settle to that. I'd say it's early days yet, maybe. Btw, I have two boys, and went from boob to bottle at 3 months with first boy and at 5 months with second (two weeks ago). The second son will still cluster feed, at the moment, in early evening and wants a feed at 4.30/5ish and 7pm. He will slowly move into a more evenly spaced routine, I predict! Oh, and a rough quantity guide should be on the box of formula. Be aware that every baby is different and don't worry too much about it. Babies self-regulate pretty well.

Hi mima. It does sound like a good idea. Thanks for suggesting it. I'm not back at work until September, but I'll definitely be keen to see how it goes, and maybe I can join in come the time. Perhaps leave another post when you've all tried it out??

Thank you everyone who has taken the time to reply to my post. I've loved hearing how it is for you all. I can see that there are a few common feelings, and generally it seems the at home benefits beat the office working, at least for this group. I think I agree, and know that I am afforded quite a few luxuries working from home. I should say that I have my own small business, so I also have the worry of trying to find work again after being out of it, and losing pretty much all of my clients. Really interested to hear about the groups that are already set up for working parents / freelancers. I think I'll definitely try one or two. And thanks to the three mums who have invited me out for coffee, either here or on private message. That would be lovely. Maybe we should all meet?? I have to break now (dinner has arrived), but will keep checking in on this thread. Thanks again everyone. I'm not sure I've really nailed the best way forward yet, but hopefully I'll get to meet some of you as I work it out...

Are there any working mums in East Dulwich (and nearby) who work from home since having children and wish they still had the company of work colleagues? I have a 4m baby and a 2.5yr old, and I'm beginning to feel that when I start work again I would prefer not to spend so many hours on my own. I love my work, but can feel quite isolated at home. I'm even contemplating looking for a job in town again, just for the company and support of other professional working women (and men!). It's quite hard going from being at home with small children, to being at home working alone - I gain in lots of ways that I don't really want to give up, such as flexible hours around the children, no commute and always being here in emergencies etc, but I miss the stimulating chat and other people to bounce ideas off. I also miss learning from how other people do things - I'd love to know how other mums run their businesses for example. Is it just me? Does anyone else feel like that? I'm wondering if it might be possible to get a little network together. I've also thought of local desk share, or something, with other freelancers / self-employed mums (and dads). Anyway, it might just be me!