bluesuperted

I strongly recommend Silvano Bozza who operates in Dulwich, Forest Hill and surrounding areas - I chose him after reading rave reviews and hearing directly from a friend how excellent he is. I am not the most confident driver and being in my mid-thirties, I needed someone who could cope with my challenges and anxieties around driving in London. He was superb in every way, very patient and kind but also very dynamic in his thinking about ways to get you to understand the trickier aspects of driving. I would recommend him to anyone unreservedly, if you are lucky enough to get a spot with him I know you'll not be disappointed. His number is 07702 615834.

It's been so long since I commented on an EDF thread but this one is close to my heart (and hello to lots of my old baby days friends on here, nice to see you!). I identify as a SAHM although I have always done bits and bobs to keep my hand in in various ways. I'm currently doing a part-time, funded PhD plus unrelated freelance projects - which I have historically done from home and in evenings and weekends. Now I do tend to spend one day a week working from home while my husband looks after both kids (which gives us a balance we all love) and he does school run etc. I never thought this would be my plan but it's been amazing - the early days of two (plus home renovation) were very tough but other than that I have enjoyed it so much and wouldn't have had it any other way. I very much went on instinct and what felt right at each step. I have been fortunate to have opportunities to keep my hand in, but (and this is why it's a personal thing) the medium/long term financial side could never have convinced me to do things differently and if I had to choose between my 3 roles, the other 2 would have been thrown to the wolves and SAHM would have always won out. I actually retrained just before my son was born and I LOVE my field. But I wanted to be at home even more than I wanted to work in that field right now. I know I can come back to it, but even if I couldn't, for me the decision would still have been to stay at home. We haven't had loads of money and at times it's been a stretch, but we've coped and I appreciate this puts us in a lucky position too. Now with a 5.4 yo in Y1 and a 2.9yo about to start preschool I am even more glad I got to spend these years with them. They have gone by so bloody fast and like you say, there will be a good 25/30 years left to work when we are good and ready. Having said that though, I don't know if I will ever work properly full-time again, it's certainly not in my vision for the primary school years at least. I also agree with laurac - being a SAHP has lots of those elusive transferable skills, takes great skill etc and I also find I work differently and am way more efficient now; I know the value of an uninterrupted thought and an hour to get things done! Good luck with your decision, go with what feels truly right for both you and your family - and to those friends of yours on FB, ignore them, it's an amazing step to take if you decide it's the right one for you.

We are off here in July, booked after reading mumsnet reviews, have already recommended it to two lots of friends who have had their holidays there already! Both families loved it and are planning return trips. I cannot wait! http://www.mumsnet.com/reviews/travel/self-catering-in-europe/10462-toca-do-mocho

Just remembered we used the Pontins (?) on a rainy August birthday trip to Camber and it's not posh (at all) but we actually were very glad of it - indoor pool was fun and there was a good sheltered area to eat our picnic! It's a good option for the playgrounds and the pool and wasn't pricey, maybe ?6 each?

A good friend who always looks lovely recommended me this only today: http://m.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/midnight-recovery-concentrate It's pricey but think a little goes a long way and I'm very tempted!

Just posted this elsewhere and might be helpful to you depending on your dates: We are going to Portugal in July and I cannot wait... We booked this self catered apartment (one of two) in August last year as they are extremely popular but they have some current special offers if you're not beholden to term times like we unfortunately are: http://www.tocadomocho.com/special-offers.htm the reviews on mumsnet are amazing, and sold the place to me: http://www.mumsnet.com/reviews/travel/self-catering-in-europe/10462-toca-do-mocho

Can I add to the praise? I've been a 'Hummy Mummy' since its inception in 2011 when I used to come with my eldest to Richard's sessions in ED and had a fab time. Now I take my youngest to Vicky's sessions in Forest Hill. Hummy Mummies is a really special concept and is the source of many cherished memories with my little ones. It is a lovely but rare example of children and parents using the same physical space with each party simultaneously getting unique things out of the experience; my eldest used to barrel around like a mad man while my youngest potters or sits on my knee, all types of normal kiddie behaviour is fine and the children are rarely upset, think they enjoy the music and the vibe. Vicky the new(ish) Forest Hill teacher is wonderful, incredibly encouraging and dedicated to our group - and a great teacher to boot! Highly recommended - I always leave on a high and feel so lucky to have this group on my doorstep.

Ha! No what about Alexandra nurseries?! And Crystal Palace Park? We are in FH and our guests loved being back in London, plus the overground is so handy for people to nip into town / East End from Penge. Seriously I'm sure lots of people would love a freebie accommodation break in London... Do you have any friends who live by the sea? I approached ours and they immediately loved the idea.

Have you thought about a house swap? We swapped with friends who moved to Whistable (and have young children) and it was great for us all - everything we needed as kids the same age, they got to have a taste of city life again and we got a week by the sea. Highly recommend it and I would look into official house swap sites in future (think mumsnet have one) as it worked so well!

Thanks very much snowboarder, very helpful. We are off to the cool skate shop next weekend!

Was just coming on to ask the same, hope things are a little better today.

How awful, so sorry. Call Seldoc as soon as you wake up in the morning (or if he wakes up and needs to be seen earlier in the night) and get the first appointment of the day - I've done this with my children when they are poorly and have needed to be checked but have been peacefully sleeping at this time of night. Hope he gets help very soon, sounds terrible and if in doubt there is always A&E, don't struggle on your own.

Hi P! Have you been to the Kilmorie Children's Centre stay and play on a Wednesday morning at 9.30am? It's not Montessori, but has very good activities, they limit numbers going in (and I mean really limit and you have to pretty much queue from just after 9am which is annoying) and always includes a messy play tuff tray (e.g. jelly, cornflakes, sand, pasta etc) plus a soft play corner and lots of other toys and activities, snacks and then I think songs and outside play at the end but I usually leave a bit early. Sometimes DH takes V as it's my PhD working day on Wednesdays. It's worth a go and is a mere 50p (explains the popularity!).

Can anyone (snowboarder?) talk me through the merits of 2- or 3-wheel scooters for a 4.5yo? He loves his micro mini so was assuming the maxi would be obvious choice but should I be thinking about a 2-wheeler and what about these cheaper brands Dave R suggests? Argh! thanks for any advice!

Ps: Isla I used to take my hectic toddler/preschooler son and now take my slightly calmer 20mo daughter. There is no expectation that the kids are quiet and still, it's aimed at mums and dads but is hugely inclusive of the kiddies and no one would mind a toddler with lots of energy! Most of the groups have a selection of toys and the Brockley space is huge for running about in.

Keane there are several groups and times. I now go to the FH one on a Thursday morning and sometimes the Brockley group on a Friday (once you're joined up you can go to other sessions as well as your main one). The website lists the different groups and locations: http://www.hummymummies.com Also highly recommend! Have been going on and off for the past three years and it really is uplifting as well as lovely for the kids to experience the music and social side of it.

Also just remembered the Jolly Christmas Postman, my favourite childhood picture book! The Michael Morpurgo book looks lovely.

Nice idea for a thread! Last year I read all about how magical Lucy and Tom's Christmas was (Shirley Hughes) and tried to track it down but it was sold out (out of print). Managed to get a second hand version in February (!) so an looking forward to that for this year's run up, might already be a bit tricky to find now I think. Also have accumulated a Lookalikes (fabulous series, also a bit hard to find) Christmas version and a 1000 things to spot at Christmas which I think both mine will enjoy this year. K - I will try and dig out a baby's first Christmas book my dad gave V last year and you can have that for R minor! x

Also superhero obsessed here despite not watching the related cartoons. 4yo has Spider-Man, Batman, ninja turtles, Knights/elves/fairies, Hobbit/LOTR and playmobil. Weirdly though it is his Wow men and women that get involved in the most inventive play - it's almost like he'd rather BE a turtle but when it comes to figures the WOW toys are more open-ended? The other day he had a very in depth game going on with a load of wooden letters who had all taken different characters and were having a right disagreement about something! Strange but seems he likes to have the named figures but he likes to actually play with simple 'characters' that he can put his imaginative stamp on.

We stayed in Fuerteventura near Corralejo which is a small and very sweet resort. Was before kids but imagine it would have all you need for winter sun break, it is a windy island which I appreciated at the time as was very pregnant! Island was lovely would definitely go back and would stay in same accommodation if we could as it was super reasonable and clean / well-equipped. Might not suit you though as it was ten mins drive to beach: http://villa-sahara.co.uk/s_accom.htm

Hiya, I agree with Saffron and BeccaL, plus I'm pretty anti-rewards and pro-intrinsic motivation wherever possible. I also agree, for me, Christmas is unconditional for parents and kids and don't personally like references to naughty / nice children at this or any time of year. In terms of encouraging your little one to move away from consumerism, this is a lovely idea and far nicer than the Elf on the Shelf creepiness... http://theimaginationtree.com/2013/11/alternative-elf-on-shelf-tradition-kindness-elf-kindness-elves.html It's a lovely idea and we have bought an elf door, a few elves and are going to do it alongside an advent calendar in December - the notes will be mix of treats/activities and doing nice things for others to give a message of Christmas spirit and kindness. If your little girl would be freaked out by the dolls then this could easily be done by just having notes appear/make a postbox etc that you could discover and read together. You could also incorporate mummy/daughter time into the activities when that worked well? ETA We are not a religious family so not doing that aspect, just focusing on human to human kindness.

Poor second borns! Last year we hardly got anything for V - just a few things to open and so it was clear to big brother that little sisters get their own things too! We bought her the Happyland fairground set and some retro Care Bears, she had a brilliant day! We are doing upgrade to 4yo scooter so little sister can have souped up version of his existing one (errr with bell and tassles?!) and other than that we are giving him a load of immaculate Lego from my husband's own childhood collection. For youngest, now 20 months, we are not getting much again - some more Happyland, some jigsaws and a brilliant ice cream Duplo set which was only ?12 and think they'll end up both playing with it. Considering a playmobil 123 farm for youngest as well as she adores everything to do with farm animals, but waiting for a deal as at the moment the set is around ?45 which is a bit much when they have lots of other things go play with that are similar. Might even use old playmobil animals and make a little farm myself... You can be much more thrifty when they are not even two!!

Phew. If I can divert Thomas, Peppa and Ben 10 from his life/our house, surely I can keep Minecraft away for a few years longer. Nearly 8 sounds ok!

This terrifies me!! When do they get into minecraft? I'm not ready. Tell me at only 4 and 3 months my son isn't going to get into this in reception??? Argh.

I like the Wow Toys ambulance... might work with the Playmbil 123 set? http://www.wowtoys.com/toys/robin-s-medical-rescue/