May 08 Newsletter

Dear London Mums

Two bank holidays approaching and the weather is still wintery ... Well never mind, the highlight this month is our Spring Party at Eddie Catz on the 12th May. Don't forget to book your space! There are only 10 days left.. Also our first book event with international book author Megan Faure on 20th June is proving very popular already. Please let me know if you are interested in attending.

LONDON MUMS SPRING PARTY 12th MAY 2008 at Eddie Catz

Last days to register for our bash. The party will have a spring theme with a fun multicultural dancing theme. There will be a lot of surprises and a luxury mummy hamper worth £90 sponsored by BABY SENSE to give away to a lucky mummy... Check the events page for more details and registrations. Special discounts apply to : 1) Mum and newborn (up to 4 months) - only 6 pounds (including light lunch and drinks) 2) Buy 3 get 1 free: if you are a group of friends and want to attend together make sure you register asap to make the most of this offer!

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: 'Pregnancy: How Exercise can help just as well as medication' by Nutritionist Melody Mackeown from Natural Nutrition

To read this article click here www.londonmums.org.uk/mumtips/mumtips.html

LONDON MUMS BOOK CLUB! MEGAN FAURE WILL MEET US!!

'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.

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: Eddie Catz from 7 pm. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INFO!

NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS WEEK: 11-17 May 2008

All breastfeeding mums are welcome to our Spring Party on 12th May. The entry will cost only 6 pounds if they come with a newnborn up to 4 months.

Also the breastfeeding cafe' at the Eileen Clinic in Putney, has told us breastfeeding mums with their second child are more than welcome to attend the Monday session from 10,30 am to 12pm and bring their toddler along. There will be a toddler corner with toys for them to be entertained.

Health visitor and breastfeeding consultant Agnes is looking forward to seeing you there. For directions check the site www.wandsworth-pct.nhs.uk

NEW PRODUCTS TESTED AND RECOMMENDED BY LONDON MUMS

Please check the page www.londonmums.org.uk/mumtips The product of the month which i have recently tested is the FunPod, ideal gadget for you and your toddler. Click on the picture to check the Little Helper ... and read my review on the 'tried and tested' section.

LONDON MUMS ART CLUB - NEW REVIEWS AVAILABLE NOW!

Books, CDs and DVDs for the whole family reviewed and recommended by London Mums www.londonmums.org.uk/mumtips

FARM VISIT

In the summer London Mums will visit a farm in Surrey. Please let us know if you would like to attend. Watch this space for details.

MESSAGE BOARD

FROM HELEN: Baby friendly holiday cottage in Cornwall Hi Monica, We have a cosy cottage in Cornwall which we've had to equip with all the baby paraphernalia (high chair, baby bath, stair gate, sterlizer etc.) and as I have found it really tricky to find good places to stay which caters for small families I was wondering if it would be something which the LondonMums would be interested in knowing about? A lot of the babies in the LondonMums group are just about Georges age (18m) and from personal experience over the last year we have found it pretty stressful holidaying in places which provide just a travel cot and nothing else! For the mums and dads there are loads of books and films available. The cottage is 2m walk away from an enormous beach and a cycle network with a cycle hire (including tow-alongs for kids). I've set up a website for the cottage if anyone is interested in - I'd really appreciate any feedback on from a mumpreneur viewpoint! www.maycottage.net.Helen

FROM ANTONELLA (NORTH LONDON) - THE BEST ITALIAN PLAYGROUP IN LONDON RE-OPENS: Cari genitori, Il Playgroup Italiano riaprira' il Primo Maggio dalle 2.30 alle 4.30 presso Hampstead Garden Suburb Free Church - Central Square, NW11 7AG.(con possibilita' di parcheggiare nelle strade adiacenti; bus H2 o 102 dalla fermata metro di East Finchely o dalla fermata metro di Golders Green).Il prezzo per bambino e' 2 sterline per il primo e 1 sterlina per il secondo. Te' caffe' e snacks a offerta libera. Internamente c'e' il posto dove lasciare i passeggini e il posto per cambiare i bambini. Saremo aperti per tutto maggio (ad esclusione del 29) per vedere se ci sono abbastanza adesioni, e poi vedremo. A presto 1..2..3...Stella

Dear Parents, the Italian Playgroup will open again Thursday 1st of May from 2.30 to 4.30 in the Hampstead Garden Suburb Free Church - Central Square, NW11 7AG. (there is parking available around - bus H2 or 102 from East Finchely station or Golders Green station) The price is 2 pounds for the first child and 1 pound each for siblings. Tea coffee and snacks available. Inside the venue we have place for nappy changing and a place to leave buggies. We will be open all May on thursdays (except the 29th) for a trial period and then we will plan our future.See you soon 123 Stella! www.123stella.co.uk.

FROM MONICA - NANNY RECOMMENDATION: My part-time nanny Emoke would like to work a few hours in the mornings. At the moment she only works in the afternoons 3-4 hours (every day), and she is looking for some extra temporary work. She would love to look after 1 baby or toddler, sole charge. She is great and my son adores her. She comes highly recommended. Call her on 07968515758 if you would like to hire her.

WEBSITE TIP FROM MUMPRENEUR SUSANNA: www.mumandworking.co.uk. Susanna

Information on the Sure start scheme (Roehampton)

There is a new 'Book of the Month' initiative. The main criteria for the children to take part are: They must live in the Roehampton Surestart area, they must be under five years old and they must be members of the Wandsworth Library Service. Book of the Month is a reading scheme for children under 5 years old living in the Roehampton Surestart area. Children need to be members of the Library Service to take part and joining is easy and free! The aim is for children and parents/carers to borrow and share a different book every month from the list of 'Book of the month' titles. There are two reading lists: one for 0 - 2 year olds; one for 3 - 5 year olds. Each list has ten book titles to follow each month from May to March 2009! Simply: register for "Book of the Month" at Roehampton Children's Library, borrow the "Book of the Month" each month (1 week loans), get your child's stamp card stamped at the desk every time you borrow the "Book of the Month", read and enjoy! There are three great gifts to collect; one gift after 3 stamps, 6 stamps and 9 stamps. Each month, there will be a fun activity in the Library to come along to. Children who complete the scheme will be invited to attend an "Award Ceremony" to celebrate their achievements in April 2009. (Date to be arranged).

LONDON MUMS IN THE NEWS!

'How to avoid Post natal depression and baby blues' - 9 April 2008 nutrition-fertility-pregnancy.blogspot.com
'London Mums attract star guests to annual Spring Party' - 31 March 2008 thatsparenting.blogspot.com
'London Mums Spring Party' www.londontown.com
'London Mums Spring Party'harrow.oodle.co.uk
'London Mums Spring Party' eventful.com
'London Mums Spring Party' www.mybabysense.co.uk

LONDON DIARY DATES

DISCOVER EGYPT WITH KIDS

There is a cool exhibition on Tutankhamun at the 02 dome. The London Mums baby art club will be organising this trip for the end of July (when the weather will be hopefully nice). If you are interesting in joining in, please let me know.www.visitlondon.com/tutankhamun.

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.