Moi23

They went up on the pavement and almost knocked a kid down. Nasty..

We have recently had a beautiful loft extension built. It was not your average conversion, as we had very specific ideas about its use and design. We decided to bring on board an architect to come up with the design and to then project manage. We really hit gold with Darren Oldfield (http://www.darrenoldfield.co.uk/index.php) who managed to take our ideas and put together a beautiful and thought through design. He diligently took us through the whole process and brought on board a team of excellent collaborators, including our contractor Michael Piludu of Urban Spaces (http://www.urbanspaceltd.co.uk/) Michael and his team took on the job with enormous enthusiasm. Their work was to a very high standard, with a great deal of attention to detail. His team were incredibly hard working, respectful and tidy (much appreciated). He has also been very diligent and quick following up all the inevitable snagging issues after the project was finished. We would be very happy to recommend both Darren and Michael for any future projects.

My son does Taekwondo at Goodrich on Tuesday evenings. They have regular assessments, they can gain badges and work towards getting different colour belts. All at a fee of course, but my son's really motivated by it, particularly now that he can do sparring. They're called mazuki, the website is http://www.mazuki.com/

Gary cheerfully restored lights to all the downstairs section of my house and sorted a few other bits and pieces. He was quick, on time and good priced. Good local electrician, will definitely call him next time I need an electrician. Number is 07872 178 044.

Hi everyone. I came accros this thread when I was having a look around for activities for my sons 2 and 5 that would involve learning Spanish. I'm a Spanish speaker but not being my first language I've not done a good job teaching them... I wondered if you all met up in the end and whether you have any suggestions. Thank you!

I don't think it's a western thing. Apparently humans pelvises became smaller due to bipedalism and our brains have become bigger. This has made birth harder and humans have benefitted from having fellow humans help out during the birth to avoid in particular tearing and other complications. I do think we're a far cry from a wild animal and its natural birth. I suppose we have naturally evolved to need/probably need help, be it an obstetrician, a midwife or whoever knows how to help a women deliver her baby in whatever culture you might be in. I do think there needs to be a choice, but always keeping in mind that things might not go to plan.

Ugh, if only I'd read this thread when mine was 2,5. I think I made every mistake in the book.... Still, he's a sweet boy now... School definitley helped!

I did find with my first that one day a week was quite tough, he never really settled. When after a year or so we went up to 2 days in a row, he seemed much happier. Then again, maybe he was just very sensitive to that sort of thing.

I distinctly remember deciding I wanted to be a 'yummy mummy' (taking the MILF interpretation) during my first pregnancy. Since then I can safely say I have failed miserably on this decision except on rare occassions, like weddings and fancy parties (and children with grandparents). I'm generally okay about that, what does get to me is that I have little else going through my brain other than my children. I'm biding my time as I know it will fill up again with none child related topics as they get older, its just part of job I guess.

Oh I wish I had some miraculous advice, I feel for him. I was teased mercilessly when I was a kid. The only thing I can say with utmost certainty, is that the more you let it affect you, the more they'll tease you. It all depends on his way of being, if he's a bit of a joker he can easily use humour, if he's quiet he can stonewall them until they get bored, if he's feisty he can verbally confront them, he needs to find his own way of standing up for himself. And if it starts to get out of control and starts to seriously affect him, then you might have to take action.

I noticed a leaflet in Elm Lodge Surgery (2 burbage road) arranging meetups for grandparents caring for grandchildren. I'm not sure if its attached to the surgery, but if you live close you could pop in and ask about it.

That's awful. I had that happen to me in mothercare in peckham when my first was a baby. I'd left my handbag hanging over the buggy handles and (very stupidly) it was open and my purse in full view. I keep a small handbag now with phone and purse which I always carry and another bag with kids stuff hanging off the pushchair.

It's a cosy time of year. I feel like curling up on the sofa and taking up knitting.

My son will start reception in september too. A large aspect of the first few months in my mind is the social relationships that develop. I believe schools are very reluctant to allow children to be away during these months because they end up missing out on these developments. Establishing good friendships could totally shape the attitude of the child towards school. The reason I say this, is when my son was younger I had terrible difficulty settling him in 2 days at nursery. When he went to the school nursery I was really dreading it, but actually the daily continuity really helped and to my surprise he loved going to school. Of course every child is different and you have to always take that into account. Perhaps a good chat with the teachers (do they do home visits?) to figure out whats best for your daughter and keep an open mind either way. Can't help agreeing that however wonderful and stimulating the home environment can be, it will never quite offer the same as a classroom. It is all part of the process of growing up and gaining independance, otherwise I almost feel you're holding them back.

cuppa tea Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > > Don't worry, my 4 year old's been going to bed at > around 9.30, last night 10!!!! Not quite sure how > this has happened, but in some ways it works quite > well - no battles at bedtime, which were taking up > to 2 hours out of an evening at night with us > going up and down the stairs and him bouncing > around on his bed. Very stressful. He's up at 8.30 > though, so there is a benefit. Needless to say I > am not that strict! > Will have to sort it out before school in > September though.....gulp! We're similar, my eldest (4) often goes to bed 8:30/9 and even later at weekends. Dad often comes home late and when I was working I did really long hours, so it sort of worked that way. Oh and he does sleep till 8/8:30 which is glorious! However, when he started nursery and had to be in for 9, life became very stressfull indeed. I've had to implement an earlier bedtime and once he starts reception definitely asleep by 8 or he'll just be too tired. Trouble is, I know we'll get rather lax over the summer, so it's going to be hard...