Claire29

Sorry don't know too much about the area's but having moved from east dulwich to "surbibia!" last year having a car is essential, well for me it is having 3 kids. Would you consider taking driving lessons before you move, been able to drive opens up so many opportunities, and would make life so much easier and enjoyable for when you are home with little un. That way you wont end up feeling so claustraphobic in the area. Good luck with the move!

We had them too, middle son who was around 3 fell out after sneaking up the top, luckily nothing broken! But then decided to seperate them as it was just too tempting for the younger one to climb up the ladder. I will be putting my youngest into a toddler bed in a couple of weeks from a cot, which I know he will love (the freedom!) but at least I haven't got the worry of him falling far, as if we still had the bunk beds he would be up the ladder like a rocket!

We have found mixed response with them, my eldest was 6 when he got one and loved it, used it at the airport using his feet to push himself along at quite a speed, and he also loved the fact he could put all his junk.....sorry toys in it for the flight. Our 3 year old at the time liked the idea but wouldn't sit on it, so we had to carry and since then he still hasn't taken to it so I don't bother bringing for him anymore when we go away, as one more thing for us to end up carrying!

If it's the medicine my youngest has recently for infected excezma, begining with a F and it's pink, it's awful tasting and having tried nothing could disguise the taste. It sounds cruel but it's a 2 person job for us him taking it, I normally have him on my lap cuddeling him, then my husband gets the syringe ready, and then I place my arms over his arms so that he can't move them and husband gives the medicine. It is traumatic and not the nicest thing in the world to do, but i think it's more important if they need the medicine for them to take it than not, and as he's only 2 1/2 he doesn't do reasoning so can't even explain to him why he needs it....... it get's easier as they get older and the bribery of chocolate works! Good luck!

Wow I'm so glad I've got 3 boys and don't have these issues! Had never really thought about the deep meanings of the stories as I tend to think they are children for such a short time, let them enjoy it! My boys love Horrid Henry (books).....not sure if he's a great role model!

WorkingMummy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > And that is totally sane. Your children will turn > out every bit as healthy as the children of we > food label scanners and probably with a slightly > more relaxed mum. :-) :) lets hope so

I wish I could say I check the label of all the foods I buy but shock horror I don't!!! I've got 3 boys, I work 3 days a week, I don't have a cleaner so life is quite full on, if I had more free time perhaps I would stress over what they eat, but I'm quite relaxed in that as long as they are getting some protein (chicken or fish fingers, frozen ones!) enough vegtables, fruit, carbs etc each day, well thats good enough for me. In an ideal world I would love to bake cakes and treats every day for the family......but I dont so they eat jam tarts, cookies,crisps all of which are full of things I probably wouldn't want to know about BUT they eat these in moderation , same as when I was a kid, it hasn't done me any harm, I'm 33 and I've only got 1 filling!! PS They eat honey nut cheerios most days but have been known to eat coco pops when I've got the variety packs!!! (hold my head in shame now :))

Hi I used Tinies, which is an agency based in Bromley, but they cover South East London (I'm based in Sidcup now which is where I've got my nanny for) The reason I used the agency was because we were moving to an area where I didn't know anyone so couldn't rely on recommendation, plus we were leaving a really good nanny behind in dulwich so I wanted someone good. The first nanny they sent to me to interview was perfect, we just clicked, and we are happy with her 5 months on. It is an expensive option (4 weeks nanny pay)was the fee we had to pay, but after having a couple of bad nannies, before our good one in dulwich, I wanted to find someone I could trust.

I have 3 boys and to say it's noisy and caotic sometimes would be an understatement, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I didn't plan to have 3, but I'm very happy I did because I hope when the boys are older they stay close. I'm close to my siblings so for me personally I would have felt really guilty not having more than one, knowing how fun it can be to have brothers and sisters to play with (or fight with!).

If your little un likes watching tv, maybe a portable DVD player? we are going away in a few weeks and I'm getting a small portable dvd player in the hope of keeping 22month old happy on the plane watching fireman sam dvd, before his 2 older brothers get their hands on it and want to watch their fave things which are Spiderman and Top Gear!!

Hi Carbonara Yes have researched schools other than grammar and there is a really good state school, Hurstmere, within distance (hopefully!) of where we will live. I will only think about the grammar one's if kids pass 11+, which if they do, great, if they don't more than happy to send them to the other school. My family are based out this way too so that has been a big pull to the area, apart from getting more for money.

sillywoman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Claire29 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > We moved in the last 6 weeks to Sidcup, in a > > rented house buying a house in Bexley. . . . > It's > > surbubia but I'm really enjoying it, it's > > peaceful, I'm only 15 min drive to Bluweater, > > train into charing cross takes 25 minutes. For > us > > the main reason was bigger house, bigger > garden, > > and decent secondary schools, for in the > future. > > It's surprising how quickly you adapt. > > I would just like to say that whilst I completely > understand about how expensive & small property is > in ED & how small our gardens are comparative to > places further afield, we do actually have > excellent primary schools here in ED & we have > very good - better than decent - secondary schools > 'for in the future' too. > > Hoists bosom protectively & dons hard hat. Hi, Yes I know the primary schools are good, I took my eldest out of Heber and turned down a place for his brother for September, I've seen first hand how good they are, so wasn't an easy decision. Re secondary schools, having seen how great the demand is for primary schools in the area I think in a few years it will be the same for secondary and even having a good boys school, the new one opp Peckham Rye, living close doesn't guarentee a place. Also I know a lot of people are against grammar schools, which bexley has, but if any of my boys are bright enough to get a place I'd be more than happy for them to go to a school that will keep them on their toes so to speak! I can't afford to send them private, and if they were academic enough for grammar I'd be happy for that. Also there is a good boys school over this way too. Having grown up in Camberwell I do know what schools are like in London, and like any parent I want the best for my kids, I think everyone has different opinions for the types of schools they want for kids. As long as the kids are happy = happy parents :)

We moved in the last 6 weeks to Sidcup, in a rented house buying a house in Bexley. Since moving it's been a bit strange as have been coming back to dulwich every day as eldest was still at school, now he has changed school. It's lovely for him now having a school that has a playing field and large playground, also kids play out more on streets, no stressing over parking, as most houses have off street parking, having a big garden and finally getting a trampoline which they love. It's surbubia but I'm really enjoying it, it's peaceful, I'm only 15 min drive to Bluweater, train into charing cross takes 25 minutes. For us the main reason was bigger house, bigger garden, and decent secondary schools, for in the future. It's surprising how quickly you adapt.

Hi, My 19 month old son still has 3 bottle's of full fat cows milk, one in the morning, one after sleep in day and one before bed. He eat's well but given the chance he would have more milk, as soon as he see's the fridge door open he makes a bee line for it! He wasn't brestfed so I switched from formula to cow's milk when he was around 1. I did it gradually and I think from memory mixed some cow's milk with formula so he got used to the taste and his body got used to it. If your son is eating well otherwise I wouldn't worry too much, I've tried putting milk in a cup with a lid for him, which he wont take so will just carry on letting him have milk until he grow's out of it.

Godstone Farm? Adventure playground peckham park? greenwich park - playground is nice for the little ones, Danson Park (Bexley just off A2) has a good playground with one of those zip wire things that kids can hold onto and swing on. Must try and see you before I move! x

I sometimes feel guilty for enjoying going to work so much and leaving my 3 boys with the nanny and the chance to be able to read on the train in peace!

I would have been really annoyed too if someone shouted at any of my sons. If she had of done something dangerous or really naughty ie hitting another child etc I can understand another parent telling her off, but not for acting as most 3 1/2 year olds do!!! My middle son is just over 3 1/2 and he messes about all the time, I think sometimes people forget that they are still so young and yes some children do behave brilliantly at that age but others still have to learn and do get over excited sometimes. I would give the after school lesson a go and see how it goes, it could be that she finds the class a bit boring?

We are about to put our house on the market and looking to move to bexley/sidcup, my eldest is in year 2 at a good local school in ed, I've been offered a place for a good school in the area we are to move to, but he would have to start within 2 weeks time. My middle son is due to start school in september so I really need eldest to be in a school in new area by easter time so I stand a chance of getting other son in then for september. It will cause upheaval for me in having to sort out changing working hours, driving him over there every morning (i have family who can pick him up) But really not sure if to take the risk as I know places in year in a school you have chosen don't often come up. Plus the fact I need a place for middle son for sept. Any advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation would be appreciated! Thanks

Hi, I'm returning to work a week on monday( and can't wait!!) after baby no 3. I work in an office for a charity on oxford street, I'm lucky because my boss is very flexible in that I have agreed to start at 9.00 and finish at 4.30 - 3 days a week (21 hrs) I have a nanny and she will start at 7.30 and my aim is to be home for 5.30 (depending on trains) Anyway hopefully it works out, as I can't rely on husband to be home. I think if you are honest about your hours (perhaps at 2nd interview stage!) and say that you need to leave by 5pm I don't think it would cause a problem and say that you could possibly work late if need be to finish projects etc if it were urgent but you would need notice so that you can arrange later childcare. Good luck, it's really not that bad working in an office, I enjoy hearing the girls talking about fashion/drinking etc stuff I used to do before kids!

Hi damzel, my little boy ben was playing with the train's for a bit but was also on the computer, and playing outside a bit - he had the superman t shirt on! He is so excited about starting....helps as his older brother is in the school already. They will look very cute in their uniforms on tuesday!

Hi, I was there too this afternoon with my son who is also starting Tuesday! I'd probably try sainsburys or tesco's or the asda on the old kent road which sells uniforms. Failing that Next do uniforms and deliver next day. Polo shirts come in packs of 3, perhaps 2 or 3 skirts? They dont need to wear school shoes, trainers or whatever they would normally wear is fine. Hope that helps x

Just to agree with the above we just took our 11 month old walking little un on a 9 hour flight, also have a 3 year old and 6 year old too. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, he slept for a couple of hours when it took off then when he was awake I let him eat lots of snacks, walked around with him for a bit, stood down near where the stewards stand just for a change of scenery and just tried to keep him happy. It was tiring but hasn't put me off and am already looking at holidays just as far for next year! The stewards are very helpfull too.

Could you not just lock the car? Thats what I always do, the one on east dulwich road by the tesco's express is usually quiet so no long que, like in some of the other stations that have supermarkets in them too.

I was concerned about my son who was just over 2 at the time, that sometimes I noticed one eye went in slightly and also in photos I could see it. The doctor referred me to Kings and I took him there for an appointment. I was a bit concerned how they would be able to check as getting him to sit still for long wasn't easy. But they did a few tests looking at different pictures asking what they were etc and got him to wear some glasses with different lenses to check. It was quite hard as I was 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time but we managed with good old fashioned bribes....a lollypop and some chocolate! I think it's best to get checked out the younger they are, and I know my brother had to wear a patch when he was around 2 for a lazy eye, which was corrected by doing this. Turned out my little un's eyes were ok, I was glad I had taken him to get him checked.

That is so annoying and does happen at dulwich baths when i take my eldest for swimming lessons. When I used to take him beckenham, I normally went into the large group changing room which is near where the hairdryers are kept - they had a playpen/cage thing which i could put my then 2 year old in whether he liked it or not and could then dress eldest. It stopped him escaping......I dream of the day when I don't have to take them to swimming lessons!