devsdev

Thanks nunheadmum - did you just use the guidance on the website to figure out what size you needed? Seems like a very messy proposition!

Hi all, We have 3 chimney breasts/fireplaces on our ground floor, one of which has been boarded up professionally by the previous owners (the fireplace area is still open, it's just the opening to the actual chimney that's boarded). The other two are non functional fireplaces and a lot of soot still falls down the chimney. We've had a chimney sweep in but it didn't really help with the soot. Can anyone recommend who we can contact to get them boarded up? Could any builder do it? Has anyone had it done? Currently have to "fence off" one of the fireplaces with a table so the kids don't play with the soot! Thank you!

Congratulations (though rubbish re: the family politics). Try Mother's Little Helper (Mummy's Gin Fund associated page) or SE23 Mums on FB - may have luck on there.

A bit late, but we got caught in a category 7 storm (I think at 8 or 9 they shut down crossings) on ferry back from Brittany - one of the worst travel experiences of my life and we didn't have kids with us! But depending on where you want to go it may be more convenient.

LondonMix - thank you, I appreciate that. I realised it was a bit rash to delete the posts, but I wasn't intending to cause offence and found the responses quite offensive in turn so wanted out of the conversation. I'll just re-include this link for anyone who's interested in some aides to discussing body/sex with kids as it seems relevant: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1406306061/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And back off for a good weekend now. Hope you all enjoy the sunny Saturday.

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I really like it - only done twice over last year. The second time I didn't use sulphate free shampoos as religiously and so didn't last as long, but still a good few months. Makes getting ready in the morning so much easier!

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To be honest it ranges from ?10nph upwards. If you find a nanny with their own child, for instance, then this can fall to ?8.50/9nph because they don't have to cover cost of their own kids childcare (so it's a share with the nanny effectively but you don't have to coordinate another family). Rather than using an agency why don't you speak to nannies on this forum or look at some of the local FB pages (there's a group called Crystal Palace Nannies/Childminders which covers nannies around the area). And yes - nannies will still expect to understand their net pay and then the tax company will gross it up for you to include in the contract. Pensions are coming in over the next couple of years, so worth understanding your obligations there.

Brezzo - thank you for setting the finances out. I wouldn't send our kids to private primary though I was open to secondary given the anticipated difficulty in getting into secondary schools in the area in 6-8 years time. But aside from probably never hitting a combined salary of that amount, I wouldn't want us to be financially bound to pay such a huge sum of money for the rest of their school life plus university on top of that. I'd rather save up for university and ensure we can be as committed as possible to helping and supporting our kids through school. If we won the lottery and didn't have any financial constraints then I would definitely be open to it, but my husband would probably still be very against it.

What a shame...I sincerely hope the babies in NICU still get the benefit of donor milk. It kept me from losing my mind when I couldn't produce enough milk and I felt utterly helpless. Presume Lewisham Hospital doesn't have facilities? There's also a FB page where you can donate directly: https://www.facebook.com/HM4HBUK

Any of the nanny tax companies will work out a share for you and split the tax etc. We have a 3 day share plus a 2 day sole charge and it took some time working out the numbers but it was all done for us. Plus they provide us with our quarterly tax bill which we pay directly to HMRC and if there are any problems with HMRC (which we had once) the tax company sorts it out which is a bonus. We use NannyPaye but there are several options.

http://www.madeformums.com/reviews-and-shopping/10-of-the-best-lightweight-buggies-under-6kg/1504.html - we take our Bugaboo Bee with us, but these have some other options.

We are thinking of getting the Ikea Kura. No idea if we'll ever get around to it, but there are some great Ikea hacks you can google to make fun beds for the kids! Like these for making a second bed: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/kura-for-two-using-ikeas-low-loft-as-a-bunk-bed-206819

Hi all, My friends are currently in labour with their twin boys in the US (so exciting!). I'm going to send a host of baby toys we have saved up from our kids and they also have quite a few things from family there. However I obviously want to get them something "new" and special but also useful. What is the best thing you had for twin kids/boys (aside from someone to help out/cook/clean etc which I wish I could offer!)? Thanks!

Thank you - will stick with RM then (and definitely won't overvalue the items!)

Hi all, A few friends in the US are having kids this year and I'd like to send them packages. What is the cheapest way to do so? Won't send anything perishable so is fine if it takes a week or more. Thank you!

Try the Houzz website for ideas too. We have glass bricks plus a small window that can be opened (not in the shower area and upvc so don't have to worry about damp. Like being able to open the window and the glass bricks bring in a lot of light.

Depends on whether you want to stay in the North East or go down to Washington area (in which case definitely fly back from DC rather than Boston). If kids are 10 and above then Washington and all the museums etc., plus Busch Gardens and colonial Williamsburg may be fun. If they're younger then staying in the NE - Boston and going up to Maine, may be fun. Of course you can always head down to NYC but not so much fun if kids are quite young. When are you going - consider weather as well because DC is very hot and humid in the summer. The Cape is amazing - enjoy!

In case you can't find enough people there's St. Dunstan's in FH/Catford with classes on Saturdays - but are ?8 a lesson.

At what age can kids start music lessons? Do you advise kids to do an instrument like the recorder first before other musical instruments?