ClaireClaire

Definitely allowed! x

Hello, I need to buy a school uniform for my son aged 3 who is starting at Heber nursery in September. I know he needs the generic grey and white stuff - I just tried Sainsbury's but there was very little available for age 3, and the (3y) trousers I did get are way too big. Any tips on where else I could try for smaller stuff? Cheers Claire

I went to MediCentre at Waterloo station Was easy, everyone polite etc Cost around ?70. That was 3 years ago. I rang ahead to make sure they had it in stock and then came in. Only needed 1 jab.

Hello, Rang GMs for an appointment for tomorrow, they said ?10 for my 3yo boy and ?14 for my 5yo girl...! Can anyone help - what's the name of the other hairdresser on Melbourne Grove, the one opposite the ice cream shop? I'll give them a ring and see if any cheaper. Thanks Claire

You're probably sorted now, but in case useful for reference: The Booktrust website has a "book finder" which allows you to search for recommended children's books by age group and genre. http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/children/books-we-like/

Sounds very unpleasant ianc. Particularly for it to happen on your own doorstep. Without wanting to take this too much off track, or be in any way antagonistic, this comment has stayed with me since I first read your post: "What's it come to if a guy like me feels the need to take the main road, for my own safety" I suppose I just find the choice of words slightly troubling. Is it ok for other (lesser?) people to feel threatened, just not you?

The Plough has got a board up outside saying they will be showing it.

(useful to know if you don't already...) Dulwich Library is doing a nice summer reading challenge for school-age kids. It's called "Story-Lab" this year. Read a book, talk to the librarian about it, and get a sticker - yay! http://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/

My daughter asked me this some time ago, maybe around age 4? I just told her the truth. And we have an excellent DK book on the Human Body where I showed her a few pictures. I don't think 5 is too early - seems perfectly natural to me? Especially if younger siblings are arriving. I didn't have any qualms about explaining the "mechanisms" of the business :-) but I can understand why people may feel awkward about it. My only concern was explaining that she and her brother were born via c-sections, because I think that's potentially a bit traumatic for a 4yo to visualise! But I did tell her, and just kept it light-hearted. I'm sure everyone will have a different approach. For me personally, I know my daughter and I knew she wanted the truth straight up!! Good luck!! Claire x

Sorry, haven't followed the whole thread but have you already tried Kwells? This is what we always used as kids: my parents (docs) just gave us half or quarter tablets according to our age. The other thing that always helped me (when feeling carsick as a child myself, and even now as an adult) is to open the window full blast regardless of the weather. Rain, snow, cold wind - all of those help prevent the nausea, and other passengers don't seem to mind if it stops me spewing up in the car :-) Good luck and hope you find a solution. Claire x

Hi Stardust, School holidays are a total pain in the neck for working parents! From what I can gather, people manage with a mixture of some sort of holiday club, ad-hoc babysitting from family or students who are also free over the same holiday period; or having to take time off work themselves. For me, there's never been one good solution where I can sit back and think, ahh, I'm all sorted now... it's basically a different solution for every school holiday depending on what's available. Claire

Article about it in the Guardian today. I think it's cool - would love to make it happen on my street! http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/23/reclaiming-the-streets-for-kids

Thank you! Just been there, that was a good tip, thanks. x

Sounds good - what days does it run?

Hello, We are going to the paddling pool at Brockwell Park today.... any tips on where to park?? Don't know the area very well. Claire x

The Seven Chinese Sisters by Kathy Tucker

Thanks for the replies people I went to Deptford at 8 miles, it was good, not too busy. Baby sat in his buggy a few yards behind me and I did my cheering :-)

Just to add my 2 cents... :-) My kids (now aged 2.5 and 5.5) go down around 8.30pm and have done so for ages. (At least a year) There is no way in h*ll I would be able to get them to sleep at 7pm! We do all the usual good things and they go down well around 8.30pm Both my kids dropped their midday nap by the age of 2. I hope you can get your early bedtimes back on track, LucyA1308.... I guess this is just to say there might be a chance that your kids are like mine, and just need less sleep!! Good luck with it Claire x

Yes GOOD LUCK to all running tomorrow! Enjoy it, people! PS I have a question in the lounge re where to go as a spectator (with kids), if anyone has any tips.

Help! I want to go out tomorrow (with kiddies) to support friends who are running. Surrey Quays is looking like the easiest option travel-wise, but I remember it being really busy. Anyone have any advice re. what time I'd need to get there to get a good viewing spot?? (I know the elite runners are expected at 9.47am, the 5-hour crowd will be passing around 11.30.) Alternatively, mile 8 around Deptford I remember being quiet, but looks a bit tricky to get to. Probably easiest to take train to New Cross Gate and then walk, which is around a mile ... could be too far if kids are whiney. Any other ideas re how to get there? I could drive but expect the whole place to be choc-a-bloc so public transport probably better. Any advice from experienced spectators gratefully received! Claire

Hi nymom, yes you are right and it is a problem for parents trying to figure out their chances for future years. As far as I know, the furthest distance offered at the final allocation (after the shakedown) is not made available by the LAs. So that is why the edf is so useful! There is a lot of anecdotal information on here about people's experiences of the waiting lists, and if you keep a close eye on the relevant threads, (and maybe a few PMs to figure out people's exact locations!) you'll probably be able to gather the data you need.

Hello all, Just wanted to post another recommendation for busybee. She came to my house yesterday evening and did leg and bikini wax, and eyebrow threading. She's so nice == makes you feel very relaxed and comfortable (even with the more daunting bits of the bikini wax, for example!) Claire

Hi Crokes, Sorry to hear about your experience. I also have asthma, although sounds like mine is milder than yours. I was also concerned about taking medication (salbutamol) while pregnant, but as the doctor told me, what options have you got? You have to breathe, right? To me it just seemed like there were risks both ways: risks to taking the medication and risks to not taking the medication. So I took the medication as needed and wasn't aware of any adverse effects. But of course that is just my personal experience. Good luck Claire x

If it were me, I'd just try to make a brief appearance at wedding ceremony without baby, if possible? Depends how far away the wedding is, of course. If that's not possible, I'd probably just miss the wedding. I know it's not ideal, but my pov is that when you have small babies and you're bfing, you have limitations and that's just the way it is. (Personally, I doubt my kids would have gone off breastfeeding in 24 hours, but that's a separate issue.) Good luck, hope it works out for you x

I think the point is that it gets progressively more risky with each successive operation. It is basically a choice you have to make yourself, about how you think your body will cope and how far you want to push it! Personally I decided to stop after 2, even though I am perfectly healthy and I know lots of people who've had 3 safely.