nunheadmum

Just an update - we used Pressplay as per Hazelnunhead's recommendation and the party was brilliant. Circus skills rather than a clown. James pitched it perfectly for the age-group - easy for those who needed it but little tests for the more able. Could see it being adapted and working well for older kids too. Kids comments included "best party EVER", "wish we could do it again!". Happy kids, happy mum!

We made the mistake with the first one of going with ?2 as it seemed like a prettier coin - slightly more tooth-fairy like. Forgot how many teeth kids have!!!

She does drama at a school lunchtime club which she loves. But while the class teacher says she really comes out of herself when they do drama, at the performances, she takes the smallest part possible and does the minimum required in terms of performing. I've tried offering her other classes - possibly combining drama with dance/singing which she also loves - but she doesn't want to try them without a close friend. (Which slightly negates the reasoning of learning to mix with others more and also means friends parents have to shell out too.) I wonder if private 1-1 lessons might help as I suspect that being the quiet, well behaved one, she doesn't get the attention in the class that others do. (Which she is happy with but she could maybe benefit from being challenged more.) Has anyone tried that approach at all?

No no stammer. It could well be a confidence thing - she's very shy. We're really struggling on that front as she's letting herself get more and more dependent on a couple of friends. At least if I know it's not a general thing that most kids go through, it helps to know it's worth trying to deal with - whereas general phases we're usually happy to ride out. Now, how to get a shy 8 year old to come out of herself more - that's a much bigger question!

Thanks - I suspected it might be better to head to Peckham. Off we go...!

Is there anywhere to get watch batteries fitted in ED? My daughter has got a watch as a present but the battery seems dead - and of course, it needs to be fixed ASAP (in her mind!). Would be nice to get it going.

My eldest who's 8 has recently started mumbling all the time. I'm having to ask her to repeat herself several times on many occasions. It sounds like her tongue just got too big for her mouth or her brain is going faster than her mouth can keep up with! Is it just a phase they go through or the start of the general next stage? I'm presuming it's not physical but...? It's driving me mad already and it's only been going on for a week or so!

I'd say my thinking is 50% of the time both ways, work and mummy. But both impinge on the other by about 20% each way. So that explains why 40% of the time I feel conflicted and that I'm not as good as I could be! Kind of useful to recognise that.

Night Nannies did it for us. Sorting out sleep was the best money we ever spent in all the cash you spend on young kids.

IF you think your kids will want the rides, go for Q-bots. But we did manage to get away without them on the last bank holiday weekend by not doing many rides - we got there early and did 2 rides before the queues got too bad. Kids (age 6 & 8) did comment later that 'we didn't do many rides' but they weren't that bothered. The pirate show made up for it - and a big slushy.

Isn't there a sewing machine repair shop in Peckham - just past the Nigel Road turn off, heading towards the station. He isn't often open but there is a sign with a phone number or saying, drop in a message or similar.

Sorry to hear that Katrina. Rather glad my pots look pretty pathetic!! Having come from somewhere that you couldn't dare put anything decent in your garden, I've always been delighted at how we could leave nice things out around here. Pity some sods have to spoil it!!

Thanks for enlightening me as to what Minecraft is!! Passing a bookshop the other day my daughter said 'Oh, look, Mi..ne..cr..aft!!! in that 'oh how wonderful, I want one' kind of way. I asked her what Minecraft was. She couldn't tell me!! Kind of confirms the 3 kids playing it, everyone talking about it point!!

You could try SuperKidsSwimming. They've got great instructors who have been brilliant with my rather reluctant kids. I think some of the instructors will do private lessons too. http://www.superkidsswimmingschool.co.uk/

A bed roll or yoga mat under your airbed helps stop the cold coming up from the ground. Even better if you put a folded blanket between the mat and the airbed. (Can you tell I don't like getting cold?) Blanket for over sleeping bag helps too. Second the decent cooking equipment too. And worth finding a campsite that's good for kids. Hopefully with other kids around, your kids will find friends and then you can sit back and enjoy your wine while they go feral / investigate someone else's tent / generally have fun.

Thanks for the options. I'll have a look into them.

Are there any general dance classes for kids on a Saturday? Most of those that I've seen are ballet. My daughter's been doing ballet/tap/modern at SLDS but we've had enough of that. All the general dance / streetdance type classes all seem to be during the week and we've got enough on already weekdays.

I'd recommend trying them out in store if you can to get an idea how easy they are to use. We bought a Dyson standard upright online (hubby loves the concept of UK design) and I hate it as the hose is stupidly short and tight so when you try and stretch into awkward bits, it falls over. Only just reaches to the top of the first flight of stairs. Technically it hoovers well enough. But it drives me mad!

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Hoping that we can find an option that works!

Our daughter is just turning 6 and goes to bed sometime between 7 and 7.30pm, getting up at 7am schooldays. Weekends and holidays we tend to push it towards 8pm (eldest goes at 8pm) but after a few days of this, it tends to show in her behaviour and we need a few earlier nights to catch up. I tend to find that the more sleep you give them, the happier they are - even if they don't agree when it comes to bedtime! I find even 8pm makes a big difference in the time we have to ourselves in the evening. I'm dreading when they start going later. Like you, I worry about my box-set watching time!!!

My daughter has had it in her head now for months that she wants a clown party. At 6, they're probably too young for all out circus skills but maybe a bit too old for simply someone singing some songs in a clown outfit. Anyone used an entertainer for this kind of thing and got any recommendations?

Also be wary of what they say is 4 or 5 or 6 person size - their definition of the space needed may be different from yours! Our tent says 5 person and neither my husband nor 1 are big but with air beds, it's pretty neat in the 3 person section even for 2. Consider the actual dimensions, not what it says. And if your kids are scared of bugs / spiders etc, a built in ground sheet is a must.

If you want to try instruments, there are great sessions around the Funharmonics concerts at the Royal Festival Hall (Next is on Sat 11th May). You don't need to be going to the concert to join in. But before and after the concerts they have different rooms dotted around upstairs where the children get a chance, with one of the orchestra (or at least a proper child friendly musician) to try different orchestral instruments - everything from drums to bassoons to trumpets to violins etc. There can be queues but it's well worth it - and if you get there early you can often get in more easily. It's a great way to let the kids see and try real instruments close up. Obviously they won't necessarily be able to learn them immediately (e.g. 6 year olds don't really go with bassoons and double basses!) but it's great for inspiring them.

Would you say it's worth it if your kids aren't mega into Disney / Princesses etc. My two like the films but have a healthy skepticism of the branding - although I'm sure they could be reeled in when they're surrounded by it. They also don't like wild rides - my 8 year old is happy with the carousel at Gambados!! They talk about wanting to go (thanks to the incessant adverts on TV) but I'm not sure they really know what's involved. Nor do I to be honest.

I think Aske's recently (last few years) tied up with a local primary which has changed their intake a bit - so worth talking to folk with more recent experience of the school. Did you visit the school - would they allow you a visit now if you didn't?