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Side by sides can be really tricky getting into various doorways, so I'd say a tandem. We've really liked the P&T and our older one quickly learned she couldn't climb into the back seat without someone holding the buggy because it would tip over (something to note). Our older one is a tall 5yr old and in a pinch she can still fit in the front seat as well (and has been known to climb in the back too!).

Saffron - 1000% agree with this proposition!

Depending on which station you live close to, commuting isn't any less manic from around this area! Certainly not from East Dulwich station. Roughly what area are you in (SE22 or surrounding)? Use the FB groups plus SE23 Mums to look for share families too - we do a nanny share and it is fantastic. Good luck!

Which induction hobs do people have? I really want to switch from electrical ceramic hob (nightmare for cooking!) but they're all so expensive!

We have the Ikea reversible for our 3 and 5yr old too. Recommendation is to put the lower mattress on slats so there is ventilation under it - we bought slats from Ikea too (we got Luroy which is the most basic, but in hindsight wish we'd got the Lonset as the Luroy is a bit slanted). Changing sheets on the top bunk is definitely a bit of a faff and I have to climb up or get my 5 year old to tuck in. Use fitted sheets so generally stay well tucked in.

I think they are able to provide the free 30 hours - the problem seems to be that parents have been unable to get the necessary approval to get the 30 free hours themselves. Unclear why people haven't applied for the 15 free hours in the meantime though. Chelwood is also a 5 day a week commitment. But it really is a lovely nursery - I'm choosing to not send my younger one to nursery yet (we're doing a summer-born delayed entry), else I would have jumped at this opportunity!

If anyone is looking for 15hr or 30hr a week spaces in nursery for their 3 or 4 year old, Chelwood Nursery has spaces available. It's in SE4 but very close to Nunhead and easy to get to. A really lovely nursery and it's a shame it's undersubscribed this year (something to do with the 30hrs). Details available online http://www.chelwood.lewisham.sch.uk/

Lewisham admissions will definitely email you the closest 10 schools to your address with the official distance set out.

Thanks for starting this thread as I'm trying to decide too. Our younger child was in NICU for 9 weeks and was pumped full of medication which kept her alive so I am grateful to modern medicine including vaccines. I was very happy for the kids to be vaccinated fully, including getting Men B and chickenpox privately. I let them have the flu vaccine previously (with no adverse reaction) but for some reason am hesitant about doing it now, possibly because I got quite unwell after taking the flu vaccine a couple of years ago. But it seems to be a sensible program - I just need to look into it some more again. Thanks for the link Saffron - going to have a read of the page.

Sorry it's been such a hard time for all of you - hopefully the tips from Saffron and others will help with the scarring. On the emotional side, it may seem trite to suggest a book, but Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting has some incredible tips for helping reconnect with your kids. Our nearly 5 year old has been super challenging (agree with the comment about the personality transplant!) and the book has been a useful guide with tips that you can really put into practice. It's about focusing on the positive and the good rather than the negative which has been as helpful for my mental state as for making progress with our LO. Not a panacea, but I think it has really helped. Good luck x

Good 1-on-1 (but pricey) lessons at St Dunstan's. You get a discount if you have two kids learning at the same time.

Rye Cars have a couple of big people carriers which we've used before for large amounts of luggage.

Thank you for the responses - it's a VW Touran - maybe it happened to multiple cars. Damage isn't as bad as it seemed initially though will still need fixing at some point. It's just so obnoxious when it's utterly mindless like this as you say Renata. Hopefully if the people doing it can be somehow reprimanded then others won't have a similar experience. Was today (Thursday) afternoon between about 3 and 4:30pm. May just be kids not thinking, but they need to know it's not OK!

Hello, Our car was parked in Peckham Rye car park and has been keyed quite badly. Does anyone know if there is CCTV and if there is anyone I can call to check? I wasn't there myself else I would have checked. Clearly this isn't priority number one for anyone and I realise we're going to have to pay to fix the damage ourselves, but I'm incredibly angry about this and would like whoever did this to at least be named and shamed if possible. So annoyed!!!

Some brilliant responses here. And fantastic news edanna! It's also amazing how much less stressful it is when you've not spent the morning yelling and running to get to school! redjam - our school just went militant on us so any drop off after 9:01 goes straight to reception to sign in late. Has certainly made me get out the door earlier with my LO!

Things that have helped me and friends: - wake up earlier and get ready as far as possible yourself. Wake the kids up earlier than you are doing now. This one sucks, but is essential! - choose clothes the night before and lay them out so all the faffing is done. Similarly gather school essentials, coats, mittens, hats, shoes, scooters etc. in designated places the night before - no TV/books/phones etc in the morning unless they are dressed, breakfasted, and ready to go already (we have no TV at all) - brush teeth before coming down for breakfast - not ideal for teeth, but saves time Still have stressful mornings, but it's getting better...I also have to remind myself to breathe and not lose my shit regularly... Good luck!

Try Playful Parenting (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0345442865/?tag=googhydr-21&hvadid=6512312840&ref=pd_sl_14hk6ekz7g_b) or How to Talk to Kids...(https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Talk-Kids-Will-Listen/dp/1848123094/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QVX1H7WDRW691SR9AGCP) And be kind to yourself and your toddler. Sometimes the best thing is for both of you to just sit down and have a cuddle and let go of the stress (recognising that this isn't always possible). I've found sometimes it's like dealing with an irrational drunk person who keeps repeating the same thing and not listening to any reason...so frustrating but nothing to be done in the moment!

While not a straight line calculator, it does map the school catchment area: http://www.schoolcatchment.co.uk/. The search function for postcodes isn't great, but you can drag and drop the pin for your address so it's more accurate.

Microsports is fantastic, but it is on weekdays.

Mrs TP - current guidance means a summerborn child can delay the whole year (and therefore start with a new cohort in reception rather than skipping reception altogether which is what the old rules used to mandate). But your point about missing a term in reception (since no child has to be full-time till January in any event) is well noted.

You can definitely delay/defer (our younger is May born, but was due in mid-July and we are going to do it because while nursery/reception can be fine, the jump to Year 1 is apparently a huge change so we'd prefer her to be older). Try FB group "Flexible Admissions for Summer Borns" and local FB groups out of that main one - there is definitely one in Lewisham. You need to speak to the school head teacher, but if a state school then it's the LA's decision. Lewisham is very supportive, I imagine Southwark is too. You do need to make the application as usual for schools and also submit a delay application. Good luck!

Just discovered Magformers - have got for my 4.2 yr old - look promising!

Weekend classes at St Dunstans are brilliant - there is a parent and toddler class (but it's pricey at around ?130 for 12 lessons)

If it's a hired space then maybe take a mop? Bubble machines can be very fun....we've just taken them outside but obviously not when it's freezing.