dulwichgirl2

Fuschia, I assume from your statement these children you refer to as net givers were not born in an NHS hospital, will never use its facilities or those of the UK education system. They will somehow not need the police service, will have their own pensions, their own swimming pools for leisure and will not need the uk's defence force. They will not have their own children doing any of the above. If they do need these things they will be net takers and hugely subsidised by the state pot (ie other people's money). Why do you think most western economise run a massive deficit?! Otherwise, for most people, 2 or 3 comes down to how much they can afford. The major issue will be the time one partner takes out of earning and the commensurate effect on career progression which is a seldom discussed but massive loss and generally (not always) one borne by the woman.

I have my doubts about it and think a lot of it is making work for yourself but... Who is going to take the risk with a small baby when milk bugs can actually kill. (hence the whole recommendation.) We did it for a long time mostly it of habit and a misplaced lazy view that it saved on stringent washing!

I could well be on the list....

Why do eurozone buyers keep bumping up london property prices and how long can this latest bubble last?! Different countries seem to be joining the list each week. The problem is that once things are eventually sorted out, these buyers will depart and all their investment leave the matket suddenly; it is fickle money. Then WE make the losses!

I only go mad if they disobey eg "stop" or "come here" or "stand here" style instructions on the basis that they simply must learn to obey these things from a safety perspective. The rest of the time I am a pushover and it is more pleasant that way. ;-)

Interesting huggers. Sudden thought - where was the coal stored in terraced houses?

Gwod, I think a lot of people have that visceral urge initially but then logic kicks in and issues such as cost, return to work, loss of career progression, time and attention for each child prevail. I do know of a family of 13 however (in my generation). The children are now in their early 30s to late 40s, no twins. Those I have spoken to said they hated the feeling of being SO unusual. Be careful....it is a slippery slope from 3 to 13. ;-)

Depends on what you can afford surely. I would want a lot of nice things for each child. I shall not specify as i don't want to be attacked. We have to prioritise accordingly. Good luck whatever you decide.

Fascinating thread.... Does anyone have any similar experiences to relate? Our side door (prev tradesman's entrance) has been filled in and we just have a stained glass half window. Our scullery has gone which is a shame but most of the cornicing and panelling remains.

Genius! Thank you.

I really want to improve our diets as a sort of half year resolution. I know of Charlie bigham pies but would rather use a small outfit and help them grow their business. I remember a woman posting on here about her new co and she delivered to schools (good idea). Can anyone remember her details or tell me of some new options? Thank you

Tax six years minimum but I keep for ten. Old bills etc we bin immediately more or less if a real reading but keep if an estimate. Bank statements I keep till it becomes idiotic to do so. We are also having a spring clean but the place looks atrocious currently. Like builders, spring cleaning makes things worse first!

Vickster - 10 quid net is what many nannies charge these days. Quite where they think we get it from, out of post tax income, I have no idea...

Edmummy, agreed. That was my immediate reaction too. I can imagine some very nasty jolts right through the leg by landing at the side of the sunken area, even on grass.

Just to echo the general delight, hurrah! What a phone-call. I imagine YOUR heart was pounding.

As for what to do about it, DoD, just decide whether the good outweighs the bad. If it does, put up with her and if it doesn't just walk away. The idea of "telling someone why" makes me slightl confused. Is it to give her a chance, in which case, hint about another "third party friend who swears a lot" or indeed post the problem on a website. (haha). If it is to tell her off, I don't see it as my job to tell other adults how to behave; they can work on their behaviour if they like, themselves.

The c word thank goodness is still taboo in the uk. The f word less so and you do hear it on the wretched television - I say wretched as it could be such an amazing educational tool, with auomatic access to every household but no, it just generates pap - while the b word is fairly common. I did not hear any of these words till my teens as my parents did not swear and noone at school did either but I think that is unusual. I was shocked when at hospital recently I overheard the following: Child in pram aged around 3 drops magazine: oh f! Grandmother, I presumed: stop saying that, f-ing stop saying that. I had gasped at the child but then felt terribly guilty as it was clearly not she who was to blame. (a worthwhile lesson actually and a reminder that, whatever tiny ch do, it is not really their fault.)

Agree with all the above. Nicolaides is one of the few drs with a grasp of mathematica and stats to be able to put medical probabilities into a digestible format. Kings I find poor in many ways but for these scans, cvs procedures and amnios, it is certainly the uk leader if not the world's best.

Wow! Huge congratulations! Great timing and really well done to the provider of the pool!

The key for us is work. We cldnt work where we would ideally live so that is a clear answer. If you can get jobs at home, I'd be tempted. The family support will be great for you and the gps and gc will benefit hugely from each other's respective wisdom and youth. Also you will probably be able to get more house and garden for your money out of london and I would love a bigger place with space to run and play tag. Good luck with the coming months.

Gwod, that is hilarious!

Sorry to hear of your huge worry and fears. I reiterate what others have said - Nicolaides team at kings is great and he also has an excellent team in W1 who you might well be referring to. We paid for many extra scans by him - he comes in on one day a week so you book that one if possible and get the benefit of the big guy - and it was great for reassurance later on in the pgncies. I know a girl who was abroad, was on the verge of making a very big decision post scan advice but decided to come home and get a second opinion. Almost immediately the whole situation was fine and her risk calculated completely differently. Fingers crossed for you. Will be thinking of you on Wed.

Monreale - worth a trip inland Do they still have those 3am croissants with lemon cream in the middle? Used to be everywhere in Rome and Sicily and they were perfect for recharging the batteries.

Sw, was referring to older children and when done frequently. This lo is tiny and I was suggesting a one off. Noone is suggesting sending a child to school when it is not appropriate for him or her to attend. I am the last person to send off an unhappy or frightened child. Susyp, so glad to hear! I thought your lo might have forgotten it overnight. It is heart-rending when they are upset. You would gladly take ten times the pain yourself. :-( also you have great perspective to realise that sometimes our own children say things we would prefer they didn't. Quite a few parents fail to see this. But so glad overall re lo. :-)

It is totally gutting when this happens and it does, all the time, I'm afraid. One good thing to take away is that she does confide in you. I do not think I once told my parents of anything bad or sad that happened to me. I'm not sure why not. They are both empathetic people who would be deeply hurt to know of this huge gap in our communication. I would see how the lo is tomorrow and then take a nice day treat or not together as you see fit. I would not link it to the problem nor would I link it to your daughter being upset. She can't get the message etc..... Btw, it is illegal persistently to take your child out of mainstream education, Saffron, without agreement from the head. Presumably your friends wrote in advance, which would be sensible and appropriate.