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I use kids toothpaste - orange or strawberry - which makes it more bearable - and generally try and make it fun, as with most things that tends to work. I encourage him to do it himself but he sucks it like you said so not ideal and I often end up brushing. I also sing made up song and that makes it fun too. If he isn't in the mood I tend to gently hold both his arms down by his sides and brush them for him quickly as I can. Wdnt worry too much, as long as you manage it once a day and build up to twice, encouraging him to be a big boy and do it himself, soon I doubt it will be an issue :)

Travel from ED to WD def easiest by car as buses not that reliable (as someone above said)... I would def suggest looking for accommodation in WD if you plan to use a nursery there, Rosendale Rd is nice and you will probably find a place quite easily as there always seems to be quite a lot of property for sale / to rent. Good luck!

My son is going to Bright Horizons soon - I have a friend with her daughter there and she loves it. My childminder also used to work there and recommends it. Plus I put my son's name down only a few months ago and already have a place - amazing! I also liked Little Jungle, My Favourite Nursery and have heard rave reviews about Piplings (tho pricey) and Mother Goose supposed to be nice too. I think you have to go with your gut instincts as everyone has different views and I have heard good & bad about various ED nurseries. Good luck with your search!

I am going to the football on Saturday, really wouldn't advise taking a toddler (tho my friend is planning to) - can't imagine they will get much out of it at this young age and it sounds a bit nighmarish even as an adult planning journey and what to take! Good luck if you do brave it with tot in tow x

Belle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That is interesting Fuschia...there was a story on > the bbc the other day about behaviour being > affected by breathing problems interrupting sleep > (e.g. adenoids/snoring), and the conclusion was > that that some children may be diagnosed with ADHD > or other behavioural 'disorders' when in fact > there is an underlying medical issue. I have watched something similar, although there appear to be little remedies and my son (2 yrs) has now been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Until now he has been full of beans but well behaved and understands boundaries. However, the last few weeks (when we have noticed a massive change in his sleep patterns - far worse snoring, almost choking sounds at times, constant movement around the bed, and his breathing so loud it has kept us awake concerned most of the night) he has started showing signs of being more tired in the mornings or when woken after his nap, and is more difficult to wake up. I had my adenoids and tonsils removed when I was younger for similar reasons (tho they diagnosed "narrow nasal passages" rather than sleep apnea) so sadly I think he has inherited my problems, tho slightly worse. If anyone has any hints or tips they might share - we have tried nose drops (saline and now have some with steroids that I really want to avoid using for obvious reasons and plus they're short term solution), air purifier, vicks and olbas oil / sweet thyme drops in his room in bowl of hot water to add moisture, windows open / closed... At wits end, none of us getting proper sleep and I want to avoid him having an operation(s) at this young age, especially as your adenoids apparently disappear when you are 7-8 years old. There are adult face masks you can buy but nothing seems to be suitable for toddlers - as with many problems like this I guess... Advice much appreciated from anyone who has experienced something similar. Saffron you seem to have a wealth of knowledge - so nice of you to share it with everyone, I for one find it incredibly useful :)

Honor Oak is nice, we almost moved there (but in the end people decided not to sell their house) so stayed in ED in the end. I would say that teh "ED effect" will def spread to Forest Hill and Honor Oak and they would be my first choices, or Brockley / Nunhead... I have a friend moving to Kent and she tells me there are grammar schools galore, which means saving on house prices as well as schooling :)

Our little boy (aged 2) has inherited my narrow nose, but he also seems to have sleep apnoea (where you stop breathing for a few seconds at a time whilst sleeping, along with having real difficulty breathing esp at night). We are going to arrange a private consultation as it has worsened lately (mouth/throat/nose seems very congested despite everything I try - nasal spray, karvol drops, vicks, raising head end of cot...) and I'm not sure how long we will have to wait for appt on NHS. Has anyone had similar experience with their child suffering from this and can anyone recommend a clinic or consultant? We were advised to go to the London Bridge Hospital by our doctor but when I did a bit of research nothing makes them stand out and it would be great to have a review by someone who has actually visited one of these specialists. Thank you, much appreciated.

Olympic Torch coming to Southwark Thursday 26 July In less than three weeks the Olympic Flame will tour our borough in the hands of 15 Torchbearers. It will travel across the Millennium Bridge, past Shakespeare?s Globe, down to Bricklayers Arms, and through the Old Kent Road before stopping for lunch at Harris Academy in Peckham before continuing on through Camberwell. The exact route can be found on our website alongside videos of our torchbearers telling their story and explaining why they were nominated. So get clicking and find out how near your home or workplace the Flame will come. This is an historic moment and we want everyone to join in, so on 26 July come out and cheer, wave flags and let the world know how proud you are to live in Southwark. To get in the Games spirit, we have decorated our streets with 2012 banners which you can see alongside the route and across many of our high streets. Perhaps you are a local leader and have organised for your friends and neighbours to cheer on the Flame through our streets? If you haven?t signed up but are interested, you can sign up online. http://www.london2012.com/join-in/local-leaders/plan-your-event/index.html

Olympic Torch coming to Southwark Thursday 26 July In less than three weeks the Olympic Flame will tour our borough in the hands of 15 Torchbearers. It will travel across the Millennium Bridge, past Shakespeare?s Globe, down to Bricklayers Arms, and through the Old Kent Road before stopping for lunch at Harris Academy in Peckham before continuing on through Camberwell. The exact route can be found on our website alongside videos of our torchbearers telling their story and explaining why they were nominated. So get clicking and find out how near your home or workplace the Flame will come. This is an historic moment and we want everyone to join in, so on 26 July come out and cheer, wave flags and let the world know how proud you are to live in Southwark. To get in the Games spirit, we have decorated our streets with 2012 banners which you can see alongside the route and across many of our high streets. Perhaps you are a local leader and have organised for your friends and neighbours to cheer on the Flame through our streets? If you haven?t signed up but are interested, you can sign up online. http://www.london2012.com/join-in/local-leaders/plan-your-event/index.html

Olympic Torch coming to Southwark Thursday 26 July In less than three weeks the Olympic Flame will tour our borough in the hands of 15 Torchbearers. It will travel across the Millennium Bridge, past Shakespeare?s Globe, down to Bricklayers Arms, and through the Old Kent Road before stopping for lunch at Harris Academy in Peckham before continuing on through Camberwell. The exact route can be found on our website alongside videos of our torchbearers telling their story and explaining why they were nominated. So get clicking and find out how near your home or workplace the Flame will come. This is an historic moment and we want everyone to join in, so on 26 July come out and cheer, wave flags and let the world know how proud you are to live in Southwark. To get in the Games spirit, we have decorated our streets with 2012 banners which you can see alongside the route and across many of our high streets. Perhaps you are a local leader and have organised for your friends and neighbours to cheer on the Flame through our streets? If you haven?t signed up but are interested, you can sign up online. http://www.london2012.com/join-in/local-leaders/plan-your-event/index.html

Thanks :)

Health Matters are great, very helpful and knowledgeable. Hope it eases

Last year we went to olhos d'agua in the Algarve and lovely tho it was there wasn't much to see. I want to go somewhere that is family friendly but at the same time isn't overrun by Brits - I have read good things about Lagos but there dsnt seem to be a beach within reasonable distance and Monte Gordo is another consideration. Does anyone have any recommendations? I really liked Crete when we went because the place had a fishing village / harbour with local eateries and various places to wander around. I want somewhere with that relaxed feel, not too tacky, or we may as well head to Blackpool :)

The classes are on 11.30-12.30 for 2-3 yr olds each Saturday. Currently at ED community centre but they're considering moving to a park in Telegraph Hill that has a nice outdoor grass playing field and large indoor hall for the winter. I think coach Sophie is amazing, she lets them learn at their own pace, no pressure (tho there are a cpl of competitive dads I have noticed!), they do different activities with the ball to get used to it and build up weekly. My little boy has gone from carrying it around to now doing some of the dribbling exercises and loves the social aspect. All in all I think it's a great way to spend a Sat morning and let the kids run off their excess energy :)

I think it is a fab idea, my aunty is an artist so has offered to do one for us, but I think you should do a few ads (with photos )and put up in say Dulwich library, library on Grove Vale, and maybe leaflets in the park cafe and local cafes. Excellent idea for working from home. Good luck with that!

Hi there - as with above I would put Ofsted report aside and go with your gut / heart. Dulwich Wood has superb reputation and I think outdoor area very important. Speak soon, E x

Medela electric swing pump was excellent - worked well and very easy to use and to keep clean. Would def recommend and you might even find someone to loan you one to try out or to buy on the forum...

I'm doing this with my childminder's help at the mo and would suggest like above you just give it a whirl and see how your daughter responds. Main thing is to avoid force / pressure of any kind and let her do it in her own time. Well done presents great idea, we give stickers and generally make a big fuss every time he goes on the potty. After a few weeks he is now asking to go on the potty and is almost trained except for at night time and naps in the afternoon. Good luck but don't worry!!!

I'd say main point is making friends. I kept my money and just did King's classes - okay, not great. NCT def better in terms of information but not critical. Your choice at the end of the day. Had I had more money at the time I probably would have done NCT classes, to make more friends and support the NCT, great organisation! Tho I did in fact make 3 lasting friends at my King's classes as it turned out, albeit after we gave birth!!!

Love Jojo Maman Bebe but Next and Mothercare definitely great quality and last the duration

Someone just posted about available half days starting September - copied n pasted below... Is your child between the age 2-5 years? do you need a nursery space? My son currently attends Dulwich Montessori Nursery in St Stephen's Church and will be leaving in Sept as I am due to go back to work and their hours do not work for me. We are looking for someone to take my sons place, 9am-1pm every day, there is the option to extend this to 3pm if you wish. The term times are as follows; Autumn Term 10th Sept - 14Dec Spring Term 7th June 28th March Summer term 15th April 19th July I can highly recommend the nursery and my son has come on leaps and bounds while being there, it breaks my heart to take him out of somewhere he truly loves, the staff are friendly and have created great bonds with my son. If you are interested then please do not hesitate to contact me, you can visit their website for any additional information www.dulwichmontessori.co.uk.

Yep vest / ring cumbersome and take a while to blow up - go for arm bands, you will need to be with them anyway so wdnt worry too much but arm bands should keep him afloat :) I too have a 2 yr old!

Try the one opposite Little Jungle SE15, close to Adys Rd (Goose Green / St Johns school and church). Sorry I don't know their name but I do know they do half days...

Just wanted to put a note on here to say what great fun Little Kickers is - run at the ED Community Centre, Darryl Road, on Saturdays. Age from 2+ years. Works out about ?8 per session, block bookings only but they're flexible if you're away. Tel. 7252 1185 Bernie. The coaches we have - Sophie and Jamie - are excellent, very patient and it's obviously tiring so they sleep like logs afterwards :)

East Dulwich Community centre is a great venue for that large a number (you could consider less people and do it at Peckham Rye which has soft play and small party area for say 30 people inc adults & kids)...