Belle

I think coastline offer this as an option - they have nannies you can hire. A (possibly cheaper) option might be somewhere with a kid's club, though the places that spring to mind for that are more like Canaries/Portugal - am sure there are options in France/Italy as well though. Coastline does holidays to Corsica, Ibiza and Mallorca. http://www.coastline.co.uk/

Do you know if they start at 2 or 2.5? Nice to hear good things - now to find out what the waiting list is like...

I think we found out later on in the year last year, maybe May/early June? And at Goodrich anyway there were still places half way through the year, in the afternoons at least.

My son started at Soccer Stars Academy a few weeks ago and it's really good - he loves it. Think it runs in terms so might be best to contact them to find out (but the session he goes to would suit your requirements: Sat 10am at East Dulwich Community Centre, Darrell Rd, 3-5 yr olds). Contact Denzil on 07522425931

I can't get through on the number I found on the forum - anyone got an up to date number? And/or thoughts on Blossoms? I'm looking for somewhere to send my younger son once he turns 2, for a day or 2 mornings a week (don't think they do half days though?)

They're fab - I've also got an owl chest of drawers, but mine is the green one on the site :)

weirdly I find mine easier on work days mainly because I'm fresher (to t hem anyway) so a bit more patient, whereas days when I'm with them both all day I'm more prone to snap during bath/bedtime. Or they are! We do later bedtime on days I work, didn't plan it but it was just impossible to get them down by 7 plus they were excited to see me as Pickle suggests. The 4 year old does get out of bed several times if he goes to bed too early, and in fact we do a slightly later bedtime for him than the 18mth old anyway. But I agree 2ish is tantrum city (well in our case 18 mths....)

sadly neither of mine are the types not to try and muck about on them. I guess I was trying to convince self would be ok. Like you Emma, we like to use the spare room for grandparents (my mum lives in Scotland so comes for week-long stays when she visits). Though I guess we could just move them in with each other on the occasions we do have guests. They do like sharing though! Realise it's quite a luxury to have the choice.

Interesting - thanks all and for the PMs too. Will ponder!

I have a 4 year old and 18 month old sharing a room. They're keen to continue, though we do have a spare room too. I've always thought I'd put them in bunks eventually, and am wondering if it's too soon to start thinking about it as number 2 gets closer to 2. I'm pretty confident 4 year old would be fine on top (would get the lowest ones I could find). I suppose I'm less sure about whether the younger one might try and climb up, in which case this could just be a crazy hare-brained plan (admittedly I'm trying to save space). I'm sure number 2 will be into a proper bed far sooner than his brother for various reasons, and we def don't have room for 2 single beds, though as I say I could move one of them into the spare room. Anyway - I won't do anything rash but interested to know people's views/experiences with bunks?

But george is much, much more likeable than Peppa... I think Gaby Hinsliff mentions this in passing in her book 'half a wife'. poor old Daddy Pig.

Lovely, lovely news. He's a lucky guy! Congratulations to you both. XXX

Yes, I can't argue with the new scheme only being for families where both parents work (or one if single parent), but I do find the perception that stay at home parenting is a massive luxury a bit less straightforward. Obviously that's the case for many people. But for many others, working just doesn't pay - that's the whole point of this new system being introduced - to try to make it easier for people to go back to work.* Particularly if you have more than one child, and so are paying double the childcare, you have to be on pretty high salary to be making any profit. Equally there are those, and I know several people in this situation, who have made huge sacrifices to stay at home, it's a decision they've made for their own reasons. So I don't think it's possible to generalise. *whether the new scheme is any better or not, I still can't work out. It'll apply to more people but initially anyway not to over 5s, which means afterschool club/breakfast club costs won't be covered.

Don't worry at all - that is seriously not at all late to walk! My first was almost 17 mths, my second 15/16 months and I wasn't worried thankfully because plenty of wise forumites told me not to be. One such wise forumite (you know who you are ;) )in fact told me her son was 21 mths before walking so I realised there's a big spectrum. But for some reason people do get obsessed - Health Visitor at 16 months said that if he didn't walk in the next month he'd need a referral which frankly was crazy, as like your little one he was cruising all over the place so legs clearly working fine. One theory my husband had was that having wooden floors put our kids off...I personally think there's not much you can do to hasten it, they'll do it in their own good time. You're right not to be concerned and don't let nursery hassle you.

I'm quite keen on the idea of playground type surface for our side return - maybe with nice bright pattern/picture - possibly have been looking at similar sites as you, mysticmark. I've noticed that there are some nice playhouse/climbing frame combos (think made by TP?) in the newest ELC catalogue (don't seem to be on their website yet). think it's worth thinking ahead and not buying something they'll grow out of quickly. know it sounds obvious but it's amazing how fast they get too big for things.

This is a really interesting thread. I too have noticed my son saying 'that's for girls/this is for boys' since nursery/pre-school and of course I do remind him that this is not the case, like Otta I say 'toys are for everyone' etc. Like the fact that a couple of people have pointed out that boys are part of this learning too - i.e. if we're going to show girls that life isn't all about marrying a prince etc, boys shouldn't be left out of that lesson either. Having said that, having 2 boys the princessy thing hasn't come up much ie not had the situation workingmummy mentioned of unwanted gifts etc. There was a phase when my son loved dressing up in his friend's princess dresses which of course I in my liberal guardianista way LOVED but equally happy with the superhero obsession which has succeeded this. His chosen birthday present was a Baby Annabell doll, but then this closely followed christmas for which he'd requested (and received) a Ben 10 watch. I was all about princesses and dollies when I was little. When I got a bit older, my parents tried to get me to read Swallows and Amazons (I'm named after a character, thank goodness not Titty), but I objected and preferred Anne of Green Gables, Little Women etc. And now I am 100% a feminist to the point that I didn't give up my name when I got married, my kids have both our names, my marriage is as equal as I can imagine it could be. (NB not saying for a single second feminism is about our names and what we do with them! just making the point that we don't necessarily replicate what we learnt as children, when we grow up.) I do hate barbie culture and what it potentially does to girls' self-image, I think I hate those Bratz dolls more though...

Has anyone been referred to someone privately who specialises in children's asthma? Have found someone but it's over in West London so want to check if there's anyone else people would recommend.

Can anyone recommend a good kids' easel? Am thinking ideally would be easy to fold and have some kind of paper roll attached.

This is brilliant news - and I'm sure things will get even better. Take care xxx

Would Gingerbread be of any help? http://www.gingerbread.org.uk/content/324/Advice-and-Information (charity which supports single parents)

Oh that's such a shame! I was recently in Ruskin Park playground and a nursery group came in - and I was so impressed by how well the carers managed the kids, and not only that but seemed to be enjoying themselves (as did the kids), they clearly had great affection for each other, and it was lovely to hear the adults calling out to the kids and vice versa. Some of the older kids were doing their own thing but not out of reach and no differently to e.g. how my 4 yr old will be more independent in the playground than I'd allow my 17mth old to be. What a shame the group you saw were at the other end of the spectrum. Wonder who it was.

we have the Braun one which is the same as they use at the doctors - I think it's from Lloyds chemist on North cross rd though you cd probably get online. It's expensive but really good - and helpful as I find doctors invariably ask about temperature first so it's good to have checked.

Just logged on and so pleased to see the news I was hoping for! Really relieved for you 1) that you were taken seriously and 2) that you got the help you were looking for. Just taking that step is bound to make you feel better in itself. Good luck and really hope the meds kick in fast - they should do. And reassuring that the GP said it's a safe stage to start them. Hope to meet up soon - will PM.

That is unbelievably lax of the GP you saw. As I think Lochie pointed out aren't pregnant women (certainly mothers with a child up to 1 yr old so surely should include pregnant women) supposed to be prioritised for mental health treatment under NICE guidelines?? I find it actually terrifying that a doctor would be so unworried by the situation - thankfully you clearly have enough knowledge from your professional life plus supportive husband and friends (and good midwives) that you are not alone in this but she had no way of knowing that! And what you clearly have said is that this isn't enough and you feel the need for medical support. Fair enough - and something to be taken very very seriously I'd have thought, and hoped. When you feel stronger it would really be worth considering a letter to the practise and maybe your MP about this. In the meantime, I think someone suggested contacting Mind or a similar charity? Might help to get ideas about how to get help? But very glad for you that you have an appt with a more sympathetic doctor tomorrow - fingers crossed for you.

I think some bothies are quite luxurious now, or so my mum tells me!