Princess

Just to second the Polka Theatre. We left ED just over a year ago and we're so lucky to have it on our doorstep now. We're off to see the toddler version of this http://www.polkatheatre.com/whats-on/too-many-penguins in a couple of weeks. As your son is a little older he'd probably be fine at the older performance. I really can't rate the Polka enough.

I agree with the 'teenage' comment. I stopped shopping at Bodyshop at about 16/17 years of age (a long time ago). I've only ever been into Lush once and was put off not only by the smell but the fact anyone and everyone could touch the products on display. Euurgh.

Similar here. Two kids, one very nearly 3 and the other 16 months. We get out together for a couple of hours after the kids are asleep about twice a year when my mum and dad stay with us. We're way to poor to be able to afford sitters these days so that's not even an option. For us a routine might be of some use. We're so bloomin' routine lead with everything else it might actually happen if we diarise it!

My eldest son is nearly three. He has just started attending small playgroup on a school site where I can leave him for a few hours in the morning. Joining the other parents on the school run was the first time it really occured to me I was a 'proper mum'.

Otta, I could have written the same post about my eldest son. He had absolute hysteria when introduced to anything resembling a potty or trainer seat. He starts nursery in Jan and whilst they can't discriminate against untrained kids, they admit they won't be hugely pro active at helping us when he is ready and there could be a degree of embarassment/teasing if he has permanent accidents whilst around his peers which could set him back. So, I decided as we have a quiet week, I'd have another shot today. He has been a little more receptive to a potty than ever before but having said that, he's on his 15th pair of pants already! I am determined we're going to make it to the end of the week this time but it's bloomin' hard! I know she's not everyone's cuppa but Gina does have some good tips. I am bored already of hearing my own voice saying "let's see if you can earn a smartie" literally every 15 mins whilst trying to lure him on to potty/trainer seat. So, sorry no advice just another very sympathetic parent here.

I'm not sure how to put links up to app store but this is the one I use as a screen grab. Kegel trainer by Olson Apps.

Oops sorry mis read post above.

I know this will sound a bit wierd but there's a free app called PFE that you can get for most smartphones. When my physio recommended it, I was a bit sceptical. But, it's great, I get an alert 3 times a day to remind me it's 'that' time and it works a bit like a very basic Wii fit for your pelvic floor. The excercises get harder as you feel you're getting stronger etc.

I had two kids 19 months apart and both were big! My second child is now 15 months and I am still under the care of various consultants and physios (both NHS and private) for my problems. We have all talked several times about surgery and every time it boils down to two issues 1) I'm only 95% sure I am definitely finished having kids 2) I don't have someone who can help me run around after/lift the kids whilst I recover. I am lead to believe the surgery is very successful but it's not something they do lightly and certainly the 'scoring' system on the NHS means things have to be pretty severe for you to qualify for treatment. However, when you get through all of that, things can happen quite quickly. I'm sorry I wasn't any specific help as I haven't had the surgery - yet. however, I just wanted to answer your post and say there are plenty of us out here in a similar situation. Good luck.

However bad the night before has been, I get up at 6am before everyone else, shower, get dressed, lay out kids clothes nappies etc, make sure their bags are stocked with snacks, water, nappies, wipes and changes of clothes, put our breakfast in bowls ready to just have milk poured on, take out and hang up the washing I did overnight and put another load in, get the buggy out of garage ready for morning outing and then I will wake/get the kids up at 7am. Whilst husband gets them dressed, I strip beds, put bins out or whatever needs doing on that specific day. We never physically visit the supermarket unless it's for 'bits'. We meal plan to within an inch of our lives so I know what I'm cooking for whom and when. I would be hugely lost without Amazon Prime who can get me pretty much anything I need the next day! I know it sounds hideously organised but it's just habit now and makes life ultimately a lot easier for us although my husband just doesn't get it!

Just had a quick peek. A very well done to your sister. It's a lovely slick website showcasing some VERY beautiful pieces. Shame I never plan on being pregnant again!

We went to the inflatable Stonehenge when it was in Cheam this weekend. Excellent fun for both kids and adults alike!

We have. We bought a maxi board that we could use between our Vibe and our Smart. TBH it wasn't hugely successful on the Vibe (kept banging my feet on it). Now, we just let toddler stand in doubles seat with his shoulders between handlebar and the rain hood pushed down towards younger ones toes in top seat. I'm sure there are tonnes of H&S reasons not to do this but it gets us from a to b quickly and everyone seems happy!

I had both my babies at Kings. The second one was born just as we sold our house. As a result, we put everything into storage for 6 weeks and rented an extortionately expensive short term let flat before we could move into our new home. We eventually moved in when our son was two weeks old. I understand how you feel! We now live over in Raynes Park and whilst my children weren't born here, my baby was very poorly just after we moved in. We have spent a lot of time at St Helier over the past year. I have to say I could not fault them at all and whilst the building looks dodgy the care we have has has been superb. I believe talking to other mum friends over here you can choose to go to Kingston or St George's as altwrnatives if you wish. Both of which are much closer than Kings. For me, I labour very quickly if I ever do it again, based on my experiences this far, I would be happy to go to St Helier.

I think it's a great idea. However, a friend of mine in N London looked into a similar thing and found all the rules and regulations for food prep impossible to work around. If you can get around all the H&S issues I'm sure there's a market for it. Good luck. Px

I have same dilemma with kids exactly the same age. We currently do a lot of classes and playgroups all of which happen in the morning. However, I think I've convinced myself to go for morning sessions for no.1 and take no.2 to as many of our regular activities as we can whilst making sure we're back in time to pick up no.1. I think for us and our lives it'll be much easier getting everyone out for 9am rather than squeezing lunch in and trying to get to nursery for 12.30pm. Not to mention the napping issues for both of them which shouldn't be affected by morning sessions. I'm not sure there is a 'perfect' solution tbh. Good luck! Px

Yes, as Otta says you can get hitched or just have your reception at the Horniman and then move on to the EDT or upstairs at the Mag. Neither were hugely expensive to hire (this was 4 years ago though) and solved the problem of the 11pm curfew and for us, gave our older guests the perfect opportunity to slip off.

Hi Ruth, the mumsnet local sections over here are VERY quiet. My post from last year is still on the first page! The NCT isn't hugely active over here either. I don't miss a huge amount about our ED lives although I've lost count of the number of times we've said we miss the forum. I now realise I met about 90% of my mummy friends first time around via the EDF!

Sadly we're not close to you Snowboarder but if there are any other exiles in the Raynes Park/West Wimbledon area I'd love to know!

We've literally just come back from a week in Devon with extended family and friends. I have a 10 month old and a nearly 2.5 year old and a surfing crazy husband to please! We stayed on a farm stay at a place called Little Comfort Farm http://www.littlecomfortfarm.co.uk/. As we were a big group we had The Mill House and The Brewery Cottages. I'll be honest and admit it was quite 'basic' but it was perfectly comfortable, Roger and Jackie who own it, were amazing with the kids and feeding the lambs and collecting the eggs every morning was a highlight for all. It is located very much in the countryside but the beaches were only a 10-15 drive away. So it suited us just perfectly! If you do end up in N Devon I have a list as long as my arm of things to do, feel free to pm me if you're interested. Px

Ditto both posts above. I can't fault Kings. Neither of my labours, despite being fast were completely straightforward. My community midwives didn't have time to make it to Kings first time and on the second occasion they worked alongside the team at Kings to ensure both my son and I were as comfortable and safe as we could possibly be. If it puts your mind at ease you can tour the labour ward and ask all sorts of questions. It helped me get it in perspective and have a vague idea what to expect.

I had it in both my pregnancies. Baby number 1 was always planned to be born in hospital. He came very quickly and we only just made it to hospital in time. As a result there was no time for me to have the antibiotics myself so we stayed in Kings for 5 days so the poor little mite could have them twice a day. This subsequently led to a nasty case of thrush for us both. As a result, we did consider homebirth for baby number 2. The midwives said I could deliver at home (seemed sensible if it was as fast as first time) and then we could both go to Kings for the antibiotics after delivery. Unfortunately, I had further complications at the end of my pregnancy so had a complete re run of first labour with the addition of an ambulance ride and again stayed for 5 days, got thrush but caught it very early on. Personally, knowing I had Group B, if i were to do it again (unlikely) I would still try and get the antibiotics inside me 2hrs before delivery at hospital rather than risk my baby's health. Even though the chances of them being affected are quite small I wouldn't take the chance. It really is a very personal choice though.

Take a look at http://www.etsy.com/shop/tiedyediva There are some really easy patterns that you just download, print and stick together. The step by step photographic instructions are really clear and easy to follow. Good luck and enjoy.

I'm not a fitness professional but am in a similar situation to you. I have been advised to walk, swim and try pilates. Nothing that will work off my mummy tummy though! If any sort of excersise doesn't feel right I have been told to stop immediately! Good luck with the physio. Mine is working but I accept it's going to be a long road to any sort of normality

womanofdulwich Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > if you possibly can get an au pair- even if it > means losing a room to them. I think the littlest one would be too young to be looked after by an Au Pair. I believe a child needs to be two before they can be left alone with an Au Pair.