Mellors

My daughter is also 30th August and started reception last year. I talked with the school beforehand about her going part time as I was worried about tiredness. She had about 2 weeks of only going in a few days/part days (their normal settling in procedure), and by the end of that she was FURIOUS when I said she might not want to go in every day (she loves it so much). So she went full time (and was fine, although ocassionally napped at the weekend).

I'm also a big real nappy fan - with three children (including two in bappies at the same time at one point - aarghh!). I liked two part systems when they were tiny (I used Tots Bots, although there may be new fangled ones on the market now - I started 6 years ago), then moved on to Itti Bitti snap ins at about 6 months. My kids are all quite small so I found that size medium lasted from 6 months until they were potty trained. Re drying - line and/or radiators, and also the Lakeland heated airer in winter. I have enough to last 2/3 days, and do them as a separate 40 degree wash.

Its mental. I looked for this half term Monday - Friday and it was well over a grand. Really?! We are trying out a youth hostel for the first time as a family. Private room, fabulous location in Devon, travel cot provided. Either cooked food by them (locally sourced, beer and wine etc, cracking breakfasts) or we can self cater. ?50 a night for five of us, even at half term. I shall report back!

I agree with what everybody has said above. Apply straight away, and go for a look round at the next opportunity. You have nothing to lose. You may get lucky and get a place in January, otherwise it will be September. Personally I never went for school nursery as the short day makes it impossible if you have to work. I'm also not convinced that its essential to getting to know the school. My (local) school hasn't got a nursery, so all the kids come from different places, but they are fine. You maynot get a school place there anyway. A decent private nursery should give you the 15 hours free anyway, so its not a cost thing.

I think the thing is that its difficult to make an objective decsion when 9 + months pregnant, tired and hormonal. There are slight increased risks in going post dates, and as a mother to be, who in most cases has done everything "right" for the baby during pregnancy, its hard to fly in the face of that knowledge no matter how remote. To my inexperienced ears it sounded like "your baby might die if you don;t do what you're told". Thats certainly how I felt with my first, despite knowing that my family history meant it a pretty sure thing that the baby would be v late. I felt unable to trust my instincts to just leave the baby alone to come in his own time, and pressurised by the "no more than 10 days" rule. By numbers 2 and 3 I was having none of it, and made that clear form the off, lol.

Yes - after horrid 1st baby induction/EMCS experience I refused induction with No 2 at 41 weeks (was eventually born naturally at 42+1 after a spontaneous labour), and again with no 3 (who, very considerately came along at *only* 5 days post due date). It was a bit of a fight with no 2 - they were nervous after a previous CS, but I agreed to close monitoring by midwives, and a growth scan at 41 weeks showed all was fine. I went in at 42 weeks, a Friday morning, for a consultation with Leoni Penna who advised me she would rather induce there and then, but we agreed instead to leave it for the weekend and that if it got to Monday morning (42 + 3) they would have me in for induction no matter what. Thankfully she came the following day. I had to be pretty tough to stand my ground, but ultimately my midwives and the consultants backed me up. In hindsight, with my first I would just have told them to get stuffed and waited it out, but I was scared (it was Tommys, not Kings first time).

It did sell fabric, although a limited range of Amy Butler etc at ?15ish per metre. I liked it, and used it quite a bit (although agreed it was expensive, but sometimes I just can't be bothered to trek to lewisham/Lavender Hill/Brixton for haberdashery). SharpWorks in herne Hill is great for yarn, neeles etc, btu limited on the sewing side. I am mostly too scared to go in Fabric by the Mag after a few grumpy experiences, and think its mostly upholstery type fabic rather than dressmaking.

I've just PMd you as mine has also just started too.

Not only are my three children all like this, but they seem to all run in different directions ALL the time, without a care in the world for danger. Trees/streams/climbing/hanging off precipices - all just adventures. I even managed to lose one once from the enclosed P Rye picnic area - was found eventually by a member of the public down by the outdoor fitness equipment. You know the stuff miles away - by the stream? AARGHHH. I exercise them loads, like puppies. Our garden is full of swings, trampolines, paddling pools, bikes, obstacle courses. They also seem to need feeding constantly. All day, every day, and there is nothing of them. I am already considering a second mortgage just for the shopping bill when they are teenagers. I have no idea as to answers, but I have learnt to avoid stressful situations (lunch out where they *have* to sit down, kids music classes, any public transport which lasts a long time and where people will tut at me etc) and play to their strengths - camping trips, Beavers for the oldest, forest schools, walking to school, football, park, climbing, swimming etc. I take heart in the fact that I was like that and my mother still seems almost sane...

I live opposite Wells Park with my three children. Its lovely - really nice space for the children (new tennis courts, and table tennis), good community feel (we know all our neighbours) and we walk through the woods to our school in ED which is loads of fun. Also 12 mins on train to Victoria from Sydenham HIll, and overground to everywhere else. We swapped a v small space with no garden in ED for twice the space and a big garden here for the same money - seems like a no brainer to me. Cons - it costs a fortune to move, you don't have trendy bars/restaurants/shops on your doorstep, and its easier with a car (although parking not an issue).

Horniman Primary School is a forest school. All children in Key Stage 1 do lessons outside every week, rain or shine. they mostly use the woods which are within the school grounds, although sometimes go to Sydenham Woods etc. Its brilliant, mine love it.

They don't do it at Horniman, but the children do go in for four mornings at the end of the summer term before they start in September.

Clarke & Clarke do a nice range with Scottie dogs and retrievers - for cushion making etc rather than dressmaking (a bit thicker). This Ebay shop will give you an idea, but if you want to see it in the flesh (its much nicer), they sell it at Fabrics Galore on lavender Hill (Clapham Jct on Overground or 37 bus stops outside). http://stores.ebay.co.uk/A-H-NAYLOR-TEXTILES/Clarke-Clarke-/_i.html?_fsub=1515310017

Another vote for Puddleducks. My third child is about to start there in September :)

A MASSIVE thanks you to everybody who responded to this thread. The decision has been made - I have just accepted a job to work four days a week (uesday - Friday from September, so a minimum 6 month contract, but most likely until next summer holidays. So......an au pair it is! I am actually really excited now about the prospect of having somebody from abroad living here. The children are dying to have somebody new and interesting around, and learn all about their culture and language. I have advertised on au pair world. I basically need somebody to take sole charge of the children from 8 - 9am, then 3.30 - 6/7 from Tuesday - Thursday. The oldest two will be in school, and the littlest (hopefully) in nursery some/all of the time. I am looking for somebody 25+, as they need to be able to drive, and am planning to give them a travel card and gym membership we well as good wages, bed and board. I really want them to be part of the family 9as much as they want to!), so fingers crossed we find somebody nice (Please PM any recommendations!). One final question - how do we feel about male au pairs? My two boys (6 and 2.5) would love it, my husband is cool about it (I think he sees sport-watching potential with another man) and I think it might be quite good fun. It doesn't seem to be a popular option though - and I am slightly worried, undoubtedly unnecessarily about my 5 year old girl? As ever, I would love to hear your thoughts, wise mummies!

The water is on in Wells Park if that helps (363 bus stops at the top of the road, walk down).

Hi all I am considering whether or not to take on an au pair next year, and would be really interested in any advice on your experiences/how it works/is it a good idea/what to watch out for. We are a busy family of five - children aged 2, 4 and 6. Oldest two are at school, youngest at home/possible part time nursery. My husband is away a lot during the week and even if not works long hours, so I do all the running about. I am thinking that having somebody who lives in who can do drop offs/pick ups etc would be easier than my current frantic arrangement (before and after school clubs and a childminder). I hope to be working 3/4 days a week. Do you use an agency (and if so do you have one to recommend)? I would need somebody who can drive (and handle three youngish kids). Also - how does it work with somebody living in your house? We have a large double spare room (enough room for a computer table/TV etc) with a shower room, and also a spare living room/playroom that they could use. Is it weird havinm somebody live in, or is it ok? We have had nannies in the past and its been great, but they were live out and its now too expensive. Any advice would be really, really helpful.

Horniman Primary also run Forest Schools on site. The kids go and do lessons outside (rain or shine!) and make fires/toast marshmallows/have hot chocolate once a week. They also go on trips to other local woods too e.g. Sydenham for lessons/treasure hunts.

I moved to Upper Sydenham (Wells Park) from ED and highly recommend it. Plus points: - twice the house for the money, plus a big front and back garden, and I can park outside. - Great parks/greenery - better public transport (12 mins from Sydenham Hill - Victoria, so 30 mins door to door to Central London), or Overground for Islington/Canary Wharf/02. Husband still cycles to work, but College Rd is one for the fit! - good nights out in Crystal Palace, or jump on train to Brixton for Brixton Village/cinema - good butchers, fishmongers, bakers, coffee shop, fruit & veg etc - walk to school through lovely woods following Green Chain Walk (to Horniman). I think generally the schools are good? - walk down to Dulwich Park/Lordship Lane or there are tons of buses I have no idea why its cheaper over here - to my mind it should be more expensive!

Sydenham - would Dulwich Woodhouse let you use the space? Plenty of room there. Or the hall at the church on Jew Walk, or the one on Sydenham Park Rd?

I am a mum of three kids aged 5 and under (youngest 18 months) and all i have to say about that list is HAHAHAHA. If I manage to get all three of them dressed in reasonably appropriate clothes, with shoes and coats on, and with various book bags/water bottles/forms to be filled in and having had something, anything, for breakfast and all of them (without forgetting one or two) at school/nursery/childminder/at home at a reasonable time then I consider myself to be a magnificent success that day, and a "proper mum". Snacks/nappies/wipes/toys/books are things to be bummed off other mums who are more organised. You'll get a manky banana in the bottom of my shit-tip of a bag on a good day. Sleeping through the night - must inform youngest that 3am is NOT the time to party, and oldest two that no, dragons can't get in your bedroom at midnight if the door is shut (can they?). Being a proper mum IMHO is when your children love you, want to spend time to you, talk to you, cuddle you, and call for you if they need you. Not having a clean floor, or serving supper at bang on 5pm.

Sounds like a UTI? My daughter has had them from time to time with the same symptoms and needed antibiotics to clear it up - its v common in young girls. I'd take her to the GP and get it checked.

Has she only been in her big bed a week? If so I'd say its just a phase and she will get over it pretty shortly. No 1 son used to do this. I can't remember quite how long it took him to realise that bed was comfier than the floor, but he did after a short while. It will pass, dont worry!

I'm surprised yours get that much done in the time. My house is about the same size as yours Pickle, and is generally already reasonably clean/tidy when they arrive. Mine do 4 hours (between two of them), and quite often have to do an extra hour to get things finished. They do change all the beds, but no way would they have time to do ironing as well?

I've used Itti Bitti D'Lish with a paper liner for Nos 2 and 3 and loved/am loving them (as much as one can do with a nappy!)