RenF

Oh, I would add, when they tell you they are discharging you this is the bit that seems to take the longest and in my experience was the most frustrating thing. My advice is once they say you can go, get packed up and ready and be prepared to hassle them a bit (obviously they're hugely busy but you do sometimes just get overlooked if you're sitting there quietly) and tell everyone you see that you're ready to go! Good luck!

I had an emergency c section, post induction at St Thomas and was in for two nights (I lost a fair bit of blood though). First baby. I was actually glad of the first night and day as the staff were lovely, picking my daughter up when I needed to feed her, changing nappies etc. By the second night I was a bit fed up of the noise and other people (although my little ward sounds positively peaceful to some I have heard of!). They get you up and about fairly quickly which is good.

Will send a pm

Hi for the older kid/s I would recommend putting some info in about markets they can wander around... Possible the whole family might enjoy but I know my teenaged sister's favourite thing about coming to visit us in London is wandering around markets like Spitalfields, Brick Lane, Portobello etc. Greenwich might be a good one too. The Southbank also springs to mind, especially over the summer with so much going on. Enjoy your swap- sounds like a great idea!

Thank you all so much- have downloaded Life after life and Capital into my kindle and may yet squeeze another one on!

Off on holiday next week, and hoping (possibly slightly wishfully) that I will get a few moments to read a book! No time to do my usual and browse in a book shop for inspiration, so I'd love any recommendations of recently read and enjoyed books from anyone who'd like to offer one... Thanks

I always forget about John Lewis for clothes, but they have a good selection with quite a few different ranges (including their own stuff which can be lovely). My daughter had some lovely things from Joules which JL stock as gifts when she was born- they do some very cute babygrows, with unusual designs/patterns on them. I always like JoJo Maman Bebe and petit bateau (the latter being slightly more traditional I think).

Hi Jacks50 Have posted this link before but it might be useful here? http://m.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/sep/22/oliver-james-love-bombing-children Maybe not up your street but your post made me think of this instantly.

Where are your activities?

Thanks! Just purchased.

Hi Can anyone recommend a sun shade for use with a Maclaren pushchair? Have tried parasol style in the past and just found them annoying... Would ideally like something which extends the hood on the buggy, without completely covering the pushchair - ones I have been able to find so far are also for blacking out for naps but I don't need this... Any ideas? Thanks!

Ginger and lemon herbal tea worked a treat for me. Think it's pretty vile under normal circumstances but genuinely helped.

Always recommend The dish and the spoon on Cheltenham Road. Also heard of (but never been) a pizza bus in Deptford?

Hmmm- at 18months we are on the cusp of more of this kind of thing so slightly have the fear now! BUT- Grotty I reckon you handled the park incident brilliantly, and what a lovely mum to come and offer some support. Karma is a wonderful thing and the disapproving mums will get their comeuppance I'm sure! Not sure what to make of your neighbour, on one hand I like to think if I was genuinely concerned about what was happening next door I'd try to offer some support. Perhaps given your daughter rarely tantrums like that she was really concerned and wanted to check you were ok? Trying to think the best of her intentions... I have no advise really- other than to say I don't think there are any 'foolproof' ways of dealing with any difficult behaviour, just managing each situation as you can.

Duplo a massive hit in our house currently also anything you can build towers with such as stacking cups/boxes, also as above anything that isn't really a toy- household items. Cars and trains (anything she can make go). Books with buttons to make noises or other interactive bits. (Repetition is a big thing too- we sometimes read the same story over and over again!) My 18 month old is also really into 'helping' at the moment, so I let her hand me washing to put on the line, or take dirty washing out of the basket, using a dustpan and brush to sweep up etc etc. Crayons and blank paper (closely supervised or the crayons get eaten, squashed into the floor etc!). Hide and seek (inside as well as outside). What about a box of buttons/cotton reels string etc? Similar to the treasure basket idea I guess.

Hi bellaboo and others- yep I met the stand in manager today who was very nice - sounds like we had a similar conversation. ( if anyone wants to PM me for details that's fine). Sounds like all in hand, but stand by my issue with lack of communication and have passed this on to Asquith.

It is still Deborah.

I just spoke to the administrator at the nursery itself, the manager is on 'extended leave' (whatever that means) but apparently there is another manager covering for her. The deputy manager is on leave this week, but back next week (so she hasn't disappeared altogether as well!). Apparently the team leader from the baby room is covering for the team leader in the toddler room having left. Sounds like they are very stretched, but there is management cover. I still don't think the communication about the staffing situation has been great (in my opinion parents shouldn't have to find out information like this on the grapevine) a simple email to all parents would have made sure we weren't left wondering. I'm going to contact Asquith HQ anyway and point this out to them!

Ah- well that answers my question then. I knew the toddler room leader was leaving as she was my daughter's key person, but was disappointed the nursery hadn't let us know or what the plans for her replacement are. I mentioned to my other half last night that I hadn't seen the manager around for a while either. Am going to email Asquith HQ today as I think it's poor that try haven't communicated anything with parents, especially if there is essentially no management in the nursery currently. Has anyone seen the deputy manager recently? Now I think about it I can't recall seeing her for a while...

It's such a balance. I did recently say to her dad that I can't be the only 'mean' one (teeth brushing, hair washing etc etc)- and although I don't think he deliberately avoids those jobs I have just always done them (I guess because I was at home and he wasn't so much for the first year). It doesn't just seem to be about being mean mummy though, she just generally now seems more interested in daddy, whereas once it was all about me (sob!). Like lots of kids she says "daddy" but rarely calls me "mummy". In fact, gallingly I recently realised she has stopped calling her favourite bunny "bubu" and now refers to it as "mummy!". Thanks kid...

My daughter is now nearly 18 months and over the last few weeks has started to assert herself a little more vigorously! I was prepared for this (although still find it incredibly frustrating some days when EVERYTHING causes hysteria!) but wasn't prepared for it to coincide with a real "daddy" phase. Trying to be rational about it but it is hard when she has just flipped her lid about a nappy change but then daddy walks in the room and he gets "Dada!" and a lovely smile and cuddle... Of course, she does have tantrums when he is trying to do things with her too but it seems she is more stroppy with me in general. Practising my deep breathing...

Ayres the baker on Evelina Road in Nunhead? Pretty sure they make celebration type cakes.

Kew Gardens Crystal Palace dinosaurs City Farms (Hackney, Vauxhall etc) Aquarium on the southbank London eye Hampstead Heath ponds (weather dependent!) The serpentine and water fountain/play area (princess Diana memorial) in Hyde Park Southbank (don't they have water fountains outside the festival hall to play in during the summer, and the last couple of years a beach?) Have fun!

What about sticking with a field/ hall/ scout hut idea and then hiring a silent disco? Everyone gets a pair of ear phones and gets to dance about like crazy to music no one else can hear! Throw in some big tents for everyone to sleep in, a BBQ or fire pit and you're set. Same idea could be applied to a big enough back garden?

What a load of schmaltz... She said wiping away the tears and snot.