nunheadmum

Depends how strict they are on uniform in general. I know that at our local school, anything goes for coats. If it's a local state school, I'd be surprised if they are really able to enforce uniform as far as the coat given the range of economic circumstances families find themselves in. For primary I'd generally say cheap and cheerful - they'll only end up in a pile in the cloakroom being walked over by all the other kids. Or maybe that's just our school!

Science party? We did our own for our 7 yr old girl and all the kids loved the experiments. I was really surprised how well it went down. There are companies that do it which might be better for 20 kids!

We've potentially got the chance of a 2 night break from the kids later this month. I fancy going somewhere that we could go walking or for a bike ride. Also needs to have nice restaurant for a good meal. Won't get away till around 6pm on the first night so don't want to go too far. Any good suggestions? Would probably prefer to avoid Sussex as got family there so it won't feel like a real break.

Check out what's going on at the Ivydale school childrens centre once the school goes back this week. They used to have a great playgroup on Monday mornings, amongst other things. You'll meet loads of other parents there.

Red Shoots campsite in the New Forest. Good family campsite with a pub by the entrance with a rope swing to keep kids entertained while you relax! On the bounds of 2 hours but we had such a good break there, thiught it worth mentioning.

Bouncy castle party at JAGS or Harris Girls. You get a bouncy castle and assorted toys. 1-1.5hrs of play then 1/2 hour for party food and home. Kids love it. Doesn't need too much work.

IF it's like the French ones, you tend to get better deals if booking directly with the site rather than via operators like Keycamp/Eurocamp. But you won't then get the English speaking kids clubs and you will be in the general accommodation rather than an area which is predominantly British. (You may see that as a plus or a negative.) In France we got better caravan/pitch by booking direct. For young kids, I found the set-up ideal - pools and a beach and within reach of a few nice towns/villages was all we needed. But not been to any Spanish ones I'm afraid. Would be good to hear if they're any good.

I really would recommend trying swaps with other mum friends. They have the instincts to know what to do. Your daughter probably knows their faces by now. Yes your daughter may wake up and prefer to see you but she'll soon realise that this other person she knows isn't too bad a substitute. She won't be scarred for life. I don't mean to be flippant. But as a mum who got her first professional babysitter this week when my eldest is 7 years old, I am truly asking myself why I didn't do it earlier. You can't always be there 24/7 - you need support. Provided you're reasonably sensible in who you chose, your daughter won't be affected and she may learn some good reassuring lessons i.e. mum can go and she will come back. (If she wakes, and doesn't sleep through like a log!)

After countless times of losing the signal at home (Nunhead) I've finally called Orange. Got someone decent but apparently it's due to the work done for 4G - it's basically been at the expense of 3G. Masts are being taken out of commission and your phone is essentially trying to connect to a mast that is no longer working. To get something done, there needs to be lots of people registering problems. I was told to reset my phone to 2G for a week and call again. Frustrating as I don't see why I should be paying for 3G and only getting 2G. But basically I was told it couldn't be escalated until I'd tried this. BUT, if you're having problems, try this for a week and then call them - it'll help save a stage in the process. I suspect that lots of people calling are the best chance to get something done. Otherwise they're just going to wait until we all go over to 4G anyway.

My eldest (7) is going through a phase of being very judgmental about her friends. (Slightest error and they're on her 'bad' list.) Are there any good films or books with a theme of giving folk a chance, forgiving friends, not being too judgmental? She tends to get bored with longer books so I'm thinking a film or shorter picture book may be more effective. Thanks!

Both my kids have plimsoles and seen other kids with them. I suspect 'trainers' is just used as the modern term for shoes for doing sport in.

But increasing the size of the school to 4 form entry could undermine exactly what is so good about Ivydale - the lovely community feel. Already at 3 reception classes, the feel is different from when my first child started with only 2 classes - we don't know the other parents in the other classes as we did before. And it doesn't feel like as many new parents are stepping up to get involved in things that are going on in the school. (I could be wrong, that's only my perspective.) That may be a minor point if the teaching is the same - the teaching is what affects the kids most. A larger school may improve other things. But I think that expanding the school will mean a lot of unknowns and a lot of work will be needed - by the council, the school AND the parents - to ensure the good bits of Ivydale don't get lost.

I know what came out in the letter from the Head. I was hoping James would clarify his comments above which implies something different from what came out in the letter. "So having only just announced Bredinghurst rebuild has completed - amuliti million pound sched it seems a shame the move didn't happen before the expensive rebuild which will largely be rebuilt over already under Renatas annonucement." Is this a misunderstanding on James' part or does it come from some knowledge that isn't otherwise in the public domain yet?

Darn, only got kids suits. Hope someone gets to enjoy that malt!

So James, are you saying the plan is to move the pupil referral unit and Ivydale then expands to use that building along with possibly other bits of the site? Or is it, as seemed to be the story so far, that the pupil referral unit stays in the newly built Newlands and Ivydale takes on the land released when Bredingshurst closed with some associated building work? It would be good to hear a full honest account of what is being planned without political point scoring!

4 form entry for 1 year is different from 4 form entry every year - it'll double the size of the school and have it split over 2 sites. It's worrying as to what effect it'll have on a school with such a great community atmosphere. But then again kids need school places and the Council don't have that many options open to them. So, I'm really torn between my own interests and those of the greater community. It would be interesting to hear the thinking behind the choice of Ivydale over changes to Hollydale - I hadn't thought of that option. And also why a site that wasn't suitable for redevelopment for Bredingshurst school now is suitable for a primary school. Appreciate they are different kinds of schools but it would be interesting to know more.

If anyone still has energy for another school fair, the Ivydale School Summer Fair will be on this coming Saturday, 13th July, 2-5pm. All the usual attractions, bouncy castle, lots of games and crafts, smashing tea-room with cold drinks too, ice creams, fire engine, great DJ, our first Gangnam style dance off.....too many things to list really and others confirming as we speak. Looks like the sun will be shining so why not come along and enjoy what is always a lovely community day out.

We did the Cuckoo trail recently - about 14 miles in total but you can do bits of it. http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/700A2E3F-FB14-486A-BE9B-94E187740AB4/0/cuckoo_trail_leaflet.pdf We did north from Hailsham and just (I think) outside Hellingly there was a pub with a bouncy castle and small playground and food. Bits of it were a bit urban but as a first bike ride with a 4 year old and 7 year old, it was just about right.

Our daughter was awful when she was younger. We used Travella homeopathic travel sickness pills. Can't say how they worked but they did help. You can get them in Health Matters and lots of chemists too now.

I think they cai feel low about themselves - my eldest can be a bit like this tho not the food aspect. Not totally sure what the ideal approach is. We generally try to gently probe as to whether there is any underlying reason and otherwise just try to gently give a bit more positive feedback till the phase passes - it usually does. Also worth letting her class teacher know - they may be able to shed some light or just generally try and work with you to give messages of positivity. I've found teacher input to really help - me anyway, if not my daughter! I say that as it really has been phases for us that have passed. I couldn't say what if anything worked. But my daughter does get over it, till the next time another shade of a similar issue arises. I just think she is a bit of a thinker.

I've found that I react to the high factor creams - even the hypo-allergenic ones. It's almost as though they trap the sun and I get a real heat type rash. I get on better with lower factors and just covering up more & staying out the sun. Not as much fun but better in the long run.

Oh and thanks for all the tips. Hopefully I'll reach the holy grail of uncurdled mix this time!

You can stand down SG88 - it's reception and nursery only. Raising money for the seaside trip. Sure it won't be long before the idea spreads though.

I have my daughter's actual birthday, birthday party and school bake off in one week so if my cake mixes curdle as they always seem to do, I'm going to be in a foul mood all week! Can anyone tell me how long on a Kitchen Aid they beat the butter and sugar to cream it? (Standard 7oz sponge.) I know they say till light and fluffy but how light and fluffy does that mean? Just wondering if this is the source of my problems. I've tried all the tips of adding the eggs slowly, not having them cold, adding a spoonful of flour etc but it always seems to curdle! I usually avoid the problem and use Delia's all-in-one approach. And if I do go the traditional route, even if it does curdle, it usually tastes okay. But darling daughter has picked out a cake that I have to make for the bake-off and it needs the traditional approach and curdled cake mix may be more than I can cope with this week!! I'm hoping the baking mums (or dads) of the family room can help.

Glad you got one - was going to offer as we're close by I think but wasn't home till now. I know what you mean about expecting a battle although I usually find Sainsbury's staff are pretty decent if you go in and are nice to them. If only everyone was like that!