Ann

That's a great link ryedalema. When my daughter was born, number one was D Ream "Things Can Only Get Better." When I had my son Michael Jackson was number one with "Earth Song". Had no idea about either until now.

Out of interest, does anyone know why Thai Pavillion closed down? It was popular (but not cheap) when I moved into this area in the early '90's. Thai Cafe opened ,I think mid, '90's and has been popular since but to my knowledge has not changed it's menu since. I like Thai Cafe. You get what you pay for and BYO does help keep the price down. I wonder if it's popularity led to the demise of Thai Pavillion?

My son will be going, as will three of his school friends and he's bought a very large flag. We're not really a Millwall family but I agree it is an exciting event and they are local!

King's will definatley not offer home birth in the New Cross area even with caseloading midwives. I'm fairly sure New Cross comes under Lewisham Hospital in which case you would have to transfer your care to Lewisham Hospital. With such little time left you had better do it soon!

Gwod makes a very sensible observation. We do become 'hyper anxious' when we become parents for the first time. Those anxieties have long passed in my case but have been replaced by a comprehensive list of others when my children have grown older. I suspect the OP's worries stem from situations where you feel you have no control; caring for babies is a fairly full on job and takes over the lives of even the most laid back parents. As others have said, it is very rare for dogs to attack young children. Staffies for example are extremely affectionate dogs with the right owners. If ever, it is other dogs who are at risk from 'bull' type breeds. Dogs can be an unbelievably welcome addition to a family; we've owned one since our children started school. Ours is a Spaniel but I wouldn't hesitate to own a 'Staffie' in the future. I believe all dogs are safe in the right environment and I can understand concerns about 'Bull type owners' but all the ones I've encountered locally have always acted responsibly.

Anyone watching ? I thought tonight's show was great. From the non-guitar playing dog and embarrassing horse to the brilliant gymnasts ( this years Diversity equivalent ) and Christopher, the new Susan Boyle.

I noticed today that the scaffolding is coming down from the entrance. Hopefully that's a positive sign, let's all reassure ourselves it will be worth the wait. I think it's the best thing that will have (hopefully) happened in East Dulwich for years. Much more of a benefit than extra shops and restaurants although I welcome them too. I've lived here for nearly 20 years. I have happy memories of cheap 'family swims' when my children were very young, my daughter can now join me for 'women only' sessions. I expect the place will be mobbed when it first opens but probably settle down fairly quickly. Since joining this forum this has been my most searched thread and thanks to James Barber for your imput. I'm going to remain opptimistic and guess it will open early, rather than, late July.:))

Otto this is interesting, keep us posted if you get a result!

Well put Sue. Let's all hope it will improve in time. Personally I quite like the new layout but supply can be quite dire at times; I popped in before work last Saturday to find there were no fresh sandwiches at all! Some of the special offerds are quite good though.

There are 22 teachers absent from my son's school.

Anyone ever been to a nice park in france?

I agree with all the recent posts.. To anyone soon to have a baby, it really isn't appropriate to refuse an episiotmy at all costs. My second baby was a forceps delivery following previous C/S for breech presentation. I was delivered by Maggie Blott who was then a Senior Registrar, most of you won't know what a brilliant Obstetrician she is ( she no longer works at King;'s) . My cut was extensive but it healed well; God knows what mess I would have been without a cut. I felt the right decisions were made for me at the time. What no-one could have foreseen (including me) was the resulting haemorrhoid situation, I did not look human! That said it did all clear up over the weeks and more importantly it didn't stop me enjoying my newborn son.

Interesting comments east-of-the rye. I suppose my quandary is why any property owner would leave what is almost certainly a good rental property, unoccupied? Good luck to the squatters if they can live rent-free in the meantime.

I would truly love to own some chickens. I can sympathise with Fuschia; our much loved long haired guinea pig (Shaggy) was I believe dug out of his pen by a fox. I'm interested in a pen with a covered 'exercise yard'. We also own a delightful Springer Spaniel who can't be trusted around any animal as her sensitive nose will go into overdrive, so we have learnt to protect other animals from her. I really don't know what square footage chickens need. Our garden is not big but has a lawn area. What do people do cover absence through holidays etc?

Have you tried Petit Filous? I used to add that to almost anything when my daughter was a baby. I know it sounds daft but I don't believe very young children are food 'faddists', it's more about getting calories into a child to maintain growth. They will soon eat more normally as they grow older and learn to eat socially i.e at nursery, playgroups etc. Lot's of parents have been through your concerns, it sound awful but sometimes what's inappropriate for families in general is not always appropriate for a baby. Good luck. From my understanding children who are small in childhood don't necessarily remain small in adulthood, it's all down to their genes. Best wishes, Ann

I booked rooms at the Queen's Hotel at Crystal Palace when I got married some years back and had done quite a local search at the time. It should be fine bearing in mind most will only be staying for a night or two. Have a lovely wedding! Ann

Have you tried hand expressing for 24 hrs whilst giving you nipples a rest? They can recover considerably in a relatively short period of time. It sounds like your going round in circles but it's early days so stick with it.

Out of interest, where are local children getting into if not The Charter, Kingsdale or a faith school? I have to admit when I applied for my daughter (now year 11), no-one wanted Kingsdale due to previously bad reputation but I'm delighted that the standard has been raised to the point that it's now over-subscribed. Clearly parents have been disappointed. Conscious of the problems local families are having with primary school allocation now, wht's in store for those families in 6 or 7 years?

Didn't have Blackberries when my children were born. Come to think of it I still haven't got one!;-)

Yes, you can't help but worry about poor William. I wanted them to say at the end he's finally gone home but in effect, the poor little mite had outgrown the Neonatal Unit. Can't imagine at all what it can be like for those parents but once again I think the production team have done a great job.

Well obviously they were introduced by the Labour Government. My understanding was that it was meant to target underprivileged families form the off with the hope of preventing many of the problems these children can develop in later years; such as poor health, low achievement at school, tendency to crime etc. In that sense the programme has not really been in place long enough to realise any potential long term benefits and therefore justify the costs. Personally I think it would be a shame for the scheme to end. I'm sure many,many families have benefited from the scheme. If we're to be a bit cynical, well it's probably not much of a vote winner for the Conservatives. Indeed many of the women who have benefited may have never voted in their life! At least David Cameron's wife needn't worry, it was never going to benefit her anyway.

I agree, walked past it today, it has a nice fresh look. I suppose all Somerfields will be converted eventually?

I agree Sue. I was just making the point that Iceland is Ok and in my opinion unpretentious. It doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. There was a time when I would have gladly swapped for for a local M&S foodstore. Oddly enough it's what first got me interested in this forum; will Iceland be taken over by M&S? Quite honestly I've formed a bit of an attachment for Iceland. You can get a bargain there but organic meat, probably not. That doesn't mean the shop's all bad.

Not great. My son's a keen cricketer and is a member of Dulwich Cricket Club. Also spends a lot of time at ' the nets ' in Dulwich Park in the summer. Also there's a sort of drop in football activity on Peckham Rye ( near where the new school's being built) on Saturday and Sunday afternoon which seems to be well supervised. There are also the Stagecoach activities, music, dance and drama. Not sure of the closest but possibly at JAGS. Great fun for the right child but not cheap. My daughter tends to hang out on Northcote Road on a Saturday doing McDonald's and Starbucks.

Just would like to say we're the real Dulwichmums. Some are pregnant expecting their first child, others are on their second or third and can give invaluble advise freely on just about anything. Some are experiencing the sometimes harrowing world of finding childcare for the first time and again getting honest feedback from the forum. Others have older children and the equally stressful job of finding appropriate schools for thier child. The occasional parent has the current stress of GCSE'S , ( might feedback about that later.) Said 16 year old is presently in the kitchen working.( At last!) Most of us have probably not been born and bred locally and don't have the advantage of family members around to help out, ( I know I didn't.) I'm fairly sure we've got Americans, Canadians, Aussies, (Kiwis, Pickle?) and no doubt a whole host of other nationalities not mentioned. Oh and I forgot to say work! Yeah that's the distraction that helps pay the bills! I truly think the Admin Team do a great job. Thanks and yes this section does rock but not necessarily without the help from some Dulwichdads.