Browncoffee

We have the Baby Jogger Select and highy recommend it: http://www.babyjogger.co.uk/cityselect.php

I am a Personal and Professional Coach with over 10 years? experience of helping individuals, teams and organisations to create positive and lasting change. I have worked extensively within the Recruitment and Development functions of large financial service organisations and have recently set up my coaching practice (working from my home/clients' homes/Peckham Rye Park on sunny days) in East Dulwich. I have done a lot of work with ED mums and now focus primarily on working with ambitious and high-potential individuals who want to build fulfilling careers or expand their businesses. I blend my coaching with an extensive range of development tools and resources to help my clients drive performance and experience fulfilment. I also offer CV review and/or interview preparation sessions for clients who have been unsuccessful in getting interviews or offers for their ideal jobs. Work with me? My job as your coach is to give you a compassionate kick up the backside to get you going. We will work collaboratively ? as equals ? to keep you on track so you get where you want/need to be more quickly than you would on your own! ? Are you currently employed but looking to be happier, more productive and more successful at work? ? Do you wish to explore your career options or to consider a change in career direction? ? Have you been made redundant and feel demoralised?.or anxious to get an even better, more fulfilling role? ? Have you been on an extended career break and need to get back out there? ? Do you have a career dream to fulfil, or a goal to achieve? Maybe you?re feeling ?stuck? or bored or confused? . Perhaps you aren?t sure what you want in life and you need some direction? ? Are you a business owner/freelancer and feel that you?re playing a much smaller game than you?re capable of? ? Do you just want to find that job that you would love? If you answered 'yes' to any of the above questions and would like a free, non-obligatory taster session, please send me a PM (including your email address) and I will get in touch. I am also happy to share testimonials from previous/existing clients.

Another vote for Catherine Hirst's workshops. Learnt a lot and it was lovely 'me time' as the workshops were in the evenings (after bedtime). Unfortunately I haven't had much time to practise (although have knitted a few items since), but this has prompted me to dig out my knitting box:-)

Unfortunately my 'homework' client has had to postpone our session so I'm looking for a practise client for a free 60-min telephone (or F2F, if in ED) coaching session to take place on Saturday at 8.30pm. If you are available and would like to take advantage of the offer, please send me a PM. I have no doubt you will benefit from the session and I am happy to send you various client testimonials, if required. Best wishes, BC

Another vote for Bosch!

How about Center Parcs (Longleat)? Haven't been but have heard great things and planning a long weekend soon.... http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/index.jsp

I'd recommend a Mothers Inc massage. They have a creche so the kid(s) can be taken care of whilst she has a massage. They offer slots for couples too, so you could all go for a lovely meal, followed by an hour of 'just us' time. Their masseuse are awesome! Hope you find the perfect present. Well done on the effort front already. Might just forward this thread to my husband.....just in case he needs ideas for mother's day:)

Same process as Ipe - get the service through work. The corporate rates are much higher than the individual ones. From what I remember when I asked them about direct hire, they charge a booking fee of ?25 per booking and you pay the nanny ?8ph, so looks like the nanny cost is the same as Sitters but the booking fee is what pushes the cost up. I tend to use Sitters if paying directly and use Tinies when using company-sponsored childcare allowance.

I'm looking for a new practise client interested in a free 60-min telephone/skype coaching session on March 2nd as part of my coaching training program. You wouldn't need to prepare anything although if you like, you can think about an area of life where you would like some change, feel stuck or have a goal you would like to reach. My job as your coach is to give you a compassionate kick up the backside to get you going, and to keep you on track so you get where you want/need to be more quickly than you would on your own! I will need you to be available for a coaching call on the evening of Saturday, 2nd March (as that is part of my homework for that weekend). If not you, perhaps you have a friend/relative that could benefit from some coaching? The individual doesn't have to live in London. Please send me a PM for more details and thanks in advance for your time/any referrals.... BC

I'm looking for a new practise client interested in a free 60-min telephone/skype coaching session on March 2nd as part of my coaching training program. You wouldn't need to prepare anything although if you like, you can think about an area of life where you would like some change, feel stuck or have a goal you would like to reach. My job as your coach is to give you a compassionate kick up the backside to get you going, and to keep you on track so you get where you want/need to be more quickly than you would on your own! I will need you to be available for a coaching call on the evening of Saturday, 2nd March (as that is part of my homework for that weekend). If not you, perhaps you have a friend/relative that could benefit from some coaching? The individual doesn't have to live in London. Please send me a PM for more details and thanks in advance for your time/any referrals.... BC

Had my daughter's first birthday at The Florence, Herne Hill and it was awesome. I think they take two bookings - one at 12pm and a second one at 2.15pm. They have a lovely kid's play area which came on very handy for the little ones. If you can get the conservatory which is just opposite the play area, it'll be easy to keep an eye on the kids. I think we had a party of 25 and the space was just right. Enjoy! Here's their website: http://www.florencehernehill.com/

Second vote for tinies. I have used them a couple of times and they're great! It is quite expensive and fortunately my work paid for the service. A cheaper option is sitters.com. They also have nannies who are local. Either way, I agree it's better to work from home when you use the emergency nanny (with a sick child), particularly if it's the first time you're using that nanny. Best wishes, BC

I'm doing some research for my coaching practice on the above subject and would be interested in hearing from parents/step-parents who deal with the challenges of shared parenting, particularly where there is no love lost between the parents involved. I would be asking volunteers for a 30 minutes phone conversation and offer a free 30 minute coaching session as a 'thank you' for their time, if needed. Please send me a PM if interested and pass on to your friends/acquaintances who might be interested. Thanks, BC

I'm doing some research for my coaching practice on the above subject and would be interested in hearing from parents/step-parents who deal with the challenges of shared parenting, particularly where there is no love lost between the parents involved. I would be asking volunteers for a 30 minutes phone conversation and offer a free 30 minute coaching session as a 'thank you' for their time, if needed. Please send me a PM if interested and pass on to your friends/acquaintances who might be interested. Thanks, BC

Thank you all so much for your responses. It really is a stressful thought and there is clearly no certainty about options until we get to it! I don't mind St Francesca Cabrini but I really would prefer a non-religious/Catholic school, even though I was raised a Catholic. I would prefer that my children have a fair view of everything (including religion). Renata - thanks for your lovely pm. It is very reassuring that St Francesca Cabrini is a good option, in case we end up there....although I'm still hopong for a shot at some other schools. My daughter will be 3 in September this year (and my second daughter will be 1 in August so will only be a year behind - another dilemna) so I guess we still have a little bit of time. I will take some time to look at the proposed Harris primary school as it could potentially be an option (depending on where it ends up). Wish it wasn't so complicated! Off to play the lottery as it might just make all the difference;-)

Curious about catchment area for those living on our road (Marmora) and nearby. Have heard that the most likely school is St Francesca's on Forest Hill Road as there aren't many others nearby. Is this true? My husband and I have discussed moving but really don't want to....yet/anytime soon. If your child goes to St Francesca's, I would really appreciate some feedback as don't hear much about it. Thanks, BC

Just a vote for Mothers Inc - I had the best deep tissue massage ever on Wed & my back is still feeling like it was replaced! Knowing that my 6-month old was in perfect hands & loving her time next door (in their cr?che) meant I could completely relax & enjoy my much-needed 'me time'. I'm taking Mr BC along next time & he'll no doubt love the experience, as our girls will also be enjoying themselves nearby. What a lovely family treat! Thanks Mothers Inc.

I've got the next stage of my coaching certification programme kicking off on the first weekend of February and once again, I need to find a new practice client for a Saturday (2nd Feb) coaching session, ideally at 8.30pm.? My ED clients seem to have naturally fallen into a niche group so this time, I would like to offer a FREE one-hour professional development coaching session to mums who are either on maternity leave, stay-at-home, considering getting back out into work or to working mums looking for a career change.? My job as your coach is to give you a compassionate kick up the backside to get you going, and to keep you on track so you get where you want/need to be more quickly than you would on your own!? You do not need to prepare anything. However, if you would like, you can think about a specific area where you would like some change, feel stuck or have a goal you would like to reach. Drop me a private message, if interested...and I'll provide more details.

We took our then 20 month old to Sharm el Sheikh last year (Easter holiday) & had such an amazing time. She still talks about the swimming, beach etc. We stayed in a lovely hotel that had a really nice creche/babysitting services which she also loved, so we had a few afternoons to wander around the markets without toddler & pushchair. Highly recommend Egypt!

Our Dyson handheld VC is one of my best buys since having children. Think we got ours from ebay for half the retail price. Has been worty every penny! What a nice Xmas present:-)

Happy 1st birthday, Edtots! Will head over to your fb page to like. Have found you invaluable over the last couple of years. Keep up the good work. ..BC

I am on a coaching programme this weekend and need to find a practice client for a free coaching (telephone/skype/face-to-face) session to take place at 8.30pm on Saturday. I already have a client but my friend still needs one. Anyone up for it? You do not need to prepare anything. However, if you would like, you can think about an area of life where you would like some change, feel stuck or have a goal you would like to reach. Drop me a private message, if interested...and I'll provide more details.

Pretty unlikely as its New Years Day so a bank holiday.

Great idea! I'll certainly pop in next week. Do you have a website? If not, I'll grab a price list when I pop in. Best wishes, BC

Noticed this new business on Forest Hill Road. Sounds like a fab idea - pampering for mothers with on-site childcare ("because every day should be mother's day"). It looked open this evening and all set up. Anyone know anything about it?