Do you do a lot of playdates?

My LO goes to nursery and on the weekends we usually spend time with him by doing an activity, going out etc. We don't do a lot of playdates for him but recently I noticed that when he is in a group of children he tends to be quiet and stick more to us rather than playing or interacting with the other kids. I wonder if having less playdates has resulted in him being less social/ less confident? I must add that the nursery staff have said he's very chatty there

in our community

My friend’s new partner……. I’m genuinely concerned! But i don’t want to say too much where she wont confine in me…..

My friend has met a guy and they’ve been together for approx 6 months now.
Her daughter is 15 months.
He’s now moved in.
Her daughter’s dad is not around, but his dad keeps in touch.
This new partner is doing things such as giving her daughter coffee, hot chocolate, Coca Cola etc when she’s asked him not too.
Now when her grandad calls to check in, he’s storming off out and slamming the doors.
She come to the gym and he messaged her when she left the house saying ‘who are you trying to impress going to the gym dressed like that’ she had a long gym set on!!

Nursery costs

How much do you pay a month for nursery? And for how many hours?

Advice please - I need to approach work about asking for flexibility in school holidays

My little boy is due to start pre school in September and at the moment I work 3days a week but during the holidays I probably will only be able to get childcare for maybe 1 or 2 at the most.

How do I go about speaking to work, feel like im being such a pain asking?

Childcare for toddler during labour

For those of you who don't have any family or friends nearby enough to jump in to look after your older child, how did you manage labour and going to hospital to give birth? I'm only 5 weeks pregnant but already stressing about it!

8 Month food

Has anyone else baby refused taking formula?? My 8 month old has been refusing to take her milk for the past couple of weeks but will eat everything else and will even breastfed. HELPPPO

Childminder or nursery

I’ve noticed that most people in the UK talk about nurseries and how expensive they are, but hardly anyone mentions childminders. From what I understand, childminders are often more affordable, more flexible (for example, if you need to pick up your child a bit later), and they provide a more home-like environment.

They also usually involve a single main caregiver, which I feel can be really positive for attachment, especially for younger children.

So why don’t more people use childminders? Is there any stigma around them in the UK?

I’m asking because my baby goes to a childminder and I’m starting to worry—are they seen as a worse option? Personally, I see some downsides to nurseries too: they tend to be more expensive, and because there are many more children (often of different ages) in the same space, I feel like that can lead to a higher risk of illnesses spreading.

So I’m curious why nurseries seem to be the more popular choice.