Smiler

The first film massively let down the series so though tempted cannot bear to watch this one with the dodgy middle-eastern stuff.

Sell sell sell! But next time if you don't think will wear a present, better to exchange rightaway than let it sit gathering dust.

When I was in sixth-form in the early 1990s up north I used to get paid a fiver an hour or more for collecting a six-year-old from school and taking him home where his older brother would let himself in, making a simple tea and entertaining them til about 7pm (but didn't have to do any bedtime routine). And a similar amount for evening sitting, which started early and involved a story, games etc. for the younger one and watching TV / chatting to the older one / helping with homework etc. Also did whole-day holiday care for the brothers and another six-year-old for slightly higher rates, totally exhausting! It was a good earner and beat other jobs available at the time, e.g. retail, catering. The parents designated a neighbour, who I'd met, as an emergency contact in case of accidents etc. Agree with Mamma Mia that it all depends on what they have to do - should be less if the kids are already in bed! But it should be an hourly rate rather than a "per-evening" rate. Also think that sitters should get paid more more for after 11pm. Some adult sitters have a minimum time / fee for the evening - guess isn't really worth their while to come out for just a couple of hours (e.g. for a local meal), whereas a teenager might not mind this. My friend who is a single parent despairs - whenever she goes out with her new man or even just round to his place she has to pay for a sitter, plus often going dutch for the date, which is costing her a lot when she can't afford it. Personally I think her new man sounds a bit tight-fisted!

We have lived here (near Lordship Lane) for nearly nine years, and have found it a lovely place to be, both pre-kids and with a little one. Now, with a two-year-old and another on the way we have reluctantly decided to move away due to v.high house prices, childcare costs/availability and issues with school catchment areas (see other threads). As others have said, there are some great midwifery services here, but their lists fill up very fast so pregnant ladies need to get on them as early as possible! They may not accept you on their lists until you've actually moved here. Contact details for the different practices are on older threads. Childcare is expensive and there doesn't seem to be enough places to go round, although am sure this is also a problem elsewhere in London and the south-east. If you're considering nursery, many have very long waiting lists and not many take kids under two, so if you'd like this as an option, get on the lists sharpish! Sorry if this sounds negative, because have enjoyed living here and will be sad to leave. Good luck with making a decision and the move.

Great thread! We had nothing playing at any stage (had an emergency C-section at quite an early stage of labour), but in the final few weeks of pregnancy Mr Smiler insisted on playing his favourite Smiths, Depeche Mode and New Order tracks to the baby via giant headphones, placed low down on my bump. As it turned out, she was breech, so he was lovingly playing them to her feet (maybe dislike for her father's taste in tunes made her turn breech!) Sadly, her favourite kind of music since birth has seemed to be banging, old-school house (Mr Smiler's choice for car journeys both pre and post-birth). Argh. Think that Kings only allows battery-operated players / radios, not ones with plugs.

Thanks for the offer of information Toast. This is likely to be a recurring issue, since they can't do bulge classes at the more popular schools every year, and the bulge classes for last year and this year could mean that the catchment area for those schools shrinks for future years.

Think that most privately-run nurseries that participate with the grant offer a discount rather than free hours, though not sure about this.

RE. buildings insurance, it is quite hard to get, as most of the main insurers won't do it, we went to a broker and got a much better deal with Allianz.

I remember the thread and disagree. People shouldn't have to self-sensor and use specific, accurate language etc. when they are talking about their own personal experience. Can't always have in mind how myriad others in different situations might possibly react. Also think we should allow for the fact that people posting about their births etc. are often experiencing stress / exhaustion / shock of the birth / hormones etc. etc.! Lots of us have probably posted stuff that, on reflection, we might not have or phrased differently. Re."negativity" on this forum about childbirth / Kings, it will probably always be the case that those with a bad experience are more inclined to post. Some people will want to hear others' stories, good and bad, while others will get stressed out by it and should probably avoid the relevant threads (though not always obvious from thread titles which contain lots of detail / horror and which are innocuous!)

Not hijacking at all charlottep, the nitty-gritty of bathtime / bedtime is all v.useful! Also agree that the loss of independence / ability to do anything other than babycare / down-time was one of the hardest things about no.1.

Thanks v.much ladies for the tips. Classic, Mellor! Had not even STARTED to worry about sustaining a relationship with Mr Smiler! Would love to be in the September club, though soon after that will be leaving East Dulwich (sob) to live in Surrey (wail), so will have to participate virtually, am not about to stop using the forum though. Oh, the wine, can't wait. If was a 1950s housewife, think would end up like Julianne Moore in "The Hours" - fab book / film, but perhaps a bit bleak for those of us in the September club at this time. I don't drive at the moment, passed my test years ago but have never driven since, thinking some refresher lessons would be a good way of expanding the options for outings. Am in awe of those of you with four kids, wow. Definitely welcome as (expert) guests!

Hello lovely ladies (and gents), Anyone got any top tips on coping with the transition from one to two children? Our second girl is due in September and excitement aside am worrying about how to cope with a newborn and a two-and-a-half-year-old toddler! It feels daunting as have never felt on top of things, even with just the one child! Main worries are: - round 2 of sleep deprivation (our daughter only started sleeping through regularly aged 2, only a couple of months ago) - handling colic / crying bouts at same time as looking after a toddler - getting out and about - how d'you get out of the house / what buggy / how to have activities for the older one while fitting in feeds / naps for the little one? - being at home full-time again (currently work part-time with toddler at nursery, which has gone quite well, and am not at all domestic or practical). Any advice would be much appreciated! I have absolutely NO recollection of the first few months with our daughter - does it just all come back naturally? Really hope so!

Why were you disappointed Simon? Thanks guys. The flash sideways was odd, 'cos for some characters (e.g. Kate, Claire) it continued from the flashbacks and their journey on the plane, whereas others (e.g. Sawyer, Ben, Locke) had totally different lives. Will miss it!

Eh?

Any other fans of "Lost" in ED? If so, views on the finale? Enjoyed the finale, love a bit of romance / happy endings / OTT sentimentality, but lost the plot with the plot some way back. Am confused. With the conclusion of the parallel world thing, were they saying that they had all been dead all along, for part of the time (e.g. since that big bomb when Juliet got squished) or from the times when they had each died?

When did diets as a student and (later) WW always found that alcohol points / units somehow didn't affect the scales - hurrah! As long as alcohol-related snacking is avoided. Pickle's approach also has merit!

Don't rule out the laundrette, there are quite a few in ED and lugging the stuff there isn't all that bad, even with a pram. Could always do service washes and get your partner to collect the washing when ready, so you only have to drop off. With service-wash and pick-up laundry services, watch out that you don't send anything that can't be tumble-dried - they won't check labels and we have had some sad shrinkages! Is lovely when it comes back all nicely folded. Am a long-time user and fan of laundrettes (first-floor flat with no garden, no tumble dryer, husband who generates ridiculous amount of washing with sports etc. and baby who loved pulling washing down from drying racks). Therapeutic to watch the giant dryers...... Need to get out more!

Is the coil progesterone? I have found progesterone supplements (pessaries)(taken for other reasons) v.helpful with PMS which (though was always bad from teenage years) was WAY worse post-natally, the leaflet in the packs say they can be prescribed for this.

Not sure about queuing for the tickets, but went a few years ago and was really busy. Take comfy shoes!

Some friends have three cats whom they refer to as "the boys" and on whom they have used up their three favourite boys' names! Their baby is now on the way, will be interesting to see how the cats cope with being usurped!

Do almost-three-year-olds really insist on a certain type of (large) birthday party?! Scary.

Interesting thread! When we were looking at childcare options we found it difficult to work out what a nanny or share would actually cost in total (since lots of the discussions were along the lines of ?X per hour net), it was not transparent at all. For those with more than one child, especially under two, nursery can be v.expensive too, especially in and around East Dulwich since there are no council-run nurseries (except Gumboots I think, though not sure). Re. "self-employed" nannies, be careful: HMRC has stringent rules on what it classifies as self-employment vs PAYE, and is cracking down on "false" self-employment. A nanny working for just one or two families would probably be classified as employed, not self-employed, regardless of what her contract said, so families could be liable for unpaid tax.

The Bojangles thread is here

Oooh, not heard anything about that, but would be v.good if the space could be used for childcare again.

It is not just about commuting: will also affect people who work / are treated at Kings College Hospital.