EmmaCC

James - I'm afraid that your comments don't placate my anger at what YOUR coalition government has done... as a liberal you should be appalled at the cuts that your own party is supporting just to get a slice of power. You actually visited me whilst on your campaign trail - I told you that I was a labour voter but was disenchanted by the current government and I also said there was no way in hell that I would ever vote tory but that I would consider a vote for your party. I then asked you lots of questions on the lib dems policies for working families - including whether you would safeguard child benefit - you didn't know the answer to any of my questions which was off putting enough...you then assured me that you would send me a letter outlining how the lib dems would support families where both parents went out to work - you didn't bother! I for one am sooo pleased that I didn't vote for your party just so that you could join up with the tory party! I'm sorry to be harsh but I think you've got a cheek coming on this forum trying to defend these kind of actions! You can say that statistically the richest 15% of families don't need CB and put that way it sounds reasonable BUT earning 44K plus when you live in London with massive housing costs and with no help for childcare costs, I can assure you there is little left at the end of the month even on that salary... I actually agree - cut child benefit for the millionaires - but for people earning over ?44K - what a joke!

Thanks so much for all the replies - they make very interesting reading! We've decided to focus our search on the Horniman side of FH and Honor Oak in a bid to get a bit more space but stay within reach of ED...finding a 3 bed house to rent in these areas is proving difficult at the moment but hopefully we'll find something soon. Thanks again, Emma

I went for the first time on Saturday between 12.30 and 1.30. This session has one lane and the rest is general swim. I didn't think that sounded ideal for a few gentler lengths carrying my watermelon but the grandparents were babysitting number one so had to take advantage! I actually really enjoyed it - didn't venture into the fast lane for obvious reasons but found that myself and a few other swimmers kind of made our own slower lane next to that lane and the families/general swimmers stayed over to the other side...It wasn't as busy as I had feared it would be either... I'm about 28 weeks pregnant so not of whale like size just yet though there were times when I was a little nervous that the bump was going to get a kick...I would recommend that if you can make it then go for a session where the whole pool is dedicated to lane swimmers and then you can opt for the slow/middle lane... I'm going to try one of the evening lane swims this week but sure the best time to get a peaceful swim would be in the mddle of the day as it will be less busy - so if you're already off on maternity leave then that could be the best option.. Oh and the pool temperature was fine - I'm a wimp when it comes to cold pools and it wasn't exactly like getting into a warm bath but I dind't think it was any colder than the main pool at peckham and once I'd started swimming it was plenty warm enough (still not sure I'd take my toddler though - a bit too cool to be standing around!)

I know this is a bit of a random one but always enjoy reading the advice on here so here goes...just wondered if anyone could offer a view on our moving dilemma.. I'm 6 months pregnant with our 2nd baby (No1 is 2 years). We currently rent a 2 bed garden flat in central East Dulwich. We are looking to move (renting again) before the next baby is born, to a 3 bed house - we need more space than we've got in our current flat and a third room so my mum etc can come and stay - all the relatives live miles away and am really hoping for their help when number 2 arrives (so 3rd bedroom not for the newborn really as he/she will be in with us and then hopefully in with my daughter) We have been looking for a couple of months now and we constantly seem to be faced with the same dilemma - for our budget we have the choice of a small 3 bed house in East Dul with small garden or a bigger 3/4 bed house in say the Catford side of forest hill with a larger garden. I'll be on maternity leave for 6 months from Jan so spending far more time at the home than usual so where we live for the next year or so is an important decision...albiet I accept not as important as if we were buying the house... I suppose my question to people (especially those who have had 2!) is - would you go for more space in a (dare I say it less desirable area, no offence to FH intended!) OR would you stick with central ED where we are at the moment, with loads going on and sacrifice space? I've lived in ED for the last 5 years and have to admit the thought of moving v far is scary... A friend suggested to me that you don't need a big garden anyway when the children are that young as they're not eactly old enough to want a game of football and to be honest we have a fairly big garden where we are now but we only seem to use the front part where the eating area etc is...We plan to rent for about 18 months to 2 years.. unless we win the lottery before then and can afford to buy! I'd be interested to hear any views people have... many thanks in advance...

I can make the 9th too if that's good for others?

Have to say that due to baby coming 5 weeks early, we hadn't washed ANY of the clothes we'd bought for her! She was in the special care baby unit at Kings and I explained this to the nurses there who thought I was mad to worry about that and told me it wasn't necessary to wash it at all! This advice relating to a baby who was ill at that point means I can't believe it can be that bad if you don't wash anythiny...saying that, am pregnant with 2nd one now and am sure I will wash everything just to be sure!

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions - I went for the easel from the ELC in the end (thanks Candj)... and yes, Granny has already bought her the obligatory pink mini micro scooter for her birthday!

Hi, Sorry I've only managed to make the first meeting so far and it's my little girl's 2nd birthday on Saturday so can't make it. Will definately come to the next one though...

My daughter is 2 on Saturday and I'm wracking my brain for ideas of what to buy her,... and also suggestions for relatives who keep asking for ideas when I can't think of any! I'm sure this makes me a very unimaginative mother but does anyone have any ideas?!!

Just wondered if anyone could recommend a website for buying a table and chair set for a toddler (2 year old girl). It's going to have to go in the living/dining room so something tasteful but fun for her would be great... Thanks in advance...

Was great to meet everyone last time... not sure I can make this one but will try. I would suggest Green and Blue rather than Le Chandelier if toddlers are going to be there... lovely as it was last time, it really is not a child friendly place from my experience of taking just one in there...they were particularly unwelcoming, even on a weekday.. nevermind if there are going to be a few of them running round!

Saturday sounds great, looking forward to meeting you all!

I'm also pregnant and went to Peckham Pulse swimming for the first time last night. I'd really recommend it, was the first bit of exercise I've done in 4 months as have been so knackered but it was great! However, if you have the option to go in the day, rather than the evenings then I'd opt for that. last ngiht was pretty busy even in the slow lane and so not sure I'd fancy being heavily pregnant with all those people around me. If you check on the website there's a timetable showing when the adult lane swimming is on ... oh and don't let the lane swimming thing put you off... the people in the slow lane were very slow... if they went any slower they'd stop so don't worry about that!

I'm also working - 4 days a week so a weekend would be best for me too - perhaps a coffee one Saturday? I'd probably aim to come without my toddler as not sure I'd be able to have much of a conversation with her there at the moment!

Hi, I'm expecting baby number 2 at the beginning of January and would also be keen to meet up! Emma

Snowboarder... your last post really made me laugh as my 22 month old girl spent half an hour playing with the gates at the swings the other afternoon..It was hot, I'm pregnant (but not obviously at the moment) so I just sat on a bench and watched her! I'm sure some of the other mums were looking at me thinking that my daughter was a bit odd and I was a v lazy mummy for just sitting on a bench and watching her do it rather than encorouging her to do something more stimulating! But hey ho - whatever keeps them amused for even 10 minutes should be appreciated! x

I'd second A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.. it's such an amazing, moving book. Me and my hubbie loved it so much that we named our daughter after the heroine of the book, a wonderfully strong woman! It's a great read ..about the treatment of women in Afghanistan, which probably doesn't sound too appealing but such a brilliant read. Also the Larsson trilogy.. half way through the 3rd and they're addictive. The other book I'd really recommend is The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen... funny and sad in equal measures!

Just bumping this post up in the hope someone might have a suggestion... I'm also looking for aquanatal classes... any ideas? Thanks

This may be a silly question but do all state schools have nursery places for 3 year olds? If not then is anyone able to give me an idea of which ones do? We're about to move to a different part of east dulwich/forest hill or honor oak and have schools in mind but now think we should also take this into account too?

I'm so glad that I read this thread, particularly your post Nappy Lady ...my baby is 14 months and her eating hablts have changed completely in the last 4 weeks. She used to be a brilliant eater, literally anything I put in front of her... spoon fed and finger food. But 4 weeks ago for no apparent reason she has become really difficult at mealtimes... she will eat weetabix, youghurt and toast until its coming out of her ears but all the other much more nutirtious dishes she loved before (literally used to purr with delight at spag bol, chicken and veg etc) she now refuses to eat (and particularly hates being spoon fed, literally turns her head away and pushes spoon away without even tasting what's on it!) ... it is soooo disheartning when you have slaved over an AK recipe for it to end up all over the floor...tonight I gave her pizza with fresh veg on top (seems a waste at the moment defrosting a fresh meal from the freezer!) which she would previously have LOVED but she threw 1/2 across the room and mushed the other 1/2 into her tray as though polishing it! Honestly, its so frustrating that for the first time in 14 months I actually felt quite angry with her... until I told the story to my mum (doting granny!) over the phone who thought the whole thing was hilarious and I actually saw the funny side! I think as mum I see it as a really important part of my job to make sure she's getting fresh, healthy food and feel I'm failing on this at the moment... I think this thread has actually put my mind at rest that she's just going through a phase... she's lost a bit of weight, but not a worrying amount .. I think it's just the frustration at why she's changed from being a brilliant eater into this... but I guess that's the joy of children once you think you've got something sussed they change just to keep you on your toes! x P.S.She is drinking more milk (cow's milk) surely as a result of eating less ... not sure if I should cut down on this in the hope she'll eat more though seems a buit cruel to do that and not sure it would even work as she sometimes refuses lunch even though it's been 4/5 hours since bottle of milk .. any views anyone?

Good on her for going out...why shouldn't she if her baby is being cared for by someone she trusts? My family don't live close by but we take every opportunity when they're here to go out as a couple and have a conversation that's not interupted by the baby or domestic chores taking over! It also makes you appreciate the baby so much more when you go back! Interesting that no one has even questioned why Wayne was out???!!!! Putting aside possible breastfeeding, he does have 50% responsibility!!!

I walked past mins after it had happened and was told by the woman at the flower shop that the man had fallen into the road and a car had run over his head. It looked very bad. Poor man. I really hope he is OK.

I walked past mins after it had happened and was told by the woman at the flower shop that the man had fallen into the road and a car had run over his head. It looked very bad. Poor man. I really hope he is OK.

I can put you in touch with a colleague who does employment law...have sent you a PM.

Should have also answered the question myself ... I used Aptamil - I based this decision on the fact that this was the formula recommended to me whilst my baby was in the special care baby unit at Kings so I figured it must be the one to use ... have since spoken to friends whose babies were also in special care and they were told to give SMA, so that blows that theory... I'd go with what your baby likes - think they're all pretty much the same...