Mfichardt

My neighbour will be picking up my 4yo at school once or twice a week. I want to approach it as a purely commercial transaction so need some advice on how much to pay her. My daughter goes to a different school than her kids; it's on the way to her kids school - but may be some back and forth as timings differ. She doesn't need to take her to activities and can just go along with whatever her kids are doing. One day will be pick-up at 5 at afternoon club, and I will then be home at 6 and the other day pick-up at 3 and then spending 3 hours with them until I'm home. Thanks

We're near the Actress and someone just knocked very loudly. When I came to the door (I didn't open it) a man just said no problem and rushed off. Not sure if this is related to the recent burglaries but thought I'd sent a warning. M

I've heard great things about Reiki treatments. See www.eastdulwichreiki.com I've had a long struggle with fertility - it took me 5 years to get pregnant and my advice would be to try all angles and avenues. Good luck.

My Sicilian neighbour has also given it the thumbs up.

Thanks all for the ideas, good to know we're not alone ... M

Great, thanks both. M

Hi, we're new to school holidays and the reality of half term has kicked in. We will take the odd day off but was wondering if there are any activities in the area which will suit full time working parents? Any other ideas welcome... Thanks M

Thanks again for more advice. Skype also doesn't work for us, but glad to hear so many other mums out there in the same position and taking all of this advice onboard. Thanks ! xx

Thanks everyone - appreciate all the good advice. M

Sorry for the long post. I need some advice on how to talk to my 3.5 yo about me working and being away every now and again. I'm her main carer - my husband has a very demanding job; we take turns taking her to pre-school (she's there full time) and we have no other childcare help, except her 2 grandmothers who live in another country and comes and visit once a year and stay a month at a time. She's always been very attached to me (more so than other kids I think) but overall she's a very happy and confident child, enjoying pre-school a lot. I travel about once a month - and away for 2-4 days at a time. After the last trip when my mum looked after her and said that my daughter really missed me - (my husband was also away) and now my daughter keeps telling me that she doesn't want me to go away again and she doesn't want me to go to work... I never go out or away unless it's for work - I've never been able to leave her with babysitters. Now that she's making friends she's happy to go for playdates ... Going away for a weekend with my husband - and my mother will look after her again (in our house). She's always loved being with my mum but now I get the idea she has a negative connotation to her as she has to stay with her when I'm away. Am I over-thinking all of this? Any advice about how to explain our going away / my work going aways to her or other tactics will be appreciated. Thanks !

My 3 yo daughter goes to South London Dance Studios in Herne Hill and loves it. It looks quite serious when they get older but at this stage they're just having fun ... http://www.southlondondancestudios.co.uk

An hour and 10 minutes is a safe bet. It's my commute and I've tried various options, but easiest is to cross Vauxhall Bridge, Embankment all the way around and then left on the A4 to M4. M

We're meeting tomorrow at 10:30 in Dulwich Park / Cafe (depending on the weather). If anyone else out there interested - please PM me for more detail. Marike

Our daughter has been there 2 years (baby room, then toddlers and now pre-school). It's an amazingly loving, friendly, warm place & people, and my daughter thinks it's her second home. I do remember settling in was hard for me (us) too, but try to remember it's normal for it to be difficult. Just keep talking to them if any issues; we've had minor and normal stuff popping up over the years, and they've been very responsive. M

(Sorry, copied this from Heber parents) Would love to meet up with other parents and perhaps do a few park plays / picnics before they start in September. We missed the parents evening so would like to catch up and meet other parents (and kids of course).

I know this is a reaaaally cheeky ask, but I left my phone in an office around there... So will be very kind if someone works around the area / or is going to be in the area today. Thanks M

I'm sure this doesn't belong in this section, so sorry for misposting .... but very urgently need to borrow a MacBook charger for the day tomorrow if anyone can spare theirs. Or does anyone know where I can buy one? Thanks

My friend's daughter went went there a few years ago (at the tennis club off Burbage Road) and could not stop praising them. They moved back to South-Africa but she was gutted when her daughter had to leave.

My 3 yo has also always been a bad sleeper, waking with night terrors etc, not wanting to go to bed etc., and at some points I've been very close to a nervous breakdown - no doubt everyone on this post know exactly what I'm talking about. I've read all the books, tried all the approaches and got all the sleep aids, and at some points it gets better but then worse again. In the end I consulted Andrea Grace (one of the first consultants coming up on a Google search), we only did a phone consultation and she then follows up with calls / emails, which was a great support. Andrea gave me a sleep plan and mentally I was in a better place as I felt I was doing something strategically, and Andrea had loads of tips of how to approach different aspects I was unsure about. After 3 nights she was a different child. I was convinced it wasn't a behaviour issue, but most of it was. It is called no-crying method but there is some crying involved, although very short (1 minute) - although she does a personalised plan for each child. PM me if you need more information. Good luck - total sympathy. Marike

Have been going to Hair Candy in Bermondsey for years. A bit of a pain to get to but Maria and Corlia are very skilled and pricing - especially for highlights are better than anywhere else. http://www.hcandy.co.uk/index.html M

My daughter goes to Gumboots full-time, I can't recommend it high enough. The staff are loving and caring; the nursery offering varied and stimulating activities. It's a really wonderful place!

Hi, I run a small business (baby / nursery industry) www.theworldofcreatures.com and looking for assistance with Social Media - basic FB, Twitter, and some blogging. Preferably a mum with some PR / marketing experience. Thanks Marike

Hi, is anyone else doing this commute and interested to ride-share / taking turns to drive for a day or two a week?

Hi all, we're moving to ED in a month and saw building works going on at the Gumboots Nursery in Crystal Palace Rd. Does anyone know when they're opening, and their contact detail? Otherwise can anyone recommend any nurseries in the immediate area around North Cross Road? Thanks, Marike