womanofdulwich

getting the train across the Thames during sunset/sunrise on a nice day. I go all Waterloo sunset;-)

I think if you want a more responsible person that can handle an emergency- and get their way home again by themselves -then ?6 is fair until midnight. If you want them to read bedtime stories and hot milk etc then maybe a bit more. My 18 year old son( first aid qualification and bike)still looking for babysitting if you need any. Thanks.

oh that is so true- mine all over - no one will ever knock him around. he is 14 i no longer worry about him at all.however the first 5 years we only went to stay on holiday with family as i could not take him any where. now he is so mature and everyone loves him.. he is a natural leader- but we still have big run ins....................

Fuschia You sound a complete saint. How on earth do you manage? How do you get up in the mornings? YOu sound a completely dedicated mother. I am in awe!

I went to a girls grammer school for 18 months. I went from being top of the class at my state junior school, to a struggler; although after the first year, all the private school entrants that had basically repeated half a year started to be at a similar level to me. It was fiercely competitive though and I did not really like it. We moved to the Isle of Wight to a new comprehensive mixed school and it was nice to be near the top again. I mixed with lots of people, but I always felt it was hard on the students who were cleverer in some subjects than in others- they would rather stay with their CSE friends than move to an o level class to be with those of us that were doing all o levels. In that way it failed. But I really don't think the grammer school system was that much better. Surely the main problem is the ethos in schools? my experience of state schools in London is that the teachers are not interested in the confidence and individual abilities, only the statistics /targets. Some children do well in fiercely competitive environments,but not for me. I know I would like there to be flexibility where you are not :pass/ fail at 11. The whole of your future mapped out for you. It must be better to be mixed overall with some streaming and bigger class sizes for more able students. How does Harris school at Crystal Palace do so well? I do not know, but I suspect it is very strong leadership and management.But that is their academic results- I don't know that the students leave school confident, which I think is as important. We want children to make the most of what they have and to find their talents and be confident. Writing off your academic future at 11 is not good

I am afraid school boys are regularly mugged in south london, it is an unpleasant fact of life, maybe more so for boys. Mine have been mugged several times, or attempted mugging, threatened with a knife at 7.30 am at a bus stop in west norwood. A friends boy was mugged by a group of boys whilst trying to take sanctuary in a shop. It is going to happen and they need to know how to deal with it so that they are not frightened to travel by themselves. Not having a nice phone/i pod/ and limited cash helps. I think the muggers get a high from just trying it on and scaring the little mites. :(

This is a brilliant time to travel with a baby and I would say go as far away as you dare, it is much harder when they are 1-3 years old. But we went to Australia at this age as I could get more than 2 weeks holiday before going back to work and my partner negotiated extended leave. I think it depends on where you have been before but Spain and Italy are great with babies. enjoy.

we went to see Ghosts which is on opposite Cat on a hot tin roof. Stars Lesley Sharp and Iain Glen, both Dulwich residents. It was very good and I recommend it. I think actors don't come straight home after the show-I have a feeling they hang around for a few bevies. But maybe they share a cab home later? Multiple luvvie drop offs?

I guess it just depends on who they are!! I work with a Hindu who lives with mum dad and granny and would not have it any other way. When/if he has kids, he has it all lined up for childcare-mind you his Dad smokes 40 a day and I can see that might be an issue!! YOu sound very lucky with yours. I find continual ranting about various ethnic minorities hard to take-especially with teenagers present- but at least he is in Glasgow( hence the fry ups). I must ask him about his national service though- unless being epileptic means he did not do it?

Magpie I am speaking from personal experience. A father in law that lives on fried food or ready meals. We are about to inherit a generation of grandads who were not in the war and did not do national service. I am sorry to say. My dad is 84 and he is great- but father in law is 80 and absolutely hopeless. I really don't think there are that many 80 year old men out there that can help. Their wives generally stayed at home or did small part time jobs and all the housework. They may be able to do a bit of DIY and garden I admit, but I was really replying to Steve's post. I am so determined not to let my partner be that useless- or my sons!! But seriously don't grandads have quite fixed views - esp. v immigration, corporal punishment etc that I find it hard to bite my lip!!

what about grandpas? aren't they just moody old men with no cooking skills and have an opinion on everything that is not going to change? what do they bring to the party? A lot of older men worked and their wives did not. they do not have the skills to look after themselves- washing, cleaning etc. I blame their wives for not training them in retirement.

yep and it is awful. have them flat on the floor and even if they close thier eyes at first they will open them and blink a few times and some will go in! maybe blink 3 times for a special tickle/cuddle-( or sweet?) then do it again if yo think not enough has gone into the eye.

just to say you can register the birth anywhere in england eg my partner was working in Kingston and he registered it there ( was not as busy as Lambeth).

If you remember, Ken closed Blackfriars Bridge years ago. All because of a structural assessment. I would not be surprised if he held off any more structural assessments and strengthening to keep the south london vote/ avoid spending. Just means it is stacked up later. The loss of Hammersmith bridge is a nightmare at weekend with traffic badly backed up.

Sorry if I was not clear I meant package your selves as you 3 days and someone else for the 2 and then try and get a nanny full time between the 2 of you. Saves them having to package it together. I think you must be looking at least ?100 a day though.(plus tax etc)

I had 2 green woodpeckers in my garden this morning- never seen them in 17 years! They are beautiful

maybe you should try and find some one that wants 2 days and present yourselves as a package?

It is on Croxted RD - your post comes as no surprise. I think the management is very strict there.

i used to have bosch and they were good, but now have a miele and that is even better. at least one wash a day for 3 years and goes like a dream.

JAGS sports club usually run something.

The ?2000 may include a contribution to a fund for future repairs such as roof, ext decorations etc. It can be a good sign so that the works are done and the block is well managed. Ask for a breakdown.

We love Knole Park at Sevenoaks but maybe it is 45-50 mins away.

I am sure it all comes from across the Atlantic................

oh I love that gift Mark, a definite for xmas-if I can remember!!

;-)