Saffron

At a guess: Prescription Only Medicine? (As opposed to OTC: Over the Counter, no prescription needed.)

My daughter (2.5 yrs) is also tall for her age. She's consistently tracked above the 90th% for height and weight. I tend to buy mini Boden 6-12mo ahead of her age, or sometimes lager. Little Saff seems to have most of her height in a long back, plus broad shoulders. When she was around 20 mo, I bought dungarees for 3-4 yrs! Last winter in the sale, I bought tunic dresses and pinafores sized 3-4yrs (Little Saff was 2 yrs at that time). The 3-4yrs stuff still fits her now but doesn't have any growing room in the chest shoulders. Leggings and trousers seem be to a better fit for age. She's still in Boden's 2-3 yr leggings, but even they are starting to come up short! If it's long legs your daughter has, then you'd probably do well to buy a size up in trousers too, unless she's quite slim. I've found the waists are plenty generous. Hope that helps. xx

Agreed, sports are great, but the choice of sport is very individualised. I hated team sports. There weren't any individual sports offered at my school, and so I never got into sport as a teen. Even now, I wouldn't describe myself as sporty, but I like individualised exercise that you can do alone or with another person, eg horse riding, yoga, hiking. These types of lifetime sports and activities are super for any age and great to do together as a family too.

Emla topical anaesthetic cream is marketed for jabs and blood tests, for children and adults: http://www.emla.co.uk/

Also, just to add that the issue is not entirely modern. Anorexia has been documented in the literature for centuries.

There's really no way of knowing exactly where she's picking it up, and I don't personally think that blaming other adults is very helpful. Although of course it's good if they're aware and just don't talk about it around her. It could be from anyone or anywhere that she heard it. They listen to stuff that we don't even realise they have overheard. I'm not at all shocked that a 4 yo would talk about this, b/c 4 yos talk about everything they hear, even if they only hear it once! And I do agree that she probably doesn't understand the depth a what she is saying, which is yet another reason not to draw attention to it or make too much of it (I'm sure you don't do either). Yet at the same time, it's good to be aware of it. I also agree that getting kids -- girls AND boys -- involved in cooking from early days is helpful b/c it gives them an element of understanding and control over their diets, as well as being a creative outlet and supporting a love of wholesome food. However, from a psychological pov, if someone does find that his/her child has an eating disorder, s/he shouldn't lay too much blame on him/herself. There is good evidence to support a genetic/biological basis for eating disorders and other disorders within the same spectrum. The main thing is not to lay blame with the parent, child, or others, but simply to understand the problem and provide appropriate treatment and support.

I would also support a more flexible approach to filing taxes. It's common in other coutries, notably the US*, that partners can file joint or separate taxes depending what deductions and liabilities are most appropriate to their situations. *...though having filed taxes in the States in the past, I wouldn't necessarily hold them up as a shining example of how to run a tax system - nobody's perfect

I'm not even opposed to faith-based schools receiving state funding. Some parents want a religious or alternative, or spiritual upbringing for the their children, including formal schooling. That's fine. We're all different, we all want different things. But the legislation the way it is appears to suggest that non-faith schools must also enforce worship. And that's the bit I find confusing and disturbing.

I've never been addicted to tobacco. I've probably smoked less than 20 cigarettes in my entire life. I can have one and not want another. Same with heroin. Not tried Botox yet. It'll probably be ok as long as I don't mix them up and try to smoke my Botox while injecting nicotine. As for the heroin...

Yes, wondering if students who are exempt from worship get bullied for it?

It sounds a bit like he's just curious about investigating the limits of his own body. If he doesn't have any developmental issues, or other peculiar habits or behavioural problems, it probably is just a phase. I think the idea of a body brush is a good one. Concerning the red skin, toddler skin is very thin and reddens quite easily. As long as he's not breaking the skin, the marks should fade easily. If he is breaking the skin, or the pinching seems to become a habit rather than a phase, definitely speak to the GP. You might be able to get a referral to a behavioural specialist. My daughter went through a phase of liking to smush and bash her nose on my knees really hard. It was definitely hurting me, so it must have been uncomfortable for her too. Toddlers are such strange little creatures sometimes. xx

No, not really. People have been using haemorrhoid creams on their eyes for years. It's a "model's secret" for reducing puffy eye bags.

Would Paraphernalia in Brockley buy them as a lot? Not sure really. Just a suggestion. I pass the shop frequently, though sadly have no occasion to wear anything of the sort presently. http://www.paraphernalia-online.co.uk/

Wow, I wasn't aware of that! Reading those links actually made me feel a bit sick. How can schools enforce "collective worship" on someone who doesn't believe in "worship"? (Well, obviously a lot of them don't -- for good reason).

Ooh, interesting, hadn't noticed that! I only posted the Maori link on a coincidence, as I came across it while reading about something totally unrelated. I've always wanted a tattoo but never gotten around to it.

Is anyone going to this? Battersea Park: 10-11th November http://www.schoolsshow.com/?gclid=CPyg9YLz0LICFYXMtAodQTQASg

We've tried them. And the ones with the silicone "nubby" tips. Little Saff refused them both. Boo. We did keep the cups though, nice to have them for visiting playmates.

I had a series of very bad experiences with doctors at the FHR Practice, in addition to very rude reception staff. Drs at FRH gave me wrong and incomplete medical advice. One doctor there failed to send me for very simple blood tests which would have aided the early diagnosis of a rare blood disorder. Another doctor wrongly told me that there are no safe drugs approved for the treament of PND in breastfeeding mothers. And instead of offering to refer me to a lactation consultant for breastfeeding issues, the HV wanted me to see a nutritionist. Not only was I appalled that the referral was incorrect, I was hugely dismayed that the HV did not even know the different between a nutritionist and a dietition! (A dietition is licensed; anyone can call him/herself a nutritionist.) I ended up having to pay to see private specialists. Shortly thereafter I moved house to SE4 and needless to say I registered with a new surgery.

I think the laws for dog-on-dog attacks are (or will) undergo review, due to the increasing number of serious attacks on guide/helper dogs. New advice has alreayd been given to magistrates to help deal with these types of attcks. Hopefully this will apply to pets as well. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19596201

archie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'm returning to work in November which is much > earlier than expected and I cant seem to find many > nurseries that have places for an over 2 and an > under 1. Do any forumites know of any nurseries > with spaces, im willing to consider Clapham and > other areas too? ps..I know ive left this so late > in the day and I should have started this search > about a year ago! :( Hi Archie, I also started work with short notice. Will you be working centrally? I couldn't find a local nursery with available spaces that suited, so I found a nursery near my work. I work near Waterloo Station, and my daughter is going to the St Patrick's Montessori nursery nearby the station. I wouldn't say it was the cheapest option. However, it is an excellent nursery and very convenient if you're commuting centrally. http://www.stpatricksnursery.com/introduction.htm 91 Cornwall Road City of London, London, Greater London SE1 8TH 020 7928 5557

Hangover: Hair of the dog! Gambos sells beer and wine!!

I think they changed the rules b/c of the incidence paracetamol overdose (but don't quote me on that!). If you give medised which contains paracetamal + diphenhydramine, then you cannot give any other paracetamol containing medications. You can still get medised for infants, but you need a prescription for it now, as I understand it. Here's an interesting study: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13698575.2011.596189 In addition, some research has shown that diphenhydramine was no more effective than placebo in reducing multiple night wakings when used as a sedative (Merenstein et al, Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160(7):707-712). (This is entirely separate from using it as an antihistamine to dry nasal secretions.) It's known that diphenhydramine can result in paradoxical excitation and seizures in children. Though these side effects are rare, they probably play a factor in the age of over-the-counter usage being increased. So medised may help your sick child to sleep by reducing fever and nasal secretions, but it does not appear to be effective in yielding uninterrupted nighttime sleep in itself. Why not see your GP tomorrow and ask about a prescription if the cold is really that bad? Then you can talk to your GP more about the usage of medised and/or what other drugs are available. It may be that there is something more suitable for your child. xx

Wow, I'm finding it difficult with just one child to drop off at nursery! Hubbie knows that he's supposed to be taking up some of the domestic load, but in practice I'm still doing the lion's share. It's an uphill struggle. Can your other half not do one of the drop offs/pick ups? Could you hire some extra help with cleaning, or have a ready-made dinner a couple of times a week? (Anyone used Mrs Tinks for dinners recently?) You sound like you're on the road to a burn-out already! :( xx

Before there was Botox: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19628418

No nuts, but seeds ok? Pumpkin seeds + sultanas + dried cherries. Feta cubes, possibly coated in sesame seeds if feta is too "wet". Pitted olives. Slices of salami/chorizo, or Quorn sausages if you're a veggie. Raw or parboiled baby corn. Ella's pouches of apple sauce. Plain cornchips (not too unhealthy?). Little squares of eggy bread, sweet or savoury. This thread is making me hungry.