womanofdulwich

tolly ho!

i am not an expert, but part of feedback must be if she has tummy aches/ bowel movements ok. also you could try and assess her calorific requirements and if she is not eating calories in terms of carbohydrates- bread pasta rice potatoes etc- then these can be partly topped up with fat- but too much butter could develop into an unhealthy eating habit and heart disease. i have a very old manual of nutrition but it is too old to specify fat levels for3 year olds.

I think they often pile it on to begin with and it can tail off. But quite often a school issues homework timetables- so there are not 6 things set one day- I must admit I only managed to retrieve this from bottom of sons bag once - but was helpful- plus many schools issue a homework diary/ journal - which you can check - but sometimes boys can forget to write it down. I have a timetable pinned up above kitchen table. and when I get home I say " any homework " ( no ) - then look at the timetable and say, "oh you had french today and no homework or vocab then? " amazing what turns up with these kinds of prompts. I would try and get homework done as soon as you can, so that you can factor in a "night off" if necessary because of all those other after school activities sport etc, as they are usually too tired to try much after that. If you have more than 3 things a night- that you can pace that way- I think that is too much and you should check that the teachers coordinate it better. My son is year 9 and has often done work in breaks/ lunch hours (he has got away with this for 2 years- )and homework is often finish off what you were doing in class- and if you are more able this may mean you don't have that much to do.

I will of course invest the rest in unit trusts - what do you suggest MM?

I will in the meantime try and put some money into unit trusts- once I have found out which ones to invest in, what do yo suggest MM?

Hey Mick mac, of course I take note-it is a revelation to know some forumites take such an interest in this sort of thing. I had no idea there was such doom and gloom out there. I resolve to pay off some mortgage when my endowment comes in. ;-)

what about those people that insist on having the aisle seat on trains/ buses and keep their bags on the inside and then get all huffy when you want a seat- and get up and move out so that you have to sit on the inside while they spread out in the aisle? i have quite long legs and their legs are nearly always shorter than mine grrrr.

all you need is a decent firearm then? can't we harness local gangs to notch up how many foxes they can kill and display them?

They are too big for an air rifle to kill- but you could try using a bee bee gun as a deterrent? There is also a thing that makes a noise that apparently only foxes can hear and hurts their ears ( not sure how effective it its) you would have to google it.

so do I keep overpaying each month by the amount that I am allowed to ( that allows me to take it back as cash at any time) or seriously overpay and clear mortgage with ( admittedly not looking too good endowments ) that will soon come in? 1.5% above base seems cheap money for a mortgage but I am struggling to think of where to put the extra for the next few years to earn more ( that is a safe place)? Come on you gurus - share your knowledge with me please.

what about all those stupid women with baskets on the front of their bikes? they are just as bad.

if for newly born then I think hospitals like them- kings etc

Give the kids a break, life is hard enough as it is. They need so many more life skills than the older generation. Parents of current teenagers had the best chance for social mobility, free further education etc. Now we have swung back to more of a who you and your parents are and who do you know culture IMHO. Not to mention who will fund your masters as a straight degree is not enough...........

I think it varies year to year. There are people on Elfindale that have had children at both schools. But it all depends how many are closer than you. It does not matter which Christian church you go to- as long as Dulwich Village is your nearest church school you can still apply on this basis ( we go to All Saints West Dulwich ).

any recommendation for an IFA that does not work on commission? Are we talking ?200 an hour? Should post this elsewhere I suppose. Thanks anyway.

I know, but I think they are all trying to sell me products and get a hefty commission. I expect as usual there is no right answer- just make the best decision you can and then live with the consequences. Any recommendations for financial advice macroban?

mackerel risotto. Fry onion, add arborio rice, until coated. Then add chicken/veg/fish stock until rice almost done. Throw in handfuls of whatever frozen veg you have. Then when nearly done flake in the smoked mackerel fillets. Add a bit of lemon juice/ saffron if you fancy.

Wow-you all sound soo wise- so if you are lucky enough to have a low mortgage that is at 1.5% above base for another 15 years on a small amount -should you pay it off asap or stick it somewhere else? ie unit trust s etc and wait until interest rates go up on your mortgage and then pay it off?

i had a nanny too _ and took strong advise to write into the nanny contract to have them babysit one night a week, or every other week ( not weekend ) so you can go out straight from work if needs be- just to have some "other " time. Good luck- it may seem hard to begin, but it let me remain sane!

there was a really good article in a paper this week that suggested you use 2 different types of lock on your bike at the same time that means the thiefs will have to carry twice as much equipment to steal them. they also suggested cutting your saddle - and mending with duck tape - painting it with matt ugly paint- covering all labels that state brand etc.and putting things in your spokes- can't remember what they are called that go on kids bikes- we have been busy!!!

one of my sons friend had a severe nut allergy and when he was young and when she told me in advance- i think the whole class know- there were always hula hoops at parties and grapes/ satsumas- thoughtful hosts- and she used to provide him with his own party bag. i think she hovered the first few years and then when he was older -(maybe 9?) she used to leave him with the epipen and gave me a quick briefing - but really as long as you forewarn i think most other parents would be sympathetic. i do seem to remember that chips were an issue as - I think Kens in half moon lane do not use nut oil but other chip shops do. i am sure they is probably a child in every class or 2 with either a wheat/nut allergy. my own son was vulnerable to febrile convulsions and i walked every where with a bottle of calpol and had to explain whenever i left him. Good luck Trish, men can be so insensitive.

As the mother of 2 teenage boys I would say 3.5 ( if out of nappies day time) to 10- but especially 3.5 years to 4.5 years when you are a goddess to them and they believe everything you tell them and copy you and want to do everything you do and are so willing and learning everything that each day is such an achievement it is mind blowingly brilliant.

here here Indigo- treat boys like Labradors was some early advice I received- and it is still true 90% of the time!

we went to rome last october half term ( end of october) and it was brilliantly warm- 22 degrees at least- so i think if you stay south of rome you will be fine. italians are so accommodating with children, sicily should be great.

my teenage son has had a brace for 3-4 years as a baby tooth had not come out and hence adult teeth were growing horizontally underneath- but when we went to Guys they said he also had an over bite and hence he has been severely wired up . we did ask to have the brace taken off as he had had enough of it and the Guys dentists were horrified as said " this is not private dentistry - it is not for cosmetic reasons etc -we are doing what is best for your son. it has been hard work looking after the brace. is it possible to go to guys/ kings directly - self refer? I am sure they would not ask such a ridiculous question- I would ask for a second opinion first- i have heard of private orthodontists being quite harsh and making patients sign up on the spot for ?2,000 plus of orthodontics