hpsaucey

You can always ring the NSPCC Helpline instead. Their number is: 0808 800 5000. I know how you feel - tricky situation. BUT - this child is being abused if she's being spoken to like this! Whatever the reasons and whatever stress the 'mother' is under that cannot be right. Whether she just needs support/parenting/counselling or if its more serious the child's welfare has got to be the priority as she's vulnerable. Its always a personal decision but personally I'd ring the NSPCC or one of the other people suggested on here. Good luck - let us know how it goes????? H

Hi - did you get any help or advice???? I'd love to have them but can't (tiny flat with two kids in it already). Surely someone can help them??? H

Try these - they're about twenty quid! http://www.ryness.co.uk/SearchResults.aspx?txtSearch=dualit%20timer http://www.masterspares.com/dualitspares.htm

THat's a shame!

Yes it has one but for how long??? Nice that its there for a bit but I'd love to see it get some TLC rather than end up as bonfire fodder!!!

Has anyone else seen the piano by the main gates on Peckham Rye Park??? Don't know if this is an art installation or just dumping but sure gave a lot of people some fun. Can anyone give it a home???/

Yes - the usual I'm afraid. Babies do change their sleep patterns (usually when you just thought you'd got it sussed)! Teething/ growth spurt/ needing more milk or starting to think about solids but I guess the previous posts have it covered! Good luck!!!

Can I second Moos and Sillywoman. I do think its important, whilst knowing the type of birth you'd ideally like, to be prepared go with the flow. There will be good, bad and in between experiences of birth and EVERYONE"S will be unique. At the end of it there should be a beautiful baby and, however you get there, that is a wonderful, life-altering thing!

Depends where you are. There's a little area somewhere around Marmora/Mundania Road if I remember rightly where Fairlawn actually becomses your nearest community school so you are more likely to get in (unless the selection criteria have changed??). Helen

As someone who crosses Peckham Rye Straker's Road every day with small kiddies (off message - not Goose Green???) I'm pretty sick of running the dogpoo gauntlet and cleaning up dog cr*p from my buggy wheels and mine and my children's shoes. No offence to those responsible dog owners who DO clean up but I'll be personally glad to see anyone who doesn't prosecuted for it. The worst are those who walk ahead of their dogs and 'pretend' they don't know they've cra**ed! Maybe we should rub their (owners') noses in it, or maybe that's cats???

HI - I used the Natal Hypnotherapy CDs - Blo**y brilliant! Wanted to avoid a repetition of a fairly traumatic first birth. With the second the pain was obviously labour - i.e. painful - BUT it was manageable pain and I felt, because of the Hypnotherapy and pregnancy yoga (with Ingrid from Birthlight) totally calm and totally in control. Can actually say enjoyed my birth. Basically I reckon anything you think might help you to relax at all during labour is worth a go. Good luck! Helen

Toast - welcome to no man's land LOL!!! Have spent the last 6 years wondering where I live. Never quite sure what to put down as my address: 'not quite Peckham', 'not quite Nunhead'. Hhm. At least its peaceful. Quite happy staying on the 'dark side' of the park.

One until three/half three INSIDE, but until 4 OUTSIDE. Lots of fun and lovely staff. Helen

Think today is their first day open after hols.

Can I second the Ritzy! Lovely staff and usually seem to have a film for younger ones and one for older ones. Also other PIctureHouse cinemas - Greenwich and Clapham. Cheap too!!!

Very sorry to hear your news. Loved seeing Jed out walking with your Dad. Please pass on my best wishes. Good luck with the rescue cats!

Also try Ingrid at 'Birthlight'. She does the BEST preparation for birth - home or hospital - breathing techniques, positions, relates it to anatomy etc. (I've been to her classes and the Sitaram birth preparation class as well). She and the Natal Hypnotherapy CD's gave me an actually really enjoyable second birth (first time birth was full on hospital, posterior, epidural forceps etc.) where I could manage the pain and felt totally in control. PM me if you want Ingrid's details! Cannot recommend her highly enough!!! Good luck! H

HI there. I WAS a while ago - summer 2005 but I went to Kings for my first birth as they had told us it was highly unlikely' that we wouldn't be able to use a birth pool. How wrong this was. As 2005 was the start of baby boom round this ares there was no chance when I actually got there. I'd be wary of anyone telling you thay you'll almost definately be able to use one unless they've dramatically expanded their facilities since?(Maybe the comments above are more recent). Had my second at home with a birth pool. Gues if you're set on a hospital birth you could always hire one ane take it with you just in case there isn't a room free with one in?

My friend's son goes there so I'm afriad this is just second hand comments in passing from here. I think they think it's OK but they've found it a bit disorganised. Its taken months and months to get invoiced for their nursey bills and I think they've found the management a bit hit and miss (NB - this is management of the nursery - but I don't think this reflects on their care of the children although we didn't really discuss that). They got a new manager some time last year and a number of staff changed - high staff turnover CAN be a bad sign. I don't think they're going to send their younger one there when the time comes.

Probably too far for you but Ivydale seemed far more friendly and accomodating. Don't know how booked up they get though. Good luck!

Goodrich seem pretty disorganised although maybe its changed, so I wouldn't hold out on a place there. Put my boy's name down when he turned 3 - that was a year ago last June and we've never been contacted although they did tell ups we would be contacted last October. Apparently they only contact you in date of birth order when a place comes available, AND they won't even let you apply until you're little'un has already turned three. A friend applied and eventually (after almost a year) got offered a place but only if she could start 2 days later - rubbish!

HI - in response. I've used gas and air and TENS and had an epidural with my first - all helped. With my second, used TENS and hypnotherapy CD. Thought TENS was great. Guess it goes to show its a very personal thing. You may love it/hate it but might be good to have hired and tried it.I found the first time that I didn't think it was heping relieve the pain - then I turned it off and realised that actually it HAD been helping!

Or if you wnat ot support a relatively local chemist then hire it from Fourway at Herne Hill ( I try to supportthem since our own Maceys turned into Lloyds). Got a good machine and great advice and sevice from them. Also they have an offer: "FREE pack of Moltex mini when hiring a TENS machine for labour (?25 for 4 weeks)" Contact details: Fourway Pharmacy 12 Half Moon Lane Herne Hill London SE24 9HU tel/fax 0207 924 9344 e mail:[email protected] www.fourwaypharmacy.co.uk Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 7.00pm Saturday 9.00am to 6.00pm

HI there. I looked at it for my boy - also starting Jan 2010 but at Ivydale. I really liked it. The only reason I didn't put it down was because nursery for my younger one is totally the other direction and it would have been a complete nightmare to get everyone to where they need to be every day. We were shown round by the head who I really liked. Parents I've met form there all seem to like it too! Good luck!! H

Hhm - yes Sue its extremely flaky! One of my best friends - well I think she is - bought it for me. Have put off reading it for two years! You've obvioulsy seen reviews of it? Might try Green Metropolis - sounds interesting. Name - my initials are HP!