nickysydenham

We are about to adopt 3 guinea pigs (around 3yrs old) from Ark guinea rescue, in Mottingham (near Bromley). Much better to adopt rather than buy new. They have many more available, although they need to neuter some males to make some better pairings.

.... To relax. It's a very affordable way to get the benefits of hypnotherapy, and for me it really did work. Full set around ?50 I think.

Hi, I used a CD set from natalhypnotherapy.co.uk for the births if 2 of my children. Would highly, highly byrecommend. Use as relaxation during pregnancy tool, and so when you hear the same music during labor your body is conditioned

You could try Peter Gauntlett of Lewisham Foot Health. @ Mindbody therapy in Forest Hill SE23 1BX. www.lewishamfoothealth.com I recently went with a foot issue and was surprised to have a little scan done on a toe there and then. Definitely deals with kids also.

How about a cycling holiday - check out Brighton company Freedom Treks. I've done Dutch barge and bike trip with kids, and 4 day Italy trip with husband only. You can either book with them direct (lots of countries and Asia too). Or see if you can follow their ideas by booking independently. We are going to do this for a 4 night trip to Germany in May. Your kids are at a perfect age, and it is so brill having an active holiday with all the arrangements and itineraries sorted for you....

Hi, Get them 'baby shapes' by Helen Dorman. ?10-15 ish, and is a giftset with 4 black and white books for newborn and an amazing paper shapes mobile. We used with our 3 babies and have gifted it to many other people. Maybe get two for twins,... You certainly need two mobiles ideally... Regards, Nicky

We simply use the term 'lady bits', which works well.

We got Joseph bunk beds, natural colour, rubber wood i think and very sturdy and separate out to make 2 lovely singles. Around ?250 i.think.

I might have an interested son for the under 12s, but can you tell me when the twice weekly training sessions are? Time and day, etc. Thanks, Nicky.

Hi, I've just purchased ( arriving tomorrow) the yamaha DGX-660 for the same reasons as you re space. It's ?600 and is a great hammer action electric piano as well as having loads of bells and whistles to p7lay with..... 5 track recorder, sound effect, rhythms, instrument voices. Looking forward to my son learning piano basics but having a lot of creative fun too..... And I'm going to try and brush up my skills too. I ordered through epianos.co.uk - their website has a lot of review and comparison videos. Plus visited Musicland in Downham to physically try out a few. Good luck! Nicky

I don't disagree, i just know that i would find it hard to convey this to my son in order for him to agree to try such things. Plus, it's not easy fitting in and getting to these afterschool activities , especially if it's only for 1 out of 3 children. Thanks again, as i had not heard of that particular children's choir.

Thanks for that recommendation. I haven't heard of Musico South, but it sounds interesting. It's a pity there is an upfront fee of ?45, but as it's for the whole family and one-off, it could well be worth it, as I have 3 kids, and possible interest in myself brushing up my piano skills.

I'm looking for a singing teacher for my almost 8 year old son. He's really into popular/chart music and would like to learn singing rather than a musical instrument. I'm keen to find someone that can teach him the fundamentals of music through singing, and the sorts of songs that he likes (rather than classical or through being in a choir). Ideally it would be a male teacher, but it doesn't have to be. We live in Sydenham and can't cope with travelling to far for lessons, so either someone locally or who can come to our house. Any got any personal experiences or recommendations? thanks Nicky.

It may not be what you want, but one avenue is the website diy.org - an American site running a virtual scouts type thing for 6-14 year olds, where kids earn badges or 'patches'. But they also do online courses for kids lasting 1 month, costing from $15 a month. The courses include illustration, cartoon drawing and other drawing subjects.

I do feel for you, but what I would do to avoid this is walk down the stairs with child and baggage at the previous stop when the bus is stationary, so that you then you press the bell you are standing near the doors ready to get off at the next stop. This obviously doesn't work so well if the bus does not stop at the preceding stop, in which case I would slowly go downstairs whilst bus is moving. Hope this thought helps! After all, it is fun going on the top deck when your children no longer need a buggy🙂.