shellbear

Stephen came to ours on Friday and fitted the stairs, hallway and kids room with new carpet. He also spent a while explaining the difference of the styles, was straightforward about fees and there was no hard sell at all. The job he has done is brilliant. We are really happy with the colour we picked and how quickly it was done. Big recommendation from me.

Late to this but just to add that my daughter attended this nursery (although over 2 years ago now) and I thought the garden was great, and that the care was good enough, but far from perfect, and I have been far happier with subsequent nurseries I have chosen for my son. It is a personal thing but I agree with Kam1 I thought the way management communicated with parents was totally unprofessional. I think this trickled down to staff as as soon as my daughter got to know and love somebody they would leave. Also for me the settling in policy was not conducive to a happy child or parent, so it felt like it got off to a wonky start. There felt like their lacked a desire to have a parent community in the way that I have found elsewhere. They have home cooking, it's convenient for station and it may well have improved but that was my experience and I wish I had had some honest feedback when I put my first in nursery as I felt a bit lost.

Honor Oak park is lovely - little high street with gorgeous deli, cafes and great tapas. The best indian in london -Babur (Zagat 2013), great sardinian - Le Querce. good local pubs. Proper community feeling. Several excellent primary schools. Lovely parks, great local festivals at Blythe Hill and Hilly Fields and St Hildas carnival. Orange line means 20 minutes to get up east plus regular trains to London Bridge. I really like Crofton Park too that links Honor Oak to Brockley. It is great with small kids. Weve been here for 2 years after moving from Bellenden road area and I really love it. Be quick though, its a best kept secret but soon won't be.

nippy, cosy, stylish - I've had the original bee for nearly 4 years, using it for my second born and I still love it even now its a bit battered. Its def a city buggy as the wheels are small but never regreted it.

Hi all, I work at Battersea Arts Centre in Clapham Junction and we currently have a hit show running for 0-5's/6-12's and 13+ called "The Good Neighbour" its Time Out number one thing to do in half term - more info here: http://www.bac.org.uk/whats-on/good-neighbour/ Dulwich forum users can get HALF PRICE tickets (?4) to celebrate the beggining of half term on Sat 17th at 6.30pm and Sunday 28th at 10.30am - you just need to enter the code "Dulwich" when booking online or over the phone. The 6-12's version is an adventure around the building with loads of micro performances (BAC is a massive old town hall) -for this show parents don't have to go with their children as they will be chaperoned but its great fun even for adults. If you are into theatre or want to do something different on a rainy day its cheap even without the special offer. All info and dates on website Shell

My 3 yr old keeps getting out of bed at night. She has been in a big girls bed for nearly 9 months and it's like she has had a sudden realisation it'as not her cot and started getting up and paying us night time visits. Weve had a few early evening get ups too but nothing too bad - its the night time thats worse. We are being as consistant as we can putting her straight back down, being firm but not over reacting either, trying to make it as boring as possible for her. I don't want to put a gate on the door yet - that feels like a last resort. It's about 3 nights out of 7 at the moment so not every night. A couple of times it has gone on for hours and my partner has eventually made a bed next to her in her room so everyone can sleep. When I ask her about it the next day she just says I get up because I want my mummy and daddy. What to do?! Has anyone had the same experience and got some magic advice?!

Hi all I am just over the hill in honor oak with a 4 month boy and would love to meet up. I can't make Thursday but its usually good. Will keep an eye on the thread for future meets. shell

Thanks I will do! S.

I am now in Honor Oak with a new 4 month old boy - I already have a 2.5 yr old toddler so didn't do all the classes this time round. She is in nursery some of the week and it would be great to meet some local mums with similar age babies - all his pals are too old! I am around mid week and plan to start taking him to some baby groups now his colic has faded.. shell.

My newborn is almost 3 weeks and sleeps and feeds ok but spends most waking hours crying. Sometimes worse after a feed but can be anytime. I think some of it is wind etc but releasing this doesnt always stop the crying - reading about reflux I think he might have some heartburn but he isnt throwing up that much, just a little now and again. He is relieved by sitting up, bicycle legs, hanging over back of shoulder, sounds of hairdryer, running water, sometimes sucking on my little finger, but all this is only for a few minutes before he gets very upset again. or the hairdryer conks out etc etc. It was a fairly difficult birth ending in an emergency c section and then he had jaundice and was poked and prodded lots of blood tests and antibiotics, and put in an incubator for first few days under light therapy which I know left him (and me) unsettled. I know its early days and he might just be growing into his body but its so hard to not be able to help. I also have 2yr old who is being amazing but obviously it is making it a lot harder to manage both. Thinking about cranial osteopathy has anyone got any personal recommendations? Any other thoughts? using infacol but dont think its touching it really. Just hanging in there by a thread at the moment...

gawd I know you can spend a fortune and I agree they come when they are ready - but because of my previous emergency c/s then they won't induce me - I will just get booked in for a planned c/s - I think at about 41+4. I also think they have my dates wrong - by a week too early - I have raised this several times but the size on the graph from the scan says this sat so there you go...had some back pain in the garden this morning... come on!!

haha. yes got the clary sage. yak - the balloon thing I think is this http://www.rcm.org.uk/midwives/reviews/cervical-ripening-balloon/ - lewisham hosp are doing a trial of it so thought i'd give it a go but will find out more on weds..

I am 40 weeks this Sat and wanting to be on the front foot about bringing this one on. My previous was an emergency c-section after going to 42+3 and being induced (double contracting, no breaks argh). No induction allowed this time though. I have some acupuncture booked this week - which I did try before but trying again. Eating pineapple,drinking raspberry leaf tea. Have this balloon thing booked at the hospital, plus usual sweeps. Can anyone recommend a good reflexologist? Or any other tips?!

Thanks everyone for all of your advice and thoughts. Reading all this I definately think that I want to push for being allowed to give birth in the birth centre - although as you say snowboarder - they have a general policy of no VBAC. I did call and talk to a midwife there who said she would support me if the hospital let me try for the birth centre. I have also tried to sign up a bit late on in the day for the Lanes and Oakwood - who I know are far more like Albany. I think this being my second I didn't have the energy to try and sort out anything better than what the Jenna offered and I thought I was strong enough to stand up for what I wanted the birth to be. But actually after that appointment with a patronizing midwife who dismissed my wishes I just crumbled a bit and realised I just need some kindness, understanding and a level approach to the risks involved - and crucially a respect for the decision then made. Fingers crossed.

Had a horrible appointment with the midwife today at the Jenna - it's a world away from The Albany who were incredible last time but of course now closed down. I had planned a homebirth for my 2yr old but ended up being induced and with an emergency c/s at kings. Now due with number two end of May and I would like to try for a VBAC at lewisham birth centre - its new, midwife led and attached to the hospital if anything goes wonky. It feels like a battle already with everyone I meet so far saying I need to be on a ward and constantly monitored. Next week I have an appointment with a senior obstretrician and am trying to be armed with facts instead of emotive arguments. Of course I don't want to put my baby or me at risk of scar rupture but if everything is all normal come the day I'd like to try for a birth not attached to a heart machine for hours and hours unable to move. Any previous experiences or positive facts would really help. Shell.