Piaf

In response to those suggesting this is a bunch of ?well housed? parents who want some space for their offspring to play recorder, that rather misses the point. Of course it is important for the Council to raise funds to for eg. Provide affordable housing or shelter for the homeless but take a look at the listing... https://auctions.savills.co.uk/index.php?option=com_bidding&view=commission&layout=details&id=1353 Given no consultation, or notice or suggestion that this might be turned into housing for key workers or social housing, it rather looks like it is aimed at developers who will then build private ownership flats, likely knocking down the existing building. That will not assist the needy the poster was concerned with. And it will mean huge disruption for children who have already faced a tricky year and who attend a lovely school but one with a postage stamp playground. Not to mention the fact that most of the windows of the property look directly into the playground and the property actually forms part of the playground. My children are at that school. I am lucky that we are properly housed and get to attend a school where the teachers go all out. Doesn?t mean that this wouldn?t be disastrous for these children and children from other schools and the wider community who might otherwise really benefit. Rant over

Hi there, just a quick post but I would recommend you look at the Resolution website. This is the organisation of Family law solicitors (and now Mediators) who follow a code of practice where the emphasis is on less adverserial practice. The website is a great resource in terms of providing info and links on all issues arising out of separation. I am in a Family Law barrister but also a trained mediator and did my training through Resolution. It's one of the major organisations for training mediators be they ones like me coming from a legal background or others from a more therapeutic background. I would recommend going to a Resolution or FMC mediator as then you can be confident that they are regulated, experienced and also equipped with the knowledge and expertise to assist (especially in providing you with legal info in an impartial way) Most of my clients come to me via their solicitors but this is not mandatory. You can both refer yourself to a mediator though it is likely you may want one further down the line if you resolve issues in mediation which you then want to turn into a binding agreement. Any good mediator will explain the process to you both in any event and the Resolution website gives the low down as well as providing a list of mediators on London. As someone who wears two hats I have found that in many cases, couples are able to sort out many of the issues they have via mediation and it is generally a quicker and cheaper process. It doesn't work for all but the emphasis now is on it being the first port of call. Hope that helps Jude

Hot water tap (space saving as no kettle and quick) Induction job with big drawers underneath for pans etc Double oven waist height and above with microwave inbuilt Pantry cupboard like Belle has As many drawers as you can afford (not as many as I would like!) Integrated but full size fridge and freezer (latter really useful if kids) We also have this cupboard which has a pull out extension table thing which has the magi mix already plugged in and set up. Dinky! Spent on Quartz composite worktop but saved by having scrubbable washable paint splash back instead of tiles or glass Good luck!

I thought we had Quartz but just asked and it's actually composite stone, white with a sparkle (sounds naff but looks great!) and it is really hard wearing. Two yrs on with two small children and various relatives nannies etc who are not v careful with it and it is totally as new. No staining no marks and can take hot pans etc. good luck and if you want to save money we ended up deciding against glass splash back and went for washable scrubbable paint. We got the worktop (and kitchen) from Dulwich Design Kitchens

Yes, when are you going as I am currently in France but would like to look out things and have donated to that organisation in the meantime...

Hey... My nephew has to wear navy shoes for DVIS and I think Kate gets them from Biff in Dulwich Village x

Thank you Norfolk Villas... Will give them a try. Eek re London Doors price tag; I thought Banham were bad at ?3k...

I did it at the Camberwell registry office. I think if you look online it tells you that you can, you just need to ring up for an appointment (and I was told there was a shorter wait in Camberwell which was handy given my disorganisation!)

Excuse me if this is posted in the wrong section but I wanted to pick on the collective brains/experience of the Family Room ... We are finally going to replace our old and flimsy (and ugly) front door. We want a Victorian / Edwardian style with two glazed panels but for it to be solid and secure. We had Banham come round and quote but I nearly fell off my chair at the cost... Have tried to do some googling but none of the firms give prices online So, am I just being unrealistic or is this what it costs to get a front door which looks good but is also secure? Has anyone else replaced their door and have recommendations or sage advice?? thanks

We also did it with a 3yr old and a me pregnant ... 5 mths of not much fun especially as I had my 2nd about 1 mth in (went into labouring the day the builders had switched off water eek). It was doable though and actually worse for me as I was at home all the time. We turned our front reception into temporary kitchen and the builders put in a sink and the dishwasher and washing machine (definitely need the dishwasher) and we made do with hob and microwave. They then boarded up the back reception (whole back of the house came off) and we spent most of our time upstairs turning our bedroom into living room and camping in the attic ... With a newborn baby! It helps if you have good builders like we did who are sensitive to the family being there. The dust is the worst as is the house shaking when the steels etc go in. I would recommend trying to go away for the worst of it as it also helps the builders get on. We housesat for 3 weeks and went to my mums for 2. Getting back from the latter we found the house uninhabitable and I had to go to the Victoria inn for a few days. Not good with husband away working and a 3 yr old and 8 week old... But whilst hard, I have pretty much forgotten the horrors (like labour) and the kids think it is an adventure. Plus you save so much given the inevitable overrun. We got industrial cleaners at the end but otto ok mths to finally rid of the dust. Good luck Ps echo waiting til spring tho you do lose use of the garden

Done & great idea

To quote for some steps which need a temporary handrail & also generally for external painting etc to our house Thanks!

We also used Dulwich Design Kitchens and would also recommend. We had done the usual Wickes, John Lewis, Magnet rounds and found that DDS came in at less than JL and only a little bit more than the others. Its not cheap but they do tailor to your needs and are very good at helping with suggestions on the design etc and being honest about which gadgets or add-ons you dont really need. The kitchen units are good quality (German) and I really liked going somewhere local.

Thank you all for your help... Liking the sound of the one that delivers as I was thinking I might have to get the canister and do my own for fear of being blown away carrying 30 balloons...!

Where can I get them locally in time for birthday party on Saturday morning for about 30 children (eek)? Any suggestions gratefully received Jude

Ooh... watching with interest as I too should really get round to learning; failed to do it in either maternity leave though, sigh

Thank you: look forward to attending when my two are a little older; hopefully it will be repeated as it sounds great

What age group is this aimed at, please? Thank you

Thanks for the info... we went to yesterday's show and my four year old did really enjoy it (wanted to go back today. erm not happening). I couldn't stand the modern clown routine, couldnt hear a word of Norman's patter so no offence there, felt uneasy about the horses and distinctly uncomfortable with parts of the trad clown routine... But, my daughter LOVED it and the acrobats, contortionist and strongman were great. Better her dad takes her next year, rather than someone with a clown aversion!

How long is the show? Thinking of taking my four year old after school (half days) but not sure we would last two hours...

Magnetic paint from Color Makes Me Happy with small magnets has worked well for us (and you can paint over it so just looks like part of the wall)

When we were using our Bee (given up - got fed up with the buggy this time round), we used the Lascal mini and it worked absolutely fine. Think we had it with the Bee forward facing and I cant now remember if it makes it better or worse when the buggy is front facing!

A year on and the boiling water tap is going strong! Definitely one of the best things about our kitchen (especially for a non cook tea addict like me). We have the Quooker one but just the boiling tap. Once you are used to it, there are no splashing problems though it can spit a bit if you allow lime scale to build up.

Hey there My oldest had a dummy for only a few weeks when under four months and then we got her on to a cuddly bunny instead (which she still has to have to sleep aged 4!) My youngest now 14 mths has a dummy and is reliant on it and I have to say with no 2 it has been a godseNd as it has really helped soothing and training to sleep etc I have mixed feelings about them and think I may have made a rod for my own back as I don't really like her having it in the day and certainly not when she reaches 2 but on balance it has made life a lot easier. Really the issue for me is removing during the day and fears that it might hinder speech etc but so far hasn't. We had the problem during the night and I was up a lot replacing dummy especially when she would start throwing them. We got round it by having lots of dummies there and more recently by dummy clips (they are not long so no danger issues) which has solved the issue as well as the fact that they do grow out of needing them if they wake in the night. So, a personal choice I think but if you do go the 'give in, life is too short when you have two to cope with'(!) then I recommend the dummy clips and also that the dummy run phase at night does pass! Good luck with whatever you decide!

It's fabulous... My eldest leaving for big school in September after almost two very happy years there and my younger daughter will (hopefully) join next year when she is two. Very long waiting list though - 2yrs+!