Inkmaiden

We have this one, although an older version- http://www.elc.co.uk/Marble-Madness-Game/125723,default,pd.html. A few pieces can be a bit stiff to put together and you definitely need to use some proper marbles rather than the light plastic ones that come with it, but it is the no.1 toy of choice when friends come to play.

What about a marble run? Or geomag? Both provide endless combinations and permutations, but obviously not ideal if there are any smaller siblings who like to put small objects in their mouths.

I'm definitely in the temporary co-sleeping camp on this one. We have had occasional night-time separation anxiety issues with our daughter(3.8 yrs)and putting her mattress on the floor in our room for a few nights always does the trick- no frequent night time wakings or having to stay in the room with her while she goes to sleep. She is then happy to go back to sleeping in her own bed. When you are chronically sleep-deprived it can feel like you are stuck in a never-ending nightmare. You may be clinging to the only control you feel you have, which is to prevent bad habits forming by not sleeping with him. From your description of your nights, it sounds like your son has already formed some habits which are making life very hard for you all and pushing you to breaking point. It sounds like you have done so much to try and tackle this, but if all your son really wants is to be close to you, maybe co-sleeping would mean you could all just get some more sleep? He is only little and, as others have said, it really won't last forever.

There's a diddi dance class 2-2:45pm on Tuesdays in Constitutional Hall. http://www.diddidance.com/index.php The SureStart playroom in Peckham Rye park (I'm still trying to stop calling it the one o clock club!) also runs a free stay and play session from 1:30-3:30pm on Thursdays.

Washable pull ups-http://www.babipur.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=7469&gclid=CNu4uOfer7kCFXMbtAodSGoAdg#.UiYasz9q03M Seems like they would probably need a booster at night.

Water still flowing, no sign of Thames Water.

I know it's still essentially writing your mobile number on their arms, but I bought some of these...http://www.kattoo.co.uk They were posted quickly as well, they arrived 2 days after I ordered them.

That is brilliant, I had no idea such a thing even existed. Thank you!

In a glorious start to the summer holidays, my nephew broke his right arm (badly)today. And because life is unfair, he's off to Italy for two weeks by the beach next week with his parents and brother. He has a keen sense of injustice at the best of times and his brother loves to wind him up, so not being able to go in the sea is going to drive him and the rest of his family insane. What's the best thing I could get him to make him feel better or be of practical help? (Or actually use as he is right handed?) A rubber dinghy and a watertight plastic bag for his arm?

Hilly Fields water wasn't working yesterday, hopefully fixed soon.

They said to me it "might be somewhere that isn't currently operating as a pub...". Hmmm.

luciam Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I know it's not much to go on but I'm trying to > remember the name of this author, or her book. It > was published quite recently I think and was > written by an American woman writing about the > American south- kind of a family saga covering > several generations. I think it won a prize and > it's her first novel. Can anyone help? Did you ever find it? Is it "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" by Ayana Mathis? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0091944198

My daughter also has CMPI and the dietitian at King's recommended calcium enriched Koko milk which is really nice. http://www.kokodairyfree.com/ I use it in all sorts of cooking- also good for milkshakes, smoothies etc. She also has a multivitamin with iron in it because she refuses to eat meat of any kind. She does eat greens, dried apricots, lentils disguised in sauces and soups and I'm working on quinoa and chickpeas.

I've just waded my way through all 4000ish pages of Game of Thrones and I'm wondering if the TV series is as unrelentingly violent as the books? Because it gets pretty grim. Also I don't know if Inkman could bear it if I started watching it as well, as he's just had to endure several weeks of me muttering "Can't talk, reading." and it's not really his sort of thing.

They do polenta cake sometimes- I thought that was gluten free. But I may be wrong as well.

You could also try Homemade or Cafe Viva on Choumert Road- have seen gluten free cakes in both of them. Not sure about dairy free. I don't spend all my time in cafes and thinking about cake, honestly.

I'm fairly sure they have some gluten free and vegan cakes at The Dish and Spoon on Cheltenham Road.

We had the same experience as PandG- used LL Carpets several times now for big and small jobs and the service has always been great from start to finish. Every staff member I've encountered in there has been friendly and efficient.

Most helpful, thanks. Now all I have to do is take in all Inkspawn's trouser waistbands because without a nappy they no longer stay up either... *sighs*. I will, however, forbear from starting a new thread on where to get very small leggings.

Thank you forum!

Where can I buy some? Inkspawn is 3 and so far even 1-2 year old pants from Mothercare, Sainsburys and H&M are all too big and keep falling down. Does anyone know of any particular brands which come up a bit smaller?

From Harris Girls you could go up Homestall Road and get the 343 from Peckham Rye or go the other way down Colyton Road to Forest Hill Road and get the 63 or 363 to Peckham Rye station?

Otta Wrote: --------------------------------------------------- > > Excellent work ladies, you're doing yourselves > proud. I think we are actually, I've found this thread full of refreshing honesty and the disparity of points of view makes for a really interesting and informative debate. I'm really glad you like the book WorkingMummy.

Oh good! FWIW I don't think "inappropriate anger", is really the correct term to apply to this age group. Sometimes watching a toddler/pre-schooler in the throes of a huge rage I just get the feeling that their anger is so much bigger than them at that moment- it deserves to be acknowledged as a real and very powerful thing. I've always found that acknowledging it and letting them express how they truly feel, no matter how awful it sounds to you, is more effective and actually less time consuming than trying to "manage" it or rationalise it.

I've always liked Angry Arthur by Hiawyn Oram and Satoshi Kitamura- for me it captures that totally overwhelming, all encompassing rage that sometimes affects young children. However, not everybody likes it so maybe read the reviews and see if you think it would be right for your child. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Angry-Arthur-Hiawyn-Oram/dp/1842707744