minder

Wow, 45 minutes to change a nappy! I wouldn't resort to using pull-ups on an 11 month old - they're even harder to get on than a nappy! Don't prompt to baby that your going to change nappy, just lie her down, no eye contact, sing away, any nursery rhymes/songs she likes. Make up a silly nappy changing song and just go for it. When you've finished, just say "all clean" and carry on doing what you were doing before.

You say your daughter loves gymnastics (45 mins) but not so much the ballet (30 mins). Maybe she likes the rough and tumble of gymnastics but not the slower pace of ballet? So maybe she isn't ready for this yet. I do feel for the teacher though, as 30 mins isn't a long time for a 3 and a half year old to take instructions? It's different in a nursery as the teacher has 2/3 hours a day to sort this out. Sorry, but I'm just thinking back to when my own 3 were that age. I would have been mortified and would have gone into the class and taken them out. I don't agree with other parents shouting at your child.

Would prob have been better to pm'd these messages!

I would agree with fazer and live and let live! This old lady has probably been in her place many years before the surrounding flats/houses whatever became privately bought and owned. Southwark Council have not maintained their living properties for the past 20 odd years, let alone gardens, so this elderly lady is probably thinking she is being helpful. She probably doesn't even know there is a scheme (?) to help with her garden. Is it free or would she have had to pay?

A lovely old green glass dressing table set, even including a container with holes for flowers - all in perfect condition. This was a donated item (as is a lot of recent bits) for me to sell in aid of Cancer Research. ?30

I wouldn't worry yet but give it a couple of months to see how she goes. If she isn't weight bearing on her legs i.e. standing holding onto something unsupported, then maybe talk to your health visitor. As you say, she is probably just not eager to explore things outside of her reach yet, and just happy to take everything in sitting in one position. Can she roll over from lying down and then get into a hands and knees position? I usually find that bottom shufflers are usually late walkers too.

I have 3 years on you Sillywoman, eldest being 19 years old! I've been going to the gym with my son and Zumba classes to try to counteract everything!

I know exactly what dulwichgirl2 means. If you take your child to a parent/toddler group and let them have a free run of everything, surely sitting down for 5-10 minutes shouldn't be too much? I despair of the toddlers running around when I'm trying to do the singing at the end and the parents just letting their child getting on with it! My voice is hoarse trying to sing above everything going on, as I'm sure some of the other group leader's are! bluesuperted - keeping attention at 3-4 years is a big task for teachers but why try to rush through formal learning then? I've worked in a reception class with 4-5 year olds who couldn't keep still and have disrupted the whole class and the learning of others. This would be a third of the class but this is enough to affect the ones who can sit still and want to learn. Early foundations are a good thing in some ways.

Hi berbel - have you thought about going down the childminder route for your baby? Just an option as I know what you mean about non-communication from nurseries!

The anti-histimine Piriton (sorry about spelling) is good for itching etc. for chickenpox. Check with your chemist/GP first.

You could phone Southwark Family Information Service on 0800 013 0639. They can give you advice and contact details of any nurseries or childminders that run a term-time only service. Some childminders do this alongside looking after year round children (me included since June) but at the moment I have no spaces.

How much per session usually? Thanks.

Hi Tara, The EYFS goes from birth to 5 years old so why ask about the views of 5 to 10 year old parents? Are the government thinking of introducing another thing for this age. Seems like a waste of time to me - just like some of the EYFS.

All very complicated stuff!

I would not have known Rafe to be a Ralph, but in the modern world that's what comes about. My Jamie (now 19) is often, and obviously called James, by his grandparents. When he was born his paternal grandparents were away on holiday in Switzerland. They received a telegram congratulating them on arrival of a new grandson 'Jeremy'. He was a Jeremy until they arrived back in the UK!

Hmm, would agree with Belle and use the cooled boiled water method! That's what I did with my three strapping teenagers and they've never had a serious days illness in their lives! Strawbs that's what I did with cooled boiled water, fill a few bottles, either make up there and then with formula or put some in fridge. Get out of fridge (within 24 hrs) put formula in and reheat in a saucepan with boiling water added etc. Monkey I've never heard about boiling water hitting the formula and killing off bacteria.

Stacker I suppose you are right in that the SA is a church. They do good work with the homeless. Trouble is on the ED forum someone will always come up with new info and edcam's money will go elsewhere!

Your little girl sounds very forward and only you can decide if she's ready for potty-training. Leave the nappy off in the house if you're keen and see how she goes for a few days. 16 month olds usually start to be aware of doing a wee or poo in their nappy anyway (pulling at nappy and getting the changing mat) but won't actually use a potty to do a wee or poo. In my experience, even at 2 years old, it's still early to start potty training, and children go back to wetting/pooing, and you're back to square one. Night-time training comes a bit later so you should'nt go by how dry she is at night.

These people must be so desperate to earn a few quid and they don't care how they do it. Interesting to read all the links to different reports, including the Daily Mail one.

Hi Amy - if you have been diagnosed mastitis by your GP, then I would ask for antibiotic asap. I didn't know anything about mastitis 15 years ago whilst trying to breastfeed my 2nd child. Even any help with breastfeeding was scarce. I had the temperature and other symptoms but didn't get much help from any agencies really until it got quite bad. I carried on and was offered drainage but at the last moment chickened out because didn't fancy having my boob lanced. A lot has changed in 15 years and I don't want to worry you but I'm now left with a disfigured right boob. 15 years ago it was a bad time for me, but as you get older and used to imperfections, then it's not quite so bad.

Wouldn't jump to the conclusion that SMA is causing his eczema. Other than Nanny's goat's milk, one of my mindees has St Helen's, which can be bought by the litre in Sainsburys.

Dainty Sue came to entertain our toddler group today and I can thoroughly recommend her. She would be great for a 4 year old's party too. I got her details from here on the forum.

Hi bcacao - just interested but why does your little son need a flu jab? If he's otherwise fit and healthy then the NHS wouldn't offer them to under 16's anyway?

I would have thought any vaccine that protects against TB in your children would be a good thing. Even if afterwards the injection site does require antibiotics.

Hi Lindsay - I think it will be quite difficult to find anything like structured classes and activities going on during this time. All the groups I go to in the area are closing on Friday 16th and just one on the Monday 19th December, so maybe just try the local library or park? They are all still open until Xmas Eve/Xmas Day.