Layla's Mum

I am looking for a baby class to go to on Monday mornings with my son who will be 9 months old in September. Can anyone recommend a good class in the East Dulwich / Honor Oak Park / Forest Hill area? Many thanks.

Me too! My 6 month old is in just a nappy and a 1 tog sleeping bag. Reading these posts I was starting to worry I'd under dressed him but I think he's probably just fine up there as its darn hot!

All these answers show its such a personal choice! Both my kids went into their own room (and into a big cot from a moses basket) at 9 weeks. It was about the time they were starting to get through most of the night without feeds (ie. nearer to 5am generally - but not always) so I wouldn't have to get up too many times in the night. It DEFINITELY lets you get more sleep when they are in another room. All that snuffling, grunting and squeaking is impossible to sleep through as a hyper-baby-attuned mummy. I would DEFINITELY choose the better quality sleep you get on your own over keeping the baby in the room so I dont have to get out of bed at night. There's something about that trek to another room which makes you hold back slightly before rushing in - and therefore allows the baby to improve their self-settling skills. If you use a monitor, make sure you don't have it too loud otherwise it'll be just like having the baby with you except with the added anxiety of not being able to see them!!!! With my first baby I made that mistake and I ground my bottom teeth to powder with the nighttime tension! This time we don't use a monitor (as we moved and the baby's room is just next door) and it is so much better not to hear any noises. Having the monitor down low would have the same effect I would imagine. But thats just my personal experience...

Yes! A group in the afternoons! You are few and far between! Will definitely be there with my 3 year old and 6 month old.

I am trying to post an item for sale in the general sale section (a moped). I put in the details as follows: FOR SALE: Vespa 1960 VBB Sportique in cream and aquamarine. Fully reconditioned in 2007. Classic wasp-shaped model which gave Vespa its name. Complete with all paperwork and certificate of authenticity for the frame. It has a 125cc engine but still carries the original 150cc insignia on the frame. Only 1,727 miles on the clock. Fully MOTed until May 2011. As it was made in 1960 you don't pay any road tax. it is incredibly economical to run. Exempt from congestion charge. At present it is SORN (registered as off road) but hte engine is turned over regularly to keep it running smoothly. The bodywork is in good condition although with a few scratches and dinks. It has a separate pillion passenger seat and I am throwing in strap on wing mirrors and a Luma bumper 38 chain to keep it secure. ?1,500 ono. Please PM me if interested. I attach a photo which is within the size limit. When I try to post the message it simply deletes the photo and remains on the same page. The option of adding a photo is removed. If I try to post it without the photo it still stays on the same page and doesn't progress any further. Can you help? I'd love to include the photo as it will really assist in the sale. Thanks.

Can't seem to post my item! Is there a word limit or something? Why isn't it posting?

For anyone who is sruggling with night visits or early mornings, I've just been through a full year of broken nights and early mornings with my 2 - 3 year old. We tried absolutely everything: bribery, threats, taking toys away, sticker charts, the lot. None of it worked for more than a night or two at a time. I really feel like we've sorted it finally and I got the solution from a book I bought written by a sleep clinic. 1. Gro Sleep Clock - This clock was a revelation! It works better than the traditional 'bunny' clock because it doesn't pop up loudly (and wake the child up) at the allocated time. Instead its plugged in and the picture turns from a star to a sun in the morning. The stars count down to morning so the child can tell how close they are to morning. Its worked brilliantly with my daughter. 2. Sleep fairy - Keep a bag by the parents' bed and tell the child that the sleep fairy will leave her a little gift if she stays in her room quietly until the 'sun comes up' on the clock. This can be phased out once the child gets the hang of staying in her room all night. 3. When things go wrong - The only thing that has worked for us to deal with our daughter when she's come into our room in the night is the Supernanny style 'putting them back' approach. No talking, no engaging in any debate, no exceptions - even if its only five minutes before they are allowed to come into the room. I had to put my daughter back many many times the last time it happened with her throwing an epic tantrum, I didn't back down, I didn't respond to her, and eventually she gave up, since then she has never (touch wood) tried it again. Hope this helps anyone who is struggling with this coz it has been bliss having full nights' sleeps again after a year of broken nights. Best of luck.

When there are two kids involved, you double your costs with a childminder as there is no sibling discount. Basically about ?100 per day for the childminder (or slightly more depending on hours). I've been told nannies are about ?8 per hour net so with tax that adds up to a similar amount (based on a 10 hour day) perhaps slightly more. Is that not your experience?

Hi there all. A bit of advice would be greatly appreciated. I am considering whether it is better to get a nanny or a childminder for my two kids (aged 3 years and 8 months) and I am finding it hard to decide. It seems like it costs about the same to have a nanny as a childminder but I'm wondering whether there might be hidden costs I haven't thought about when employing a nanny. I know I have to deal with tax and NI, but are there any other costs? Also, are there any negatives people have experienced with employing a nanny? I have used a childminder before but never a nanny so I'd appreciate hearing about people's experiences. Many thanks in advance.

I live in Honor Oak Park (SE23) and need a nanny 3 days per week from July onwards for my kids who will be 6 months and 3 1/2 years in July. Does anyone have a recommendation? I don't really know where to start...