hanstands

Dear EDF families, I am a Mum to three well behaved children between 6-14 years. I have been a homeowner for 17 years but our current house in Forest Hill is up for sale and we will buy a new home upon sale of the latter. In the interim we are seeking a short term housesit offering free garden care/ pet care, if required, as a part exchange. I am a professional garden designer and also do maintenance. We are also very experienced house and pet sitters and have many five star reviews on Trustedhousesitters.com Please get in touch if you'd like to ask more questions or would like to meet up to see if we may be a good fit for your needs or to help you make a decision. Tel 07900 560 516 @wildcontained Warmest, Hannah

Another recommendation for Steve who just came to fix our Siemens washing machine — very fast diagnosis, quick preventative fix…. Definitely book this guy. 😄

Dear ED folks and families, I?m a face painter of three years and Mother of three under eleven years. I?m wondering what people now feel about making potential bookings since lockdown has been easing? I haven?t painted since March so I?d be a bit rusty. Any thoughts/feelings/ideas are highly welcomed at how this could work so all involved would feel safe yet entertained? At the moment it seems I can paint within a maximum of six people in one gathering including me?! So this could include booking a face painter for a small birthday party. Or I could do detailed work on one or two children at their home? Or outside in a park or garden weather permitting. These things would be assumed at any small gathering: Using anti-bac hand gel before any new face. Cleaning all brushes with 70% alcohol. One sponge per person (I do this anyway). Keeping paints and surfaces regularly wiped down with anti-bac fluid/wipes. Very regular water changes. Any other thoughts and suggestions welcomed. Thankyou in advance!

Thanks mrs R it?s defo a consideration if this idea is exhausted and zero results. Thanks for the reminder! Hxx

Hiya, seeking tips/advice, have you ever hosted such a thing for your child?s birthday party? Or hired out roller skates? Looking to borrow skates or hire a company to do one. Any thoughts or ideas welcome... Many thanks

I also bought all nappies second hand often from EDF but also found a few in charity shops and second hand baby sales. You can get some real bargains out there (put a few 'wanted' posts up) with a bit of patience and perseverance so done this way it turns out to be a real saver financially and environmentally, with reusing reusables...

Hi! I hear you... I had the similar feelings for all my babies and I used cloth on all three though for the bigger drinking babies I used an eco disposable at night. It is a little difficult to start off but as other posters have said once through the initial stages of getting ones head around the cloth system it's actually rather fun and enjoyable. The nappies feel good quality and the designs can be gorgeous to look at. I find when the baby is small you require about 20 'fitted' with wraps nappies as there is so much explosive changing that is required with a small baby BUT once the baby is past 5 months it all mellows, slows down and far less changing needed. After about six months I used the Velcro pocket nappies with colourful designs, I found these as quick to get on/off as disposables and loads of people comment on how nice they look during the summer when the nappy was visible. In terms of drying we hung nappies over a radiator airer or hung outside on a hook peg thing to air off before finishing off drying indoors. In the summer it's ALOT easier to dry but both is fine and you know it's not going to last forever. Also you know you can tell your child when he or she is older that you used cloth nappies on them and helped to prevent toxic landfill and air pollution. In terms of temperature I've never washed at 90 degrees. Usually on at 40 with sometimes a 60 to make sure any potential bacteria is killed. If you put them in sunlight it also helps to kill germs and reduce stains. All the best with it whatever you decide but I don't think you'd regret the cloth option as long as you van commit to it from whenever you start...😊💓

If it's a homebirth team you're looking for then it's the Birchtree midwives (with Kings) you need...leave a message on this number and they usually call back the same day: 020 3409 0704. This team is what Brierley used to be. I just had my third baby with them and they were truly amazing!!

If its homebirth you are keen for then Birchtree are your first port of call. They have the highest % of home births in the area and have the best continuity of care. I'm in the same area as you and just had my third and I was with the the Birchtree. Their landline is 020 3409 0704 ext 2. Leave a message on there and they usually call back within 24 hours. They were incredible with me. Amazing women who truly put the preggo woman first.

If you are interested in doing birth preferably without hospital intervention then the best ever book in my and quite a few Mum friends of mine is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. This was the book that convinced me I could do this... Even if you'd prefer a hospital birth it can really help one understand the whole process and what our bodies are actually capable of doing naturally.

Might anyone have an overlocker you'd like to sell on please? Or can recommend a good secondhand one to buy? Many thanks HXx

I have a 5 year old with sensitive skin who needs all cotton school trousers. The shops that normally sell them i.e. M&S, Nigel's Eco Store etc are out of stock. Anyone know of anywhere else that still has them for a 5 year old boy please [that aren't too pricey]??

Thanks everyone for your kind and very helpful responses. Will try a few of your ideas. Any other ideas still welcome too...many thanks again.

Thanks DW. You're right it does and its good there but is around ?11 a pop. Is this normal price range and does anyone know a cheaper way of regularly doing this sport?

Helloo--might anyone know where there is a local, good value for money climbing wall please? I have a very keen young son who enjoys these so much but the ones we have found seem so pricey per session. Has anyone found any good deals or any other ideas on this subject? Any help and personal experiences on this much appreciated.