snowboarder

Yep LB - seriously I am rubbish - my little monster is young and there is only one of him - you sound like you are doing an amazing job.....

Emma - we find Dulwich Park the best-est place for gate play - there you can actually do gate circuits and go in and out of gates. Goose Green is also fun as there is a danger element, you can pretend you are only interested in the little gate by the big swings, but you can at the last minute lurch towards a flying swing for a giggle....

Sorry we cried off in face of rain...and I forgot my oystercard....def next time.

Moos ditto bananas. But strawberries are the best treat-like fruit ever! I was thinking I might try and give him some hot chocolate to try and get him to drink some milk. Is this super bad? He'll be on cocopops before I know it....

I keep thinking I just need supernanny to come and help. But then think this surely shouldn't be that difficult....and WHY DOESN'T HE LIKE STRAWBERRIES??? What's wrong with carrot? WHY would you thrash you arms around to destroy the fireplace? What's with playing with gates the entire time at the playground, not once going on a single swing or slide? Tsk and he's only 15m......

Parenting, I mean. I do. Maybe just having some bad days, but it's occured to me things like bad behaviour, fussy eating etc - well - it's all my fault! Toddler throws plate on floor (actually this morning it was 2 wedding present royal doulton bowls which smashed magnificently, but hey), won't eat vegetables, throws mud in the house etc....well it's MY fault for not teaching him not to successfully. Bummer. The only success I have had is teaching him to sleep at night, and I paid someone to help me, so can't really claim that one. I really hope no one else feels like this. But is it just me?

Here... Good luck!

Hey - I had one and always took it around with me for b/f out and about. Found it easy to sling in the bottom of the pram and never bothered with the tie bit just used as a cushion. Even came on mammoth trip to Oz with us - my baby was heavy and wriggly too. It generally worked too well, as he still now likes lying on a pillow for bedtime feed (15 months!).

The US were never part of the au pair scheme, which was phased out in November 2008. There are a number of ways that a US national may work in the UK, depending on their circumstances. For example, if they are currently studying for a degree in the US, or have just completed a degree in the US, they may be eligible to come to the UK to work for two years under the BUNAC scheme. I hope that helps. To advise further, I would need to know more about her personal circumstances. Mr Snowboarder

Yep we have our last sing and sign 10-11 but could jump on the bus and be there 11.30 - too late? Picnic?

Hi - I got my icandy apple from a little shop in West Wickham (Baby Baby or sthg?) - they might do the Cherry and seemed to be quite good on doing you deals when you get the whole package (and do car seats etc). It is very odd - they don't sell icandy's on the internet at all - you have to call the shop for prices.

I imagine worse is to come.... but.. Consistently digs up plants in the garden and throws mud over (very new) deck; Has swallowed a large button (from a white cardi of mine - wondered where it had gone, found in nappy); Pulls cats tail. Cat then smacked him in the face(has to be said more effective than any of my attemps at stoping him from doing anything...hmm..cat knows better than me...); Eats cat biscuits; Acrobatics as fell into swimming pool (husband caught him upside down about to do great dive - he was fishing for a football); Swipes at pebbles on gas fire. They have had to be removed; Pulls all shoes in Jolie a pied off shelves at breakneck speed; Posted all my jewellry into a wellie. Couldn't find anything for ages. My husband thinks he should have NO! as a middle name. It's all we ever say to him.

Linz - We have one of those jojo ring things they sit in and babysb (14 months at the time) loved it on hols - didn't try armbands though. You are welcome to borrow it if you like?

guess what he has one and shakes shakes shakes it......

We continue to struggle. PLease tell me how to get babysb to eat 1) vegetables; 2) rice/couscous/potato; 3) anythng which mostly requires a spoon/fork.

My naughty one just upturns ANY little pot/cup. He has truely been sent to test me.

Oh - the only other thing - if you're planning on doing a lot of finger food/BLW - I find my little boy still gets tremendously messy in high chairs without a tray - the wrap around affair on the ikea one with coverall bibs goes some way towards saving his clothes....

I have way too many high chairs for one small boy - you are welcome to come and test them out!! The irony is the one we use every day is the cheap as chips ikea antelop with tray (and inflatable cushion when he was smaller). I also have (now don't laugh) fold up ikea one for friends who come for tea, a phil and teds me too clipped to our island unit, and a lovely expensive mamas and papas one under the bed upstairs as it's too big for our kitchen! If I ever get round to selling it I would quite like a handisitt though!! Most important thing - easy to clean. I can't imagine having a fabric cushion or anything like that - nightmare....the antelop tray can go in the dishwasher - result!

Starting to get cold sweats about the long summer hols, no friends around, crowded park cafes etc. What can we do all summer long? Which classes keep going - does Ruby Rhymes? Thinking about doing a swim course at Crystal Palace. Can't work out what the Whippersnappers lot are doing but have emailed them to find out. And the Horniman? Maybe we could collect/share info here. And maybe a regular weekly meet in a park/horniman sandpit?

I thought I was fine until most recent bout of hayfever/cold/awful cough hit 3 weeks ago. Turns out I need to get going on those exercises again. Gah will the indignity ever end?!?

I think they do - hence I am a 'sponsor' (or sthg weird) rather than godmother to my niece...

Ha I'm still here! Sorry - my comments here laced with certain amount of irony (and melodrama)!! Will get myself in check. x

I long for exercise to be addictive. It never has been yet. I console myself that I just don't have an addictive personality...which in many ways is a good thing. Right am going to stop reading this thread is all making me feel even worse about current situation....

We have the lindam roller stairgates - I would say their ONLY positive is they take up so little room esp when open, which was essential for us. Otherwise they are totally annoying, tricky to fix, tricky to open and shut (so much so I rarely bother anymore!) and super expensive! Princess I'm not sure a toddler would figure out how to open them. Most adult visitors to our house also seem unable to do either! I'm not a fan....but they are doing a job I suppose...

Still covered in litter this morning - looks awful!...just rang southwark (wow first time ever done that!) and they reckon will get it cleaned up today. Wait and see!