KikiMac

Peckhampam Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > What sort of pressure can they put you under? I > have had some who have asked me to recommend them > on the forum and if they are good I do, and if > they are not good, I don't. But would you write a bad review? If bad experiences don't get posted then it leaves a rather unbalanced view...

Just wanted to air my thoughts on recommendations for tradespeople on this forum. If possible, admin, I would like this post to stay in this section as it replies only to this one. I tend to read them assuming they've been written spontaneously on receipt of excellent service, but is that always the case i wonder? I have now used many tradespeople who have endless eulogies on here and found some of them to be less than great. The same tradespeople have put me under some pressure to write a positive review. I don't want to name any names and this isn't true of all those that I've hired, but do feel skeptical now when I read reviews on here... Anyone had the same experience and prepared to put their hand up?

Anyone know?

Another hip hip for Gary Skinner, who did a really good job for us (tiling the downstairs loo) at late notice and a good price.

From my experience, definitely the place you want to be if things don't go according to plan!

Just a quick recommendation for the lovely Nicola Taylor. I popped round to hers yesterday and had an excellent wax for a really reasonable price. Don't think I'll be going to a salon again for a while!

Hi there, We have one but have had enough of his pessimism.... Can anyone recommend an independant financial adviser who has a more 'can do' attitude, and can think creatively, even when things are - ahem - less than perfect? Thanks.

Thanks for all the replies and PMs. Chris located!

Hi all, We used a Mac repair guy possibly called Chris, found on the forum, based on Crystal Palace Road a couple of years ago. Can't find his details now, does anyone know who I mean, or is he out there somewhere?? Thanks!

Hang on, I thought this was supposed to be an opinion-free zone...? ;)

Your friend has an excuse though. Black and white opinions should be the luxury only of those without kids (IMHO!). One thing you learn from having them is that it is bloody hard work and everyone does what they can to get by in huge variety of settings with different levels of support, personalities, partners, finance and babies. Those that have babies and still think they are a) in control and b) doing it all 'right' and c) everyone should do it the way they are are the ones that really piss me off! Am I ranting? Sorry, sleep deprived!

We've used Graham from Usealoft for other carpentry around the house too, and he works to a high standard and charges sensible prices, highly recommended.

Hi all, Just a straw poll, what is the normal hourly rate? Our cleaner has just put it up to ?11 ph... Thanks.

I second Corinthia. Went a couple of months back. Never seen anything like the 'sleep pods' before!

Hear hear. Just being clear about which days it will be open and sticking to it would be a good start.

Another recommendation for Colin, and his lovely wife in the office. Great service.

Yes, small, but brilliant and heaven for my 2 and a half yr old too.

I think the not breast-feeding to sleep theory is that if they don't get themselves off to sleep at the beginning of the night they won't know how to re-settle themselves when they stir in the night. If night waking isn't a problem for you then, as Convex says, it isn't a problem!

Aaagh! Toddler woke twice in the night and then baby at 3.50, never to return to sleep... Am in pieces. Here's hoping it is the weather, because at least then it won't last!

All sounds like good advice, and obviously, we (most of us!) try all we can to stop our kids doing this to others. But I do think your friend needs a bit of a reality check. Having recently been on both sides of two biting incidents (once when my 2 yr old was bitten and once when he did the biting) i can confirm that it is 100 times worse being the parent of the perpetrator than than the victim!

Saffron, I started when the first was about 5 months old as i wanted support in getting him out of my bed. They are now two and a half yrs and seven months and I call her as and when - early waking is our problem. Andrea's approach is 'gentle sleep solutions' so she's sympathetic to those that don't want to go cold turkey...

I'd definitely recommend one to one advice. I have used www.andreagrace.co.uk for both my kids, and she has been an absolute life line.

Could it not be a wave of separation anxiety? We had a similar thing and dealt with it in the same way (ie leaving the bedroom door open) and put it down to that...

Should have been, but wasn't. Really annoying. And no sign to explain. Grrr...

Thanks for all these replies - great. Will probably try all of them at some point! In the meantime, I've just started brushing them in front of the mirror and making the eeeee ahhhhh faces myself so he can copy. Seems to be working a bit, for now, in case that's any use to anyone...