BabymassagewithLouie

Oh dear, not boding well then. I had a guinea pig as a child and it wasn't fun. Very nervous, scratchy, didn't enjoy being cuddled but pooed a lot... Back to the drawing board maybe - unless anyone has any positive hamster experiences to share?!

Hello, My nearly 7 year old is asking for a hamster for his birthday. Personally I'm happy to stick to Robo-fish as pets but he keeps insisting he'd 'respect' it and that he could show all his friends. And it certainly beats the iPad. But will he go off it really quickly? Are they fun for young kids or boring and a pain to clear out? And how noisy are they really - could it be kept in his bedroom or would it keep him awake all night? Thoughts and opinions much appreciated! Louie

I would say don't automatically move to a house or somewhere more expensive when you're pregnant. I was always amazed at the number of my friends who UPPED their costs while pregnant by moving. We stayed in our tiny flat until our kids were 2 and 1 and although it was a squeeze, we never regretted it as it meant I could work part time for a few years. Keep the big costs as low as possible. Also - shop around for childminders - I agree, the difference in costs is astonishing. I pay ?4 an hour per child (term time only, half price in hols and I have to find alternative childcare/cover it with annual leave) but some of my friends pay up to ?10 an hour which I think is crazy considering childminders can have three or four children at the same time. Good luck!

My son went through a stage of being 'injured' about three times a week in reception and Year 1. His is a smallish school where Key Stage 1 have one playground and Key Stage 2 another. At one point, I had a 'head bump' phonecall every other day! I asked about the frequency of injuries a few times and the answer was always that boys play Power Rangers and things like that and that at least one boy gets a bump/knock/kick almost every day but that it's rarely intentional and malicious. Now he's in Year 2, it really seems to have calmed down and I get far fewer phonecalls. I think if your son's not worried, you shouldn't be either. There's a difference bewteen over-exuberance/rumbunctious play and malicious play.

Hiya, I don't know if this counts as inexpensive but my baby massage lessons cost ?55 for five 1 1/2 hour sessions - an hour of massage/theory/discussion then half an hour of tea and biscuits afterwards. They're perfect for two month old babies so please take a look at my website if this appeals - I still have a couple of spaces available on my course starting on 3rd December. The venue is East Dulwich Community Centre on Darrell Road. Good luck with whatever you choose, Louie www.babymassagewithlouie.com