bee74

I write this from Barbados and I recommend it. My partner used to live here when he was younger and we have been twice with the kids (boy 4, girl almost 2). It's hot, the beaches are wonderful, the locals are friendly, there are other activities like snorkelling, diving, surfing and lots of places to visit like historic buildings and rum factories... It is expensive however, but we normally hire an apartment and do our own cooking (lots of fish which is cheap, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and rice...) We also hire a car privately so that works out cheaper. The island is small and easy to go round. I have travelled with kids to different places like Canaries, India, Gambia, Kenya, etc and this is by far the easiest more relaxing place with them. I hope you find the answer. Whatever you decide, have fun!

Thank you. As a soft doll she uses my son's Steiner doll and grandparents got her something like a Corolle last year.

Ah, thank you. You are right. Maybe I am getting too worried about it. I have no recollections of playing with dolls but I have just asked my mum and she tells me I had Barbie and Ken and a camper van. How funny that I don't remember! But yes, I have got an MSc, an MA, I have travelled the world, I have a professional job that I love and my own property with no joint accounts and my mum always worked and earned her own money and never took my father's surname after marrying him. I hope I will be a good role model. Thanks again.

Minch - the point of my post is precisely that I don't want to discourage either of my children to play with what they like while also wanting them not to fall into an unhealthy gender specific stereotypes hence they both have access to cars, dolls, building blocks etc. I have always and hope I will always treat them as equals. And my daughter has a go, despite being 3 years younger, at whatever her older brother does. Thank you EmylyPie. Sounds perfect. I have recently watched an interesting presentation by Geena Davies on the lack of girls heroes in children cartoons. You might be interested in watching it.

Hello. We have been on holiday for a couple of weeks and my almost two year old girl has been coveting some girls' a Barbie dolls. I am not keen at all to get her one and wonder if there are alternatives or even a Barbie Doll with a difference with some sort of cool outfit that is interesting and not pink... I gave my son a Steiner doll when he was little and he was never interested. The girl very much is and she also has a very plain non gender specific baby doll. She plays with cars and animals and blocks too, but she seems so interested and engaged when playing with dolls that I don't want to discourage her. Yet I don't even want to end up with a house where boys play with certain toys and girls with others. Any advice?

I have a very similar policy to alieh so my son has asked father Xmas for the walking talking dinosaur after coveting alieh's one for a year and I luckily found one in Sainsburys. Then he is getting a new bike from us because he needs a bigger one. Plus I go to car boots and buy little things like cars or animals... And place them in jars as advent calendar. Finally, there are always some books and crafty/arty things from grandparents which I choose (!). But I love Playmobil and debating whether to give the little one the camper van it bought rapt a car boot about 2 years ago! She will be two on 21st Dec... Btw there are so many presents not because we are very generous but because they both have birthdays so close to Christams.

A week away alone...

I teach a class on Saturday morning at Gaia Studio on Maxted Road 9.30-10.45. It stars with grounding breathing, then we a dynamic standing sequence, followed by slower sitting postures and we end with a relaxation. I also recommend trying a few classes to find the one that suits you best. Good luck.

great. I quite fancy pizza myself, so we might try that and the soft play. I did not see a bowling that was close to Lewisham, following the link. Thank you all. Day sorted.

I need to go to my bank on the High Street and I will have my almost 2 and almost 5 year olds with me. Is there anything fun to do nearby that doesn't involve shopping in the mall - I hate shopping and somewhere nice to eat? We are coming from Camberwell, so anywhere along the way will also be perfect. Thank you

Someone mentioned the MUTU system... Have you teief it? I was sent the programme to review but haven't started yet...

Ah! It's the only day I work...

coffeelover - thank you. What day is it? Sounds perfect! canela - yes, I am postponing the beginning of institutionalisation as long as possible and also would not want him to settle into a new school onto to move to another one after two months! And it is quite nice to have him to myself (although I feel I am going mad at times!)

My 4 and a half yo son is not starting reception till we move to Devon at the end of the year, so I have him every day all day (as well as his sister who is 21 months). I am struggling to keep him happy during the week while all the other kids his age are at school. I thought football might be an option but can't find any classes during the week. Also any other suggestion for activities would be very welcome! Thank you

I know there is already two of us from the forum. We and our kids have met which has been really lovely. Would be keen to know if anyone else is moving and where. We are going to be near Lyme Regis/ Axminster towards October time. B

thank you. what a shame they all happen in the middle of the day and the little one naps 1-3 only in her bed at home!

I am at a course all week-end and my partner is panicking about how to entertain the kids... thank you

little h what a great idea. i've been thinking of doing the same before my son starts school this year. again, we can defer till jan (dec baby) but that's it. i was thinking that if we came back and he didn't get into the nearest or chosen school, then maybe i could home school him for a while till he is given a place - not sure about the feasability of this option tho i have two kids and the youngest doesn't sleep well so that has put me off so far, but she is improving and now i might actually do it to also coincide with moving out of london (if house search succeeds!) i would most likely be on my own with the children as my partner is not so keen, but that doesn't put me off. i took my son to india when he had just turned one and we had an amzing month there and then again we spent 3 months in kenya just before he turned 2 - i did some volunterring there and he was always with me. if you let your house, then you can live from the rent. and don't need to worry about paid work. anyway, best of luck. b

thanks everyone i am trying to collect all the issues to make an 'informed' decision on where to relocate... we are thinking of west sussex or dorset or devon, but i don't know the areas/ villages/ towns well as i m from italy, so any help is welcome so i wondered whether there are any 'cool' (even if the word is not to everyone's taste) places in those three counties thanks

I forgto to get The Times yesterday for the supplement on the coolest places to live in Britain... does anyone have it so that i could borrow it? Thank you

well I went on Tuesday (yes for the day, it was a bit of a marathon drive). you are right Axminster itself is nothing much, but the River Cottage Canteen is nice and the countryside is soooo lovely! And yes, the villages are very cute. I went to see two houses and one school. The houses were stunning - same price of a 3 bed with small garden in ED with acres of land, 6 beds, annexes, etc. And the school was fantastic. Two teachers took me round and we had a long lovely chat. Reception has 16 kids, they have a massive playgrounds with climb frame, slides, etc, chickens and views across the valley and fields. It's also a new building with all mod cons. Axminster is literally 10 minutes from the beach which i had not realised! I think I am sold. Still my heart misses a bit at the idea of leaving behind bars, cafes and shops...

snowboarder - where do you live? Kent doesnt sound as remote and 12 sounds better than 4! You will have to come and visit if we move to Devon! I agree about number in schools: can't be that low or there not enough energy going around. Having said that, it is true that they put kids together from different years, which seem nice and this particular school also has its own solar heated pool and outdoor areas with forest, veg patch, etc...

skylorikeet, thank you. That is most helpful. I got a sense that you wouldn't go anywhere without a car already... The houses (large) we are looking at are in semi rural spots and with lots of space (3 or 4 acres)but cost the same as a 3 bed 1930s in ED. Yet, I m not sure I would swap, but my partner is really keen to move to the countryside. I know Lyme Regis is quite nice, but Axminster doesn't seem to be much to look at. Nice to know about the JL in Exeter! I called a couple of schools and one said 'we are a small school' which means that if my son joined reception, he would be one of 4 kids: FOUR! I m not sure that is a good or a bad thing.... Keep the info coming if you think of anything else.

I got it into my head that we are going to move there after seeing a couple of schools online. Does anyone know the area at all? Any comments or suggestions? Thank you

Hello winter babies mums, sorry to intrude but we thought you might be intersted in a Nearly New Sale we are having this Saturday, 9th Feb, 11.30-3.30. There will be lots of good quality clothes (inc good brands), toys, equipment, books, etc as well as cakes by a professional! It is in a private house at 24 Sansom Street, se5 7re. Hope to see you there.