EDmummy

James, how do we get the verge side trees in Hindmans Rd cut back. One 'fruit' tree in particular is an eyesore and almost a no park area beneath unless you want rotten fruit and muck falling on your car. Many thanks

I've worked part-time for 10 years following birth of first child. To be fair, I have only changed companies once in that time (although have interviewed and moved internally about 4-5 times) once through the interview I have been honest and said that I need to leave at 4.30pm each day to pick up the children but offer to start work at 8am. I can do this because my husband deals with the children in the morning and drops them at breakfast club (previously one at breakfast club and one at nursery) before heading to work. I always follow the breaking of this news with the strategies I use to handle heavy workload or late demands. Don't let them think that leaving at 4.30pm is a problem and tell them that you have thought about how to deal with this need on a daily basis. Does your partner have the flexibility to offer additional support? Just remember, it is your skill and reputation that gets you the job ...no one gets a job because they are willing to work long hours. Long hours are often a weakness of the corporation or the employee. I don't suspect you would like to work for a company that has little respect for it's staff. I wish you all the best of luck!

Funnily enough I was thinking they were not as loud the last few mornings (they usually wake me at around 4.30am) and in fact heard a few that sounded like they had changed their approach as they turned towards Heathrow. Or, perhaps my hearing is going!

Excuse me asking but why do you want long sleeve polo shirts? Schools are notoriously hot in the winter and I don't even put a vest on mine - just short sleeve polo and school jumper (plus coat for outdoors).

Thanks, The Minkey. I was being alarmist at the time as a rat in our house would have been the last straw. We fight against the mice every Autumn and Winter and the last few Summers moths have eaten pretty much all of our clothes (and carpets). A rat would have sent me right round the bend! Haven't seen it since but I know it ... and it's family are close at hand. Only thing our foxes have eaten lately is a pigeon (feathers on our lawn but not carcase - thankfully).

When our house was burgled a few years ago they didn't fine anything worth stealing so made off the with keys (Mercedes - 3 Mercs parked outside, all but one - ours - an SLK - ours being an A Class - would have loved to have seen the look on their faces). They proceeded to empty two other houses in our street - into our car. The car was found 2 weeks later parked in a resident only road in Wandsworth but only came to the attention of the authorities because it was parked illegally and was going to be towed. We were sadly reunited with the car we were hoping to upgrade with the insurance money!!

For those who think they may need a bit of advice I know a fantastic careers adviser. Her company is Second Careers. Just to reassure, I have no financial interest in Zena's company, just know her through our sons' being at the same nursery and she giving me a listening ear when I was having career issues. I would actually like to retrain as a doctor but I know that both me and my family could not cope with the amount of time and effort that would take. After realising that is what I wanted to do when I was in my late 20s, I had to accept that an opportunity to do so had passed me by. My advice would be to take whatever opportunity you have to re-train when it is offered to you!

Gidday! As a fellow Australian, I was very challenged by this when I had my first and most definitely under-dressed him. He didn't suffer and funnily enough now doesn't really feel the cold that much (unless it is snowing). By the time I had a second I had wised up a little and dressed him in a snow suit but he was already 4 months old by the time it got cold. He now feels the cold if it drops below 18C! Completely unscientific but an interesting observation. You are right to be cautious about overheating your new baby - far more dangerous than leaving them a little cool. The Wallaboo looks lovely and as long as you don't put on too many layers underneath would probably be great.

You could be talking about my oldest when he first learned to ride his bike a few years back. I found it very frustrating but my ever patient husband would take him to the park and get him to ride on the grass. This way, each time he fell it was not as painful. If you don't have the patience (or the back strength!) then perhaps someone else in the family can have a try. It wouldn't help him if he sensed your frustration (I think I bit clean through my lip before I handed over the task to Dad). Good luck!

I'm also a fan of Kings and sent them an email of thanks after some diagnostic testing recently. It is passed to the team/s involved and they really appreciate it. Watching 24hrs in A&E on Channel 4 on Wednesdays has certainly made me aware of how difficult their job is. Good luck with your recovery.

BBFC classification document here might help with your decision. All but one of the previous HP films was a 12a (if seen at the cinema) or 12 on DVD. I suppose it all comes down to how emotionally mature your 9 year old is. Mine was very emotionally mature at 9 so he saw Part 1 and at 10 has now seen Part 2. It is also worth while looking at details of the classification to find out why it was rated 12A and then perhaps talking those issues through with your daughter before the film. It was a great film!

Thank Fuschia, swimming is a problem as one of the 6 year olds is a non swimmer and the other needs supervision so it could be a little difficult. What happens at Somerset Hse?

I will have two 10yr olds and two 6yr olds tomorrow for the whole day. Any suggestions on where to take them? The weather is going to be hot and it would nice to go somewhere we can cool off. Don't think I could handle the 4 of them at the Lido but think other parents would be bothered by the 10 year olds and Sydenham Wells. What else could we do?

Pop your postcode at this website here and you will find which schools are local and links to their Ofsted report. I think there is a Southwark Gov website where you can find out the last intake's catchment area. Good luck.

I have plenty of little stories - driving with baby car seat not locked in; getting into car and forgetting how to drive; forgetting to put a nappy on newborn; but, the best story I know is actually my mum's. A couple of months after I was born there was an earthquake (magnitude of 6.9 so not small), she ran out of the house into the street - all the neighbours looking at her asking where her baby is - she had forgotten she had one.

It is not uncommon for children the age of your child to be referred to an orthoptist (they should send you to ophthalmologist first to check eye health). Both of mine were checked very early on. One has an intermittent squint which is checked every 6 months to see if it worsens, the other has an eye muscle problem called exophoria. The exophoria was not picked up for a number of years (it is not obvious when looking at him) and unfortunately his early schooling was affected. All fine now after exercises to teach him how to stop his eyes flicking out. If your child has an intermittent squint then they may just watch it to see if treatment is needed. I would definitely say getting this checked earlier rather than later is the right approach. Good luck

In our house, swimming is an absolute must! Then they get to do one other activity of their choice (I say 'choice' but gymnastics was actually chosen for youngest and a musical instrument was kind of thrust upon the other but both with positive results ie., the 'choices' suit their temperament and they both enjoy them). If there is an after-school club that they fancy then we might add that but I would rather keep it to two classes to allow for time for kicking back and for homework. Cost also becomes a factor. There are so many things I would like them to try but we try to be realistic.

Love the topiary dogs, love the painted bollards and love the decorative lamp posts in Bellenden. Why not spend a little bit of money on brightening up our neighbourhood. A pleasant environment is good for the soul. Saying that, if this was at the expense of creating mould free, spacious homes for people on low incomes I know which one I would support.

You could also try planning one big excursion a week (something to focus on) like the Science Museum (great water play downstairs for small ones), Battersea Park Zoo, a City Farm (Vauxhall or Surrey Quays). A bike ride and picnic in Dulwich park - 5 month old in a sling, 2 year old in the bucket bike? I also used to find breaking my day up into chunks of activity really useful as well. Painting in the morning, lunch, nap or audio book/DVD, then an afternoon visit to the park, home in time for late afternoon routine. The key to chunking it is to not try and fit too much in! Good luck. It is not easy and you will be excused if it sends you a little bonkers!

Try ringing Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 00 00. You will be able to speak to as Cancer Information Nurse Specialist who will be able to offer a lot of information and will send you some literature. I hope all goes well.

I know it is only your second year but there is nothing to say you need to stick to the tradition. Saying that, I am pretty sure that there is a lux male perfume at Roullier White that has linen in the title. I hope you have a lovely night!

I recommend a night off and go and see Bridesmaids with a girlfriend/s. I haven't laughed so much in years.

How awful. Thoughts go out to his family.

I've posted before about this, and admit I am an "old timer". When child No. 1 was born the advice was to wean at 4 months. We actually weaned a few weeks before because his weight had dropped from 90th centile to 25th centile. He is now a strapping, healthy 10 year old who loves his food (although mainly only likes to eat fish). Child No. 2 was born after the changes in views that children should be weaned from 6 months but we ended up weaning at 4 months because again, there was significant weight loss even though he was feeding much more. He is also a strapping, healthy 5 year old who adores his food. I might add, even though I have extensive allergies, neither of my children suffer from allergies or asthma. By all means, listen to current advice, but also remember that advice changes over time and you should just respond to your intuition. Best of luck for whatever you decide.

Tanks for the update AnnaAS. I am glad to hear that they will all be repatriated together. Such a terrible time for the families.