EDmummy

My 11 year old was offered ?100 to stop biting his nails by his grandad when he was 7. Money earned to date, a big fat 0! Sorry, no tips here. His younger brother has now followed suit.

I understand that views on spelling in KS1 changed over the last few years (different for my 11 year old than my now 7 year old) but you really should have a chat to the teacher as they will be able to tell you more about the approach they are adopting. I'd be interested in hearing from parents from other schools. What school does your daughter go to? Mine is at Heber.

Sam, you mention that your partner works shifts. The only downside of living very close to Lordship Lane and near this junction in particular are the emergency services (police and ambulance) roaring down the road with their lights flashing and sirens sounding. It is the sound of London but if your partner is a particularly bad sleeper and she has not already desensitised to these sounds she may find it difficult. In contrast, a friend of mine lives near here and its the birds that wake her up (esp. Great Tits) around 3-4am in the summer.

Well said Debster99. And I hate to emphasise this but there is actually very little 'choice' in this process. We got our 3rd choice last year. Not a school we would have chosen for our child but we are absolutely committed now to make it absolutely work for him. The schools ability to respond and cater for child is key. If state education is your only option then committing to making them a well rounded, well read person is our job. All the best to everyone going through it this year. I had at least two months of sleepless nights this time year and as far as the school my son got I'm still undecided but I'm committed to making his education work for him.

Thank you to everyone. The Forum has come through again and I shall 'go to the ball'.

Have been trying to get a sitter for my 7 & 11 year old for this Saturday night for over 2 weeks! Have tried every au pair and GCSE/A Level student I know but cannot find anyone free this weekend. I'm looking for someone from 7.45 to 12.00pm who can look after my boys. Do you know someone who is free and has experience of babysitting? The kids are really easy, will entertain themselves and the youngest one just needs a bit of a story read to him at bedtime. If you know a student, au pair or anyone else for that matter who is free this Saturday night can you give me their details. Thanks.

Please ensure you make formal complaints about the problems you are experiencing (details here http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/doctors/Pages/NHSGPs.aspx). If they are not able to provide the service the community needs then something needs to be done!

Bad day, apologies. Tried organised swimming lessons with both at that age and it all seemed a bit too much for them so we went back to swimming together and I taught them how to float on their backs and doggy paddling without arm bands so by time they were 3-4 years they were happy and keen to be separated from me for lessons. Both now strong confident swimmers. Just my experience and probably not for you. Good luck. Inkmaiden Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks susyp. EDmummy, it's a shame you > misconstrued my tone, I was asking your opinion. > > Saffron, we haven't swum there yet but went to > check out Forest Hill pools and they look great. > There are loads of general swim sessions in the > learner pool on the timetable. Cheaper than > Southwark too and the receptionist said they have > some other cost-saving initiatives if you are a > Lewisham resident and have a Lewisham library > card. > > And kapaxiana and Pickle, I'd completely forgotten > about Crystal Palace, thanks for reminding me.

What a totally unnecessary tone in your response to my post! You didn't mention that your child was so confident so was I supposed to know this?! Plain rude. Inkmaiden Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Edmummy, we do go to the floats sessions at Pulse. > Inkspawn doesn't wear armbands, happily goes under > water, jumps off the side, paddle-kicks on a > noodle float thing and insists on walking as far > as she can into the deeper water without any > assistance and then dunks herself. Is that water > confident enough? I want to take her to lessons > because I don't really know how to take it any > further than that. > > Also, the session at Pulse costs ?4.40 and the > swimming lesson costs ?5 so not a great deal of > difference. The only issue we're having is that > the water at Brixton rec is too cold for her!

2.5yrs and swimming lessons?! Take your toddler to a floats session at Peckham Pulse (they may also do it at Dulwich Baths), have fun, relax. Use the arm floats they use in lessons and give your child support in helping them float and lots of encouragement in making little movements towards you whilst doggy paddling. Don't throw money at this early stage. Get her water confident on your own and she will be more than ready to join an organised swim session when she's 3-4yrs. The number of young children I've seen attending organised sessions without water confidence breaks my heart. Save your money and gave fun.

Didn't watch it on the news but read the link given by Curmudgeon. It all seems a little odd. Why, after the complaints were first made hasn't there been a transparent enquiry with public results. They receive public money so they should be accountable to the public. We owe it to current and future students to have the truth of what has or hasn't gone on be made public and the changes/actions taken by the school available for all to see. What doesn't help are unsubstantiated allegations and rumour. More generally, if the Coalition does not offer better regulation of education (esp academies) then the future is indeed dark for our children.

Assuming you will be potty training during this time you might want to find a nappy that's easy to pull down rather having to deal with velcro.

Non-diary probiotics here - http://www.livestrong.com/article/265506-can-people-on-a-dairy-free-diet-take-probiotics/ although I'd congratulate any parent who can get saurkraut down the throats of their little ones (mine do actually like it but they are strange). There is mention of soya yoghurts but they are not suitable for all dairy allergies. I happen to get symptoms as bad as with milk when I eat soya yoghurt but not when I eat other types of soya bean products. For me, it all depends on how it is prepared.

I have a son attending the school who suffers from mild anxiety problems (not classified SEN) so once we found out our son had been offered this school I contacted the SEN Coordinator to see if my son could have a look around the school of a proper working day (not open day) to help him overcome his anxieties. His Year 6 teacher helped by writing to them to outline how the anxiety affects him. We met both the Mentors who were fantastic, very open and have continued to be very supportive. I think what is important is for his current class teacher to be involved prior to the move to the school (some of this will already be done through normal transfer processes)and for you to document your understanding of his limits/boundaries/needs/talents to share with the school. The school is really strong on parent/child/school partnership so I think you'll find they are quite progressive. There is another parent on here with a child with Aspergers in Year 7 who may have more to add but I'm afraid I cannot remember her user name. As far as anything else is concerned, I'm afraid it is too early for me to comment only 4/5 weeks into Yr 7. Jury is still out but my child is happy and has almost no anxiety (this has never been managed before!). I hope this helps.

May well be just a phase but if you have any concerns may well be worth mentioning to your GP for reassurance. You might also want to try diversion tactics when he starts doing it. Maybe also try body brushing with a soft baby brush so he gets some sensory input.

Where is the French Cafe? I can see it in my mind but cannot think of where it is for the life of me. Are the bubblegum flavour toothpastes full flouride?

Double snap, Jessie! We have been using Aquafresh but he even finds that too strong. Thanks to eveyrone else, will try some of the others. @Renata, not sure a sticker over the Hello Kitty will fool him!

On advice from our dentist, my 7 year old has been using very small amounts of adult toothpaste for a couple of years. Unfortunately, he absolutely hates the taste of mint which has resulted in avoidance tactics and poor brushing. Does anyone know of a very mild mint to alternative flavour toothpaste that still has a regular amount of flouride (please no discussion on the pros and cons of flouride)?

Well done! I hope you raise lots of money. This is a great cause.

Meeting was last year. Perhaps easiest way to find out is to ring them.

Thanks for the correction on Harris boys, Renata.

It is definitely the case that the sibling policy applies for the boys/girls school. We were told this at an open day. I would challenge 800m being the distance for Charter. We are less than 800m and was 116 on waiting list a few months back. I'm never very convinced by furthest distance as this may well take account of looked after children and SEN who are not affected by the distance criteria. Also don't be fooled by thinking that you will get into a school based on the fact that your next door neighbour's kids go there. Catchment areas change year on year depending on applicants. Absolutely no 'choice' to the system. Just hope you moved to the right street (if you could afford it - prices are affected by supposed catchment areas)or take a bet on the lottery (Kingsdale). With regard to Harris Boys ED entrance policy, I thought is was a mixture of NVR and then distance within bands.

@Fuscia, sent you pm.

If anyone would like some size 26 logo polo shirts they are very welcome to them for free. I think there are about 3 and are in good condition. Would have to wait until I buy a few more next week (youngest child shot up like a bean stalk over the summer).

James and the Giant Peach? At that age my oldest liked The King and I and Annie get your gun. Not animated but plenty of singing!