MrsSW

Hi - had a 16 month gap between numbers 1 and 2. We (eventually) got an "out n about double nipper". I loved it. It is side by side but narrow enough to get through all doorways I tried. And both seats go flat so it's cosy enough for sleeps and can handle large toddlers. Plus it's amazingly light to push - so much easier than the Phil and Ted's which I really didn't like. (We also had a double Maclaren for a previous nanny share and I found that really awkward/heavy.) But it's horses for courses really! Slings are great but I found them tricky when trying to play with/pick up a toddler too. Toddler was only small himself so needed a lot of attention when the other one was a little baby. And my youngest one slept a lot and was happy lying down!

I don't think things will even up particulary at 7. i.e. when a lot move on to the Hamlet (year 3), as just as many of my friends'/neighbours daughters have gone to (or will take entrance exams to) private schools (JAPS, Sydeneham or Alleyns) as sons (Dulwich College Prep, Dulwich Prep or Alleyns). Although people move in and out of the area so I suppose it should tend back to the norm. It's definitely too small to be statistically significant but might be worth comparing with other areas with similar parent demographics. Shettles... Hmm. Had friends try this when going for baby number 3 and wanting the opposite gender. It worked about 50% of the time. But the OS theory suggested certainly fits with it! And it would probably be unconcious gender selection IF it is right and does skew things a bit...

Interested too... I have an old Bugaboo chameleon that I need for baby number 3. It's not in too bad shape but the seat/cot bits don't clip on to the frame anymore on one side. Thanks!

Yes - fantastic response! Also, we've been living here for 3 years now and going to the gallery every now and then since my youngest was just 2 (eldest 3) and they have always been very friendly and welcoming to our children. Obviously just my experience!

But there's JAGS and mixed schools too... Hasn't been like that in previous years at DVI! Most odd...

Great - thank you!

Hi - I've heard it mentioned that Nelly's are thinking of/are opening a 4th site. Can anybody let me know if this is confirmed and, if so, where it is going to be? Thank you.

Hello - sorry you're feeling like this. I'd make an appointment with your GP and ask for a referral if I were you - maybe for cognitive behavioural therapy but see what they suggest. They can't change your job, pressures of young children etc but could help you change how you view things and cope with things. I'm not a huge believer in "therapy" but I do know CBT has worked very well for some people and there is a lot of scientific evidence to support how effective it is. Also, stress can come with other issues (maybe some sort of depression or anxiety) that might be usefully treated with fairly mild drugs. I don't think there's a medical diagnosis of "stress". I expect you may have explored medication already if you had PND but it is definitely worth talking to the GP again now your child is 3ish. (And if you are on some already, it might be that they need adjusting.) I think the key first step is talking to a good GP - make an appointment with your favourite one at your practice! I don't think diet and supplements/alternative therapies will do much - on their own anyway. However, eating healthily and not drinking too much alcohol would be useful. (Not that I'm suggesting you do!! It's just how some people react to stress.) Good luck!

Hi - I'll PM you!

Hi - can anybody recommend somebody who can repair our freezer? The seal seems to have gone so the door won't close properly (which means the temperature keeps shooting up unless we keep it jammed shut). The ice-making machine also doesn't work. Thank you.

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Hello - I'm a couple of years out of date... Can people let me know the going rate for nannies in Dulwich at the moment? I realise it will be a range depending on experience. Our situation will be one nanny for our 3 children - although 2 will be at school so it's just a baby during school hours and then school drop-offs/pick-up/after school care (and we'll do quite a few holiday clubs etc for the older 2). Thank you!

Brilliant. Thank you - sounds really good. I have two older children but we had a nanny for them in a different area of London. They are now (just) at school so we have an after school nanny who is brilliant and I'd like to keep, so am costing up nursery for the baby (when it arrives) and keeping our current arrangements for the older 2 (after school nanny/breakfast club/holiday clubs/grandparents) vs nanny. Nanny obviously a lot easier... But Mother Goose Greendale is very close to us so it's great to hear good feedback. Thanks again! It's looking like a good option...

Thank you KatDew

Hello - while we're on the Mothergoose feedback theme, can anybody let me know what they think of Mother Goose Greendale? Is it much the same as the other branches? Thank you!

We have an after school nanny we found on here. She's fab. And she takes the children to a couple of after school activities and is happy to have "play dates". But we drop the children at breakfast club ourselves in the morning. I am similarly dreaming of somebody who could help with cleaning/washing etc too but it's hard to find somebody who is live out and will do both. People either want to spend time with children or prefer just cleaning/housekeeping, which is fair enough. So we have a cleaner (who I would love to offer more hours to but can't quite justify the expense...) and our fab after school nanny. Our cleaner was recommended by somebody I knew when we moved to the area. She's fanastic too actually, so we're really lucky. Like sillywoman says, a good au pair would be the obvious solution for you, if you have space. However, they are normally fairly young and, often, not that keen on cleaning. They would expect to help load the dishwasher, maybe put a load of children's washing on and do some "top up" shopping but not much more. I'm sure some au pairs do more but most of my friends who have them say that's the sort of thing they help out with (and they are happy with that). And they would be treated as part of the family - eat evening meals with you most nights and be involved in general family life - so might not be what you are after. You can also try advertising on gumtree. If you have space, it's much cheaper to have a live-in person. My friend advertised for an "au pair/housekeeper" and has somebody who is really nice and does about 20 hours a week. She does a mix of some childcare but mostly (proper) cleaning/washing etc. Good luck!

Hello - we're looking to stay somewhere for 2 nights on our way back from Cornwall in a couple of weeks. Can anybody suggest any nice family-friendly hotels that are not mega-bucks? Looked at New Park Manor but that was really expensive! And we've been to Moonfleet Manor. Any ideas? Thanks

Thanks very much for the warning Twilight... Was just going to get them round for a quote. Had similar issues just before and when our first child was born (in another part of London so no need to warn people in Dulwich!) and I found it extremely upsetting. Really hope your building site is rectified soon and it doesn't stop you enjoying spending time with your new baby (although it's hard enough work without all this!).

Thanks all! Will check a few out I think...

If you're camping, Saint Avit Loisirs was lovely when we went in early September. And very quiet. But that was outside school holidays. In fact, it was a bit too quiet - the campsite was only about 20% full and the children (at the time, 3 1/2 and 2) would have preferred a few more activities/little friends to play with. But it's a lovely site in a very pretty area and I imagine it's not hectic, even in August.

You find out at the new parents evening. The first thing you do is pick-up your child's book bag which has a sticker with their name and class on it.

Hello - people did this last year and the year before and it worked really well I think. Particularly for children who hadn't been at Half Moon Montessori (as there is normally a huge number from there going to DVI so plenty of familiar faces for those children). You might want to think about meeting up as a class group when you find out which class you're in though. My children don't really mingle with the children in the other two classes in their year much - although they are all perfectly friendly! Playdates etc tend to be mostly arranged intra-class. (By the way, all the Reception teachers are particularly great...!)

From a quick search, I think I'll try yogarise in Peckham...

Hello - can anybody recommend some good local pregnancy yoga or pilates classes? I'm more interested in some exercise/relaxation than the hypnobirthing/"breathing the baby out" type of thing (if that makes sense!?). I had babies number 1 and 2 in North London so am not sure where's good around Dulwich! Thank you.

Yup - agree with Sanity girl. It's a lovely pool (and they do great lessons in the holidays from age 4...). Have you got a baby wetsuit jacket? That helps quite a lot but I think 3 months still might be a bit little, even with one. Peckham and Forest Hill have warmer hydrotherapy pools that are open for family swimming at certain times.