June 2008: new year, new diets, new resolutions, but when push comes to shove creme eggs are still the solution!

[KnittingRocks]

Sorry, couldn't cope with Christmas anymore!

Quick note to say Amber has posted some lovely pics of the twins on FB.

Neenz, sorry to hear about your pre-school woes. I remember when S first went to nursery I was really unhappy with loads of things. Now I think the nursery is fab.

I'd have a think about the things that are real dealbreakers for you and speak to the manager. For me, I wouldn't be too worried about the painting or snack time (though I wouldn't be happy if it was a proper mealtime), but I'd be pretty miffed about the juice and toilet.

I think that wherever you sent them there will be a need for s

Neenz, sorry to hear about your pre-school woes. I remember when S first went to nursery I was really unhappy with loads of things. Now I think the nursery is fab.

I'd have a think about the things that are real dealbreakers for you and speak to the manager. For me, I wouldn't be too worried about the painting or snack time (though I wouldn't be happy if it was a proper mealtime), but I'd be pretty miffed about the juice and toilet.

I think that wherever you sent them there will be a need for sone compromise but that said, if you're still really unhappy with the overall feel for the place then I would have a look at some of the others.

Neenz, I don't like the idea they can walk around with food, I know duncan's school nursery uses snacks as a time to work on conversation and manners. They tease us mums by hinting about all the stories the kids tell. As for d being wet, unless he'd just done it on the past te minutes then that's not acceptable. I'm not saying the nursery isn't ok but I like rules and high behavioural standards and I'd not be happy with a place that didn't have them. Like the aprons - it should just be a rule unless there's a child with real issues about it.

As for juice, I'm surprised they are allowed to offer it. Both the private and school nursery here said they could only offer milk or water because if their teeth st snack.

Sorry for spelling, frasers helping me type on my phone. I don't want to be too negative, it doesn't sound horrible just not what I'd choose. What are your options for other nurseries? Would they have space?

Hi Maya saw photos- very cute.

Neenz agree with ah/keep calm(and share your pain re paint- it takes me days to get it out at times and that is even if an overall is on...but i would rather she did paint and other activities). Also if wondering round isn't it more of a choking risk (know this is bit ott but it's less likely you shove a bit of apple in in a rush to Grab a toy at table isnt it). Have a word (also surprised as it's milk or water only too at e preschool).

Off to France later (first time in ages so the glamour weekend will
Be spent cleaning- any tips on keeping It down as it's wooden floors I think and seems to settle?).

Thanks so much for your responses re pre-school. I thought maybe I was overreacting but you've confirmed to me that I wasn't! I agree I'll have to make some compromises wherever they go... I'll have a think about it over the weekend and speak to the manager on Monday.

Enjoy France H&S!

Sorry not been on much - just busy!
HardandSleazy um, not sure about your dust dilemma. Would say damp cloth on arrival (or damp mop) is good because it stops it flying around. But if you find a way of preventing it settling, then let me know because I am a lazy slut have wood floors too.

Neenz I would not be impressed by the preschool either. (Good argument H&S about choking - maybe ott and probably none of us are losing sleep over it, but surely a good argument to use to justify the complaint?)

Got to ask, tho - I don't really understand about preschool. Is it like a morning nursery or something? It's a different setup in Wales which I won't bother explaining because nobody needs to know!

Me - have a cunning plan at work, so feeling more relaxed about that.
Have been examining preschool here too - Iestyn is being signed up to go for mornings from September, at the local school (apparently there's been a bit of a baby boom and they were oversubscribed last year so one parent I know has to take her child to the next village so that won't do at all!). I'm off to see the headteacher on Thursday. Conveniently I'll be on mat leave, but I'm considering keeping him in nursery two days a week because it will be easier if I go back to work before the year (that's to July!) is up, and also because he likes nursery and he's so young!

Other news - looks like Iestyn is potty trained! My mum gave me the first day's potty training as a birthday present. She also gave me a 'real' present, but I have told her I'm happy with just the potty training, seriously, that's a MASSIVE gift, don't you think?

Neenz at T's nursery they sit down for snack time, which I like. I don't let my children roam the house with food either. I don't have any problem with the free play or messy clothes but I think that snack time is quite a nice opportunity to learn about sitting down and being civilised. How about looking round some other nurseries (unless you already have). You might find that another nursery stands out as being the right one for you and T and E.

Gorgeous baby pictures!

Neenz - there was a thread the other day about a nursery that didn't facilitate naps for just turned two year olds, if you find it have a read - it'll make you feel loads better!

Only about half an hour left on my train journey from Edinburgh to Ll

H&s it's always dusty around here and I just Hoover - perhaps not that effectively. We're off to France in April And I'm very excited. Unfortunately not the place one of you recommended because it was too small - my mother has inflammatory bowel syndrome so insists on separate bathrooms from dh - but they were lovely and even suggested other places. Thank you for the recommendation! It's just five minutes away so any ideas for things to do very welcome (Loire valley near loches).

Dewin preschool here and ante-preschool are the two years before primary one. They can be run by the primaryschools or by private nurseries. Playgroup here can be ante-preschool and government funded or just private for toddlers and two years olds - with and without parents. So I think that's the Scottish system - keepin mind we start school six months later than England too- Fraser has two years of nursery starting this august before he will start primary one. There is no reception class.

Anyone want to explain the other systems to me? Since reception for our kids starts the year they will have just turned four how many years of school nursery do they have before that? Just one? I'm assuming the nurseries everyones kids are in at the moment are all private. We have playgrouscfor two hours at this age, often twice a week, and that sounds like what neenz is talking about.

Hi. Just marking spot. So tired, mostly because P is being pretty challenging at the moment all day as well as waking up repeatedly during the nights. W - no trouble!! TGIF.

Neenz, I wouldn't be overly impressed with the playgroup either.

Spider - sorry to hear about your trials with P, Ethan was very unsettled at night until about a week ago and thankfully that has stopped now.

Dewin - what a fantastic Birthday present, do you think we could hire her out?

H+S - enjoy Paris, I am hoping that we will get their soon for my 40th (2 years ago)

Spider, sympathies - T is pretty challenging too, although he does sleep at night thank goodness. He is still quite rough with Daniel and wants to climb all over me when I'm feeding. He leans really hard on Daniel and there have been times when he has poked or kicked him 'accidentally' . He does it most when I am busy doing something else ie attention seeking. Today I tried to get him to sing with me while I was washing up as he was mauling Daniel! It did distract him for a while.

I rang another preschool today but she said she didn't think they had two places (she didn't have her records with her). She is going to get back to me, but I am not hopeful because I told her I only wanted places till Sept (cos they will go to the local school nursery then cos I need the wraparound care when I go back to work) and she wasn't impressed cos obviously she wants kids to stay on there when they get their free sessions. But they only open Mon, Wed and Thurs afternoons and I need Tues and Wed afternoons after I go back to work. The other preschool here only opens mornings which is not great, I want afternoons. So I might be a bit stuck! I might contact my CM and see if she has any space cos really it is just a few hours' peace that I need!

Dewin, preschool is a bit like a private day nursery but they only open during school hours (about 9-3) and you usually just send your kid for morning or afternoon session (but you can send them all day too). They can go from age 2 and they get 15 hours a week free from the term after they turn 3. But when they turn 3 they can go to regular school instead if you want them to, if there's a nursery at the school of course.

Well doen Iestyn! How long did that take then?

Neenz yes T sounds similar to P in terms of how they are handling the baby. P has always been very physical, but not maliciously so, just exuberant. I've talked it over with DH and a few friends this evening and am feeling more optimistic that P isnt going to turn into a thug. At soft play this morning he was having a great time enjoying playingthe other kids. Even when one boy pushed him over he didn't retaliate. I guess it's more of a sibling thing/wanting attention off Mummy. I hope so anyway. He feels a bit out of control right now.

neenz - I wouldn't be happy with the pre-school either. The walking around while eating really bothers me as one of the reasons for children to go to preschool is to teach them some of the behaviours they will need at school. T
being wet is very sad but it depends how long he had been wet for. Also think they should make kids wear an apron for painting, in all honesty it makes the staff sound really lazy.

You're so right about the preschool - what gets me is they market themsleves as a 'premium' school ie expensive! And I have lots of friends who send their kids there and rave about it. Everyone will have a different experience I suppose. I think Theo may have been wet for a while because he hadn't had a wee since first thing that morning but of course I can't be sure.

Spider, it never occured to me that Theo might turn into a thug! He is only like that with Daniel so i think it is just sibling rivalry and I am sure P is the same. T can also be really loving too (hugging him and kissing him) - Esther isn't loving or rough, she just carries on regardless!

Daniel slept through last night which I SO needed (11pm-7am). He had been waking at 2am which isn't too bad but I was shattered yesterday. He had breakfast and tea yesterday whereas he'd just been having tea previously so hopefully that helped. He is much better at eating now - he doesn't tend to spit any out now which is a relief cos it was taking me ages to feed him just a few spoons before!

Abdn - glad you found somewhere! Loches is lovely. I'll have a think back about some of the places we visited and let you know of anywhere we particulary liked.

At friends so just a quick post to mark my spot!

Hi everyone. I'm knackered beyond belief even though I have loads of help from my amazing maternity nanny. I have hardly read anything and just don't get time to post at the mo. Hopefully when things are more settled. Quick update - the babies are lovely - I went to waitrose and got stopped 5 times by peopole wanting to coo over them! Luke is being a complete fecking nightmare about it and has turned into a little monster who acts up and won't do as he's told. To be expected I jnow but hoping he settles down soon. Neenz - I have given up BF - they just wont do it and I'm not going to kill myself over it. Am expressing instead and doing mixed feeding. I have not had time to call you much as I wanted to! Luke is probably going to be the last one in nappies - I am more stressed about that than anything at the mo although he keeps saying I;m not a big boy I'm a baby - I imagine now is not the best time!!

Anyway - sorry for self centred post. Hopefully things will start being more normal at some point! x

Amber, the last thing you want to be getting stressed about at the moment is potty training Luke. I tried to potty train Stefan at 2.5 yrs and he said the same to me that he wasn't a big boy. I waited another few months and tried again, he was dry in a couple of days. I'm not attempting it with Ethan until the weather gets warmer!

Amber don't even think about potty training Luke. My DD1 is sad because T is wearing knickers in bed, and DD1 still wears pyjama pants (big nappies). DS1 was still in PJ pants aged 6 or 7 when his little brother was dry. And the top 3 children were 3 before they were potty trained at all.

Hi to everyone else

Amber your twins are so lovely and I am v. impressed you are making it out to Waitrose already!! I tried Caitlin in pants this morning and got absolutely nowhere, even though she's very articulate and completely understands about potty training in principle, she just hasn't got the feeling of needing a wee yet, much to her disappointment as she loves her Peppa Pig pants! It just happens when it happens I think.

She is still being a nightmare at going to sleep at nights, we moved her out of her cot onto a mattress on the floor (for my peace of mind really, I was sure she was going to pull the cot over onto herself sooner or later) and she just keeps popping out of bed, we are returning her 30, 40 times or more. Night before last I persuaded her to stay there by threatening to take her pink doggy away, but it was after 10 by then - it worked but I felt like a Mafia hitman - "stay in bed or the dog gets it" ... I have a horrible fear it's going to carry on like this until school starts. My strategy now is to give up at 9pm and just hand over to dp. I will gradually move the 'giving up' time earlier and earlier and soon it won't be my problem!

Bollocks - just saw a mouse run across the kitchen floor!! Now what do we do? Keep Calm anyone else?

Spider squeamish? Call someone. Not squeamish - set traps.

Potty training - we did the Gina Ford method, which is basically the traditional way that my mum used. Put child in pants, day 1 go through 15 pants and trousers. Day 2 things get better etc.
It took a week, but we're a bit wobbly on poos. (Well, Iestyn is - I'm fine with it. Actually I'm pg so they're a cause for celebration. ) Since Wednesday we've had 2 accidents - one was at a friend's house when he panicked and started off in the pants but finished in the potty. Second was today, when he needed the potty but we were out for my Dad's birthday, and my BIL was playing outside with Iestyn and we had a minor poo accident (it was just poor BIL and Iestyn!). But he's dry with wees, including nap times, and mostly ok with poos but does tend to hold them in.

Sorry, all very scatological there...but we all have children.