minimac

Sillywoman you'll be fine and love your new 'lease of life' Especially as you're following your dream. Although it is a scary thought the children will hopefully benefit in other areas too (as is so often the way when family dynamics/roles change people learn to react positively and adapt). You have passed on so much knowledge, help and support to so many in ED the future community where you work (as you WILL get that dream job) are very lucky to benefit from your new career path - only wish that I might be one of them!

Our son has suddenly developed what seems to be a fear of the dark. He has always (very luckily) been really good at going down to sleep at 7pm but for the last week when he's put down and I walk out of the room he starts crying and really kicking off. As soon as I go back in he stops crying and settles down but I have to leave the door wide open and/ or hall light on and door ajar which will then settle him. Later on when he's properly asleep I can close his door and he doesn't seem to be bothered during the night being in total darkness (we have a total blackout blind up). I don't know if it is connected but he has also woken once in the morning this week (earlish for him) so we put the hall light on and door ajar and he happily stayed in bed for another half hour. His bedtime routine is exactly the same as it's ever been although he's probably outside later playing now he's walking/more energetic before starting his bath/bed time routine. Don't know if this would impact. I don't have a problem with him needing light etc , after all some adults do, but I am wondering why this fear seems to have just started and if it could lead to further issues - any clues anyone ??

Forgive me jumping in on this thread but I've often thought about becoming a nurse ( a childhood dream that has never really left) but how do families work things out if a mother is on shifts - is it a total nightmare of balancing acts or is it more manageable than i think? ( my husband works normal office hours if that makes a difference.

Hi all - sorry for slow reply. Thanks everyone for your advice - so yes, I took the plunge and did wake to sleep. I did it one night and it worked a treat (he slept through to 6.40 - first time in monthsssssss!) then we weren't able to do it the next few nights for various reasons and he slept through fine but these last few days it has gone back to early 6 something but hey, I'm not complaining - 6 something is fine compared to anything that begins with a 5! But, I think it did work and would do it again (although my husband is convinced he's got better since the weather got cooler, but I'm not so sure!) Your tips were much appreciated as I hadn't remembered the wake to sleep technique so could well have been still stocking up on matchsticks....

Thanks for your advice everyone. Fushia - yes he definitely goes outside lots and we've just been away but that didn't really seem to make a difference. Given that the early starts mean no sleep for anyone I think maybe this wake to sleep might be a good idea. I'm waking myself in anticipation for him to wake so it won't make a difference to me! KateW - he is cutting his molers at the moment so maybe that is effecting him although giving him calpol/nurofen when he does wake hasn't made a difference. I'll also perservere with the blackout blind and fix it better as yes there is a bit of light that still comes through but he doesn't seem to be a baby needing total darkness - ie the light hadn't wakened him before. I agree though in not wanting to reinforce this pattern by letting him nap but he literally has dropped off up right in his pram he is that tired for a catnap plus he is in childcare FT so I can't really control his activity levels by giving quiet mornings and ensuring he's not napped etc but at the weekends I definitely try this. Question though on this wake to sleep - if he has been tending to wake between 5.10/30 do I go in at 5 and do it or is it earlier than that ie 4.30? I think I might brave it.....

Our 15 month old son has, in the last week, starting waking between 5-5.30am.....I consider this still the middle of the night!! I know children put pay to any sleep like we used to but the fact he used to sleep untl 6.30 this early waking is making a big difference to us all and more importantly to him. When I go in and see him when he has woken it is usually because he's thrown his teddy out so I give it to him and he goes straight down again into sleeping position and he acts like he wants to sleep. I can't leave the room as he screams and my husband who is very good with him can't go in because our boy is so excited to see daddy he immediately thinks it is party time and I'm clearly the 'tougher' one and more resilient to the tears and trying to get him back to sleep. I've tried patting, calming etc and they all work in that he will lie back down again (for a little bit of time) but then after a bit he's had enough and up throwing teddy wanting kisses etc - all very sweet but....... I think my main issue with this is that he is tired in the morning and so it can't be because he's had enough sleep - he is back to having a nap in the morning (having dropped that a while ago and just have a big lunch time sleep) so having a nap in the morning obviously impacts this lunchtime sleep as well so all in all I'm going round in circles and feels like we've gone back several steps. Could this be teething? I've no idea.... I've tried blackout lining on the windows, more clothes, less clothes, more food - nothing seems to make a difference. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated and in the meantime I'm going to make another coffee!

I'm flying with my husband and one year old on a domestic flight next weekend. We've booked in one suitcase but my question relates to baby baggage - we are hoping to take our maclaren buggy and the backpack baby carrier. We've flown several times with a buggy and car seat or travel cot but will the backpack be treated like another baby necessity or will the airline kick up a stink?? We can't afford to get landed with some ridiculous 'excess baggage' charge! Does anyone have any experience? Thanks

I had it done at 41 +5 (undiagnosed breach and desparate to to avoid a c section). It didn't work (given the size and too late in the day) and whist it wasn't very pleasant for me to experience our baby was fine, thoroughly monitored and I felt safe during the process. If I had to do it again I would as the inevitable benefit of giving the baby a chance of a natural birth is worth it. Mt friend had it done at 37weeks and it worked! At least if you give it a go you'll know if it was possible. The hospital wouldn't do anything that wasn't advisable.

I have to provide food for mine (but no bad thing I think as means I know what he's getting and some cm's don't feed what I would choose to feed a young toddler). We have to pay her 4 weeks hols, and up to 5 days sick leave and bank holidays also if we are on holiday or boy is sick. She tends to do groups that don't cost but I think if there is occasional fees she'll pay. We pay ?55 a day - seems fairly standard although there are a lot out there charging considerably more or a bit less. You'll work out pretty quickly whether you're happy with a cm - sorry to say but I found some pretty shocking ones but as soon as I met mine I knew immediately. She loves children - we are newish to it all but so far so good! Good luck

Has anyone any great ideas of holiday location with an 18 month old. We are seriously considering a mark Warner as it will give my husband and i a total break from cooking etc and the option of evening babysitting (I know day care is available but not sure we'll use it). Ideally we are looking for a two bed apart or large room with an alcove/large bathroom to put sleeping baby in (best sleep for all that way!) and I know you can upgrade your room options accordingly (seemingly at great expense!) but are there any other holiday companies out there that offer good quality accommodation?? (not 5* just clean and comfortable) with an option of evening babysitting and no cooking/car hire involved.....or are we thinking of the impossible..? Many thanks in advance.

I am selling this for ?7 if you would like. Perfect condition as hardly used (i hasten to add not because my son didn't like it but because he has been in plaster and can't use it!). But when he was able to use it he loved it. It could help you out with the sitting issue for your little one. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sit-Me-Inflatable-Play-Ring/dp/B003BPLU82/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321012456&sr=8-2

Beas baby bop is usually in the afternoon at 3.30 but search for her on here as she has a posting for the correct info. She is ?5 drop in or tippee toes is usually about 10am ?3 drop in - kimmee posts in here too so have a look as wouldn't want you turning up at the wrong time!

I thought LL was meant to be up and coming....am delighted it will be short lived. Don't want to dampen the spirit of the guy running it but it is much more 'northcross market stall' stuff. Now all we need is someone with a bit more imagination to open something permanent that isn't A) a curry house B) an estate agent C) a charity shop or D) a kitchen shop.

Does anyone know if Tippe toes at the Gardens Cafe is running this Thursday? Thanks

Sue through sitaram yoga held at kings hospital or at brockwell lido is brilliant. Very good classes and she follows on with baby yoga also good

I'm looking into full time childcare to start in February and am finding that a ft nursery space or ft nanny share are difficult to find. I am therefore thinking of doing both part time ie nursery mon-wed and nanny share thurs-fri for example. However I wonder if this is advisable for a little one (my boy will be 11 months when I go back to work). Do children need total consistency when the parents are working full time or are they quite resilient and cope well/feel secure/happy etc if I arranged this shared care? Thoughts/advice appreciated.