Ann

Well I never guessed Stacey. Eastenders is a soap and a pretty good one in my opinion. It's given us a few talking points over the years and this has been one of the best.

Well my daughter predicted Sean Slater the other day who was the bookie's favourite today, but I'm still not sure.

I don't post there much at all but definitely keep it going. At least you know a thread is kept on topic. Some topics are worth discussing.

I actually think this could be a great local event. Come on, no-ones taking it too seriously, all the more to make it a fun event.

There was a recent ' Mouse Iradication Day' thread a little while ago ( actually probably some months back) when the poster made the sensible suggestion that if the whole area made a concerted effort to irradicate mice all together, it might have a sustained effect. There's been a thread on this in The Family Room very recently. Let's face it, vermin is a local problem. I for one have seen rats in the park by Sainsbury's and have killed many mice in my house over the years. I don't know if we're more vulnerable with most of us living in older housing? Perhaps we should make a more concerted effort to do so?

I would second Lee b's response . Do a search on Nappy Lady's recent thread. Maybe you've decided already on your replacement machine, if not have a look.

Wow MitchK that's a strong sentiment, but I can see where you're coming from. I wasn't aware of the existence of Leapers before this thread, the Sure Start programs started after my children were of that age. However I've no doubt they've been an invaluable resource to many of you. As Cora said earlier in this thread, the Sure Start,(Children's centers ) were set up to benefit children from deprived backgrounds. Most of us in East Dulwich don't fit that category and indeed many in neighbouring post codes. However I can't help but sympathise. An awful lot of us have no family support locally and have to pay for ( how it seemed like to me) everything. To have what was presumably a free local resource removed must be very frustrating. I'm afraid I can't offer any advice on what you should all do but you have my sympathy vote.

Fair enough Pickle. You did say she's the sort of person you would like to look after you and I agree, there's nothing wrong with a bit of old fashioned professionalism. Smiler please don't be too frightened, so far we've seen two women strapped to a monitor lying flat on bed. There will be many on here who have had other experiences.

Oh, so we have watched Eastender before...

That's harsh Pickle. I don't think she never wanted them. It's not long ago that no woman contemplated having a baby without a supportive husband or partner. If any of you know anyone that's gone down the single mother route knowing that would be her lot, I think you'll find it was not an easy choice. If you expect all midwives to have had children before they've given birth themselves I'm afraid that's a pretty tall order. You can no longer train as a midwife without entering a three year course with no bursaries available. In all honesty, how many of you would be willing to do that with small children to look after. Or even older children? Do we set the same benchmark for teachers? How can you understand my child's need when you've never had one of your own? That might be an unfair analogy but food for thought.

So Mockney Piers is a moderator? Ate the rest of us allowed to know?

Excuse me , does that mean people with the most posts opinions count more than others? I don't give a damn about Roll Deep or any other who has been banned( has he?). As a public forum, can we all not respect our posts? Genuine that is.

I suppose it must be a good thing. I'm thinking examples of being hit in a road accident where one could be admitted to hospital in an unconscious state whereby your blood group can be instantly accessed or am alert to being allergic to penicillin would be useful? To name but a few, I would have thought it was an excellent idea.

Yep Pickle, I'm watching and no doubt others. Shall post again later!

Personally I think it's too young, I don't think youngsters of that age can really cope with the emotional demands whatever they might be. However I do believe it can be innocent and it would be unfair to judge a child who's experimenting with relationships. I do think many can have platonic relationships. Lets not kid ourselves, teenagers have sex but I suspect the levels are pretty low in households where there is strong parental guidance; an awful lot of young people live with very little parental control and will be easily subjected to peer pressure. My 16 and 14 year old both go to single sex schools. Certainly my daughter mixes with boys outside of achool. I don't think she has a boyfriend but frankly if she chooses not to tell I'm none the wiser. I hope this isn't the case but you can't keep your eye on them 24/7 at that age, trust me you can't. Ed-pete, the best advice is to be open with your child. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. A cliche but building up trust and honesty with your teenager is IMO by far and away the way forward. Say no to everything and your child will rebel, show some tolerance and you might get surprising results. The very fact that you've posted this topic tells me your teenager has the good fortune to have a concerned parent. Good luck.

Have you considered a Spaniel? We have an English Springer (bitch) with a very gentle nature, although some Springers can be quite excitable. Very safe around children and depending on the breeding can be very quiet. The only downside of having a dog with a young family is other children who visit, who may not be accustomed to dogs can sometimes get easily frightened. Dogs can be quite adapt at opening doors.

You're right, one of my colleagues was on the bus in the incident at Peckham Garage. An elderly gentleman was knocked down; she exchanged numbers with the (very shocked) female driver of the bus. Last I heard the guy was in King's in a serious condition. It does seem like a run of horrible accidents.

My son goes to school Upper Norwood and hasn't been mugged yet, but he never takes a phlne to school ( for that reason) and never has more than ?5 cash about his person. Talking to my daughter I can confirm, boys are often mugged for their phones. Fact of life in South London.

Fat Pat was away at the time, but I have a funny feeling it will be none of the obvious suspects. Archie had to have had a lot of enemies

Not long to go. This Friday's episode will be the programme's first live episode. I've watched with my kids and I have to admit I'm none the wiser. I know Eastenders is not everyone's cup of tea but I think the BBC have done a good guessing game. So before the event, who do you think killed Archie Mitchell?

It probably depends on where she's having the baby. Kings use Propess, which is a tiny pessary that releases a controlled hormone release into the body. if not in labour after 24hrs the situation will be re-assessed. It's relatively new so there is not much publicised data. Certainly anyone who is that far overdue should respond well; but pregnancies, deliveries and babies are as individual as we are. Hope it goes well for her.:)

Sorry Laurac, I didn't want to scaremonger but you've reiterated my point. Your child has significantly more sophisticated emotional needs . I haven't read much on this subject but they say involving the older child with baby activities and ensuring 'me time' for the child helps. No doubt others on the forum know tons more than me.

reren, delighted to hear about your pregnancy. King's scanning department are world leaders, no doubt about it and I agree with what others have posted. When your GP refers you (and by the way you can self-refer), you will automatically be given an appointment for a 12 week scan. Yes this scan can screen for Down's and other chromosomal abnormalities and give you an adjusted risk factor. More importantly in the vast majority of cases they can tell you that your baby is developing normally and confirm the gestation of the fetus. Those parents who then wish to have a CVS can do so, often on the same day but you will not be pressurised and your decisions will be respected. Best wishes, Ann

Congratulations Millsa. My children are exactly two years apart. To be honest when the firstborn is that young it really isn't that big a deal. You're the centre of his world and he really won't notice your changing shape as you're still you. That doesn't mean you won't get jealousy issues later on but from my experience not with a newborn when the older sibling is that young. I think it's much tougher for children nearer three, or God forbid,three and a half!

Does it have to be new? There is a website called BigPockets that sell on refurbished Computers of all types. I bought a Dell laptop from them about two years ago that works fine. My teenagers use it and because it only cost about ?160 I don't worry too much about it getting hauled from room to room, no doubt your mum's would be subject to much kinder use. I'm not at all knowledgeable about specs and so on but the site will give you details. Mine does all it needs to for me. Good luck.