candj

Tony, if your topic is not East Dulwich specific it does not belong in the main section, it's just the way the forum is constructed. That is not censorship, it is just being organised. I took the winter travel update thread as a sort of emergency measure which avoided the beginning of zillions of little threads about winter travel updates, school closures, which roads were safe to walk on, which roads were gritted and when the rubbish would be collected. Very East Dulwich specific.

We had our rubbish missed last Thursday, but they are here today. Yipee!

This may answer your questions regarding holidays and bank holidays. Bank holidays are included in holidays, they are not additional. With regards to everyone's holidays, all the families just have to have very open communication with each other and your nanny about when it is taken. With our nanny/previous nanny shares half of the nanny's holidays were our holidays (we decided when she would be off) and the other half was when she wanted to take them. Hope that helps.

I have to vote the poor chaps who work for Dyno Rod as having the worst jobs.... but they were so lovely and friendly as they stuck their arms into our basement/rotten sewage/pump thing. (The joys of discovering the hard way that flushable baby wipes cannot go through a pump)

Yum is right. I too have been on the lookout for decent mexican (food). Ta for the recommendation will try it soon.

Belle, the thing we do on holidays to the continent is that we the adults eat a bit earlier than usual and the kids eat a bit later (with a bath first so that they're ready to get into bed the second we get back to the hotel). With the added hour time difference, we all enjoy dinner together and it really works. (tu)

Sometimes I feel we need an even bigger winking smiley face as they have often failed me in their current diminutive size.

randomv Wrote: Candj - i think the idea behind the pitch black room is to eliminate light getting in and distraction as a cause for the baby waking. Yes I know, but GF's description was pitch black so that you couldn't see your hand in front of you and that no light seeped around the curtains (in fact I remember reading, she never took on a job if this requirement wasn't addressed beforehand). I personally thought that was nuts because pitch black meant that I would inevitably tip toe into baby's room and trip and crash into something thus waking baby up! And it's much nicer to have black out curtains and a bit of light so you can see. I also think it's nicer to have your child get used to semi-dark rooms because if you are travelling to a hotel or visiting others they wouldn't have difficulty falling asleep because the rooms wasn't perfectly black. Sorry for rambling, sorry for going off topic-ish.

Keef, someone had a recommendation in the local business section once about a very child friendly taxi firm that had baby seats. Sorry not to remember the name! We travel a lot so always use a cab as it is so much easier/faster and saves on the stress of public transport, imho. Good luck.

I'm a GF fan when it comes to the schedule which I followed loosely because both children took to it like a dream. I didn't like her methods (pitch black rooms, not making eye contact during night time feeds, etc) which I found slightly harsh and not for everyone and I couldn't bear controlled crying although I did try it with my first for 15 minutes and guess what, it worked! I do recommend the book to all of my friends who are having babies as I like the schedule bit which is good for a first time mum, whether they follow it or not is up to them.

Funny. I call myself Mommy (American), daddy calls me Mammy (Irish) and my two call me Mummy. Also was corrected the other day by eldest daughter when reading night time stories on the pronunciation of the letter Z... It is endless.

Hi Jane, Have you contacted the National Blind Childrens Society. Although not based in London, your can request more information for activities in you local area and their website seems pretty comprehensive. Hope this helps. Best, -C

We use Tuscany Now and have been renting the same villa for a few summers. You can request baby friendly options and they are very helpful. Good luck.

Congratulations to you all - so much excitement for the new year! Best (and hugs too of course!) -C

Don't know if this has been mentioned, but Landcroft ROad is absolutely treacherous especially on the hill near to Heber, Rodwell, Pellatt. There have been quite a few accidents there already so please be careful or avoid this area completely.

http://www.korea-dpr.com/catalog/images/songs%20of%20korea%20vol108_resize.jpg

That is lovely and a great start to the day.

For The Goose is Out Sue - I give you a Dyson Hoover for Christmas (you'll need it when your new one falls apart). ;-) Please note Sue, I do hope you know this is tongue in cheek so please don't freak out!

Hi Molly, No swine flu jab for us either. I'm not anti-jab or anything, but it's been around in my eldest's school since September and although we've all been sick with various things (not sure swine flu or not) I feel it's pointless now. Sorry not to be more helpful. Best, -C

Sorry to go slightly off the current theme, but I just received my selectDna kit from the community police. I was trying a few months ago but they had evidently run out of them. Glad to say they are indeed in and the community police kindly came round to deliver and show me how to use it. Thanks also to Councillor Barber for your speedy reply to my PM - would have put this on the 'so much for James Barber's contributions thread' to say that you've been helpful to me. Many thanks, -C

Is that Saint Doris?

http://images.politico.com/global/clinton-gore%2092.jpg

Definitely irritating. Glad that they co share with Aer Lingus (well, not really) on the London-Dublin route. I hear from a friend whose husband is a BA pilot that they are trying to impose an injunction to stop them from striking. I feel that the cabin staff are being greedy as the pilots already took a pay cut with little quibble while BA sorted the mess out. Hopefully, Willy will be able to get the company together, but doubt he'll be nice about it.

I haven't been there either since the change, looking forward to it. Yipeeeeee!

The teeth don't have to be present for babies to feel pain. Sometimes their gums begin to get sore before the teeth break the surface. Just keep giving him what he does eat whether it be fruit puree or a cocktail sausage and plenty of liquids. Good luck.