March 08 Newsletter

Happy Mother's Day London Mums!!

Have your child/ren surprised you for Mother's day? Let us know ... March is a great month and for London Mums even greater with lots of things happening. Spring is at the door and lots of indoor and outdoor activities are on the cards for the coming months. Easter is very early this year too so Happy Easter to everyone. Don't forget to book your space for the Spring party on 12th May and also let us know if you are interested in attending our first book event with international book author Megan Faure visiting us on 20th June as well as coming along to the V&A and a farm trip with your child/ren during the summer. We are already organising this all for you...

SPRING PARTY 12th MAY 2008 - BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

The party will have a spring theme with an international flavour. This time we will lot of surprises and prizes to give away ... Please send us an email to register. Check the events page for more details.

LONDON MUMS BOOK CLUB! - BOOK REVIEWS

'BABY SENSE'- Babies don't come with a manual... This is an old saying. Now they do come with a manual and this is 'Baby Sense' by Megan Faure & Ann Richardson. I have read all sorts of books before and during my baby's first months and I was very confused on what to follow ... These two books are very easy to read A to Z manuals that contain everything parents need to know, especially practical tips anybody can follow, as and when to solve all problems babies have.

Baby Sense include very sensible tips to deal with breastfeeding (or bottlefeeding if this is the preferred choice), crying, weaning. It has very useful boxes highlighting the tips making it very easy even for busy mums to find the right information at first sight.

If I had known this book before I would have never wasted my time with books by Gina Ford ... The authors give very good insights into what it feels like to a baby when they are first met by the world, how to interact with them calmly, how to make them comfortable and calm. How to help them into a flexible routine that works for you and them. All parents should have a copy of this book.

'SLEEP SENSE' - By the same authors of 'Baby Sense', Megan Faure & Ann Richardson, there is 'Sleep Sense'. If you have ever experienced sleep deprivation caused by unsettled babies and toddlers, you'll find excellent straight forward practical advice to deal with helping your child to learn how to sleep independently. The good thing about this book on sleep is that it follows the various steps into children's sleep routine. Most books take for granted that babies will sleep by the 6th month of age but if they don't you are stuck with no advice. This sleep manual addresses the sleep issues babies as well as toddlers have, which are obviously very different, and it gets to the root of the problems. www.babysense.com.

MARK YOUR DIARY FOR THE FIRST LONDON MUMS BOOK AND PAMPERING EVENT (FOR MUMMIES ONLY!):

AUTHOR MEGAN WILL MEET US ON 20th June 2008 - Evening time/venue TBC. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INFO!

DVD REVIEW "RUPERT THE BEAR AND THE GIANT SUNFLOWER" OUT ON 3RD MARCH

Highly recommended DVD for toddlers from 13 months onwards. In 6 episodes, the sweet Bear teaches them to love and respect our nature. My little one loves it. The DVD is very educational and has great activities in the DV-ROM linked to a useful website full of things to download including activities sheets and ideas for things to do with toddlers. Long term value as well.. www.rupertbear.com

PART-TIME JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR LONDON MUMS

Do you know anyone who might make a great Captain Tortue Consultant? We're looking for mums all over the country who might like to take up this fantastic opportunity!

What we offer... A self-employed position where YOU are your own boss! Flexible hours to fit in with your current commitments. No geographical areas imposed - you sell to your network of contacts wherever they may be. Commissions calculated on sales - starting at 20% - Opportunity to earn just a bit of extra income or real career opportunities - Training and Support guaranteed - Personal allowance to buy clothes for your own kids at discounted rates - Fantastic incentive schemes and trips

Who are we looking for...- Outgoing, positive people who want to be in control of their work life - Someone who loves meeting people and selling - Someone who has enthusiasm and a love of children's fashion - Car essential.

If you want to apply for this job or know anyone who might be interested, please send an email to Gemma Hosking gemmahosking@hotmail.co.uk and copy monica@londonmums.org.uk in that.

To check the collection of French Childrens Fashion 6 months - 14 years go to www.captain-tortue.com

LOCAL CAMPAIGN: Fed up with being stuck with your buggy at the bottom of East Putney station stairs?

Dear Fellow London Mums,

Like most of you, I am very keen for some buggy friendly access to London Underground. (ie a lift). Here is an opportunity for us to be heard, and for a lift at East Putney to become a priority: The council is appealing to Wandsworth residents for their priorities for London Underground in the next 4 years, under the (new? old?) mayor. Apparently there were plans for a lift at East Putney but these were scrapped when Metronet collapsed. To bring them back on the table, please write your view to transport@wandsworth.gov.uk

You can find more information in the magazine published by Wandsworth Council, Brightside, March edition, page 14. There are so many mums and sympathetic dads in Wandsworth that there is no reason why this should not happen, so after emailing the council, spread the word!

MUM-TO-MUM YOUTUBE TIPS...

FROM MELODY: The below really is amusing - perhaps you could add it to the next newsletter for a bit of light entertainment. - Melody www.YouTube.com.

FROM LOTTIE: Check the youtube link below - v funny. (turn the volume up as its quite hard to hear) Love to you and your little ones. Lottie x - To all the great mummies I know..... you'll never need to talk to your kids again. Just play them this.www.youtube.com.

NO SMOKING DAY - 12 March

No smoking day is encouraging mums and dads who smoke to take the Great No Smoking Day Challenge. For a free quit pack and details of your local stop smoking service got to www.nosmokingday.org.uk

ST PATRICK DAY CELEBRATION - 17 March

Trafalgar Square - Parade and events featuring Irish dancers and live entertainment from Ireland www.london.gov.uk.

THE LONDON MUMS XMAS PARTY DVD OUT NOW!

The official DVD of the Xmas party is now available. Please contact us if you have already ordered it or simply if you are interested in getting a copy.

MUMMOTIVATING NETWORKING LUNCHEON

The Wimbledon mumpreneurs' group will meet again on the 25th March. You can see all the details on the page: Motivating Mum and then just click on the Businessmums' Networking Lunch heading.

ONGOING DIARY DATES

V&A MUSEUM

ACTIVITIES at the V&A Museum of Childhood - Everyday in the museum free drop in activities for schools and families - 10,30am-4pmwww.vam.ac.uk.

Also FREE event - WONDERTOTS at the V&A Museum of Childhood :

10.15am - 12.00pm & 12.45 -2,30pm - Age: under 5's - Parent/toddler activity session. Dress for mess because every week you make something to take home.

TATE MODERN

FAMILY ZONE, open during gallery hours, FREE - Bankside, London SE I Open Sun-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm. 020 7887 8888. www.tate.org.uk.