Yorkie

http://community.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/from-a-mother-to-another/ For those of you wanting to pass on baby clothes to a mum in need, JoJo Maman baby are collecting for Barnados via their shops. You need to sort into gift bundles by age/size and print a label from the link above and they'll do the rest. Time to de clutter those bags of 'best' baby clothes you are still holding onto!

Thanks Molly, yes I was hoping they would be nursery buddies too. There were 45 sibling places in the end with 2 SEN so we would probably have had to live next door to the school(or in your back garden, fancy a lodger?) to get in on the first cut. We're 7th so all hope is not lost, there may well be some movement over the next term. I was just a bit stunned as ever since I was pregnant I imagined her going there when she was 3 and wasn't quite prepared. But in the grand scheme of things that can go wrong with children this is nothing, I'll get over it! Thanks for the suggestions Renata, I couldn't get hold of St Mary's but we're also going on the list at Chelwood and Rye Oak so fingers crossed.

Ah, 8 spaces doesn't leave much wiggle room does it. Am going to call them in the morning to see if they can tell me where we are on the waiting list, last hope! Feeling more resigned to it now and trying to ignore impending doom thoughts for primary next year. Need to stop reading the other threads!

I've just found out that my daughter hasn't got a place at Ivydale Nursey this September. We live three streets away, 0.2 miles on a map, closer as the crow flies. It's the nearest by quite some way so I'm feeling really despondent about finding an alternative now. I feel I've been incredibly naive. I had no idea it was as bad for nursery as primary school.. pause for laughter from wiser more experienced parents... apparently it's the siblings factor due to "unprecedented demand". I'm now also super stressed that the primary place won't happen either! When we moved here 4 years ago I was actually quite relieved the local school wasn't ranked Good in the Ofsted ranks as I thought it might mean we'd get in. Alas the combination of its improvements and the discovery by others of this hidden, quiet corner of Nunhead has scuppered me. Sigh :'(

Europe's largest knocking shop.

oh dear, I've cried through most of this one already. Makes you so very grateful if you've had a straightforward time, as the amazing woman has said so well. On a lighter note, I love the young men this series, so sweet whilst trying to be cool in such a female world.

oh no supergolden, hope he goes back swiftly. I'm in bed with mine, she didn't go down til 10! We're in sleep transistion craziness at the mo with a super early wake up & lunchtime nap all wrong (either too early or too late). Maybe she'll have a lie-in. Ha ha hollow laugh. Thank god for wine. Sweet dreams all.

I cried at the credits too. Honestly. I blamed it on the fact that this far into the series I knew the people behind the stories... But I think I'm just really soppy about babies since having one myself. We are due a heavy one soon aren't we, considering the stories so far. It's been said before I know but what a brilliant piece of television it is.

ah yes Ruth, I remember! I would like another at some point but I think I'd like a wee rest first. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks everyone for your supportive posts. If we do decide to bite the bullet and CC it I'll be back for moral support. She has still woken the last few nights but Daddy's back on duty and has been co-sleeping in her room and I then feed at 5/6. Not solving anything long term of course but at least I feel slightly less like a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

yes Snowboarder, I posted 6 months ago about back-to-work stress/sleep/mananging while OH did childcare an d you sent me a msg then. Both you and Ruth had done the CC recently, and I really remember both of your postings on the subject. And I do reflect often on the fact that both of you now have sleeping boys and another one on the way whilst I haven't moved on. Still, this too will pass. Will repeat to self. I must to bed. TFI Friday X

Helena, that's a variation on what I do to get her too sleep at nightime actually (failed attempt at sleep lady shuffle technique, still stuck on the chair!) so that may be a gentler approach. I think it so much depends on your mental health at the time asleep. My desperation has coincided with a shocking week at work (stress over workload and new boss plus personnel issues and direct criticism of me in an exit interview, ugh) so am feeling like a failure on all fronts at the mo :( & Molly, you're right about the flat issue although if it's a week of pain to get months of peace maybe they'll forgive. I do hear the guy above move when she is on a screaming meltdown and am grateful I never see him at the entrance. Thanks all, v useful to hear your stories. I think drastic action is probably req'd as she's a v strong willed girl (er, no comment) and we have been v soppy in our approach if I'm honest. But you live & learn eh. However have had Dominios for tea & halfway through a bottle of Co-Op's lovely fairtrade Pinot Grigio so not all bad!

I do hear what you're saying, it's just that if she cries for 2 hours with one of us how many hours will she yell for if we don't go in. 2,3,4? I will crack and then it we will all have been upset for nothing. I know CC does work and I know I'm of the verge of losing the plot but I feel, ironically, that I need to be in a strong place in order to see it through. I'm much more resilient than OH about crying (she has been left for the short going to sleep cries and I can switch off, he can't so much. We're on holiday in a week, with brother & kids so no option to do drastic training but maybe I'll try dropping feed then as at least can go back to bed.

interesting thought re allergy. It was a year ago & everything on that front hasn't come back. Will go to Drs as you suggest. She loves her milk (cow & mine) that I really hope it's not! Amazingly last night she skipped the 12-3 wake and went from 9-5.30!! Babies eh, she must've known I'd reported her to the EDF. Thanks Fuschia.

oops, it's me. Was on OH's laptop! Title meant to read HELL not help but equally applicable. Had 4.5hrs last night and work stress v bad. Should prob just give in & go to bed.

she's woken at 12 since 6 months when solids started (& stopped due to allergies) so BM only til 7 mths. Naps hit & miss (40 mins if bad night 1.5 - 2hrs if easy resettle. I did night feed when she was ill over Xmas which I think has probay mucked it all up...