lillyanginger

I used to HATE flying so we have been all over Europe on the train. There are sleepers - boys absolutely adored travelling on them...the whole of the continent is incredibly well connected. Hi speed trains exist in LOTS of locations and you can get absolutely anywhere you could want to go (ish). Have a look at man in seat 61 for travel tips. Location - Italy, all the way. Hotels with Pools, beach if you want, gorgeous villas, stuff to do and see. Austria if you like the mountains and lakes - Croatia, Slovenia... Berlin and the surrounding areas, very child friendly and lots to do. We even went to Sicily on the train - that was a LONG trip but you can break it lots of times (Milan, Rome...) and the train goes on the boat. As a whole! Seriously, travelling by train is a lot easier than you fear. Obv you have to think carefully what to pack but your kids are old enough to pull their own trolly suitcase. And you don't need much for the summer! I say go for it!

I had to re-read this just now as they have both been rather vile for the last few days... I know they can do better...must think positive thoughts...i will stay calm...

I don't know Nantucket but we went to Cape Cod last summer and it was really nice. Maybe that is an option? PM me if you want more details.

We have just had our oven fixed by Steve (spin doctor). I am happy to recommend him, he was fast and reliable and the oven works again:)

Laura did a great job in our garden last week and I can highly recommend her. She worked extremely hard and my garden looks amazing.

I just read it and laughed out loud :) Teenagers are so much better than their reputation - at least some of the time!! Must remember to read this on a day when it isn't going so well...

Have a look at Herne Hill. Very close to the hospital and excellent connections to central London. Also it has a new primary school, the "Judith Kerr' primary school. Best of luck!!

The new kindle paperwhite so I can read in bed without the lights on.

Hi, they are not open yet but on the herne hill forum is this message: Flood update Shops affected by the flood and their likely re-opening dates: Artimidorus: Possibly Dec Bon Velo: Open for bike maintenance, shop open Nov/Dec. Tales on Moon Lane: Open now The Illusioneer: Open Now Just Williams: Open Now Kindred Bakery: Open now. Duo Dance: Open now. Mary Russell: End November RJ Electrical: unknown at this stage. Oxfam Bookshop: Nov/Dec Burnett Ware and Graves: Open now (refurb still happening). Number 22: Dec/Jan Mimosa: Early December Fourways Pharmacy: Open now Brockwell Pharmacy: open for prescriptions - shop later Londis supermarket: Dec Half Moon Pub: Feb-June 2014 Pizza Express: Nov 12 Cafe Provencal: Jan/Feb 2014 Saz Restaurant: Now Open

How about 'work to rule' on the day you are off and the pressure is not there for you to get to work. Remind her/ask her nicely to do all the things you know she can/needs to do but instead of shouting and the situation escalating you sit back down once you are ready and do something completely different. Not the usual tidying or clearing the table etc but read a book or the paper. A quiet activity so she can see you are relaxed. You take her to school once she is ready. She will be late but it will not be YOUR fault. She will very probably not like to do that very often..hopefully. Good luck, I feel for you!!!!

My son volunteered at his old Junior school with afternoon clubs, maybe that is an option. Or sports clubs that run on the weekend or evenings? I know Tulse Hill hockey takes DofE volunteers, there must be more clubs like that out there keen for a teenager to help out.

The same has happened to us on several (at least 4) occasions. We are in Herne Hill and the car is parked on the drive. Initially we thought we had left the car open - even though it should have locked automatically - but certainly not 4 times. What a pain... not that we leave anything of any value in the car but last time even the chewing gum went. I reported it to the local police team but they clearly thought I was too stupid to lock my own car. Disconcerting to think people roam the street to rob cars at night...

Hi reren, your text brings back many of the concerns I had when we were expecting our second child...another boy. I have been a mum of 2 boys now for 11 years - and honestly, I could not be happier. Boys are utterly delightful:) (most of the time, obv not all the time!) Our two are very different, one is into sports in a big way, the other one hates sports and loves reading. Boys seem to be more physical but are very loving and cuddly and (still) hug a fair bit. More than most of my friends daughters from what I see. There is little pink in our house, nobody ever answers honestly when I ask 'this top or this top' because they really don't care or see the point. But they are good fun to be around and I am definitely learning lots of new things with them, stuff I never knew while growing up with a sister. Enjoy xx

I get mine at the Sainsburys Instore Bakery - Dog Kennel Hill.

sheet

Only drove once last year for the comedy gala and left with everyone else. It was fine to get out, no problem at all to my HUGE surprise.

My 14 year old likes music...itunes vouchers are very welcome. Comedy is good, the younger comedians are a big hit here. The younger son is into books but that is difficult. Fact based 'joke' books, funny stuff generally.

Monkey, I am sure it is not too late. While your child may not be answering in French, she will be building up a large passive vocabulary. Use DVD's, audio books (dare I say tapes...or whatever they are today:)) We used to read to the children in German, have German TV etc. The result is a very good if a little mixed. They (11 and 14) understand everything and the eldest speaks it perfectly. His younger brother makes more mistakes but can keep a conversation going. What is important is that you keep your other language current. Get newer tv programms, invite cousins (obv once your child is a little older), send them to spend time with relatives or friends if that is possible and have holidays/short trips to France. I am not sure I would insist they answer me in my language all the time, I dont want to make a huge deal out of something that should be quite natural and she will hopefully come to appreciate when she is a little older. Just DO NOT GIVE UP!!!! My sons are (mostly) quite proud of the fact they speak a different language and I am convinced it is helping them with their other languages at school. KEEP IT UP...it is really worth it. And your parents/friends will appreciate being able to talk to their grandchildren. It makes it much more fun going on holiday later to different countries and the children can understand more than one language and always fall back into 'the other one' if they need to keep it private.

We went in October last year and booked an apartment for 5 nights. It worked really well for us and our 2 kids...maybe an idea?

We have been going Herne Hill to St Pancras and Javelin several times now and it has been very easy and quick! Highly recommend that route!

Hinge

We really really really love our shower!!! But....we had a pump installed so we have 'proper' water pressure at all times. I would also go for the biggest shower you can fit (afford) into your bathroom, 80x80cm is not really sufficient. I think ours is 90x100 and feels very luxurious without looking too big.

What about the isle of wight? While you can get here by train easily I am not sure how easy it is to get around as we have used a car and not paid any attention to public transport. But (we are just here in half term) we have seen lovely beaches, crazy golf and little animal parks etc for younger children. The only warning....weather....

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What about a city trip? Taking time to get somewhere cool (Madrid/Berlin/???) by driving for a day, staying somewhere nice for 2 nights driving for a day staying somewhere nice for 2 days...you get the idea. Take the train - really easy and usually different to what kids are used to. Our teenagers like it (mostly).