millsa

I don't know much about the areas you mentioned but there are lots of activities at the Rye Oak Childrens Centre on Whorlton Rd SE15 which is less than 10min on the 366 bus from honor oak (going down forest hill rd)

Latchmere is good for the 'beach' and waves machine (although I have been a few times and only seem the waves once), the only issue is that the water is pretty cold and it feels quite chilly there if you are just sitting or standiong in one place watching your toddler. Or maybe I have just got used to the nice warm water at peckham pulse...

no list, just turn up anytime between 10-12, I have never seen anyone being refused entry as there is a lot of space. there are drinks, fruit and biscuits for the little ones around 10.45 and coffee/tea for mums anytime

Pickle, the copleston group is great, very friendly and a lot of space to run around. We have been going for the last four months and my very active son is usually so knackered afterwards he falls asleep immediately after lunch without any whinging. The slide is always a winner, they also do arts and crafts for older kids. and there is usually singing 10-15 min at the end. It is 10-12 (you cna drop in any time though!) and ?1 donation. and there is a lot of free parking around. hope to see you there x

we are thinking about taking our 17-month-old to beckenham spa this weekend. I wonder if: - is it suitable for that age (he doesn't like being carried/held in my arms in water anymore so is it shallow enough for toddlers to walk? - is it very busy on Sat or Sun (ie is it better to go during the week?) - how codl is the water (as warm as peckham pulse or colder?) - are there any slides/wave machines/other extra attactions? any advice greatly appreciated, thanks!!!!!!!

I have a 17-month-old who seems to be too long for the cot but I am going to keep here in as long as possible, on advise on lots of family and friends (and good to see that many forumites think the same). He is a fantastic sleeper so helena's experience has only reassured me not to think about the bed for another year or so :)

perhaps we should start a new threat once a new date is agreed if not the 13th maybe the week later?

hi, someone told me that there is a new government scheme that gives you ?400 towards a cost of a new boiler if you are replacing the old one. more info: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/how-budget-affect-me/6771217/400-off-a-new-boiler-under-new-scrappage-scheme.html I wonder if anyone has heard more about it and, mainly, does anyone know how it will work in practice (will you get a cheque for ?400 back or what? There has been a few energy-savings government schemes recently (like 50% towards the cost of double-glazing which has never materialised) hence my question. cheers

I recently gave away a tumble dryer to someone via the forum who asked me which bits of the forum I like, and gave me a proper contemptuous look whe I mentioned the family room, saying: I never ever ever go THERE... I was so gobsmacked I didn't say a word, but now I wish I hadn't given her the tumble dryer for free!

looking forward to seeing you all, will try not to go away last minute like last time.xx

really sorry I had to miss it, sounds like you Ladies had fun. Next time def. Did you say 8 Jan Pickle? ps. I also have dark short hair now P - so we have probab seen each other loads on LL and just haven't recognised each other :)

Baby and Toddler group at the Copleston Community Centre (Church on Copleston Rd)- Tue 10-12, lots of space for toddlers to run around, babies corner, crafts, juice fruit and biscuits,coffes for mums and dads, and singing at the end. ?1 donation

I second the post above - the vibe was fantastic. I liked your vibrant songs and 'silly' rhymes very much, and that many grown-ups seemed to have a lot of fun singing, repeating and dancing. I only have one 'but': you advertise it as 10am-11.45 class, whereas the actual session didn't last more then half hr (10.30-45, and then the speech therapist disappeared, returning around 11.15. It was all finished by 11.30. I guess that half hr break was the 'free play' LoobyLo mentioned above, but perhaps you should mention that at the beginning. I felt a bit disappointed about it as we were not sure why the break, and what to do ('will the class restart? do we have time for coffee or should we wait and how long? etc)? wishing you all the best m

I did host a postnatal NCT tea group a couple of times last year and I would encourage everyone to contact Abigail and volunteer, as it is a fantastic opportunity to meet new mums with babies of similar age. I made a few good friends through the group and we still meet up regularly. The only thing you need is a big lounge (to fit 7-10 mums with babies) Good luck :)

I don't feel middle-aged yet but... it is the everyday routine that makes me feel down sometimes. Particularly doing the washing. Since my little boy started walking and feeding himself, the washing machine is on non-stop. It seems like an endless job, putting the washing on, hangin it up (something I absolutely HATE doing!), and then doing another load, and putting the dry washing away, and hanging the new load...

I would really enjoy wasting time in the house waiting for unreliable plumbers or whatever, if I didn't have a child... :)

I have been to the soft play in peckham twice and I saw, EACH TIME, a boy weeing there! not the same boy though... ;-) I like Mellors' idea of spending a nice few days on the island and leaving the kids behind! My son has only just started walking and he is so happy and excited about it he needs to be on the move constantly. He is particularly active after dinner :( and he just stands by the front door and bangs on it as hard as he can, so I sometimes give up and take him to Goose Green playground for half hour after dinner. I have seen many passers-by giving me disapproving 'how-can-you-be-out-now-in-the-dark-with-a-baby' sort of looks... Which I sort of understand as I am usually the only one there after 5. So if anyone feels stuck at home, come and join me :) x

oh Belle I thought for a sec that you are suggesting bringing our babies along... NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)))))))

Hi Helena, Thanks for your warm words :) I feel much more relaxed about it all now as casts and boots for 22 hrs a day seem like a distant memory. But still, when I kisss his little feet, I sometimes cry out of happiness that they are fixed and that he won't remember a thing. Molly: I will definitely post something on the group you set up. One ED Mum approached me recently at Dulw Library and said that her then 10-month-old son would need to be put in a cast, and then boots. She had seen my boy in the special boots at the library over the last few months and because he has always been very cheerful, she hoped her son would also take it well. And he is, bless him. And she knew he would be, but just needed a bit of reassurance from me. I think we (parents) struggle with it more than the little ones, and that's why it is so important to hear the 'trivial': 'it is going to be all right'. Thanks for starting this thread Molly. It is all going to be all right :) x

Hi Molly, My son was born with club foot - right foot was turned 45 degrees inwards. We found out at the 22 weeks scan at Kings, but it was still upsetting to see it when he was born. Six days after the birth he was put in a plaster cast, from the top of the tigh to the toes, and the foot was corrected after seven weeks. But then he had to wear special boots and a metal bar between them (looked like a snowboard) for 22 hours a day to prevent the foot turning back inwards. He was in the boots for months. We have had fantastic care provided by two physios at Kings and I will be grateful forever for what they have done. My son is now 15 months and his foot is perfect :) He runs around and you would never say the foot was so twisted. I have had a few moments of weakness and I felt upset sometimes - we couldn't bath him for the first few weeks because of the cast, and then he looked 'trapped' in the boots and the bar - but we just got on with it because we knew it was for our baby's best. It is worth putting up with the stress the whole thing can cause you and your baby, for the sake of your baby. We are also very lucky to be so close to Kings, which is the country's centre of excellence in orthopedic treatment for children. I know how hard, distressing and upsetting it can be sometimes but keep going, as this is the best care you can provide for you baby :) GOOD LUCK and DON'T GIVE UP x

12th still best for me (pretty much the only date I can do before Xmas) but also like Molly's idea to make it first sat of every month or every other month :)

I spoke to about ten childminders when I was looking for one for my son and it seems like the rate in ED/Peckham Rye is between ?40-?50 for a 10-hour day.

I spoke to about ten childminders when I was looking for one for my son and it seems like the rate in ED/Peckham Rye is between ?40-?50 for a 10-hour day.

hey Ladies, I'm up for it as well and it would be great to see some of you I haven't seen for months :) I can't do the 5th but it looks like nobody said 'no' to Dec 12, so should we pre-agree to that instead? xx

hey Ladies, I'm up for it as well and it would be great to see some of you I haven't seen for months :) I can't do the 5th but it looks like nobody said 'no' to Dec 12, so should we pre-agree to that instead? xx