mima08

Hiya there is a pretty good facebook group for the center and the information gets updated pretty often (the webpage is pretty simple and has no real info Link to facebook page Facebook albrighton details on the classes are also posted in a thread here on the forum in the "what's on section" - see if this link works : Ballet Classes The classes are 6.30 to 7.30 on Mondays, the centre is in the little cul-de-sac opposite the Sainsbury on Dog Kennel Hill.... hope this helps! mx

Hiya, I go to the Adult ballet classes at the Albrighton and find them fab. I have never done ballet before, so it is challenging but nice and relaxing at the same time. As for toning - I seem to come across muscles I never knew I had - and it definitely helps with the toning. I didn't think the costs of the class is too high at ?5 for one hour tuition - I haven't seen any cheaper classes around... mx

Hiya, checking with a few others, I am thinking Tues mornings? Say 9 to 11 (of course people can stay as long /short as they like). I'll be at cafe viva next Tues, let's see how it goes! mx

Hi Jo, I am sorry, I seem to have lost the article - several computer changes over the last few months mean I cannot find anything! I seem to remember the article was based on some scientific research done in Australia with primary school children, but that is all i remember. sorry! As for being "strict" - don't get me wrong: we are definitely not very strict. But I do realise as he is now 16months, some rules and boundaries are necessary -for his own happiness, and that includes that he cannot have his way all the time.... (some people would still call me a pushover though, ho hum....) Very interesting thread! mx

Hello all I just spoke to the lovely Lily from cafe Viva and she is quite happy to provide space and free wifi for a little freelancer group on a semi regular basis (on the understanding that the odd tea/coffee or other food & beverages will be purchased). Cafe Viva is on Bellenden Road, near Ryelane. It is a really cute little place, not too big and I find the mornings after 8.30 are quite enough to get some work done but lively enough to provide a bit of stimulation. Would people be interested in setting up a regular co-working event (jelly style http://www.uk-jelly.org.uk/what-is-jelly/)? Added bonus: there is chreche at the Adult learning centre across from cafe viva, where you can leave LO for an hour of play while you get some work done.... Let me know your thoughts Mx

Kittysailing - what a great programme -has us totally hooked!

Hiya, I have a very boyish boy - 16months old and he could model a lot of boy cliches (into cars, trains, very physically active, boisterous - none of our making). I haven't read many books (instead a fair few articles) on the subject but did like the Stephen Biddulph (as you are saying, just ignore the things you don't like). I did come across some research about language and communication skills which boys often struggle with more than girls. This (apparently) can lead to a lot of frustration as boys struggle to express themselves and it gets worse as they get older and become self-conscious (sorry, I am paraphrasing wildly as I cannot seem to find the article), so I am trying to encourage various forms of communication like singing, signing and reading a lot to him. I will try to find the article & post it here! Lastly, my son has recently started with a childminder, and while she is very lovely and caring (and gives lots of cuddles etc), she is a bit stricter in terms of rules - and he loves it! He seems to be a lot more balanced in himself -I had not realised how much we had let him dictate... mx

Hiya, I have recently started working for myself and so far am enjoying the experience of doing things my way - including being in my pj's if I want to. However, I do have days where I miss the company of others, like someone said: being able to bounce ideas of someone, etc. I have been to the Portfolio Parent's group in Forest Hill a few times: it is a lovely group and they are trying to figure out the way to go (at the moment they hold lunches with kids at the Forester Pub in Forest Hill, every Wed from 11.00-13.00). Mums in Business is also great - really inspiring ladies there. I have also gone to some "Jellys" (organised co-working events) by an organisation called KindredHQ (http://www.kindredhq.com/) - this is an organisation especially set up to support freelancers (parents or not) and they are great - check them out! PM me if you ever fancy meeting up for a coffee, we could always create our own version of a Jelly :) mx

Hiya, we have accumulated a small stack of Tesco's vouchers (approx 100-150) but don't have a school aged child: does anyone collect these? Is there a place I can hand them in? Is it all worth the hassle (the nominal cash value per voucher seems so tiny but maybe I am missing the point?) thanks for any replies! mx

Definitely Firefly - just fab! I watched Dollhouse as well - took some time to get going but 1/2 way into the box set, we were hooked. For shorter episodes, we watch MASH - over and over again.... Will try some of the suggestions here!

I agree with Fuschia - get it checked out, just for peace of mind. My son did not have a flat head but the cranial osteopath who I went to see because of his constant crying to was concerned about the shape of his head. I only went to the GP because the osteopath strongly recommended it (the hv had not raised it at all), and it turned out he had craniosynostosis. Luckily a very simple version and it was corrected and now you would never know about, looking at him. It is very very rare, but the earlier these things are found the better. Good luck!

Hello all - Pickle, you are an inspiration! And great results pebbles! I've not managed a run in the rain, but went to the gym 3 times, yippee! Total 3hrs this week, so feeling chuffed. Cannot see any loss on the scales but feel more toned, and glad that I have started attacking the emerging bingo wings.... Nabz - 3months is really early days, and walking that distance is a good effort! Keep it up, ladies and have a lovely weekend! mx

Hello everyone - great to hear about the progress and inspiration! I'm still around the same weight wise but getting rather frustrated about exercising: I joined the gym 3 weeks ago and only managed to go 2 times due to illness (either me or LO) - nothing serious, just colds which are bad enough not to go/use the creche.... arrrrghhh! How come EVERY time i decide to exercise and lose weight I get ill??? Feels like this has been going on forever (i.e. previous attempts at exercising were similarly sabotaged) Sooooooo frustrating :(

Hiya nunheadmum, i think our posts must have crossed yesterday evening. Just a quicky on exercising - if you are used to doing one form of exercising, it won't be as effective after a while (or you will have to up it all the time). In the past I found it really effective to rotate the exercise every 6 weeks, e.g. mixing running with swimming, aerobics, etc. And definitely some light weight training, the type with lots of repetitions. That can be squats, press-ups, that type of thing - the more muscle you have, the more energy you will burn, just in daily life... Best of luck to all! mx

Well done you, Pebbles! 20min is excellent, and I do know from previous experience, jogging does lead to results. Yay to all of us here :) mx

Definitely hooray for all the successes - I am very impressed with all your progress, so today my light bulb went on & I joined the gym.... overcame all the excuses and went for the first session - feels great! Hope to see some results soon, too.....keep up the good work, everyone! mx

Hiya I am so sorry to hear your problem - sleep is a holy thing in my house, and I need a lot of it. Unfortunately, baby does not agree, and to my shock I found myself in a similar situation in the first year.... it is only slowly getting better now. One thing I found really helpful were the meditation tips on Buddhism for Mothers. I had never done meditation before nor am I very much into buddhism, but the approaches to calming myself really helped. Hope things look up soon mx PS: for babies with dummies, once they are older and can take put them in themselves, I found that Sainsbury;s and Boots are selling brands which have a "glow in the dark" back - amazing!!!

hmmmmm - interestinly I found out that my weight changes depending on where in the bathroom i put the scales... even though it's not on carpet. So am now trying to find the perfect spot, hehehe. In honesty though, diet has taken a dive over last week - there was still chocolate in the house & LO was difficult, little sleep and, yes, you guessed it: not sticking to the diet plan..... buhuuuu This thread is really inspirational- willstart serious exercising!

I think the most helpful thing I read about dealing with the tough times was in "buddhism for mothers" - that everything is transient, i.e. it will change (of course, lots of people had told me this but reading it in the book I finally got it... kinda). hellosailor Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hope everyone gets some sleep tonight.. Hear, hear - wishing all of us best of luck :)

Well done you guys! I am impressed with your efforts - both on the counting and the exercising fronts..... Unfortunately my efforts have been rather limited, unless you mean the chocolate and wine consumption efforts: they've been great... :( oh well, write this weekend off & get my butt into gear, only months to go to get a flat tummy....(or something that can squeeze into jeans at least!) Keep up the good work! mx

hmmm - we are 14 months on and sleeping through is still a hit& miss. If it's not growth spurts (feeding like a horse), it's a variety of coughs and colds making sleeping difficult.... Sharing the getting up with husband and taking the odd night in the spare room to get some real sleep....obviously more difficult while breastfeeding....hope it gets better soon (for you & us ;-))

Thank you! Will get on to them now... mx

We went to Latchmere a few weeks ago (before the beautiful weather) and although the pool was great, I really disliked the changing facilities: they were so dirty! They had obviously not been cleaned that day and I am not sure if it had been cleaned all week. Maybe I'm spoiled by Peckham and Dulwich pools but that level of dirt (including dirty nappies on the floor, bins overflowing and a strong smell of....) almost made us turn around... having paid ?9 for 2 adults+1 baby we decided to stay. As I said, the pool was great and maybe it is not normally that bad, but we'll be trying Bromley and Greenwich instead.

Hiya, just wanted to ask if anyone else has come across this problem: my buggy (bugaboo plus) has started to develop a wobble. Specifically, the left front wheel wobbles. A lot. Mainly when walking at speed (and as I am continuously late for things, that happens fairly often). It makes the part of the frame wobble too, and is so much that I have to stop pushing the buggy to stop the wobble.... My husband believes this is normal as the wheels are so swively, but I never noticed it before (i.e. in last year!). Anyone else who had this problem and what did you do about it? thanks! mx

Hiya - a proud 1.8kg over the 2 weeks, so chuffed! Have upped the exercise too, sit-ups, press-ups and squats 4-5times a week plus more walking.... But then there is Easter looming, and I will eat some chocolate...ok, more exercise needed! :))