JessM

Underneath it all, I always feel like a mum while I'm at work, but I hardly even think about work when I'm "mumming." Perhaps that just means I'm a bad employee!!!

Don't forget the people who agree a price in advance, then turn up and want to haggle. Annoying and IMO rude.

Should they ride in the road?

Roberts and Denny's. They are based in Peckham. Have used them 3 times, very good service and they will rebuild anything they dismantle.

Be very careful with a buggy board, I used one when my older child was 2 (in hindsight, too young) and he got off it , ran out into the road and very nearly got hit by a car. I'd recommend you talk to yours about staying on until you're blue in the face!

Second Roberts & Dennys, have used them 3 times and they were fab all 3 times. Our "chief mover" on the day each time was Ollie, ask for him cos he is great

Put them on Freecycle?

Baby jogger city mini. Folds one handed! And lies flat.

Don't bother they are a pain in the neck. As long as you supervise your kids and can shut the door to keep them in a room when you need to dash out you will be fine.

Same concerns here. Also, when my boy was told he was ready to progress from stage 3 to stage 4 we had to go on the waiting list. We waited for months and he was only moved when I filled in a complaint form. Stage 4 is better in that they all swim across at the same time so they swim more, so I'm glad we waited, but it was very frustrating for a while. Also, I felt bad about him being moved because I complained - I don't want to be a pushy nightmare moaner and it doesn't seem fair on those who don't complain. I think the fundamental issue is that there are so many families wanting to do the lessons but only a limited amount of time the centre can allocate for swim school in the pool.

You are not at all paranoid, it is a massively important decision. I hired our current and first nanny last summer, so I'm not hugely experienced, however I would say cast your net far and wide. You might not get any response (or, more accurately, any suitable response!) from various approaches so don't put all your eggs in one basket. Give yourself lots of time to choose and be prepared to interview lots and lots of nannies. Also, be very very clear about what you want/need, not just days and hours, but specific tasks and routines, do you need a driver etc. remember as well that the nanny is interviewing you as much as the other way round, it has to work well for everyone. It's fine to cut an interview short (politely of course) if you know they aren't right, otherwise you could find yourself wasting hours. Best of luck

We had an usborne one called something like "the new baby". Also, "ZaZa's baby Brother" by the Maisie author and a really great one from the Little Princess series by Tony Ross. It was also useful to discuss the fact that the baby might cry and that's just her way of talking. Good luck! IMO it's nowhere near as hard the second (and subsequent) time around, you know what you're doing and it's much less isolating (dare I say boring?!) cos you just have to get out with the older one.

A bit off topic, but... I just got some lovely curtains from Fabric with no grumpiness on either side of the deal! But yes, he's not really a haberdashers.

You might have more luck sharing a nanny with a family that has older kids, they only need the nanny during the day in the hols, in term time you have her (or him).

If your kids are at a good primary school, with a good teacher, they won't have gaps in their knowledge and will have been challenged to achieve their potential. So the perceived problem is not only one of the secondary schools being of varying quality, but also the primaries.

In defence of GMs, I too have been going for years and still rate it! Lesley is great IMO. I have had worse cuts from more junior people but never so bad anyone else noticed! Interesting they're now charging for use of a hair dryer though!?

2 of mine tried for Alleyn's. it was just like a morning at nursery, they did some stuff all together (my son mentioned the Hokey Cokey), did some activities/ games in small groups (my daughter said puzzles) with a teacher, had a story and talked about it, then that was it. It's only just over an hour I think. I honestly can't see how you could prepare a child for it, other than sending them to nursery as most people do anyway. I think japs is the same but not sure. Good luck if you go for it.

Good luck! I'm a maths teacher (in a sec Sch not of adults) and I reckon you will find it easier than when you were 15/16. Your adult common sense will help you avoid silly mistakes and you will be much better able to ask for help where you need it. Go for it! Also there's no coursework now :)

Brockwell park as well

Roberts and Denny's seconded. We've used them 3 times in 2 years they are everything you want in a mover!

I am not a doctor or anything remotely medical, just feel I should say! But once my eldest turned into a total grump (then about 2.1/2) for a few weeks. Not settling to stuff he usually liked, being naughty and more impulsive than usual. Then I realised my second (8mths ish)had worms. The doc told me treat all of us, which I did. Eldest cheered right up. I suppose I'll never know if he actually had worms as well (I didn't see the symptoms) but in hindsight it did seem that maybe he was just permanently uncomfortable but without the words to say. I have to admit I've since tried the worming treatment (you can get enough to treat the family for a few quid from a pharmacist as long as they're over 2, the doc has to prescribe for under-2s) to cheer them up! Especially after reading on nhs direct about how common threadworms are. Worth a try?!

Thanks for reminding me about there! We went to a kids party there once, it seemed such an interesting place for kids maybe we should pop along in the hols

No, they say the heavier child should be on top, otherwise risk of tipping. But I often ignored that:) I think the instructions may still be on their website, you can def still buy spare parts for an E3. Babies are meant to lie flat until 6 months cos their backs aren't strong enough, but I ignored that too, the bottom was ok when asleep but nothing to see when awake! About 4 months I reckon. Congrats on your no2!

My son is at Alleyn's Junior. we get most of the uniform from the school-run second hand. All school trips are included in the fees. ( yes even residentials) Most clubs are also included, the ones that aren't are the ones where they get an external teacher to come in. (Ballet, taekwondo) Music lessons are also included, they all learn strings from year 2. School dinners also included. Extra long hols would incur extra childcare costs no doubt, but you do save on your own holiday cos you can go in shoulder season rather than peak!!

Would they like a dry run with my kids?!!