Belle

Maybe it's semantics. I don't dog my son's footsteps but e.g. in Dulwich Park playground, I have to watch him in case he runs into a flying swing, or, as he did the other day, starts climbing something he can't quite handle yet, and gets to a dangerous height. Some accidents/incidents are preventable. But as I said, it's about balance.

Queenie23 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I don't mean to be unsympathetic but for goodness > sake! Crying because your 2 year old is pushed > over by an older child? Get a grip! Just tell the > child that is hurting yours not to do it and move > on. And as for following your child around..... > If they get hurt by another child you will soon > know about it. I don't want to speak for another forumite, but as far as I can tell the post you're referring to concerned a child who I know is quite a bit younger than 2, being hit in the head by a 6 year old, so not quite the usual playground rough and tumble we all shrug off. I don't think it's necessarily the physical hurt which is upsetting, or not only that, it's the effect it can have - I know I find it hard to see my son feeling intimidated/threatened by much bigger kids. It can put him off playing for a short while. I know it's a rite of passage blah blah, but I'd hope I could come on here and say that without sounding neurotic. Following your child around is necessary to a point, not necessarily in an overprotective way, but as much to ensure they're not the ones doing the hitting! Of course there's a balance to be had, and you're not there to help them over each tiny bump on the way (literally as well as figuratively), but it does often tend to be the kids whose parents/carers aren't paying attention who cause trouble.

Little ed family, thankyou for sharing that - v honest of you and helpful to bear in mind. Actually I read an article in the Guardian I think,a while back, by a mother with a very similar experience - for her it kicked in from the minute her (in her eyes suddenly) cumbersome toddler tried to crawl onto the hospital bed to see the new baby. It's helpful to think a bit about emotional preparation for the parents as well as for the sibling. Interestingly, I do know mums who have had the opposite experience, as usual I guess it's a huge spectrum! I must say so far I find myself v emotional at the thought my son's world will be changed forever by the new arrival, and find it hard even to contemplate the necessary time he'll have to spend away (i.e. for the birth).

hmm, having had bedtime battles for four months now, we're experimenting with no nap - only a 5 minute battle last night - but i am shuddering to think how am going to cope with a) next six months or so with no break during day and b) toddler who doesn't nap and newborn come autumm. Fireman sam I suspect is the answer, but there's nothing that can really beat the peace of knowing your child(ren) are asleep upstairs.

on the previous thread about this, someone suggested asking a carriage at large, if you feel uncomfortable about addressing one particular person - think that's a good technique. .

What are people's thoughts on pouch slings? My son was a refluxy baby so only went for upright type sling (bjorn), but am pondering options for the next one. Like the idea of e.g. coorie sling, as just don't think I can get on with a wrap such as Hugabub.

I have a v cute cropped Hobbs cardie that's very useful (raspberry pink), or there's a place called woollovers I think it is, they have a website - friend got me a lovely cardie from there. Also boyfriend cardies are useful, can just get from likes of M&S/Gap/even Primark (though the latter won't last long). Massimo Dutti is a nice make, there's one on Regent's street - don't think online though - Zara-esque but perhaps slightly more classic. In answer to both your tops and shorts question, they do nice tops/blouses there as do Zara - from crisp white shirts to peasant style blouses, would imagine they'd look nice with shorts? Great Plains (sister company of FCUK, good website) also do loads of nice blouses at reasonable prices, quite well made I think. How do you feel about wedges? Russell &Bromley tend to do a nice peep toe/sling back wedge style every summer, i've had mine for about 3 years now and still going strong - could work for your going out outfit.

My son is v similar - co-sleeping doesn't work for us at all either, and results in everyone being wide awake and either wanting to party (him) or in a really bad mood (us). We've never tried Alieh's method but I suspect it's what would work for our son (and so hopefully for you) - instead we've muddled through with gradual retreat/sitting in with him till he's asleep or quieter, or the worst - which is having him in with us, then back, then in again, then back, until finally he sort of exhausts himself and does sleep in his cot eventually, usually after 5 mins or so complaining. Agree cc doesn't seem to work in this instance - perhaps because it's the middle of the night so they are craving security more, who knows. We never figured out the cause but suspect combination of teeth and separation anxiety - becoming more aware of surroundings, perhaps starting to have the odd bad dream too? Sorry not to have more answers, but at least I can say you're not alone!

Not strictly family but have found in the past there's a wealth of knowledge about eczema in the family room. Have finally decided to take advantage of private healthcare insurance we get through husband's work, and get my chronic eczema seen to. I've seen a few paediatric dermatologists for my son, but now need an adult one! thought worth checking on here to see if anyone's had experience of a good one - am sure someone posted about their husband's eczema not that long ago and they were pondering this option.

I think people have varying opinions on the gravity of it though Trinity. I grew up in a very sweary househould, and though of course i was reprimanded for swearing, I got in way bigger trouble for saying e.g. 'I hate you' or for lying. My personal view is that any aggressive behavour, verbal or physical, would be something I would disclipine, but that I'm not going to lose sleep over either accidental or more casual swearing. They're just words...if used without an intended 'victim', I'm not that fussed.

We have had appointments on the Westminster Bridge side, and usually get the 176 from Lordship Lane - you then need to get off at the Waterloo Station stop (i.e. just before the roundabout) and walk under the arches, it's less than 10 mins walk - have forgotten name of the road, that runs from Waterloo station down to Westminster Bridge, with the County Hall and London Eye on the right hand side. Terrible directions sorry, but really a simple journey!

This is fast becoming an embarrassing problem with out two year old, esp as he recently started at nursery. He mostly says s*** when he hurts himself, a pretty clear case of imitation so we're trying to think of plausible substitutes. The other day he said f*** right after his dad exclaimed over the dishwasher (!), no repeats so far tho. I used to be v liberal about it but now it's actually happening feel a bit bad. On the plus side he affectionately calls us both 'babe' which is quite funny.

This is an interesting thread...I have a gap and my dentist recently told me for the first time about the frenulum (though suspect mine wasn't really that attached), he said often they kind of recede themselves (?! perhaps I'm getting this wrong) as you grow up, and that I could have had something done to ensure the teeth came together - and still could. As it is, I like my gap :)

Gosh - i'd have thought a vasectomy a far less drastic procedure than a hysterectomy? The latter takes weeks to recover from doesn't it? Grr indeed.

Keef - it hadn't occurred to me until recently, but think it cd be a good alternative to e.g. the pill or IUS if the woman reacts to hormones in those (I know I have in the past). I didn't realise it hurt though! Assume it's under anaesthetic? But then, it's a one off thing.

Finally caught up on last week's episode - just in time for the new one tonight. Agree was so emotional. Can't believe how strong they all were. Also loved the lighter moments, including when Sophia's mother in law told her she'd put on weight around her face- her expression was classic!

yeah, that's true. Just seems like quite a bizarre use!

Hmm, have to say my first reaction is - what a shame the women didn't donate their breast milk to King's or their nearest hospital running similar scheme.

What you can do - and I've done with easyjet - is take change bag as 'your' hand luggage, and stuff your own small handbag into it for going through security etc, and poss put a smallish bag in with toys/snacks that you can take out when on plane to keep them amused.

Next week's episode is going to be an emotional one...

littleEDfamily Wrote: --I can't bear the thought of my kids ever saying > about me (as so many of my friends have said about > their mums) 'she's just a mum'. I think, as well > as the financial imperative, that's why so many of > us women run ourselves ragged.... That's an interesting point. I can honestly say that to my surprise, I've not worried about this so far.

Hmm, I think she did it because she felt it was expected. she was a teacher and was actually told to stop work at 6 months pregnant by her bosses, and didn't go back until I was six (I was the younger child) - so 10 years out. She says in retrospect she was a bit depressed being at home so long, and when she did go back it was a long road - many years before she was granted a 'permanent' position. I must ask her though if it felt 'right 'at the time or if she missed work. I think we're different because I'd already decided I didn't want to continue the particular line of work I was doing, which played a part in my decision, whereas she wanted to, and did, return to the same career. Plus, she was about 5 years younger than me with her first child. So prob felt she hadn't had much of a taste of working life before becoming a SAHM. But actually what I meant is that despite having different reasons, I think your theory holds true for me and my mum anyway - if she'd gone back to work in her time, I might have found it harder to be a SAHM when it came to be becoming a mum. As it was I did feel that in telling her and many others of that generation, that I was somehow letting the side down.

I do the cot thing for the simple reason that I can't see how the naughty step would work - if I try timeout anywhere other than the cot, he just gets up and runs off. I guess the idea is to keep returning him there? But I know with my son he'd never ever stay! I do worry about the negative associations, but do it v rarely so not too worried.

Ooh Fuschia that would really rile me too! I think as you say it's very different doing one week, and plus as you weren't there to witness, who's to say how well things were being organised etc?! I know e.g. when my husband is in charge of my son for the day, or my mum, I am always amazed that they manage so well - mum will rearrange the cupboard under the stairs, whip up some soup and cook my son lunch and tea from scratch, then do our dinner without breaking a sweat - but then I remember that it is ALWAYS easier to attack these challenges 'fresh', whereas for those of us doing it day in day out, juggling short, medium and long term 'deadlines' in our heads constantly, it's much harder. My mum always says 'let me do it, it's only one day/week for me' - think there's a lot in that. Saila - interesting theory re our mums etc. My mum was a SAHM mum, which I am mostly, but ironically she hated it! She always looks back and says she wished she hadn't stayed out of work so long, and remembers going crazy with committees/playgroup rotas etc, for her sanity. She had a hard time understanding my decision when I decided not to go back to my old job.

We saw and spoke to the police carrying out the search, and I must say were really reassured by the considerable police presence. Glad to know it ended well. Also interesting James that the missing children's post has been so effective in DP.