SummerMum

I would like recommendations for a plumber who is capable of taking a look at my central heating linked underfloor heating, as well as change a washer, sort out a couple of issues with toilets and basins. Thanks

Agree with HK as a destination, although in Jan and Feb it is pretty grim weather wise - plus side means not boiling hot and high humidity, but you would need winter clothes (10 degrees with no central heating, so it feels colder than it sounds). However, the rain fall is lower that time of year, and you'll have summer awaiting you in Aus, so you're not going for the sun anyway to HK. Plenty to do for a trip - Ocean Park, Disneyland, the beaches (although wrapped up but they're all sandy), chilled out days on any of the islands (all a very cheap boat ride away). Plus sides - very safe, so no issues at all with crime. Avoid staying in Kowloon as IMO it is hell on toast as just so busy. There is a family-easy hotel at Discovery Bay, which could be a nice base, and a boat trip from Central, or if you don't want to stay in Central, then there is also a hotel in Stanley (beach town) on the south side of the island. Equally, though Singapore would be fun!

Is there anyone who works with Fridge Freezers - have a 7year old Whirlpool Fridge Freezer and don't want to use the water dispenser until it has had an overhaul or been replaced. Or does that mean it's time to buy a new fridge?

I'm looking for recommendations for a gardener who can do a bit of an initial overhaul to my garden, and then also maintain after. Needs to be someone who is qualified at gardening! Thanks!

Think this is a really spot on thread - and something I recognise. However, I promise when they get a bit older, they can crack you up - watching my 6-year old daughter this morning in a padded spider mans outfit and a pair of high heeled shoes. My 4-year old asking if a pirate ship is used to transport goods overseas. Them saying 'Good morning Darling' to me at the start of the day. There are moments of hilarity every day, which are essential along with the other moments of drudge and poo. Edited to add... your sense of humour changes - I remember cracking up at various comedy clubs pre-children, and I just don't think I would find it so funny any more. However, I do remember, after first child was born, a Ben Elton comedy 'Blessed' was on the beeb, Ardal O'Hanlan and Mel Geidroyc as a couple with a baby and toddler, and I felt like someone got it, and it was funny because it was exactly how I felt. The same for 'outnumbered' now - which pre-kids I would have thought was probably pointless telly! Now, I think they may well be bugging our house for ideas!

If you have a straightforward set up - ie, no previous marriages/one property etc etc, then there is a will kit you can get - from WHSmiths, and probably other places. This works well for uncomplicated 'estates'. It explains all the legal jargon, advice on guardians etc etc.

Hi, sympathies indeed - I had this with only one of my three pregnancies - it was intensely painful. I saw an osteopath above Soup Dragon (this was some years ago, so not sure if she is still there). This did help for a while after. I do remember do not cross your legs, do not sit cross-legged, do not do anything other than keep everything in a straight line. I can't remember how this worked with sleep though, as if you want to sleep on your side, later on, then can't remember if that made it worse or not. I think walking pushing a buggy would help, as it is like a walking frame! I remember being told even something like stepping off the pavement on to the road can be a trigger. So, not easy for trying to deal with a toddler at all. I do hope you get the help you need, as it can be so painful, but mine went as soon as the baby was born, and I didn't get it again with subsequent pregnancies. All the best.

You need to find out directly from the nursery, as not all our now able to claim this. Hope you get the answer you want!

I've been a full time Mum since 2005, when my first child was born. We have three, ages 6,4 ad 3. For the first year at least it felt like a wonderful gift to be able to have the choice not to work and be at home. I have to remind myself now that being at home means that we have been able to live overseas for my husbands work, and not to have to keep on taking maternity leave having three children in a quick hurry! Now they are all a little older, I am aware of the sacrifice I have made - I couldn't realistically go back to my old job, and during arguments about this, when I've talked about feeling frustrated at being at home, DH has told me I could only get a job in supermarket (OK it was during a row, I'm sure he wouldn't say that to me over a candle lit supper, and sorry to suggest that a supermarket job is the lowest of the low. He said it for the drama)... where I remind him I have a degree and post-grad qualifications. Anyway, I look forward to the day soon when I will start looking in to career move next, which I think will probably involve working in a school setting, to allow for me to still be with the kids. I don't regret making the choice to be at home. I did the make the decision for my children, but I also can't throw it back at them when they're teenagers ('I GAVE UP MY CAREER FOR YOU!!!'), because really I did it for me. I would make the same choice again. But it is boring, lonely, unglamorous, thankless. Me and the kids have loads of friends locally, we've always been busy on the playgroup, school circuit etc, but it is lonely, as no matter what at some point you're on your own with children, who you love, but who are children, and not adults. In fact, what I would change (if I was to have my time again...!) is that rather than take on a career in the city, working long hours and a large amount of travel, I would train as a teacher. Which is the last thing I wanted to do when at school! I went to an academic girls school, and we did not talk about how to combine motherhood with a career, we talked about the world being open to us, and going for our goals. I wonder what conversations I will have with my daughter about this... Anyway, lunch time thought there. Back to the little one now!

Thanks so much - really great suggestions here from everyone - now no excuse not to get online hunting!!

Can anyone recommend good fitness DVDs - one that is possible to follow, and not assuming super-human levels of fitness? (eeek summer time - t-shirts, summer dresses, swimming costumes... nowhere to hide!)

I think some kids love the high-uppyness of high chairs, and even the feeling of being a bit snug - one of mine did, and would sit in it for ages watching me cook etc. However, my youngest has never 'done' highchairs. We have a small table with mini adult type chairs that he would sit on, or would otherwise prefer to sit on an adults lap and eat his meal at the big table. Or a picnic on the floor... just never a highchair!

Yes there is - it is on tooting high street. But I cannot remember the name. I phoned Maclaren and they told me my nearest place. The place was v good.

We did Avignon Eurostar last year also, and loved it (with 5, 3 and 2 year old). OK , loved it may be a bit strong, but you get the idea. I didn't scream or cry once. We did the drive when number one was five months old. Bit of a mare - we'd set satnav to avoid motorways for some reason (blamed on me, mais oui) so took about 3/4 of the day before we clocked on that we were driving through one very pretty town after another. Yes, it was great to be able to load up car with everything, but train was so much easier - apart from that terrible queue at Avignon station for the hire car, and then, now obligatory row about getting hire car seats to work, which middle child refused to sit in car seat that wasn't 'his' and we drove to our destination with him in his footwell, which he remembers fondly to this day... OK, on thread about the drive - lots of snacks, change of clothes, bottles of water, wet wipes, face spray... marriage guidance manual. It will be fun really!

I find it all quite amusing... as no matter what my boys will still go around fighting each other, 'killing' each other, and turning hair brushes in to guns to fire each other... And my daughter will sing 'hairspray'! Penguin I think do all the classics, in the original version. I actually forgot how gruesome some of these are, but the kids always seem fine whatever version they read. I taught my eldest the 'playground' version of a song she came home singing the other day... felt like a naughty school girl myself! candj - I think I know the play you were at! I think all the parents find it rather amusant!