Mrs TP

Poor Thea! I am a Jane and that is so dull. I used to go to a monthly meeting at work that consisted of 4 of us all called Jane and one of the contacts that we had to discuss was another Jane. Somehow we never got confused but I hated that my name was so common. I now regard it as classic but there are still millions of us. Consequently, I tried for less popular names for my brood. We have a Lilian who goes mad that I refuse to shorten it to Lily as that is v popular. She prefers the short version as it is on all the named tat you can buy all over the place. People automatically shorten it and that annoys me massively and stick two ls in the middle, which is an Americanisation not the traditional European spelling. My two rules are, as I said on the boy's thread, not names that can be confused with surnames and intuitive spelling. Love both these threads.

Betsy Nell

Thanks - Hellosailor! But even the registrar laughed at the Town Hall and she must have seen some freaky names over the years, cheeky mare. One of our brood once decided she was having a second middle name and hit on 'Tablecloth'. It stuck for a few years until I had to sit her down and explain that it really was not her middle name. One of the 'best' blokes names I have ever tripped over is Stryker as in Stryker McGuire a US journalist. I also know a grown up Heathcliff who gets shortened to Heath quite unusual. See I started off on Peter and have ended up at Stryker ...

Overheard an 'Inigo' being called yesterday at Southbank Rainbow sandpit but his Dad abbreviated it to 'Inny' which made me think of belly buttons and Innies v. Outies. Also like Jem but short for Jeremy. Back to the girls, which I just can't help myself and I apologise if the mother is on here but the funniest thing I ever heard was a mum calling 'Bouncey, Bouncey', which I eventually figured was actually Beyonce. But then sod me, it's her choice. We told our entire family we were going to call number 3 Peckham. No way would we but loved their reactions.

Mine started morning pre-school in last Jan and didn't do a full week in the first term, she had everything going except chicken pox and was on anti-b 3 times. Eventually, it passes and you forget about it. Good luck.

I love this thread and Fuschia going bonkers with endless suggestions - fab, lots of fun. Defo like Xander. Unless you go completely out on a limb (like Apple) there are no new names and you will hit on someone else along the way with the same name so go for what you like. Saying that one of my girls has the middle name Loveday and not met any of those yet. Also caused a few sniggers at the Christening from the other family there having their children Christened but sod 'em I love it.

I've got girls so my opinions may not count! I prefer names that cannot be confused with surnames (e.g. not Bailey or Taylor) and also that are spelt intuitively. Having encountered endless children as mine growing up and interacting with others at school, clubs, parties, park etc we have never encountered a young boy called Peter. I think this is a sound classic traditional name and probably plenty of Dads / Grandads out there but no younger boys. Whatever it is your choice and you will have those that love it and those that,unfortunately, cannot hide their disdain - sod them you go for what you and your hubbie agree on.

We give our school age children 25p per week per year of their life so for e.g. 8yrs x 25p = ?2 per week. This means it goes up 25p per week on their b'days and they seem happy with that. I have come across two schools of thought; one that you should give each child the same amount as they generally buying similar stuff and it all costs the same and secondly giving more to the oldest as we do - I just like the built in incremental system this has. Their Nan also gives them ?1 per week so same each. As they getting older they definitely getting better at saving for decent things rather than instant tat and also realise they can't have everything. We were still buying comics and sweets on top of that money but now have they have a comic each on a subscription as a b'day present from a relative. When they were younger it was the comics that were taking all the money so we had a rethink of how things should work and arrived at the current system.

I don't think it is a happy coincidence there are just plenty of media employees who live here and are able to 'big it up' in the press. Without being disloyal, other areas of London are v. similar to E.Dul as more professional families staying put as their kids growing up and going to secondary school (due to the recession and more job security / opportunities in London) rather than moving out and so local high streets are booming to support new demands. PS Quite happy with this just don't think ED is particularly different to plenty of other areas in London.

There was just a feature on You and Yours on radio 4 this lunchtime about how prevalent they are this year. The best stuff for the house is from a Vets can't remember it's name but big aerosol can. I think it is licensed so only the vet can sell it and better than any off the shelf remedies in supermarkets etc. Do speak to a Vet they are used to it and not embarrassed / judgemental. Nightmare.

The 'Pink' girl massively over-reacted and that was not good but it seems she was well stitched up by the backstage staff telling her to do a Pink song. Not excusing her behavior just commenting on how she seemed to have been treated.

That is so upsetting Miss Helen. Thieves have no morals to start off with and so will target anyone especially the most vulnerable / easiest. Glad the evil madame was 'caught' on CCTV, let's hope she is caught properly too. Unfortunately, you need to be on your guard all the time, purses tucked safely away in a bag on your person, no address in your purse and keys separate - depressing but true.

Not sure how the private sector works but if you are talking about state schools then definitely too early as rachel83 says. State schools are constantly changing due to new teaching staff and especially if a new head teacher, different intakes e.g. bulge classes from wider catchment areas and so a school you see now could be different in 2/3 years when your little one goes. However, if curiosity is getting the better of you why don't you contact some of your local schools in Sept and see when their open days for prospective parents are and go and have a nose around - might settle your mind and you can ease off for a few years.

Gosh never considered being allowed / not allowed! Have picked blackberries in Dul Park and remember a post on here re someone recommending elderberry picking in Peck Rye. Would say go for it and enjoy your labours.

Many thanks to all for responses esp 'intexasatthe moment' - defo the sort of thing I'm looking for and will investigate further. We are not at Charter but our new big school has a 'no see no hear' policy to electronics so is slightly more relaxed. I didn't even particularly want to get her a phone yet but someone pointed out what if my plans suddenly change due to needs of younger children and I am not where she expects. I think the particular thing about Charter is it has such a tight catchment area so most children walk and their friends all live in a relatively close area so perhaps more relaxed re need for a phone for school if your child good at keeping you informed generally. My daughter is going to a school that has a much wider catchment, the majority of children don't live close enough to walk and friends will be further spread out. A wider roaming area from home and public transport have all added to the phone consideration :( Really hoping the Blackberry days are on the v. distant horizon :)

Recently I have gone back to River Island, Oasis, Dotty P's for some bits n bobs and been pleasantly surprised. I did go through a White Stuff phase. Much as their jeans have stood the test of time and wear, the tops have been pretty useless and, as Sanne Panne said, piled and fluffed in the wash if not disintegrated. After avoiding Top Shop for fear of being too old for the last 15yrs was in the one at Oxford Circus last week with my 10yr old (getting her ears pierced - completely different thread here - chavtastic) and was amazed at how spread out the clothes were, nice bits for oldies and good range of szs - almost seemed pleasant.

I have finally succumbed to the idea that my daughter will benefit from a mobile when she starts secondary school in Sept. However want to go down the 'cheap as chips' route rather than the Blackberry / iPhone route. Would love to hear recommendations for good phones and/or network deals. Also thinking pay as you go probably better than contract? Thanks in advance.

Depends how big it is but is it worth keeping for sleepovers when your children older or camping /picnics in the garden in nice weather.

All v. funny and cheerie! We affectionately refer to our bedroom as the 'floordrobe'.

Thanks all - been out for lunch with the kids, cleaner been and I have sorted the spare room for guests due this pm - feeling better and more positive. Its not that bad really just all seemed an impossible mountain this morning. I think my real problem is we have way too much stuff and we need to whittle it down. My friend who is coming tells me kids don't care about the dust on the skirting board under their beds but about having fun and that's what we are going to do for the rest of the week.

Oh thanks Sanity Girl: We have 18 Trofast boxes already! Cleaner is great just not enough hours.

Our once quaint Victorian terrace house is a tip. We decorated 10+ yrs ago, when we first moved in but, then with the arrival of kids and lack of time, it is descending into a cross between a squat / student house and is basically just a base camp for grabbing food and dumping stuff in between running around with the brood. The kitchen is full of dry washing waiting to be ironed - rarely happens but in my odd spare moment I do actually find it therapeutic but only the kids stuff as it is relatively small and easy. Our bedroom is a dumping ground for everything. Kids' bedrooms not too bad but stuffed with far too much stuff and the whole house needs redecorating. I think I am having a particularly bad day as I have a friend and her daughter coming to stay for the week and I realise just how shabby we have become. We do have a cleaner but 3hrs per wk for such a busy family house is not great and this is a luxury as it is. Sorry about the rant but is this a normal state of affairs? I seem to busy all the time - oops when not on the forum - and am rarely sat down as trying to keep on top of stuff but feel I live in chaos. Hubby good at pitching in but like many working crazy hours so not always around.

Fab, many thanks. I commented to my hubbie last yr that holiday companies need to get their act in to gear accommodation wise and realise that there are more families with 3+ children going on trips / hols.

I'd be more worried the bin men would sue for injuries caused by a weak wall. Pain in the backside though to come home too :(

I had an English teacher who got so fed up she made us write out the incorrect verb 'to of' - 'I of, you of, he / she ofs, I ofed' and so on to whatever tense 'I would of' is and then the correct 'to have'. A great lesson that has stuck with me since. In our house it is the wars of the northern v southern vowel sounds. Being a northerner I am with the harsh vowels especially A and Mr TP adds an r to all his A words, e.g. bath v barth. I think the southern vowel sound is also why aks is actually arks.