devsdev

I'm sorry, but I just find it strange to deliberately try to get your child sick...I haven't looked into this specifically, but I had chicken pox at 10 and it was miserable. I would avoid my 18 month old getting it if I could!

Thank you - that would be great!

Hi all, Looking for advice from mums who have had c-sections or have experience with the recovery process of abdominal surgery. I have a toddler (will be about 21 months when baby comes in July - or younger if baby comes early) and can already anticipate a few bumps to my section scar. So I was wondering if the Theraline csection belt would be worth investing in to protect the area (including for breastfeeding)? I have also not been able to do any exercise including walking this pregnancy due to persistent bleeding (I have a previa) and am actually now in the hospital on modified bed rest till I deliver. I was looking at post-partum or post-surgery belts as a way to help my body heal from the surgery as well as helping it get back into shape. I don't want to spend a lot of money on things like the Belly Bandit, so was wondering if anyone has used any such bands and could recommend a brand? Here's hoping baby doesn't make an appearance for many weeks, but I'd like to be prepared in case :) Thanks all!

Sorry if that was wrong information - I was looking at the government page on minimum wage to calculate it. Can you believe that nowhere on the page does it clarify whether minimum wage is net or gross??? With the calculator it seemed to suggest ?6 was net rather than gross...but I guess that might be wrong.

This is clearly a spoof video, but on message: http://www.upworthy.com/how-would-it-look-if-vaccines-were-advertised-just-like-prescription-drugs

Nannies who bring their own children to work will usually not work for just ?6 an hour (this is below the minimum wage in any case). The lowest really would be ?7 net, some would ask for ?8 net. Agree that she should pay for her own child at playgroups etc., but her son would eat with your children and share the food prepared for them (which she would cook/freeze as well if you want). This kind of a share is really convenient (since you don't have to coordinate with another family or leave your house) and it's great for your son to have another child to play with while your daughter is at nursery. On how you decide on pay - speak to a company like Nannypaye about whether to agree a gross hourly figure rather than a net figure as with the latter you're unsure how much you will ultimately be paying out (the taxes and NI costs that are paid quarterly depend on your nanny's tax code). Not sure exactly how it works as we have a net amount agreed.

Honor Oak Park up One Tree Hill was closed again this morning - not sure what's going on, could just see the cones blocking the road.

Thanks Saffron - may be worth looking into then. And I've had CP and would really like to avoid shingles...my colleague had it recently (very young to have it - only 30) and it sounded awful. Can you really vaccinate against that?

Apprently it's not very useful in the UK because it's not part of the general immunisation programme. As such there is no "herd immunity" which makes having the vaccine less effective - had asked the nurse when I went for the MMR booster. Obviously you may have other reasons for getting it, so please ignore me if so!

Having been through a loft conversion which was a truly painful experience, I'd definitely recommend getting an L-shaped dormer if you're planning on having the work done in the first place. The marginal cost is certainly justifiable (provided you can afford it, of course), and it does open up the space much more than just the one room (having been into both kinds of lofts). Plus the extra room will be invaluable if you're planning on staying there in the long term and will have 2 kids. We use ours as a study right now and it's brilliant.

Gently Elephant currently have a sale on with a few things remaining - mainly boys in small sizes, so ideal for you. They are really lovely in there. Haven't been to ED Warehouse so can't compare.

Road is still closed, but didn't seem as much of a mess around 10am this morning as I walked to station. Thankfully the buses are going via Stanstead Road (TFL shows P12 going up via FH station, up London Road and turning right down Honor Oak Road). Isn't this the kind of job where they should have overnight crews working? Or does that not exist?

Thank you - I'll try those out!

Am watching this thread with interest in the hopes that we'll do something with our kitchen soon. On the boiling water taps - we have Zip Hydro Taps all over our office and they work fantastically well. Need regular maintenance of course.

*note: shouldn't this be in the discussion section?* This is pretty timely for me as my LO is due her 15 month MMR booster and I was once again thinking about whether it was entirely safe. Pre-child I was 100% pro-vaccine. I went through the first 3 sets of vaccines plus the BCG without really questioning if they were "safe". I'm from India and vaccines are an essential part of any child's life - indeed, any child's survival. I've had plenty of boosters in adulthood as well. However the 12 month MMR definitely gave me pause - every parent wants to do what's best for their child. The amount of misinformation abounding about the MMR is astounding. This despite the fact that autism cannot possible be caused by a vaccine at 12 months. My friend's daughter is autistic and evidence of this was visible well before 12 months. OK, my sample size is one, but how many people are aware that Wakefield's sample size was just 12? And not just that - these were 12 pre-selected children chosen for medical conditions they already had - chosen to try and prove a point that was actually ultimately unproven. Add to that the fact that he made a lot of money through this scandal and it's amazing that his quackery still impacts a lot of us. Here is another link: http://briandeer.com/solved/bmj-piltdown-medicine.htm. Looking forward to watching the TED talk too. We do all we can to protect our children. But don't forget the obligation to protect other people's children (and any adults with compromised immune systems as well). If your child is not vaccinated would you be able to keep him/her out of playgroups or nursery or school? What about making sure your child is healthy enough to enjoy his or her childhood as well? Another interesting article: http://www.voicesforvaccines.org/growing-up-unvaccinated/ Getting off my soapbox. I'll be taking my daughter for her booster this week.

Since Stevie is away, can anyone recommend someone for my daughter's first haircut (15 months)? We're in Honor Oak so would rather somewhere closer to Forest Hill side or otherwise. Strawbs - you mentioned a Carly?

Thanks everyone - some good suggestions. Now to get everyone organised...

Hi all, We wanted to go for a nice walk in a couple of weeks - a group of adults and one toddler who will be in the sling if not toddling (so no pram to worry about). We were looking for somewhere we can reach by train and which will have a nice pub/restaurant we can go to afterwards. Most of us are quite rubbish at getting out of London (and I must admit, I haven't been for a walk in the country in a very long time!) so any advice would be very gratefully received. We're planning on a Saturday in early February if that makes any difference. May need to actually buy some boots/wellies...!

Another nod to nannypaye. They're cheaper and were great. As esme said, shop around. So long as the firm is reputable, you'll get the same essential service. You're paying to avoid weekly/monthly hassle and to ensure you avoid missing a payment to HMRC (or risking getting it wrong). They're also very helpful with general advice on contracts etc.

For sleep training, my NCT group had a seminar with Nicola Watson at Child Sleep Solutions. Our little ones were all around 2-3 months, so a lot of it was future theory but we got practical information and I certainly found it really useful over the last year. I know another person who used her for sleep training (I can't remember if over the phone or actually staying overnight) and said it was an immense help and included continuing phone support. Not as expensive as nightnannies, but definitely expensive, of course. As stanswithfist says, if you can generally get a decent nights sleep on a regular basis and learn how to deal with any changing patterns, then it definitely pays for itself!

Another option is making an olive oil cake - no need for butter etc. Usually fruit is used to sweeten, but there are chocolate cakes that can be made. Come out moist and delicious! Easy recipe in the baby-led weaning book for an apple cake. Probably won't be popular for a birthday though!

Thank you!

Hi there, I know there have been recommendations to go to the Southbank Centre with kids, but just wondering what exactly people do there. I am trying to coordinate a meeting with my sister in law and niece who will be coming from Kensington and with the Jubilee down the best place to meet seems to be Waterloo/Embankment/Southbank. It's Sunday and I hope to meet her fairly early (9:30/10ish) so the kids can play, we can eat and then my LO can sleep. Where can we go for the kids to have a bit of a run-around - just along the river? Is there any inside space that would be good in case it's raining? I've only ever been there without kids and it's usually involved drinks while overlooking the Thames, so this is a new one for me!

My LO (15 months) just got given a Corolle mini doll. Haven't given it to her yet (mean mom), but it looks sweet. Another one I would be happy for her to have (should she choose to switch from trucks and teddies) is the Lottie doll which looks very fun. Both of these are smaller dolls though (probably make life easier to you if you need to cart them around!).

Some others in HOP/FH which may be worth looking into even while you look further out are: St. William of York (Catholic, good reports) St. Francesca Cabrini (Catholic, good reports) Beecroft in Brockley/Crofton Park (completely redone school building etc., very popular in the area) Have you looked at all the schools in the Herne Hill area?