MummaB

Oh Snowboarder - I know exactly what you are going through. My son was the same but is now at 8 years old finally much better - I never thought we would get to this point. I grew up with animals and loved them - I could never understand why he was scared of animals and especially dogs. Come think of it, he never really liked animal stuffed toys. Anyway he has always been absolutely terrified of dogs, just as you describe your son. I also found it very unhelpful when dog owners would say 'he won't bite, he's a friendly dog'.....I know they meant well but it meant nothing to my son. Actually the worst would be a friendly, happy dog pouncing over wanting to say hello, even the small ones, even puppies. Seeing my sweet, sociable, happy boy being so scared has been heartbreaking and stressful. A lot of people we know back home, family and friends have dogs and I did feel it got quite difficult to visit people unless their dogs were locked in another room. He even used to ask me about his and especially new friends (before play dates)if they had pets. At one point I considered checking for some kind of doggy fear therapy as it was really affecting him. Anyway the turning point for us (similar to lenster's post).....was visiting friends back home with 3 kids and a very calm, gentle medium size dog (who just ignored him but was happy to go for a walk in the garden on the lead). The first time he held the lead and stroked the dog I nearly cried! He also went for a playdate with a friend from school who again has a very calm dog who will largely ignore guests except a gentle welcome when you arrive. The dad knew my son was scared, so he spent the afternoon gently encouraging contact between my son and their dog i.e. sitting in the garden and even helping him giving her a wash. When I came to pick him up he was in the garden with the dog playing fetch and even being able to remove the ball gently from the dog's mouth! I couldn't believe my eyes! I was always so worried that a dog would come running towards my son outside and he would run into the road to get away, not thinking and get run over by a car! I don't think we will ever get a dog so that was not my main aim in trying to get him over his fear (though he is now obsessed with sausage dogs and claims he really wants one)....however things are so much easier. He is still cautious about dogs but that's not a bad thing - the overall change is just unbelievable! I hope as your son gets older, he will overcome his fears.....do think about a gentle, calm, (old maybe?) dog he can spend some time with - not sure where you find one of those but my fingers are crossed for you. Good luck!

The zip broke last year on our large family tent. Unfortunately we did not get around to checking if the place where we bought it would fix it within the guarantee (kicking ourselves). Going camping in a few weeks so need it sorted. Was just wondering if the great people of ED knew of somewhere we could get a zip fixed or someone who might be able to help? Thanks, B

I flew my mum over especially....and took a couple of half days myself, luckily it was just a week of settling in. It was quite a shock (as other peolple have said), going from 8-6 days (nursery) to school and it's just the beginnig (What EDmummy said!). I must say that taking 1 week annual leave for the settling in period was not an option for me as it would have compromised what time I could take off Oct and Feb half term and Christmas holidays that first year. I also work for the NHS....not sure if they are generous compared to other organisations but with 13-14 weeks school holidays a year, my (roughly) 6 weeks won't even cover half! I spend many school holiday days at work wishing I was with my son. Make friends at the school gate :-) I am forever grateful to the lovely families I've met through my son's school. We help each other out whenever needed (well let's face it I owe a couple of them a few favours....but luckily they are so lovely and don't keep count :-) Good luck

My son was at Mapother House Nursery from 7.5 months till the week before he started school, with an October birthday means he was almost 5! He loved it and we got on well with all the workers there - he was clearly adored by quite a few of them and build up a close relationship with several of his key workers. We know colleagues with children at the nursery now who is regularly asking about my son which I think is nice. There were little things here and there but nothing of concern that couldn't be discussed with staff. I am quite laid back and so is he which helps when you have no choice but to work full time (as a single mum) and leave your child in nursery. I wanted him to be safe, well cared for and stimulated and he was, even if things weren't always as I might have done them but that's ok. He has turned out a very flexible, sociable, caring and tolerant boy and surely I can't take all the credit! He has always been a good eater - I just let them blend up all the meals (when he was a baby) which I think really helped him get loads of different taste and flavours (more variety than I was offering at dinner time after a long day at work that's for sure)! He has always been great at sharing (despite being an only child) which I think comes from being around other children all the time. He had a lots of fun with the other kids and produced loads of art work which I have kept in a big box! That's several years worth! He was well prepared for school and is doing great. I think it is true that a work linked nursery is different than a near home nursery when it comes to making long lasting friendships. We live near King's but none of his nursery friends were going to his school. However when he finished nursery I did a party for nursery friends - 14 kids and parents so he definitely made friends. Of course we haven't kept up with everyone but one child from nursery is still one of his best friend (and his mum is one of mine)! I hope it works out for your little one I really do and don't worry! All I can say is that my son will regularly ask if he can visit his old nursery....he is now 8! :-)

My son had his 8th birthday party at the Dulwich Pizza Express last year. We did Sunday morning 10.30-12 (didn't finish till 12.30) - we all loved it. Morning party worked well - the kids were nice and chilled (17 in all), had the room upstairs and the restaurant didn't open till 11 I think so not hectic downstairs. They ate dough balls first and then made pizza. We played pass the parcel while pizzas were cooking and did the little worksheets. Had brought arts and craft stuff but no time. Had also brought cake from home. It really was a lovely morning - so glad we chose it!

Just received this via Parent Mail. Overall effectiveness it got a 'Requires improvement' (3). At the last inspection it got a 'Good' (2). Disappointing...

Oh yeah you better believe it! I enjoyed spam as part of my Hawaiian fried breakfast last year in Hawaii!! It was the most wonderful pile of egg, spam, potato and cheese with the mandatory stack of pancakes on the side.....I then rolled off to the beach....bliss!

And the weather has been amazing there this summer fingers crossed it continues!

There are some lakes but my memory fails me - sorry! There are mosquitos - especially near wooded areas but it really varies on the weather. Have you tried visitdenmark.co.uk? Loads of summer houses for rent in Denmark and the school holidays are over now. Rent some bikes - great country for cycling!

Yeah - go go go! Denmark really is very nice - us Danes (even the ones that have chosen not to live there) are proud of our land! ?rhus is a lovely city and is surrounded by nice forests and with several beaches near by. I also second Bornholm and Gilleleje! Other nice places are South Funen (Syd Fyn) with it's islands as well as of course the West Coast of Jutland with it's vast sandy beaches. Down South Jutland (West Coast) you also find nice little islands such as Fan? (near Esbjerg where the ferry from Harwich comes in). Hope you enjoy yor trip! We happen to be there at the same time visiting the family - can't wait!

Thinking of driving to Belgium this half term for a week at Centre Parcs. It's much cheaper there than here in the UK. Has anyone made that journey? Good or bad experiences with Centre Parcs outside the UK? Apologies if there's a similar thread on here. Appreciate any feedback as we need to make a decision! Thanks!

At her age, her Ca reqts are less than 800mg/day. I've been told the following: The daily calcium reqts for children are: 0-1yr: 525mg 1-3yr: 350mg 4-6yr: 450mg 7-10yr: 550mg From 11yr: 800mg (girls), 1000mg (boys)

Yes it's started again! Has been working perfectly for ages but now it keeps dropping out! I keep turning my modem off and on again and then it works for a bit when used with iPhone but will be back to EE next time I pick up my phone to go online. My computer does the same but when it's up and running it does seem to run for longer i.e. no problems with it dropping out during watching a film on Netflix. Frustrating but I'm keeping positive....hopefully back to working well again soon :-/

What a lovely idea! But....Mmmm I'm used to it being the other way around! :-) I'm Danish and have lived in London for nearly 17 years so the list of danish foods I miss is endless.... However when I travel back to DK for holidays, I do tend to miss/bring the following things (once the novelty of danish cheese, bread and sweets in abundance wears off - I miss or appreciate having some of these things in my suitcase): -Proper Tea!! (That would be day 1 of arriving - I now bring and store at my mum's, Tetley's Extra Strong tea bags....mmm I guess that almost makes me British :-)) -Plain Digestive biscuits (boring - I know) -Quality/posh ginger stem biscuits (ginger is good for nausea but may not quite cure extreme morning sickness :-/) -Oat cakes (for all that yummy danish cheese) -Aniseed Twists (though I do think we have something similar at home but can't remember the name) -British comedy DVDs!! -Downton Abbey!!! -Magazines (Grazia, Glamour, HEAT - yes I'm not ashamed to admit it) -Any Victoria Hislop book -l'occtaine Lavender handcream (can't get that where I'm from!) Hope this gives you some ideas....wishing your friend all the best in her pregnancy! Oh and don't forget to send your friend Sophie La Girafe for her baby....that's what I send to all the little new Danes of this world :-) Bx

Claire I gave PM'd you.

My son goes to Heber which luckily has a breakfast club (from 7.30am), (downside, cost ?10!). I think that's so expensive and by the looks of it other local primary schools have a cheaper service. After school club is also ?10 at Heber which I don't think is too bad as it's on till 6pm and they do loads of different activities. You get a week for ?35 (per club). It's great that so many primary schools provide breakfast club and after school club and I don't mind paying for that service even if ?10 for breakfast club is pushing it a bit!

ianc - thanks, will definitely be paying them a visit at Sylvester Road if it happens again!

This issue is so frustrating! Internet shopping is so handy but the stress when things don't arrive is again putting me off. Used to have issues with parcels going missing/no Royal Mail delivery notes received/parcels being dumped in my block of flats for anyone to help themselves to etc then no issues for a while, however recently it's gone wrong again! We were off on holiday and would be arriving back day before my son's birthday so to be organised I ordered his presents on Amazon (in advance) and none of them turned up (before our holiday or during it) despite them being shipped by Amazon really quickly after they were ordered. I called Sylvester Road (on Amazon's request).....was told 'if you aint got a slip from us love, it aint 'ere'! So that wasn't very helpful at all! I had to dash through Argos to empty them of Lego before they shut...so there were no tears on the big day! I asked Amazon for a full refund and will write to Royal Mail! Argh!!!

My son did suddenly recall assembly info this morning :-) I can see you all know it's about wearing the appropriate school uniform (polo, jumper, black shoes) which he does anyway and I have no problem with - actually I thought they had to! He doesn't have packed lunch anyway so no change for us. I think it's good of the school to try and encourage healthy eating. Will look out for the letter regarding birthdays....happy to not have to bake and cut out 30 slices and wrap them in tissue! (bad mummy) but my son is really looking forward to bringing in something for class mates for his birthday (Oct), but he'll survive if the rules change for next year. Regarding dietary restrictions - as nut allergy is the one main food allergy that can be potentially fatal most schools have a 'no nuts' policy and I'm sure the catering suppliers abide by those rules and regulations. The school can't manage foods coming in from home so it is up to us parents to make sure everything we bring in is nut free (even if only your child is eating it) - I always get a bit nervous about that and douple, triple check my cake mixture (though obviously I do try and bake from scratch...cough cough). For any children with other dietary restrictions (gluten, wheat, milk, egg, soya...the list goes on) this would be managed between the parents and the school/caterers directly with regards to the individual child as we can't start cutting out major food groups from the general school menu of course.

No - haven't anything about that. Better hold off on getting stuff then if it's all changing. Surely we should get a letter soon if that's the case.

Can't help as such but just to say that both my friend and I bought moses baskets on e-bay and they came in the post all wrapped in plastic so certainly seems that Royal Mail can handle it. I'm sure if you pop into the post office and ask them they would be able to advice on how to do it and the cost.

My 6 (nearly 7) year old son has suddenly got obsessed with football. He is already doing rugby but we may give that up if football turns out to be his real passion. Does anyone know of any football training/teams in the local area he could join. I believe JAGS does drop off, pay as you go football on weekends? Thanks all!

On Wed we went on the 6.39 to London Bridge and then Jubilee line. No problems at all. From walking to station to walking through security in Olympic park was 1hr 10min! No stress, no queuing however may be different now that the athletics have started! Not sure what everyone else is doing but worked for us. Enjoy - absolutely loved our 10hrs at the park and didn't want to leave!!

Ianc - something similar happened to me on Friday afternoon. I felt unnerved too by two teenagers on bikes watching me and cycling near me and my young child as we were walking up Crystal Palace Rd to Sylvester Rd sorting office to pick up a parcel. I crossed over to the other side of the road but they kept hanging around, pausing, looking where we were going. I know nothing happened - but I did feel uncomfortable and definitely felt like they acted suspiciously including stopping and watching us on the corner as we came out of the sorting office. I stood there for a bit and looked at them, walked off and then they were gone when I looked around. Anyway....my gut feeling just told me something wasn't quite right but as I said, nothing happened but your post made me think of it.

My son who's 6 really likes it too! The staff are really friendly and there are a lot of different sports activities available. It's very popular (lots of kids from different ED schools and local area) with a good mix of girls/boys/ages. I used to use JAGS but changed as DH is cheaper (?10/day cheaper!!) and the day is longer so fits better with my working day. I tend to use DH during half term - my son tends to go to New Gum Boots on Darrell Road during the summer holidays. Would definitely recommend DH!