minder

Does sound strange. Maybe she is from Southwark Council and marking out the bins left outside property boundaries? I always open my gate and put the bins just outside so men can collect easily. Sure this was original advice years ago. Received a long letter from Southwark Environment last week saying they've received complaints about bins being left on the pavement and pavements should be clear for wheelchair/pushchair use. They're now saying there is no need to move bins ready for collection.

When you say you close the door after your daughter getting up 15-20 times, do you mean you've left the door on the jar or fully open when you leave her? If you've left it fully open then it's inviting her to come out and interact with you. I think you should close the door (on the jar) as soon as she goes to bed if she's ok with it.

That's a good idea! I've always left my number so will ask for theirs.

Recently went into the new Costa's at Camberwell. Was a bit shocked at their prices for a sandwich and an apple juice but that's another story. On the way out picked up a choc chip bar and was asked by lady behind counter if we were gluten-free. I said no but this chocolate bar was gluten-free.

Just had to bring something up about people on the forum not communicating. I sell (and buy) lots of bits on here and think it's common courtesy to communicate. My time is precious. I work full-time, have my own family (including my Dad, who has Alzheimers). People enquire, then don't get back. People enquire, then get back but don't turn up. People enquire and I offer to drop-off. When I get there there's nobody in. This has happened at least 4 times this week. I pm them back about non-collection etc. and they read the message but don't respond. If people had text or phoned in the first place it would have been a lot better.

Southwark Family Information Service might be able to help. They can give you a list of childminders in the area who might be able to help. 0800 013 0639

I would get it checked out properly. My Mum was a dinner lady in a popular South London secondary school from the early 70s through to 80s. I can remember her telling me about how they had an inspection for asbestos during that time. Then for weeks afterwards men would arrive in special space like suits and special headgear but all the ladies working in the kitchen would just have to carry on as normal around them, peeling the potatoes, veg, making the sponges and custard etc. and were not informed about any dangers.

Just reading the Evening Standard and article about 'blonde runners divebombed by crows in spate of park attacks'. Bird experts say studies show crows have a long memory, so if they are disturbed or upset by anyone, the image is likely to stay in their minds. Goes on to say reaction to fair hair may be a response to a previous attack by a creature with lighter hair or fur, like a Labrador. Most likely to be because the birds are protecting their young in the nest. I feed the birds everyday and one big crow regularly comes into my garden making a lot of noise, then goes into a tree while I put out food. It gets loads in its beak, softens it in water nearby and then flies off to feed the babies.

Maybe it's time for a change. I sat my 'O' Level English Lang and Lit in 1979 to 'to kill a mockingbird' and found it hard going (passed by the way) but I think it should be phased out for something else.

Wrong section.

Posted in wrong section.

A school can't go 7 years without an inspection. Just looked on the Ofsted website and they did receive an Outstanding in 2007 and then had another inspection 4 years ago in May 2010 where they received a Good.

Try a Baby Polar Gear booster seat. I use them for my 2 year old mindees and they're ok and also portable and won't break the bank. Mothercare sell them.

It must be hard for all the other parents to find childcare but hopefully after reading about it (was in the Evening Standard tonight) their employers might be sympathetic and give parents some extra time off etc? I don't understand Miss Helen's sentence 'So unfair with some of the staff as well as they are great and your little boy who could not see a door open that we would run away, wherever, whenever'. The fact that nobody noticed a just turned 2 year old going out the door in the first place and then not noticing him missing for x amount of time and him ending up in the street for how long?

Don't know about the children side of things at Elm Lodge but only know my mother and father-in-law have had an excellent service from them over the years. My father-in-law can't get out but one doctor always comes to see him and have a chat if needed.

Just seen this on the ITV news London this evening. Think Rags Martell (spelling) was right to go up to the nursery door. Parents do collect at odd times anyway so that's nothing new. This child was so lucky that the lady found him. I wonder how long he had been missing from the nursery in the first place? They should have a ratio of 3 children to one worker so I do feel for the actual worker as she/he should have noticed the child was missing and alerted her colleagues but they seemed unaware that child had not been around. Maybe he/she had popped to the loo or something but only Ofsted will be able to say what happens next.

Hi bonacara, maybe as iclaudia has said, 8.30 could be quite late for bedtime and then your son is over-tired and can't settle? Maybe bring dinner time forward by half an hour to see if it helps. Also, you are tired too at that time of night and it's easy to resort to shouting, asking, bribing and begging but he will just tune in to this as you are his main person and try to get more attention and also giving him too many choices. If your 4 year old isn't getting enough sleep it will just become a vicious circle. Being firm and re-assuring him and also telling him what you're going to do in the morning might help.

Hi esme, I hope your search goes well. You might have to widen your search a bit further out of London as Southwark and Lambeth might not be able to help. It depends on the level of care etc. for your relative and whether they are mentally/physically able to cope by themselves etc. Finding respite care in a Southwark care home (even for one or two weeks) is more or less impossible too as most are not equipped for somebody who needs 24/7 care. My Dad has a complex form of Alzheimers and we have had to go to Sanderstead in Croydon to get a weeks respite care for him at the end of May (we hope). Once the care homes know my Dad doesn't sleep at night they get back and say no.

There's Kids London Ltd. opposite Brockwell Park, Herne Hill. You wouldn't know it was there, above a shop somewhere I think. My nephew did lots with them after his Mum was approached by the owner in Sainsburys some years ago. He's now nearly 19 and doesn't do as much but his sister (14)is with them.

Your poor daughter. My son also suffered with this a few times a year. I would dread it as it really brought him down and it was always before something like his GCSEs and A Levels. It's probably stress related too. A couple of times he had antibiotics but I got him to gargle with salt water and tried to get him to have a tablespoon of vinegar with a dash of salt and pepper. This was a remedy of my Dad's for myself and sisters years ago if we had a sore throat. Paracaetomal every 4 hours too.

I remember somebody on here organised an 'open house' with a friend for baby stuff about 18 months ago. Not sure how they got on. I think it's a good idea.

I don't watch any TV until around 9pm-10pm and then it's usually news-related. Like the dementia ads. Since having my children I can get by on 6/7 hours but less as I've got older. My 15 and 17 year old go to bed between 9.30-10.15pm weekdays but later at the weekend.

Yes, received your pm and just sent one back. Thanks.

OP has not read my pm recommending a childminder friend of mine. She is on Denmark Hill, 5 mins walk from Ruskin House and has a vacancy from June. Pm me for more details.

I've pm'd you.