The Nappy Lady

Talking to some parents today it seems the Ivydale playgroup came about because a group of parents saw the need, approached the school for space and then ran it themselves with a ?1 donation for teas & coffees per adult. I wonder if some ED Mums could set up something similar over there? A school like Goose Green might be very open to it given all they are doing to build the schools identity in the community. Having a playgroup within a school is fab as it rcan really help when they then start school (if at same place - big if I k ow). Also a lot more affordable than some of the 'baby classes' you can pay to attend and nothing to stop you having a singing session etc! Just a thought but for those of you with school contacts maybe you could investigate? Molly

Thanks dullwitch, that sounds really good, especially with winter fast approaching.

Wow, that's great - thank you!

I know they have a childminder session on a Wednesday morning as my little one used to go to it with her childminder, so we couldn't have it then anyway! Ko, I very much doubt they'd ever scrap afternoon openings, but we may possibly persuade them to open mornings at least once or twice a week if we could prove the demand is there....even if there was a charge like at CP I think it would be very popular. Fuschia, see what James says as to how we might be able to make this happen - no idea how to go about it, but it would be wonderful if we could achieve it!

Great news (I had the same - O started nursery in the January after C was born, and it was lovely having all day with the new baby). A lot of Mum's in your situation drop the older child at nursery and then stay at playgroup until picking up time to save the trek back and forth, though having said that I'm not sure when the new longer nursery hours come in as then timing will not work so well which is a shame. Whilst they finish at 11.30am it's perfect. Look forward to meeting you and the new baby. Molly

Does anyone else find the whole concept of a 1 o'clock club strange - I mean given that so many toddlers sleep from 1-3 ish? It is hopeless for us, I'd get at most 30minutes there, then be dashing home anyway for the school run. I guess it will be great when she drops the daytime sleep, but I wish they would open in the mornings like the Crystal Palace one does. Not really complaining as I think we're lucky to have so many things to do around here, I just always thought it was a strange time to hold a playgroup at.

Ah Supergolden, what a shame....we are out of sync by 2 years - I had my 2nd in October 2008, and with a 4.25 year age gap between her and her big sister. Like you most of my friends from when I had my first daughter had already had their 2nd baby years before, and so during the school term I hung out mostly with 1st time Mum's and that was fine, but didn't work during school holidays when my older daughter wanted to do more than sit in the park on rugs discussing lack of sleep etc! Mind you, I have found my little one has stepped up to the mark very quickly, and now at 2 plays really well with the bigger children, including the clutch of 'first time around friends' where the mix is now mostly a gang of 6 and 4 year olds with her trailing along behind causing a degree of disruption! I'm guessing I am quite close to you on Harlescott Road, and also that you have discovered Ivydale School's Childrens Centre and Playgroup which runs 3 times a week? It is wonderful for Mum's, babies and toddlers and I'm often there so maybe we could meet up some time (I'm actually wondering if I already know you to look at!). If you want any details of playgroup do shout, and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Best wishes, Molly

Thanks L, may well call you in the morning. Afternoons are a bit tricky as I have the school run at 3.30pm, so no sooner are we 'there' and settled then it's time to leave again and dash back, plus she often sleeps 'til 3pm, but morning would be good. Hoping it doesn't rain..... M x

Not at work tomorrow, but no idea what's on for a 2 year old on a Tuesday - any suggestions? 9.30-12 is our ideal time slot for activities.

Oh dear, can you ask a neighbour to help as keyholder etc? Annoying though to have someone in the house but about as much use as a chocolate tea pot!

Hmm, think I'd rebook Tescos etc. to come late in the day to make life easier all round! :))

Snowboarder, don't worry - O was breastfed, but weaned at 16 months and really hated milk with a vengence until she was about 4. I just gave her loads of cheese, lasagne with home made white sauce full of milk, yoghurts etc. etc. Now at 6 she is a total milk fiend - has porridge every morning, and nicks C's milk whenever she can get away with it (swaps her for her juice!!). C on the other hand is a milk fiend through and through, whether it's from the breast or bottle, cold, warm, cooked or whatever. She just loves it...now a month off 2 and don't see it changing. What I'm trying to say is that I'd stop worrying so much about it. First time around I worried so much about food in general, how much, how often etc. with No.2 I've been much more relaxed, and not afraid to take a full plate of food away and then offer nothing until next meal time, and she's a far better eater. Could just be coincidence, but I really think they pick up on our stress, and sometimes just love to pull our strings.

Aha - thank you Bumpy, I'm not where it is so couldn't check myself. Very glad you're pleased with yours :))

I think it depends when you plan to walk etc. I love my Ergo and find it very easy to carry when not using etc. but short of buying a special waterproof mac with a 2nd hole for baby's head I couldn't use it if walking on a mountain with risk of serious rain etc. Our 'proper' hiking back carrier is like a ruck sack, so much heavier and more cumbersome to have with you when not in use, but comes with a sunshade that clips on, and a rain cover and the like, and is also very comfortable - I did a massive 4 hour plus walk wearing it with my then 2 year old up in Derbyshire and it was fine, though I was tired by the time we stopped! Have to say though that in the end we mostly hike in mild weather as when it is very hot, or very cold I spend my time fretting about whether they are OK just sitting up there - better as they get older and can actually talk to you, but when little....well, I'm probably just way too soft ;-) Can't recall the make, though I did post before, when Bumpy was asking about them as I recall, and posted a picture of me wearing it. Hubby got it off a hiking website rather than a baby website.

Yes, I was the one who said about pretending you've been flooded (though others may have said it too). It's a good way to think about what needs to be moved up out of reach. I understand socket covers are no longer needed (someone posted a link on to here to an article that explained why). Modern sockets are designed so actually very hard to electrocute yourself. I have to say I never did all the stuff they recommended, and it does depend a bit on your child & your lifestyle DD1 was at a childminders 5 days a week, and only home for an hour pre bed time. Then at weekends was well supervised and never bothered with kitchen cupboards etc. though I did move cleaning stuff up high, didn't have locks or anything. Some children seem way more prone to mischief than others. You can childproof as you go along to a certain extent, though obviously some stuff, like fireguards etc. are essential. What I did was make one room totally baby proof and have a babydan play pen opened up across the exit to form a barrier so I could contain her and let her play freely in a good sized space, whilst I could also sit and relax, or leave her safe whilst I answered the door etc. This worked really well for us with both children. It can be good to have some stuff which can't hurt them but they can get to, either as entertainment (little ones will spend hours pulling books off a shelf for example), or to start to understand that not everything is OK to touch...the sooner they learn about leaving stuff alone on command the better - need not be by saying 'No' you can practice diversionary tactics, or have a 'sound' you make like 'ah ah' when they mess with stuff they shouldn't. Believe me this is worth its weight in gold later when you go to houses that are not baby proofed!

You get them free at some playgroups - Ivydale has them so maybe try him with one on Wed before buying a load?

Ryedalema, My understanding is that you should always put down a preferred option in every box - i.e. on the Southwark Form don't only put 2 schools down, otherwise if you don't get a place at either of those they can in theory give you any school they like. Chances are you will get Goodrich given where you live, but after that I'd put others in your order of preference, so if Goose Green and DKH are better for you put them 2nd and 3rd, then Ivydale 4th. I think someone said you now get 6 rather than 4 options on the Southwark Form, if this is true then you have 2 more schools to put even after that, and even if Heber etc. seem pointless please do make sure you put something down for every option. Lewisham is a different thing as really no point putting down more than the 2 PRD mentioned (though Edmund Waller is also lovely) as you are too far away from them, but between those 2 plus all the Southwark ones you will be OK. Hope this helps, and good luck. It seems like 5 minutes since I was doing this myself, and now I realise in only 5 years time I've got to go through it all again for secondary school, which feels even scarier.

Gulp, WOD you make that sound very scary, you can tell none of us have a clue about teenagers can't you. I think your idea about the allowance etc. is good, and maybe also offer an amount in recognition of each day he is up before an agreed time in addition to what he earns? I imagine having money is the biggest carrot you can use really. It is a tricky one. I think SteveT is right though, University will sort it all out, or if not at least you wont have to deal with it. Hang in there....kids eh, nothing but trouble!

Ha - I too have heard it is necessary for teenagers to have extra sleep. If he really does HAVE to get up I'd try 3 warnings, then a wet flannel, and if that doesn't work.....a bucket of water over his head, bed and all. Doubt you'd need to do it more than once! Snowboarder, I can see your 5.20am, and rise you to 5am this morning....and we went out last night so I didn't go to bed until 12.10am.....ouch, ouch, ouch. I went in and told her firmly, "This is NOT morning, it is the middle of the night, go back to sleep" and after some very cross crying she did thankfully go to sleep again. PHEW. No way I'd have coped with getting up properly at 5am!

My iron on stickers have stayed on fine so far - two years plus, they actually guarantee them.

Agree, my Mum volunteers in a MIND shop elsewhere and can't believe the prices in the ED Mind shop by comparison. I'm not saying you can't get some bargains, but some of the stuff really is priced way too high. Much prefer St. Christophers Hospice in any case.

Hi stellakis, I live in Nunhead and have had two home births. For my first pregnancy I was with the Community Midwives out of Kings, back then I think they were team 1, 2 and 3, but now renamed East and West Team I think.....they were fine, I saw a midwife from my Doctors Surgery through my pregnancy, and then two of the team came out to my birth - I hadn't met either of them before, and didn't feel I had a bond with any of the professionals involved in my pregnancy and birth, but it did work OK. Second time around, more informed I rang the Brierley midwives as soon as I found out I was pregnant. They operate out of the East Dulwich Hospital building and were truly wonderful from start to finish. The midwife who came to my house to book me in at 12 weeks was the same one I saw for every ante natal appointment bar two, and she was at my baby's birth, and didn't sign me off until about 8 weeks after the birth. I felt I had a deep bond with her, so much so that she was even at my daughter's 1st birthday! Whilst I was exceptionally lucky to have quite such a close bond it is normal with the Brierley for you to see all 3 or 4 members of 'your team' during your pregnancy, and to have at least 1 of those people at your birth. For me this was what made the experience far better than what I experienced first time around. Whilst I don't think there is anything wrong with the East Team, if you wanted to see whether the Brierley have space to take you on all you have to do is call their office and ask whether they have space for you in their February births list. The office number is 020 3299 6163 and they are usually there in the morning - at other times just leave a message and they will call you back. Signing up with them does not mean that you HAVE to have a home birth, you can change your mind at any time, so don't worry about that. However, if you don't sign up now you're unlikely to be able to get on their books later as they are very popular. I had two wonderful home births, one 'land' birth - i.e. kneeling on the floor in our bedroom, the other in a birth pool in our kitchen dining room. Heaven knows how we'd ever leave this house, too many happy memories! There is nothing better than being snuggled up in your own home an hour after the birth munching on tea and toast. You are very welcome to private message me, or come around for a chat (I'm on Harlescott Road) if you'd like to. Good luck with it all. Best wishes, Molly x

Hi Lorraine, I used mynametags.com http://www.mynametags.com/mynametags.com/ Got them 2 years ago (both the iron on and stick on ones) on offer at The Baby Show. Have been using both types since and they've worked very well. I like the fact you can put a name and a phone number on the label - so far we've managed to recover our micro scooter and several school cardigans thanks to them! Molly x

Hmmm, I've read that there was no soft play included in the plans for the ED Leisure Centre makeover - would love to be wrong about that. candj, I reckon the ED Warehouse might work well, though bigger would be better....you really need a nice big warehouse or industrial unit. I went to one in Kent that was enormous and the actual soft play structure was on 4 levels - amazing. Masses of space - even an indoor football pitch with netting all around it at one end, plus the usual settees, cafes, under 2's area etc. So lovely. Other than the set up costs it is the insurance that had me shaking in my boots!

The Dry Cleaners by Nunhead Station have a sewing machine on site and would do it for you I'm sure....or..... Super Glue maybe?