midivydale

Thank you all - they are all great suggestions.

Calling all CMPI parents (again...). My son who is two has been invited to a couple of Easter hunt events over the coming weeks and I was wondering if any of you would know if there is any milk free Easter eggs that I could provide? He is not used to eating choclate or any sweet things really, but for this I would like him to be able to join in with the other toddlers and get a nice treat too. Somehow I dont think finding a banana or an apple is going to cut it for him.... Any tips at all would be gratefully received.

juno Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We're going here - didn't fancy a hotel as like to > have our children in their own room. It looks > lovely and have been with this travel company > before... > > http://www.simpsontravel.com/greece-holidays/lefka > da/hotels/mousses-creche-and-childrens-club Ohhh lefkada - nice! One of my favourites of the greek islands!

Hi, can I come to the April session? Will send you a PM sw. x

My reflux baby slept on the side from almost day one. We used a sleep positioner for refluxers as mentioned above for the first few months to make sure he would not roll over. X

Hi Susan, You will have a wonderful time in Sweden, it is a very child friendly place. On the west coast where I am born and bread there are so many wonderful places, you cant really go wrong. The island of Marstrand outside Gothenburg is gorgeous and there are several other islands in the Gothenburg archepelago which are all amazing. If you have questions about certain places or areas please PM and I will be happy to answer. Another advantage if you are based in the proximity of Gothenburg you would have the option of taking the ferry or coach over Denmark for a day or a few days stay. The ferry (which for kids is an adventure in itself) would take you to Fredrikshavn and from there you could easily get to Skagen or Lokken with amazing beaches. I would really recommend this with small children. Any questions feel free to PM me

Hi Sem, please could you send me your pricelist? Many Thanks

Great advice from sb. Best of luck with the application

Yes I think leaving is probably the answer which is so sad as I truly like some of GP's there. I was also hoping to be pregnant again soon and am holding out as I would like the service of the lanes again. But we cant go on like this, it is madness

Sorry, that is what I meant. You are unable to phone for pre book appointments until end of March, not that there are appointments available at the end of March. Sorry if i was unclear.

Hat282, this also happend with my blood tests, I wrote about on another thread. My results were sitting in an inbox too of a GP no longer at the practice. I did attempt to raise this with the practice manager who never called me back. However, I did also raise ut with PALS and would urge anyone to do the same. I realise moving surgery seems the obvious answer but there are some truly great GP's at the practice and I am very happy with them. That argument is wearing more and more thin though as it is getting impossible to see them.

I just phoned to ask for a pre book appointment and was advised that all that they have is on the day appointments which as we all know you need to que or phone on the day for. Can they do this? Is it possible for a surgery to not offer any pre book appointments at all?

It will get better but it is so very hard. The best advice was on a similar thread this time last year from "working mummy". She said so many brilliant things but the two things that I particularly remember was a)try to focus on a few minutes at the time. Ie now all i need to do is get dressed or right, lets get on the train, or "ok-lets do this meeting". Easier said than done but this strategy has made me survive this year and I make a conscious effort to focus on only the task ahead. B) When I get home I am entirely focused on my son, no phone, no emails and no clock watching during bed time. I make sure I am really there. Thirdly, I try to cut out guilt. Some ready made meals here, cutting out bath time for more cuddles there, it really doesnt matter in the end. Not at all pretending to have all if any answers. It is hard, some days harder than others.

Medicine. It is a secret dream of mine. I have always wanted to be a doctor (cardiologist) but stupdily I thought i wasnt "smart enough". What nonsense. If I am ever in a financial position to retrain I would in a heart beat.

Aww this is what community is all about. So so lovely

Aw thank you for chipping in- i love a beauty chat! I have tried and tested many of the recommended items and the rest will be dealt with too. Also I had Carly around to do my hair and I feel so much better. Next thing I must do is loose weight. Will help me. I am suffering from roseacea and have bad flare ups. Any recommendations for sensitive types? X

Agree with the admin side of things entirely but I feel strongly that I must give a few words to some amazing GP'S there. Through family illnesses here and abroads I have met alot of medic staff over the years. I have 4 or 5 drc's at dmc who are first class. Attentative, no nonsens approach. I wan to name they so they can get applauded publicly buy i cant as it will give me even a harder time getting an appointment. But with the female drs you cant go wrong,bar one. With the male ones I have never had a decent experience. Oh and the Lanes, of course they would be the reason to stay if everything else was bleak. They are a bunch of fairies. I love them

Hey, no mother would ever sound self indulgent. Writing in a rush as in Sweden with my father who is ill but if it was me I would 100% want to go with neocate asap for the reasons that you describe in your post. Will write more tonight but just wanted to say go with your gut. I would want exactly the same thing if I were in your shoes. Bluedark who have posted on this thread and I had a similar conversation a few weeks back. Sorry for rushing x

I know, they are terrible through and through. I rarely use them this year as I have just had enough and luckily norwegian airlines (another no frills option) has started a route to my hometown. Their staff smile and answer questions;) Good luck with it all and perhaps worth double checking at the information desk when uou get to the airport.

I have used the push chair to the gate & then put it in the bag at the gate a few times on RA. They wanted me to do it in fron of them which was fine but I didnt have any issues. Suprisingly I should add;)

Sending lots of hugs strawbsy - hang in there not long now. Let me know if you want us to entertain mini for a few hours so you can put your feet up. X

Making an attempt to revive this thread. Need some ideas to spring clean my appearance. Work, toddler, illnesses, bereavements and a long rainy winter have all taken its toll. I look about 10 years older. So any suggestions for my operation appearance, fire away

Damn it, that will make foxtons put on another 30k then...

Yes, we are looking in catford at the moment.

I recently had a discussion at length about this with a friend of mine who is a children's therapist (not sure of the English term, she is based in Sweden.) My father is really ill and I was conscious of how my own anxiety and grief would impact my toddler. My son is younger at nearly 2 but is getting increasingly aware and is very communicative. Her advice was to be honest and upfront with any question but to let the children take the lead. My son for example used to get really distressed if he sees me upset and I was worried about this. She advised not to say "Dont worry mummy is fine" when I clearly wasnt but just gently give him an explanation to my sadness such as "Mummyis sad because granddad is poorly, I miss him". Similarly, when someone dies she advised to use that word rather than gone to sleep or gone away as children then might fear about going to sleep or worry if you go away that you wont come back. It was good advice which I have taken on board. Perhaps not helpful in this thread as my son is younger but just thought I'd share it.