sillywoman

We used to live in Bickley - it's a long way from Camberwell.

Looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it tonight. 7-9pm, East Dulwich location (Please Pm me if you need the address). SW x

Oh Kes, please come. It would be so good to talk more about this over tea & biscuits :D SWx

Mustard Seed sends a lot of theirs to DVIS. Plus, it's lovely.

Mucky, if you've got one going into year 2 then they will only be at DVI for a year as it's only an infant school. Next year they will move up to - probably - Dulwich Hamlet Junior school. A completely separate school so they won't be in the same school as their younger sibling anyway. If the village (DVI & DHJS) schools are they way you are leaning then it's probably worth taking a punt on getting a reception place for your youngest. At that age some months out of school is no big deal, especially if you've just moved halfway across the country, and the movement rate at DVI (as with most London schools) is fairly active. Dulwich Village is expensive (vaairy naice houses), but it has the added advantage of being walking distance from KCH - could do it in 20 minutes at a fast lick, more like 30 at my ambling pace.

WoD - I thought that AuPair agencies wouldn't let their Au Pairs go to family where they were expected to have sole charge of under 2's? Or is that an urban myth? OP I think if you can afford it that a Nanny might be your best option. YOu should easily be able to find one that will work 12 hour days 3x a week. You might look at http://www.simplychildcare.com for starters.

Otta! You are so naughty! Keep 'em rolling though - Saffron you're on fire :D SWx

Hello Second time Mums & Dads, apologies for gatecrashing over here, but I hope you'l forgive me. I'm just popping in to let you know that ED's newly formed 'Positive Birth Group' is meeting this Thursday evening, Jan 9th, 7-9pm. Tea, biscuits and conversation provided. If you are interested in an antidote to the media presentations of birth, want to think about how this time could be different to last time or just want to chat about what you've heard/seen/know please feel free to come along. Everyone welcome. We will be holding our discussion groups on the first Thursday of eat month and aim to alternate between moorings 10am-12pm (for those with baby/toddler commitments - they can come too), and evenings 7-9pm to try and make the group available to those who are working in the day. We are a new group and so are open to idea's, suggestions and comments as to what would make it appealing to you. Please PM me for venue details. Thankyou, SW x P.S. For clarification: 'Positive' is to do with an approach, not to do with 'natural'. It could mean a positive elective caesarean or highly medicalised birth, just as much a whale music/water birth. :D

Hello Summer baby Mums & Dads, I'm gatecrashing over here, but I hope you'l forgive me. I'm just popping in to let you know that ED's newly formed 'Positive Birth Group' is meeting this Thursday evening 7-9pm. Tea, biscuits and conversation provided. If you are interested in an antidote to the media presentations of birth, or just want to chat about what you've heard/seen/know please feel free to come along. Everyone welcome. Please PM me me venue details. Thankyou, SW x P.S. For clarification: 'Positive' is to do with an approach, not to do with 'natural'. It could mean a positive elective caesarean or highly medicalised birth, just as much a whale music/water birth. :D

Thanks for clarifying Saffron. Don't forget everyone the next meeting of ED's 'Thinking Positively ABout Birth (or something like that) Group' is this Thursday evening at my house 7-9pm. Please PM for address. Tea, Biscuits and listening ear provided :D SW x

Good question Otta: I guess it's because birth is a big turning point in a lot of womens lives. It's a big deal, a right of passage for many if you will, and the main representations that we are shown in preparation, through childhood/adolescence/young adulthood is that it's a horrible screaming mess. ANy positive images or descriptions are mocked as being 'hippy' or 'for those who like pain'. Where are the positive images/depictions that acknowledge labour& birth as it is in all it's many forms, that acknowledge it is difficult but yet don't view that as a negative. We are being taught to approach it with fear and anxiety - how will that help us? There's no deny-ing that for most it's tough, however it happens, elective CS, emergency CS assisted birth, straightforward birth, water birth-with whale music - whatever, it's hard physical and emotional work. Each woman will have her own journey to travel, but - as with any tough physiological task - positivity can help with preparation, whatever type of birth a woman is hoping for/ends up with. The 'positive birth' group aims to debunk a few myths whilst facing up to the realities of birth for women in ED. We aim to go some way to re-balancing the negative view of birth (all types) that the world/media/whatever presents us with as the norm; explore some of the issues around our cultural view of birth, and try to give those of us who are still in the throws of having babies some tools to deal with both their own fears and anxieties and those of others they may meet on their journey to parenthood. Does that aster the question Otta? You could always come along on Thursday night if you fancy finding out more :D And yes, Thankyou Saffron. The ED Positive Birth group (still haven't managed to think of a better name that has less hippy-natural-birth connotations: all suggestions considered) will be meeting Thursday evening 7-9pm(ish) at my house. Please PM if you're interested to find out more & would like the address. All welcome - tea & biscuits provided. x P.S. The topic for discussion this month is 'language - how does it help/hinder/influence labour?'

Cabbage leaves are great for engorged breasts, but they won't touch mastitis, the enzymes they release work only as an anti-infammatory not as an anti-biotic. You're doing all the right things sylviamaria. I second ibuprofen (you can take with paracetamol as long as you don't exceed maximum dose for either), and the gentle massage. Feed as much as possible from the affected breast and try to position baby's lower jaw as close to the affected area as possible (not always achievable I know). I also second seeing the doctor if you still have a fever. If everything else has improved and the fever is mild then you might decide to hold off until tomorrow to reassess, but if anything, ANYTHING, gets worse - including your temperature then you should seek medical help asap. As someone up-thread mentioned, the risk is that unresolved mastitis can turn into an abscess, and that is nasty - definitely to be avoided. Congratulations on your new baby, and Happy New Year. Poor old you - what a start to 2014!

Aha, yes of course. I've been racking my brains to try and join the dots to see which forumite you were :D I loved my box, just loved it. Thankyou FatherJack Haven't heard of 'plop' top trumps though - will have to go check it out now.

Hic

It's late in the day, but Merry Christmas to all EDF-ers. You all give me so much pleasure and mental stimulation through the year. You are what makes this community great. Thankyou. SW xx

I know Otta - each to their own and variety is what makes the world an interesting place with many wonders in it. I'm very, VERY uncool in my music tastes - My name is Sillywoman and I love Musicals. There, I'm out :D.

[itunes.apple.com] Having trained there for 15 months now I can tell you the sentiment they express really does reflect how most of the NHS workers I have encountered there feel. We ARE on your side when times are rough (most of us), well - we try to be. If you can bear to, please download. It would be such a boost for Lewisham Hospital to have a Christmas or New Year number one after their tough year and facing what looks like a tougher one ahead.

Aww Otta, I think it's beautiful & Couldn't imagine a better Christmas number one. But then, as my old Mum never tires of telling me, I inherited a soppy sentimental streak from my Nan, so I would wouldn't I? :D I wonder if I could post this in the family room to boost its audience? Might try it . . .

Mad. This thread has descended into utter madness. This is why I love this forum :D.

Lowlander - it's not unanswered. I've answered that question further up-thread. Ianr - the clerks office cashed my cheque then waited 6 weeks and issued me with a ?150 fine for non-payment notice. As I said - buggers. If they'd just said no, that's not enough, I could've resolved it there and then and paid the full amount, but to get a fine 6 weeks after cashing my cheque without any indication that this wasn't acceptable seems just mean to me. But then it would - wouldn't it?

yup, return it. Smile (through gritted teeth) and put it down to Christmas. You can tell him of your noble sacrifice later - just so he truly understands how much you love him ;)

Yes, I was lucky not to be prosecuted or have an accident. I cocked up, am not a habitual MOT avoider by any means (thought it ran out end of Oct, actually it was end of Sept). I know, I know, I hold up my hands to all of that and assure you I feel appropriately embarrassed and ashamed of my mistake. I will just have to pay up and not feed the children over Christmas thereby adding 'bad mother' to my list of misdemeanours. It's a slippery slope . . .

Ah, yes, inbox now emptied = Thankyou :D

There's no initial or date - tough further down the ticket the date is written and the he's signed it. Sigh (that one's for you Otta ;) ), I think it's pay up with a heavy heart isn't it? I will call them, but I think I know what they'll say - if you don't like it challenge it, and as someone else says that could mean a mahoosive fine in the end. An expensive little bit of rebellion (the paying of the ?60 rather than ?100, not the forgetting the MOT had run out). Ah well, Bigbrother 1 - small (wo)man 0. Buggers.

Thanks Otta, Lowlander I didn't ask the officer because I didn't look at the ticket (given at the side of the south circular, in rush hour and I was quite embarrassed) until I got to work. It was only then that I realised that the ticket is for ?60, but he'd crossed the figure out & written ?100 over it. Can I ask what you mean about the officer 'clearly endorsing' the ticket? Do you mean it's legal for him to write a new figure over the top of the figure printed. I did look on the internet but couldn't find the answer to this question - it doesn't appear to be on the link you've posted either - unless it's staring me in the face & I'm just missing it somehow.