Mellors

I am probably pretty slack, but it wouldn't worry me tbh. We decided early on that school books are boring anyway (Tim, Tam etc - uurgh), so we read whatever we like all the time - lots from the library and at home. Both my kids are great readers now (Yr 1 and Yr 2), which to my mind is the main aim. They are interested in books because they get to pick topics that suit them (even if they wouldn't be my choice!) - just like in "real life". I just told the teachers this was what we were doing and they were fine with it.

That would be great, thanks Belle. I'm off to browse Guardiian Home Exchange....

Also Chatham Docks - masses of space to run about and a small soft play (plus you get to ge in a submarine - cool). Museum of London Docklands (at Canary Wharf) has a cool soft play and interesting exhibitions (free) Museum of London is v interesting (actually my favourite) and free Kensington Palace Gardens when the weather is nice Whistable for the seaside and chips on the beach Dungeness Railway (but further away) Tons of National Trust - I love Scotney Castle (they did a cool murder mystery there for kids last year) and Chartwell (Winston Churchill's old home). Leeds castle (fab but expensive) Hever Castle Ooh, can you tell I've been at this game for years ;)

My mind has turned to this year's holidays and I am wondering about a house swap. We are planning to have the whole of August off in Europe (flexible as to where), and I think it could be a great idea both from a financial perspective and because it would be lovely to swap with another family so the house we go to has toys etc (and vice versa). I think our house is well set up for it at this end. Has anyone ever tried it? How did it work? How did you find your swapee? NB if anyone knows somebody who would be interested in swapping let me know :) Mel

Sole charge of under 2s not recommended for au pairs (they are untrained youn girls, not childcare professionals). Also they are only meant to work 25/30 hours a week, so long days not feasible. Agencies won't place them with you althoguh you could possibly get one via the net. I think you need a nanny - much better for a very young child to be in a home environment for long days as they can e.g. be put to bed if you are back late, and not have to get up in the morning before they are ready. Nanny will take them to playgroups etc for socialising, and you will also get the benefit of extra jobs round the house e.g. tidying up, making meals. Long days not a problem, but they are expensive and you will be their formal employer, so you will need to pay their tax/NI etc. Shout if you have any questions!

I love how kids wake up like each day is a massive new adventure, and cry at bedtime because that adventure is over. I wish I was like that as an adult - I tend to be the other way round these days :D

Riley sounds wonderful. As is each and every one of our children on their own merit. End of.

Big rugs over wooden floors in winter.

St Stephen's (the lovely church at Sydenham Hill station) has its crib service at 4pm on Christmas Eve. http://www.ststephensdulwich.org/

Hi - not really difficult to get on prescription once you have seen the right doctor and figured out what works - I now have a permanent repeat. He's been at DMC since birth when it became apparent (he is now seven). They prescribed various creams/bath things etc etc and we gradually worked out what worked for us over a period of a couple of years (thankfully with the lovely Dr Sathia - some of the others were useless). Once we had it figured out we got a repeat prescription and have a six montlhy review unless there is a bad flare up in the meantime (although I also hold steroid cream for use if it does).

Not everyone can travel at different times though (I can't), and surely leaving London is a tad extreme?! Agree with the moving down the carriage though. So annoying.

My boy has eczema, and (after much trial and error) its mostly deal with via Oilatum bath oil and Aveeno moisturiser. We get them on prescription, although both are available in the pharmacy. Also don' tbath too often - we were advised once/twice a week, just wipe with a wet flannel if mucky in the meantime.

Going into town you can now do College, Burbage then Milkwood Road to join up with the CS7 at Stockwell with barely a wrinkle in the road surface. The section from Loughborough Jct to Stockwell finally has cycle markings on it, its SO much better. I go that way rather than Lyndhurst/canal/Burgess park now.

As one who lives nearby and has had traffic HELL for the last few weeks all I can say is thank goodness! Early Christmas present :)

I also have a 7 year old boy and 4 year old girl (and a two year old boy). I find the key to it is a) keeping them fed (hungry children = grumpy), early bed times - the lot of them are asleep by 7pm on weeknights (tired children = grumpy) and lots and lots of fresh air and space. They get kicked out in the garden to make dens all the time, or the park. Even with headtorches in winter sometimes, and certainly all the time at the weekend when its light. I have also banned non-kid technology - I'm sick of fights over the phone or Ipad, and we don't have things like DSs/gameboys. It is harder in winter though, with the TV calling. Its also normal! I once smacked my sisters head off a radiator (hard) in a fight over a Girl's World doll. She lived and we are now best friends :)

Lyndhurst is a shocker. In stark contrast to the newly resurfaced College Road and Burbage Road in the Village, which are like riding on a silky smooth pathway to heaven....

I travel from Sydenham/Forest Hill to Whitechapel daily. Its absolutely horrendous every morning in the 7.30 - 8.30am slot (can't comment on earlier or later), even from stations further down the line. I'm surprised you got on at all at HOP. I cycled today instead - relatively speaking it was a breeze!

I've met the new head and she seems absolutely lovely and full of ideas and enthusiasm. She is coming from a school in Lambeth, so is local. The Governers were heavily involved in the recruitment process, as it is a snall school with a distinct ethos (Forest schools etc), so we were all keen to get somebody who would fit in and support that. It is a very collaborative school. Personally, I am excited about it (mcuh as I love Julia the existing head). Have you seen this great article about the school? http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/zurich-school-competition/horniman-primary-pedal-power-static-bikes We are now building a greenhouse out of old sqaushed 2 litre bottles :)

?8 - ?10 an hour.

She did also tidy up toys, leave bathroom clean after the kids were in their pajamas, sorted out milk for older ones etc. I paid by the hour, and she was flexible on timings - all extra cash for her as she finished Uni mid afternoon :)

Hi Congratulations! I had exactly this when my third was born. I had somebody to come in from about 4.30 - 6.30 a few days a week until I got on my feet. I found her via here - she was a lovely speech therapy student. It was summer so she basically played with the older two in the garden (age 3 and 4 at the time) whilst I fed the baby loads. She then did the big ones supper (I just had pasta & sauce, fishfingers etc in). I did baby bath and settled baby down to sleep whilst she bathed the older two and got them in the their pajamas and then I took back over at 6.30 - 7 for stories etc with the big ones. It was a lifesaver - it meant I got baby in a good, peaceful routine early on, and still got quality time with the older ones after he was in bed rather than being a shrieking wreck! As I was in the house anyway I wasn't as fussed about somebody with r.g. nanny qualifications - just somebody hands on, fun and helpful. I hope thats useful - PM me if you need any more info. Mel

I stayed here on honeymoon: http://www.palazzobelmonte.com/ It was heavenly - gorgeous food, swimming, luxury rooms and totally kid friendly whilst being special. The town is typical Italian seaside and totally welcoming to children. Fly to Naples and hire a car - also great for going to e.g. Pompeii, Herculaneum etc. I was pregnant at the time with no 1, and we have promised to take our (now three!) children there for our 10th wedding anniversary :)

I am lit up like a Christmas Tree, with a helmet and high viz jacket as well. I stop at every red light and position myself properly in the road. Just this morning on my cycling commute into work I had: 1. Pedestrian didnt look my way and stepped out in front of me, nmearly bringing me off my bike (I swerved and stoipped). 2. A car not look and turn left across me (on the phone), also nearly knocking me off. 3. A van hooting his horm and hassling me when I was in the right filter lane coming up to a red light so he could race past me (to sit at the lights alongside me). Unlucky? Maybe, but not unusual.

the man with a van Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- most cyclists do not stop and traffic lights anyway What a load of bollocks. Some don't (and they are idiots, granted). Most do.

Honestly - nothing. I just don't do/get material things. I have the same handbag I've had for 20 years, I get my makeup and bath stuff with the shopping, the hobbies I have are simple (reading, crafts etc and I have loads on the go already). What I really want for Christmas is a nice, peaceful, quiet spiritual time with my husband and family (and not a shitload of debt in the New Year, please!). Makes me sounds properly boring, I know!