Belle

espelli Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Belle the free school meals policy is in the same > vein as children's centre services-they are made > open access to reach those who refused them when > there was a stigma in applying for a hand out (or > the process was too complex for some to > negotiate). I think my point was really that we > are fortunate to have these services available to > us, but we also need to be aware that we don't > have an entitlement to them and that others may be > prioritised over us. I wasn't trying for moral > high ground at all. Sorry - my post wasn't aimed at the points you've made, and I think I tend to agree about some of us having to realise we don't have that entitlement, that there will need to be prioritising of some kind, though perhaps it is crudely done. I was more responding to the kind of sentiment espoused by Zeban "do you not question why your nanny with her expertise and with the money she is getting paid really has to go to such a centre when she could find so many other ways to entertain and develop your child?" - hence me bringing up the school dinners point - there's a difference between your point and the latter, which is idealistic in my view.

but by that reasoning, should, for e.g., all parents in Southwark accept the free school meals offered up to Year 4 even if they are able to provide their own? Obviously it wouldn't change the policy which is already in place, but I think it's tricky once you start to designate the moral high ground, as none of us would be spotless under a microscope when it comes to perhaps using services we aren't the prime targets for.

I don't think ClareC was saying staying at home is the easy option per se - just that it sidesteps the dilemma of whether to work for little or no immediate profit (tell me if I'm misrepresenting you though ClareC!).

LIke snowboarder, I'm shortly going to return to work for the first time in 3.5 yrs, apart from a stint of freelance I did in between kids. we are going with childminder who we have an existing relationship with, with my older son doing afternoons at school nursery sandwiched in, and whilst it'll mean the drop off/pick up situation in the morning and evening, this will hopefully work out as we are going to take it in turns, i.e husband does drop off and I do pick up on day 1, and vice versa on day 2. I am quite nervous though as although the last few years have been seriously hard work, I have never had to worry about being anywhere on time, and know I'm going to have to get super organised. And still somehow pull meals out of my hat etc. Argh...suppose it's back to trying to menu plan then...

Yeah I went for late rather than early and was glad - think we moved him about 3 yrs and 3 months or so, at which point we bought a (low) full size single. I don't think he's ever fallen out, or if he has he has got back in and we have been none the wiser. Switching to duvet at the same time was fine. He has literally only just (5/6 months on) started getting out himself in the morning, and not every morning even then. I just found, a bit like leaving potty training till he was older, that it was easier to reason with him at this age, and he seemed to know about staying put. Whereas I know at 2/2.5 he'd have been up and down all night. We had number 2 when he was 2 yrs 8 months so he had a good 6/7 mths still in his cot after the arrival. We bought a second hand Ikea cot & new mattress for the baby until the older one moved out of his cot. In fact you are welcome to said Ikea cot for free if it would be useful for the same overlap period! Think it's in our cellar.

what about a dressing up outfit? we've got quite a few, doctor, policeman, pirate etc and they are played with a lot.

My younger son was given a really lovely Noah's Ark for his recent christening by one of his godparents, which I thought was a really nice idea. My other son received some classic beautiful books of children's poetry and some crockery from the Bunnikins range amongst other things...oh and a really lovely ceramic piggy bank from Tiffany's, which while he can't 'play' with it is much nicer than a lot of money boxes you see, and he does like to put money in it.

I've actually only had good experiences (though admittedly it's quite a simple haircut). I know it's dear but I did have some dreadful experiences elsewhere for less. I don't think my son would be happy to go anywhere else...just wish his hair didn't grow so fast as it does add up.

Great post Bouncy. So true! Midivydale - not sure if I've said this to you in the past, but weaning was tricky with T too. I'll get in touch & we can meet up and talk about it, but agree the main thing is get some specialist advice as in this case I'd suggest the HV is wrong...it's def a case of taking it slowly with the little reflux babes!

ha - luckily nick jr seems to be on 24/7 Patt1980! I can (just about) cope witih 5/5.30, but getting up when the clock says 4 something is just so depressing. But i'm not inclined to force himb ack to sleep when he's so clearly wide awake and raring to go. coming in with me he just shrieks because he's onto me now - knows I'm trying to get him back to sleep. We did try 6pm bedtime the other day with the same result but agree maybe need to persevere with one approach for a while before giving up and trying something else. Thanks all - almost just wanted to hear i wasn't alone! having had my fair share of early starts wiht number 1 I thought I was immune/used to it now, but clearly not! I've rashly put both boys in the same room now so that doesn't help matters, though thankfully his brother is has cottoned on to the pre 5am ruse yet.

Anyone else's child getting up this early?! Even though it's still very dark at 4.40! I realise all babies/toddlers get up early or at least have a phase of it, my oldest was and is no different but youngest is currently up and raring to go at 4.40/4.45 each day. It's bloody knackering. I've tried everything - in with me, quiet feed then back to bed, leaving him for a bit, cutting down daytime sleep - doesn't make any difference. Feel I'm perpetuating a bad habit...and it does throw the day out a bit.

I think that's appalling customer service! As you & F say, we are encouraged to use pharmacists in the way you attempted to. Ok maybe it's all a bit bureacratic i.e. if they're not trained they can't say what they think but to then bitch about what course you took within earshot is so unprofessional & unhelpful. And yes, just nasty not to at least offer some sympathy or say when the pharmacist might be available. Worth writing a letter to the owners? It's so hard to know where to go for help for things like this which fall between stuff we can just deal with easily ourselves, and stuff which necessitates an emergency visit to the doctor or even A&E. When I was little there was a nurse in our local GP surgery who provided a drop in for situations just like this, which mean e.g. whenever one of us had a fall from our bike which was a bit borderline, we could pop in there for her help. Wish that was still an option.

I like Rosemary shortened to Romy Also like connie/constance (friend has a little girl called Connie, really sweet) My top girls name before I found out I was having a boy last time was Polly! Which Polly D on here knows about hee hee. Also like Annie - could be short for one of the more unusual versions of Anne eg Annette.

ps Espelli I love Kit!

My first son's name was and still is pretty popular - pretty sure was 14 or something in that popular names list the year he was born. I love it though. His shortened version is a v common name but less so in his generation (or so I thought - seem to meet one a week at the moment!) - so I was def going for the classic but not trendy vibe with that one. Second son's full name is pretty unusual (though mentioned once on this thread - Fuschia the name generator, I should have asked you for inspiration this time last year!)- I really love it too - but we shorten it to again a fairly common name, just not overly popular in this generation. I prob prefer his full name to be honest. So I think I fall in the middle of the two camps: I don't go for that outlandish choices (partly because I was restrained by husband!) but also have avoided ones which are particularly trendy at any given time. It's funny though...my 3.5 yr old has already changed what we call him twice, quite organically, to different variations, and now when asked will always introduce himself with his full name, which we rarely use. So I guess the kids will decide their names in the end!

i was really keen on walter (husband wasn't) but now am glad we didn't go for it as am a huge breaking bad fan at the moment and as there are 2 Walters in that it might have freaked me out a bit... I also liked sid/sidney. And Pip! but that was ruled out.

BST our names taste coincides again - i love Silas in particular but husband vetoed that for number 2. Also liked Sirius (as in Harry Potter...) Josiah is nice, and can be shortened to Jo which I obviously like :) Strawbs, Euan (diff spelling but same name) was really high on our list for ages too. Really like it as it's Scottish (which I am) but not in an over the top way. also love marius... POlly don't worry, I think we were still undecided at this stage last year! It will come to you!

I am waiting for my 3.5 yr old to do this but he says he likes people to play with...

Susan - if you like them on Facebook you can see updates of regular events etc - at the moment I think they are mainly doing summer holiday things, so for e.g. there have been toddler cookery classes the last few Fridays - I don't know what the plans are after term starts but it'll be listed on Facebook once confirmed I'm sure.

It's brilliant - ample space to maneouvre buggies, lovely menu, great & friendly staff, good toy area - just a really well thought out cafe. And has had a fab holiday programme of events, we've been to several. The closest thing to an enjoyable cafe visit I've had with my two!

yes DG2 it was weird - she was actually trying to hug him but he was resisting and it kind of turned nasty - i wasn't far away but not much I could have done to prevent it as it was so quick. The annoying thing was her granny then bought her an ice cream! er...rewarding bad behaviour, much?!

there are regular tours at schools (not sure if this is different) - e.g. doesn't Goose Green do something like first Tuesday of the month, and I know with Goodrichc they often do one on a Monday which you have to ring to book. In a way these might be more telling than a set open day?

i think people can be too precious about this kind of thing. of course it should be addressed but I can hardly think of any incidents where i've been upset by the way my child was treated by a peer. Older children, yes (including one who scratched him till he bled - eek!). As F says, normal rough and tumble...it happens. If the other child is really sensitive then maybe have a break from playing together for a bit.

Agree with F completely. I know you feel bad but really 2.5 is still pretty young, and when they are running around like that, someone always takes it a step further. I wouldn't let the other mum (i know she's your friend) make you feel too bad about it. I used to get so over anxious about this but then realised there were plenty times when the boot was on the other foot and I barely batted an eyelid, far less felt upset or cross with the other child or his mother. I think it's different when they're my son's age (3.5) as they do know what they're doing a bit more by then. also agree you're doing everything you can. Sounds really positive tha playdates go well - I always foudn these to be danger zones, still can be - so perhaps lots of praise for those and any amicable behaviour? so maybe bring back the stickers as a sign of how well he's doing with those?

yeah, agree about frozen broad beans. also frozen corn on the cob. also slightly off topic but am a recent convert to frozen bags of rice you can pop in the microwave... And jamie oliver frozen fishcakes are great - maybe bit small for adults unless you have 3, but good size for the kids. sorry I know these aren't veg! oh - frozen berries good too - my son likes eating frozen strawberries for some reason.