Trish

BBC used to but closed it down around 8 years ago because it couldn't benefit the number of people who wanted to use it so they felt it was an unfair advantage for a privileged few. They switched to childcare vouchers instead justifying the closure by the fact the vouchers could benefit everyone. Returning to work with onsite childcare was wonderful though - I could feed my baby at lunchtimes and the return to work overall was much easier and more practical.

Have you tried using an aesthetic cream for your daughter ahead of getting a vaccination/blood test done? Your GP can prescribe it and you put it on an hour or so before the vaccination and it numbs the area where the needle goes in. From a young age I developed a phobia of needles and could faint at the prospect of having an injection. I'm pleased to say I eventually got over the phobia but it took until I was about 30. The cream really helped me though so I hope it might help your daughter. Good luck!

I've dropped the lady who runs iokidsdesign an email so hopefully she'll come on here and let you know how much the bunk pods are and provide any other info you might need like measurements etc.

A lovely lady from Nunhead does these: http://iokidsdesign.co.uk/the-bunk-pod

LovelyRita - in response to your query I think everyone is different. For me, I will need to take a day of leave to cover for going in late each morning when my daughter attends Nimble Arts. I can drop my daughter off with you at 8.30 but that's what time I should be starting work, which is an hours commute. I then leave work at 4pm and pray there are no delays in getting back to East Dulwich by 5pm to pick her up. I do consider myself fortunate that my employer allows me to,work 8.30-4pm though. It's stressful!

Laura Mercier primer. Clinique tinted moisturizer Bobbi brown long wear eye liner - the one in the pot doesn't smudge and stays on all day Bobbi brown long wear mascara Mac has discontinued the lip conditioner i was going to recommend. Totally agree with the comment about getting your eyebrows done properly. Good luck!

Thanks so much - will look into both of these.

I'm beginning to panic - I can't find any holiday clubs for my 8 year old daughter this Easter. Does anyone know of any running this Easter? The 10-4 times don't really work for us so we need 9-5 at least. Thanks

My daughter announced she wanted to go as Jesus one year!

I'm another full time working mum and feel your pain! I had to work away from home this week so didn't see my 8 year old daughter and 3 year old son for 3 days. The joy of being bundled by them and smothered in kisses and cuddles is beyond explanation. Their happiness at seeing me almost made up for the time I was away. I agree with everyone else's advice - firstly it will get better and easier. And don't whatever you do beat yourself up. I think, when you work, you value your time with your children so much you put extra effort into making that time incredibly special. I couldn't function without a cleaner and online shopping. But the most important thing in the day is a cuddle with them. When your sleep routine is all over the place then you're far more emotional anyway - it will all calm down eventually. Just hang on in there and enjoy the cuddles when you can get them!

I'd second this recommendation. Niko came over at the weekend to fix a tap for us. Speedy work and as other people have said, he doesn't charge the earth.

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Our fence has come off quite badly following the storms last night. With more on the way at the end of the week, and it being Christmas Eve, we're trying to find someone who might be able to repair it/ensure it at least stays standing until we can get the job done properly. Please do PM me if you are able to help or know someone who can. Many thanks Patricia

Hmmmm Dopamine1979 - looks amazing but probably a little (read a lot!) out of our price range. Nice to look at the photos and dream though!

Most schools run a breakfast club and after school club for wraparound care to help working parents. As a guide I can drop my daughter off at breakfast club from 8am and she is provided with a hot breakfast. Breakfast club is ?2.50 per day. After school club provides tea and is open until 6pm and costs ?9 per day.

We had the same reservations when we first moved to Dunstans, having previously lived right on Lordship Lane, but it's a short walk to all the bus routes on Lordship Lane (Dulwich Library) - so few minutes to East Dulwich station or to Denmark Hill, Oxford Circus etc. A 5min walk gives you a bus to Peckham Rye station which actually has more choice of destinations. It feels like a pretty flexible place to be. Personally I only potter around Lordship Lane at the weekend and it's a 20min walk which I quite enjoy. Also worth mentioning that it's really friendly around here. We chat to all our neighbors and those people you just happen to end up seeing each day and therefore say hello to. I've never experienced that in London before and I do value it.

Ooh could you PM me the code? Then can I use in store? Going shopping with my mum on Saturday! Thanks Trish X

Congratulations - wonderful to hear!

Thanks for suggestions! KalamityKel - we normally hire a villa in Europe over summer so I suppose I'm wondering if we can do something a little more special. Not sure we will be able to afford to do anything different or, as you point out, we necessarily need to but it would be great to have an especially memorable break away to mark the occasion.

So after 21 years my other half finally proposed....I know, I'm a patient woman! So we plan to get married in August and would like to spend one or two weeks on honeymoon but we don't want to leave our kids behind so it needs to be somewhere which works for all of us. Any suggestions? I'm stumped! My children are 8 (girl) and 3 (boy).

My boyfriend plays guitar - tell me about the cool toys, Otta!

I had no idea we had such a great little Sicilian restaurant lurking down Lordship Lane until last night when we enjoyed the best pizza I've ever eaten outside of Italy, and homemade pasta all washed down with some particularly fine sicilian wine. Just so you know, I have no connection with the owners of this gaff but I do visit Sicily regularly, primarily for the wonderful food and wine and am constantly disappointed by the sorry excuse of italian restaurants you so often find in the UK. But this place is really special. Apparently they are going to change the seating so it's more comfortable as the interior has been the same since it housed Chopsticks and benches don't make for the best dining experience. Try it out and enjoy! It kicks the ass of Firezza (and they do take outs with deliveries planned for the future).

First time round wasn't pleasant. Second time was a truly beautiful experience. I never felt out of control and never once experienced pain which I could bear, although it still took a long time. I wish someone had told me it could be like that the first time around! Agree with focussing on your breathing - as long as I was breathing out slowly through a contraction it was bearable. I felt in control. Such a contrast to the first time.

We have the same problem. I'm currently considering either Holiday Drop Off or the Nimble Arts at Heber School. I'll probably let my daughter decide which one she prefers. I'll then ask my employer if I can take half a day or a day of leave to allow for me getting into work a little late and having to leave a little early for collection. And I'm taking the Friday off to spend with her. So basically when each holiday comes around we busk it!!! No school holiday has ever been the same but we always seem to muddle through somehow. I think the key is ensuring they do something varied - over summer we try to space it out so she shares some one on one time with each of us in between staying with relatives/holiday clubs. The most important thing to her is that she is at home with us each evening. Good luck! I share your pain!

That's great news - thanks for posting!