The Nappy Lady

Renata - I saw you in reception yesterday and thought this might be what you were there to talk about - thank you for your efforts. It's really good to fully understand the situation. It is amazing to realise how much things have changed over the past few years, and I do feel very sorry for the families who live nearby but may not get a place either for nursery, or reception in 2013.

The Scarlet Peacock (on here & Facebook) does classes in just this type of thing, worth checking them out.

Trinity, she might like Beavers too - baby cubs & scouts. Mixed boys & girls & very pro active - lots of weekend camping trips etc. My daughter started at 6 & is now 7.5 so going up to Cubs after the summer holidays. Beavers is 5pm - 6.5 pm at Rye Hill Tennants Association Hall on Peckham Rye (Nunhead side).

I'd def look at childminders too. I know people who have worked in nurseries and y they wouldn't put their baby in one. Not saying they are all bad, but personally I think they are more suited to pre-schoolers than babies, who in my opinion are better in a home from home environment. If you visit some childminders you may find one you 'connect' with. I love mine, she's like an extra grandma to my girls and my 7 year old, who was with her from 9 months old til starting school begs to go to her in the school holidays even now!

In all honesty if your 7th I think you'll be in at some point in the coming months. Xx

Oh Yorkie, I'm gutted as C got a place (sibling of course) & I thought she & R might be there together. Don't loose heart yet as there may be some movement. People dont always take up the places they are offered. See if you can catch Miles (head of early years) and not only find out where on the list you are but also how many places don't get taken. I'm guessing siblings will go in all likelihood but you never know, if not now maybe in a month or two. Keeping everything crossed for you. Xx

Gubodge, I think my 2nd was one of those born in your borrowed pool!! Duchess, I didn't wear anything, but I think I have a bit of a naturist tendency anyway (all pictures of me up the age of about 6 I seem to be naked!!). On One Born Every Minute a girl had made herself a bikini type thing to wear with a skirt, no gusset of course. I think whatever you feel comfortable in is fine, but personally I think wet clothes can feel pretty damp and horrible, so I'd rather be naked in the warm water (if the room is quite dark it helps you to feel less exposed, though you can't always control these things I know)!

Awight Duchess (sorry couldn't resist) :)) I've had two home births; First one was on 'land' and it was fine 5hours 20mins, bit messy but overall OK, just used a TENS machine. Second was in a birth pool, 1hour 30minutes - hubby managed to time it perfectly for filling up etc. although it was only a bit of a guess on everyone's part, including the midwife as I'd been having mild contractions all day, and she said I might give birth that evening or overnight. He decided to risk it and put it up, and an hour later the midwife was back and I was straight in it. The reason I mentioned the length of my labours is only to show that I had pretty fast ones both times, so for me there was no issue with the pool affecting the labour. Overall, for me the advantage of the pool was that I feel much more mobile and supported, and that was lovely. I think the contractions didn't feel as overwhelming either, although that might just be because it was the second time. We have a hot water tank by the way, which produces very hot water (can be so hot at times that I'm worried about the children being burnt so they both know not to use the hot tap due to my nagging). So, we didn't have a problem filling the pool - I tank of hot, plus cold mixed in, and then topping up at intervals. It was a birth pool in a box, size small I think - borrowed from friends so very lucky, and just bought a new liner for it. I think you can often pick them up 2nd hand here on the forum. The other good thing about the pool is that if you do manage to pretty much stay in it it contains any mess. You can get a pump to empty it, and make sure you have it near a door or window so you can pump out straight into a drain, easy then and definitely the new Dad's job!!! I really loved the water birth, and I feel it made for a great way to enter the world for my second daughter - candle light, fire lit, warm water, she was so calm and chilled out and didn't even cry which was a bit scary for a moment, but I think the entire process was just so relaxed. I'd do it again tomorrow - wistful sigh. So, I'd say go for it! Good luck,

I think I'd try for Fuscia's suggestion, with the new childminder nearer school option as back up. If need be pick your daughter up in her pjs so if she falls asleep on the way home in the car you can easily transfer her to bed. It is a later finish but they do adapt - my two have always been with a childminder til 6pm at least part of the time & as they get older bedtimes soon move later anyway. Good luck, hope you manage to sort it. Xx

That's really interesting Queenie. I must say I thought Ray (the old head) was lovely, but equally Helen is bringing good things to the school & whilst it is changing I think it really HAS to because of the way schools are judged now - sad but true. I feel the school has retained all the 'good stuff' but is now adding to it but I still consider myself to be a relative newcomer to the school as my eldest is now in year 3. I'm glad you were happy with your daughters experience at the school, that's what we all wish for. I must say at primary level I think that a school shouldnt be too focused on 'academia' & I love the rounded education my girls are getting there & the wide cultural mix of friends the have.

Hey guys If you PM me your email addresses I will send you the doc, sorry you can't see it on here, think I still have it on my computer. Also - cut feet off baby grows if all else fails...or for newborns I highly recommend drawstring nightgowns - so fab & make for quick & easy night changes with no fiddly poppers - what a dream. ;-)))

Ruth Just read out the bit about the Iceberg Lettuce to my Mum & Hubby and made them both roar with laughter. Hope you feel better soon. Xxx

Aha - thank you - curiosity curbed!!

Seems to be repeating the same pattern over & over from the general direction of the Horniman Gardens ish....anyone know what it is? Just being nosey!

Can't beat a good smock. :-)

I believe I have a kitchen table somewhere under the detritus!! I spotted it briefly a few months ago.....

Peckham Rye Comunity Wildlife Garden official opening on Saturday 14th April from 2pm, opening ceremony 2.30pm. Happy Easter everyone. :))

Bee 74 my top tip is get a cheap Argos clothes rail (?5 I think) which is height adjustable. You can then hang outfits up & they play with them much more than if they all end up jumbled into a trunk etc.

Love the thought that breast stroke is not allowed due to an inappropriate word. Tee hee.

Cowboy!

Book auto route stay in advance if you want to break the journey up - they are often full if you just turn up. We did it when DD1 had chicken pox at 2 so we couldn't fly. Survived but ended up spending 4 long hours in a service station - 3-7am with her while hubby who did all the driving got much needed sleep in the car. Films on the iPad are a godsend I'd say for this type of thing, though you get child will be tricky. Doesn't Piriton help with travel sickness AND make them sleepy. ;-) I'd say def. stagger the journey over 2 days if you can at least on the way back, maybe make it special by finding somewhere lovely to stop over? Good luck.

Another vote from me - it can take a bit of practice to get it in place right (the turning thing does help), once you get used to it they are brill, so much cleaner, Eco friendly & economical than other options. Re the review - very funny but also totally written for the humour value I suspect & I do want to stress you should never just pull the stem to get it out, you must 'break the seal' as per instructions that come with it - pretty obvious really. Post birth I'd say you may be fine, may need to do some serious pelvic floor exercises before it works well for you - and of course don't use until 2 months plus after birth (hopefully you won't need it for a lot longer than that). Without wanting to gross anyone out it's amazing & interesting to realise you don't actually bleed as much as you think when you see it caught in the cup (sorry if TMI). For those who are tempted I'd say go for it, it's just one of those things we have to deal with but in many ways this makes it less of a stress once you've got over any 'teething issues'.

Another vote from me - it can take a bit of practice to get it in place right (the turning thing does help), once you get used to it they are brill, so much cleaner, Eco friendly & economical than other options. Re the review - very funny but also totally written for the humour value I suspect & I do want to stress you should never just pull the stem to get it out, you must 'break the seal' as per instructions that come with it - pretty obvious really. Post birth I'd say you may be fine, may need to do some serious pelvic floor exercises before it works well for you - and of course don't use until 2 months plus after birth (hopefully you won't need it for a lot longer than that). Without wanting to gross anyone out it's amazing & interesting to realise you don't actually bleed as much as you think when you see it caught in the cup (sorry if TMI). For those who are tempted I'd say go for it, it's just one of those things we have to deal with but in many ways this makes it less of a stress once you've got over any 'teething issues'.

Legal Beagle, I have a number for Carolyn who is the Beaver leader (can't recall her official title). I'm not sure it's OK to give it out, so let me check with her, and I will either post here or PM you once I have the OK. I'm so much happier with this being a unisex group, makes much more sense to me than brownies etc. etc.... M

Aha thanks & sorry for being thick & misunderstanding - in my defence I was reading it in haste, honest gov!! Lovely idea - hope to be there some time (often work Thursdays, but not always in holiday time).