Dec 08 - 9 months in, 9 months out!

[jumpjockey]

Hope you don't mind the dodgy thread name but all our babies are 9 months old now or in the next few weeks

I'll be back later but just wanted to come on to say super good luck to Trace - not that she is going to be reading up before she leaves - but Trace, I hope you have a smashing first day. They are very lucky to have you, new bras and all! And I loved hearing about my My Little Pony alter ego - I thought I had managed to rein in the 'dahlings' on here but evidently not (There's not a trace of glamour about my person at the moment though, I have a cold, a sore throat and a cough. More later girls, Happy Monday...

Hello!

still no sleep here but have just left the boys at the childminders for theor first day while I head into work! On the train! On my own! I'm hoping this will mean I can catch up properly later (in my lunch break of course )

Need to dash to train but wanted to say good luck to Trace and commiserations to LadyT on the work situation, hope you can get a decent payout from them. I'm sure you can find something far better that will suit you and DD, and the redundancy will give you some breathing space.

Can't believe we're heading to 9 months already. DS2 still hasn't had his 8 mo check, I rang the hv but she said it was now an under 1 year check and they were a bit behind . The one thing I'm concerned about is that DS2 still isn't holding his own cup - I'm sure DS1 was by this age. He is crawling forwards though, well he humps himself forward like a caterpillar. I loled at baby Veggie doing his sofa exercises, DS2 does the same on the bed guard in the morning.

Oh and re sleep, I've managed to stop feeding him in the evenings but he's then feeding constantly (or it least it seems like it) from 2am - 6am. Then he drops off as DS1 wakes up. Not sure how much use I'll be in the office!

oh and I have a new pair of shoes (clarks in teh sale) called 'Amazon Queen'. They are like victorian button boots and look v stern. But they have a heel (!) so need to dig out my trainers for the walk from the station!

trace good luck today, I KNOW that you'll be great and it won't take much for everyone to think you are brilliant!

DD starts pre-school tomorrow, she is so excited. I can't believe she is getting so grown up .

DS cried virtually all night but appeared to be asleep at the same time. I'm thinking it could be teeth, we have none as yet bit you can see where about 6/7 of them could pop through at any minute. Poor boy....

Good morning. Just a quick one while DS asleep as I need to get the house a bit tidier! It's amazing how quickl it starts looking like a tip!

Goodluck Trace - hope it all goes well!
Daisy - DS has been doing a small amount of crying/whining in his sleep and I'm convinced it's his teeth - poor things!
Effie - hope things go well with the childminder and with work.
We've not been told about an 8month check here but I'll just wait and see for now.
Lady - poor you being poorly. Hope you feel better soon. I'm sorry about how things turned out with work but may be better in the long run and it may have been difficult going back after the way they had treated you anyway!
Veggie - how did your DH's interview go? I'm glad you managed to change those shorts - slightly crazy present to get!! I'm also fairly shy with people I don't know so well. I have no problems in my group of friends and with colleagues. Part of the problem now is that I can go a few days without even watching the news so am then not even up to date with current affairs.
Bisou great to hear from you. DS is eating all sorts but two meals he recently went mad for were meatballs and dahl. He wolfed them down. I also give him jacket potatoes, tuna pasta, omlette, corn on cob, ham salad, cheese/beans on toast, chilli and he had some of my thai takeaway - chicken satay and duck pancakes over the weekend which went down well!!

Thanks to all wishing me a happy birthday. I had a lovely weekend seeing friends and family, ate lots and drank lots. We also went to the Radio Two live concert in Blackpool which was brilliant and I actually felt like me again instead of just a mum!

Right - need to wash some dishes! x

Hello all,

Hope the first day went well trace, your posts made me remember that starting a new job is quite fun! Hope P had a good first full day in nursery.

effie Hope your DS enjoyed his first day with the childminder too! Getting back into the swing of things at work must be hard. Getting a lunch break without having to clean up food smeared children will be welcome though I'm sure.

re cup use, do you mean hoding a sippy cup and drinking? DD can pick hers up and chew the plastic 'teat' bit but can't drink out of it without help.

ladyT Your employers are stinky rotten eggs. Come back full time or not at all, pah! How rude. Oh well, get more money and go where they appreciate you.

The fancy dress wedding sounds interesting! I absolutely love fancy dress, but at a wedding ???? It must certainly break the ice with guests... "Are you ... Austria?"

Modern Glad you had a fun birthday.

Daisy That sounds like a miserable night. Poor DS, hope these teeth make an appearance soon.

bisou Great to see you back, I was wondering how you were getting on. DD's favourites are strawberries, philidelphia on anything, tuna, boiled new potatoes, plums, peaches, and mini corn on the cob. The only thing she has outright rejected has been broccili, she examines it and throws it on the floor or pulverises it on her tray.

My friends have just had a baby and I'm so excited for them, they're so lovely and will be such good parents. I feel all emotional for them

Right, must tidy, modern you are right about it taking two minutes to go from tidy to tip!

Hi all

I guess I am the next one to join those with the work woes. Had a conversation with my boss at the end of last week, basically with the message "jump before you're pushed". I'm in one of those kind of careers where it's up or out and although my boss claimed to have pushed hard for my promotion (you never know what to believe) it seems like that's out of the question. Would be pretty gutting given how hard I worked over the last 7 years with my boss (and be pretty successful at it), except that I've been itching to leave for a while anyway. The only trouble being the pants economy. I guess will have to see what's out there.

Its all so frustrating - there is no getting away from the fact that 2 maternity leaves in the last 3 years have had their effect. They can't "discriminate", but the reality is that you're assessed on your billings and your latest experience and if you're not around, none of those happen. Bah.

Anyway, sorry to dump.

trace - hope your first day at work went well. It was lovely to see your posts - was full of excitement for you!

Effie - hope your first day back was a success as well and the boys are happy at the childminder.

LadyT - so sorry for you. I do hope they have the grace to give you a pay out that lets you have a bit of breathing space.

Bisou - lovely to see you on here. I have been wondering how you were getting on too! DS seems to be keen on anything he can feed himself with. Things like cutlet/rissole type things are popular as well as fruit like melon, plum etc etc.

A quick one from me: am loving my one day week so far and no word from DH or the childminder which I take to be a Good Thing. I hope Trace's day has gone as well. Coming in for a day was a good plan, being back at work looks very feasible now despite the commute and the childcare and it looks as if we'll be doign some exciting stuff in the next year. Though I have volunteered to oversee a data migration project, a moment of keeness I may well regret later...

Oh and the colleague who was covering for me is now pregnant herself, along with another girl in the office! Babies all the way here.

JB, that's awful . I'm conscious of being very lucky with my employers. I am befuddled at how easily they seem to dismiss years of work (and their investment) as soon as you have kids.

Anyway, better go and read some stuff about railway engines (contented hum)

SORRY I meant invisible (obviously brain has not kicked in yet despite much coffee and cake)

Evening all doing my usual turn with DS2 as he plays around in his cot and slowly settles off to sleep. Effie sorry your so tired, we seem to have the same thing here, DS2 is quite wiggly and unsettled and seems to be constantly feeding from 3-4 onwards. I'm pretty sure it's teeth as I saw the whites of his two front teeth through his gums today. I have settled him to bed with some neurofen, unfortunately I'm out of remedies.

Looking forward to hearing from Trace.

Lady sorry to hear your unwell, hot toddy for you tonight.

Modern DH has been offered one job but it's a permanent role so he is holding onto it as a back up but would rather something from the contract Market. He spoke to a boss man today as the result of an informal meeting he had with an old work collegue and they seem very interested in him for a one year contract for a big European job. It would mean being based in Holland so a bit of an upheavel but I quite fancy living over there. But we are not getting too excited until we hear more from them.

Well I'm a little sad tonight DS1 is back to school tomorrow and I'm going to miss him. It's only in the mornings but we've had such a lovely 6 weeks I'm going to miss my little friend. It will be nice to have more time just with DS2 and the house will def be grateful of some more care. However, I can't help think our time as little mates getting about together is slowly ebbing away. He's four now and before long won't want to hang out with his mum as much. Oh I think I need to go give him a cuddle.

oh and Effie, our area now does a 6-12 month check so basically anytime within that age range. DS2 has his on weds. I'm gonna give em an earful because I still haven't been contacted by a HV for DS1 I had to arrange his ore school boosters myself which involved practically begging the surgery for them and all his friends have had a 3.5 year review inc an eye test and DS1 hasn't and he is now 4! I really want his eyes tested because he's got genetic probability of eye problems so should have been checked by now. I'm also gonna bring up about how I was promised a call from a BF consultant and go one called and how I ended up with mastitis. I'm gonna hit them with lots of 'this is his children slip through the net...' and 'your supposed to be encouraging BF'. I'm must be due AF as I'm feeling a but arguementative.

hello

I've got my own desk!!!! With my own phone and pen holder and a big diary! I've loved my first day . I took Lucy to school then was at work for 9.30 (15 mile commute with this job), spent the day being shown things, people, policies etc and having various bits of training arranged for me, left at 2.30 and was back in the playground to pick up Lucy on time! She likes year 1 because you do loads of colouring and likes her new teacher. Phoebe was fab at nursery and didn't cry at all She whinged a bit when she was tired so they put her down in a cot and she just settled straight off to sleep. She ate all her lunch and smiled lots! Can I be really really sad and quote from her daily record book? It says "Phoebe has had a great first day. We have had lots of smiles and kisses. This morning Phoebe has enjoyed exploring the sensory bottles and making music with the rhythm pals.Phoebe also enjoyed rocking on the horse while singing songs. This afternoon Phoebe had a lovely time exploring the treasure basket especially the spoons. Phoebe also enjoyed listening to us singing nursery rhymes although we were getting some funny looks". How cute is that? She really had fun - and she didn't cry when I picked her up, she just grinned at me and her key worker. I'm so relieved. There are some very happy Tracefaces tonight . I'm pooped though - it's been all go since 6.30a, and I've not made tomorrow's packed lunches yet...!
Thanks everyone for your good luck messages!
Veggie - you sound like a woman on a mission - glad I'm not your HV!!
invisible sorry about your naff work situation. It's true what you say about missed experience etc.
LadyT/Rainbow dash (!) hope you're feeling better this evening.
Daisy hope you get a better night tonight. Your poor ds he's had a rough old time hasn't he?
Effie glad your work was good today. Phoebe can hold the handle of her cup but waves it around showering water everywhere but her mouth!

Right must do our packed lunches.

Oh and where is Spot? She's not been here for ages? Are you lurking? Are you ok?

doh Phoebe has just woken up. SHe's much better now so we're trying the sleep training again - DH has gone up to try to settle her sans boob...

Hooray hooray for a perfect perfect day Traceface. I bet I'm not the only one with a big grin on my face right now (nor the only one who fancies playing with a treasure box and finding some Rhythm pals). I miss those big NHS issue diaries, though mine was usually full of penciled in stuff that always overlapped.

Ok, so I am in bed with a Lemsip and a hot water bottle. Shivery, sore throat, headache, runny nose, horrid tickly cough. All these things are annoying but I hate not being able to concentrate the most.

The wedding on Saturday was lovely, though I started to get a sore throat by the evening. Everyone dressed up and there were some marvellous outfits - the bride had on a regular bridal gown but the groom dressed as a Polish Cossack then they both changed into Bollywood style outfits for the evening. We all had to walk through central Oxford to get to the reception from the wedding venue and tourists were taking photos, ho ho. I was pleased with my Middle Eastern sort of outfit - I decided it was Bahrain as it said Made in Bahrain inside it. It was pale pink and accessorised with a number of pink scarves, so Arab world with a twist of Barbara Cartland.

Trace, I really was so pleased to hear you had such a great start. (And you, Effie, in your Amazonian boots!) And P did so well at the nursery, which is also heartening to hear (especially for those of us with no experiences of nurseries). The little report sounded so reassuring and sweet. DD was with a babysitter all day on Saturday and she was happy as larry, which pleased me - she spent the day cackling at their King Charles spaniel. She loves dogs.

Invis, not so pleased to hear you are having these unwelcome insinuations about your future prospects at work. It makes me so angry, to be honest, that women have to put up with this crap. I don't want to be sexist or generalise but often women are better multitaskers because they are used to juggling so many different balls, and this makes them valuable workers. I am familiar with the sort of environment in which you work though (my BIL did something similar I think, he worked for a big city law firm) and it's gruelling and unfair...

Veggie, I am amazed to think of you feeling a little shy as you seem such a sociable person. I don't know how being out of the workplace will affect me - I feel a bit flat as I suppose job can become entwined with identity in your mind - but actually that's daft and I am determined not to let a crummy job define me. I've said it before but one of the millions of reasons I love my cricket team is that what people DO just doesn't come into it and we have a complete range. Bit like on here, I would imagine. I find it refreshing. Do you think you find people without kids hard to relate to now?

Welcome back Daisy! Glad to hear you had a good night out (your description of holiday mealtimes was very evocative!) and good to hear of Modern's nice night out too.

JJ - smashing about the childminder! The choice was a no brainer, hey? You went for the chainsmoker with the glass ornaments at meddling height, yes?

Tilly - did you need a new boiler in the end? That's a real downer, cost wise - I had to have a new one in my London flat 18 months ago. Summer and Arti are on hols, naughty Turnip is AWOL and NJAN was on last week.

PMK - sorry about your dog - jeepers, glad she was ok. You should devise some sort of cable-based punishment for your DH

Bisou - lovely to see you! DD's favourite is fruit yoghurt though she apparently enjoyed organic sausage and some bits of fried egg at the babysitters...never too soon to start clogging your arteries, evidently...

JB - congrats to your friends on the new babe. My cricket captain's gf had a baby yesterday - but it was failed forceps followed by a crash section, so sounds a bit scary.

KP - if you google the sport mentioned above and Penguins you should get the idea about my late DH's book.

Right, that's me for the night

Good Morning!

I'm all up dressed and ready to take DD to Pre-School, although in my eagerness to ensure we weren't late I seem to be ready way too early! Oh well, she's watching Fifi leaving me time for a post

DS slept loads better last night, still crying out but managed to settle him with dummy in cot which meant he didn't come into our bed! A first for quite a few nights now.

Trace sounds like you had an amazing first day, and P's nursery sounds so good. Its so reassuring knowing that your lo's are happy and content when you aren't there isn't it?

ladyt Boo to the illness. i hope you had a restful night and are feeling better soon.

veggie I know how you feel about the little people getting all grown up. DD is so excited about going to pre-school, and thats only mornings too. I'm hoping that I can get on top of the housework while she's out and DS naps. That way we can enjoy some quality time in the afternoons. Thants the plan anyway...

Right I have a moan about...Christmas (apologies I know its early!). Basically I have arranged to cook Christmas dinner for my parents and the IL's this year. All sorted and all agreed to come. This is a huge relief as usually we end up travelling from one place to another to get home in the evening leaving DD shattered with no time for her new things. Anyway MIL rang last night they are not coming as she will be cooking dinner for SIL and her family. The reason for this is that SIL will be almost 7 months pg. I said I didn't see what that had to do with anything and she said that SIl would be too exhausted to cook for her family and IL's so MIL was doing it. In fact what she should have said was that SIL is too bleeding lazy to cook, which she is. She's only about 16 wks at the moment I think and she uses her pg as an excuse to stop doing everything, its really quite annoying. Then she said she would expect to see us in the evening as usual. So I had to point out that it would not be happening like that as if I went to her house my parents would be on their own whilst she would be surrounded by her 3 children and all the GC. She thinks I am being unreasinable.

I planned this so that everyone would be kept happy and see each other but as usual SIL comes first and we are expected to change our plans. I know it seems very trivial but it is very irritating to me!

Good luck to DD for pre-school, Daisy. Aw, does she have to wear a uniform? As for the Christmas arrangements, I think your MIL is going to have to do without you on Christmas Day this year. Just cook for your folks and stay home, and see the ILs on Boxing Day. It's only one day. I spent my twenties and driving up and down the country trying to keep my then boyfriend's various rellies happy and it just ended up spoiling it all. I will be staying put again - I go up to stay at my Mum's for a few days before Christmas, then we will see DP's Mum for a day or two just after Christmas. However, we will probably invite my late DH's father to spend Christmas Day with us as hopefully we will be in the new house and there's more space.

I feel blinkin' awful this morning - can barely speak and cough and headache are really bad. I am just desperate for DD not to get it but she already has a snotty nose.

trace great to hear that your first day went so well.

Effie - long time no see. Guess I'll be seeing even less of you now that you're back at work! Glad the commute is not too painful. The very thought of returning to work gives me the shivers.

Invisible sorry to hear about your employers' outrageous behaviour. Hopefully you will have plenty of time to sort out something that suits you better.

LadyT glad the end looks like being in sight in the whole work debacle. I know it's not the outcome you wanted initially but I have no doubt you will come up smelling of roses eventually. Are you working on any leads yet or is it too early? Blimey, this post is all about work so far ... ugh! How funny that you should mention the Santa Claus incident in DH's book the other day - I'd actually finally begun reading it the day before (had been stuck on a book for ages before that) and was just a few pages away from that bit. Anyway, have finished it now. Both DP and I loved it. Can I just say that the new Mrs Santa Claus must be a nutter. The book was great & I thoroughly enjoyed it (except for the last bit of course, which had DP in tears). You must be so proud. Hope you're feeling better soon.

bisou hello stranger. Daal type stuff also a big hit here, as is anything potato based (e.g. chips).

JB/daisy I think I'm going to have to can any mini meet-up for the forseeable. We are going to Thomasland on 25th Sept for my nephew's birthday and I was going to combine it with a trip home but when I mentioned it to my mum when I was visiting a couple of weeks back her reaction was "but you can get back home the same day from there can't you?". And that was before The Incident. Basically she slapped DS for breaking an ornament, which didn't go down well with me or DP. I now feel really uncomfortable going up to stay there, because it's only a matter of time before something similar happens again (DS being 2 years old and everything) - unfortunately we don't really have anywhere else to stay when we go up there, which is a real shame as it will be difficult for me to get up there once mat leave is finished. Anyone experienced anything similar or have any tips on toddler discipline when you're staying at someone else's house? I know a lot of people subscribe to my house, my rules but I also don't think it's anyone else's place to slap my children when I don't slap them. And I can do without lectures from my (childless) sister about how it's all about my ego (??) and my DS is going to end up a feral child if I don't start disciplining him properly!

Spot Brighton! I'm so jealous! That would have been my number one choice for relocation if it wasn't so far from both our families (although being far away from mine is looking quite an enticing prospect at the mo).

Steeling myself for Thursday, which is when my brother gets the results of his latest scan after his second lot of surgery and chemo.

What else? DS has started pre-school. DD has had her first haircut as her luscious locks were getting in her eyes! Have posted a pic of her grooming herself.

Anyway must dash - new term of gruelling toddler groups awaits...

Lady, hope you start feeling better soon. Sounds like all the stress over work situation etc has caught up with you and you need a rest from it all.
Veggie, Holland, thats a bit exciting! what about somewhere down this way? Any possibilities?
Trace great news on first day, and also Effie, it all sounds like its going well.

Where is poison these days?

I made a mistake of making adult porridge
Mixed with fruit for ds. Way too gluggy! It was like watching an old Japanese man eating mochi! Took it off him before he choked! So now I understand why they make porridge specifically for babies! Not just to make money out of the first time parent! Looks like the dog will enjoy breakfast for the next week.
He's "eating" toast now. And I use the term loosely, more like mushing it around his bumbo tray

Hello poison! Speak of the devil! Cross posted!
I think ds watches way too much baby TV. He actually gets pissed if I block his view
Re xmas arrangments. Agree with lady, I've had way too many years of trying to keep everyone happy. Last year upset mil but I could do nothing about it as it was a space issue. Do what works for you!

Hello everyone,

Trace Your first day sounds super, well done you and P. It makes me feel much happier about DD going to nursery. Although I still feel a bit sick if I think about it too much . Must get over that soon.

invisible That's awful news about your job. What are you going to do?

PD That sounds a tricky situation with your mum. You can't expect a 2 year old to understand that they must not touch delicate ornaments. Either your mum moves them when you visit or risk breakages. Smacking doesn't fall under house rules surely? Taking your shoes off and not jumping on sofas are examples of house rules! Shame you won't be visiting us though .

daisy As your DCs get older it isn't fair to trapse them round relatives, they just want to stay at home and play with new toys, so use that as an excuse. Have your Christmas day at your house doing your own thing and see your in-laws on boxing day. Sounds fair enough to me!

Since we got married (apart from last year) we have had two Christmas dinners at each of our parents houses. That is going to have to change!

veggie Oh how exciting, where would you be based?

ladyT Hope you feel better soon. Having a muggy head is miserable. Your wedding outfit sounds fantastic! Any pics??!!

DD is still a frustrated non-crawler. She is so keen to get about. The concentration is etched on her face as she tries to go forward! Have good days all.

DD just ran into pre-school. Cleary not attached to my apron strings then. No she doesn't have to wear a unifom yet. Which is probably a bad thing as when I left she and anothr little girl were heading into the sand pit! Time to root out the messy play clothes me thinks.

PD about you not coming up norf. But what an awful predicament for you. I agree with Jolly, I don't think discipline comes under house rules. Besides 2 is very young to realise what he is doing, imo. DD is now 3 and only grasping that she can break things and make people cross. Am hoping your brother gets good news on Thursday, I'll be thinking of you so do keep us posted

veggie Holland, very exciting!

pmk lol at the thought of DS moving you and the dog out of his line of view to watch the telly

Re: Christmas. I have invited the IL's to ours in the morning for bacon butties if they fancy it now. Plus she will get to see DD in a very excited state over all her new things. They don't live far away (10 mins drive at worst). That way I can do dinner about 3pm for my parents and they can stay into the evening rather than be on their own. Then Boxing Day we can spent some more time with the IL's, when all her family will be there again. DH thinks this is a good idea. I have left the 'idea' with MIL, who said she will see what FIL thinks....whatever

Just popping in quickly as DS2 asleep and I now have a small window of child free time.

Lady poor you, you sound so unwell. Your a proper mum now though as you are more concerned about DD getting it than yourself being so sick. The wedding sounds fab, I love dress ups. I actually find I have no trouble relating to childless friends etc but they seem to have trouble relating to me, as they judge me to be a 'mother' and I therefore have to fit that label. I think often peoples relationships with their own mothers then effect how they feel I shoujd act. Unfortunately many good friends of mine just don't seem to be able to relate to me anymore. As far as shyness though I do seem to have trouble with bigger social groups, and anytime I have to call or see people I don't know. Doing this BF group has been a little exercise in getting me out of my recently imposed shell. I'm also thinking of joining our local hospitals nurse bank. I'm just waiting to hear about the holland thing.

JB and PMK I'm not getting too excited as we don't know if it will be DH who is chosen for the work. They want him but apparently he might be a bit expensive. If we do go the work is based in Amsterdam. I do love Amsterdam but when we were there recently I fell in love with a little town called Leiden which is about 30mins away by train. However I think DH is keen on being close to the work. Unfortnately PMK DH would have to be paid a small fortune for us to move back to London as it would cost us so much more with the money we don't pay of our mortgage there and the extra in rent. Our London friend keep assuming that DH must be now looking for work in London and we will give up on our silly little 'move to the country'. Bless.

Speaking of DH he came home last night from London armed to the hilt with foot baths and scrubs and all sorts. Turns out he has read in some men's magazine that that is a sure way to get me to bed. Well it is, buy I'll be asleep within seconds, not sure if that's the outcome he's looking for?

Oh and the slapping thing, mmm not on. It's funny how you not doing it is seen as 'undisciplined' but they cant see that slapping a child for breaking an ornament is a violent punishment based on a reactive emotional response, nothing to do with a thoughtout measured effective disciplinary approach.

Oh and Daisy if the SIL is not going to be able to cook at 7 months clearly her birth is going to be the most difficult and most painful ever in history! Surely cooking with children outside of your body would me harder?!

veggie don't even go there. I am dreading the birth story, I can guarantee that she will have the most traumatic labour in recent times. I'm sure you've met the type you have a cut finger she has severed her arm off at the elbow

And as for cooking, most of it comes from a packet anyway! Not that there is anything wrong with that just that it doesn't quite require the effort she thinks it does ifykwim.

I have a bit of a phobia about people touching my feet, makes me feel quite sick - so I would die if DH got me foot treatments. But its a lovely thought whatever his motive

pmk hello! thanks for missing me and conjuring me out of the darkness! Oh and DD eats normal porridge every day - case of like it or lump it in my house (groan). DD is another buddying telly addict. When the Peppa Pig opening credits come on (as they do so often in the dwarf household) a huge grin comes on her face and she bounces up and down with excitement. Very sweet.

JB/daisy/Veggie but my mum is convinced that it was a wilful act of vandalism. I was upstairs when it happened but I should have seen the look his face just before he did it, apparently . She is also convinced that she raised 5 angels who would never have dreamed of doing anything like that (erm, so why were we always being slapped then?). My parenting choices often differ from what she did with us, and I think she takes that as a judgment on her - I reckon she was taking out her frustration with me on DS as much as anything (which makes her no better than a toddler herself IMO). Not that I think smacking is the worst thing in the world or anything - it's just that most other people I know seem to be able to manage without it, so I think I should be able to. At least I'm going to try. Just moving breakables is not a solution though unfortunately - there are too many other opportunities for mischief (e.g. running all the hot water off in the bathroom, pushing DD over etc.), so if it's not that it will be something else.

Veggie I insist you go and live in Amsterdam then we can have our next meet-up at your huis.

daisy how did the rest of the morning at pre-school go? Or is it the whole day?