Parents Directories

POSITIVE PARENTING CLASSES IN STOKE NEWINGTON

Date:   17 September
Time:   10 - 11.45am
Place: Born, Church Street

Date:   26 September
Time:   9.30 - 10.30am
Place: That place on the Corner, Newington Green

Babies welcome

Please call Anya Sizer for more information on 07940 589848

www.betty.co.uk

Perfect Birth – 1 x 60' for Channel FIVE

Giving birth is supposed to be the most precious experience of your life…yet it is often the most painful. Everyone has an opinion on how to do it best… doctors, midwives, family, friends and the media, yet is there really such a thing as a perfect birth?

There is no clear right and wrong so betty tv's new documentary will explore the birthing experiences of 3 women who have chosen to do things a little differently. Whether you are giving birth at home or by candlelight, are desperate for a caesarean or just want to be surrounded by everyone you know, we want to hear your story and follow your experience of this important time.

With an array of options open to the modern mum, how on earth are you supposed to know what to choose? How does reality compare to what 'they' say and how do you know what is going to be best for you? Is it possible to have an 'easy, pain free' birth and what lengths do you have to go to to achieve this? If you think you might have the answers, or if you are having doubts about your birth plan and are planning a last minute change of tack, we want to talk to you…

We are looking for mums who are due in October/November and are particularly keen to speak to people giving birth at home, going natural or choosing when they go into labour. In an attempt to discover the secret of the perfect birth we will compare and contrast the experiences of our mums to be and see whether pain-free is possible!

To find out more please email chloe.huntly@betty.co.uk or call 0207 907 0884 with your due date and basic details of your birth plan

NannyCheck offers a helping hand by completing thorough background checks for parents who find their nanny on the internet.

For a fraction of the cost of an agency fee they will verify your candidates CV, employment references, qualifications, police records (including a CRB), medical history, drivers licence and more. An essential part of the recruitment process that should not be overlooked.

As Kirsten Gronning the Divorce Coach I support people going through the upsetting experience of marriage breakdown, helping them to confront and overcome the many issues they face to achieve the best possible resolution.

I can often see a different approach and this can be especially helpful in 'stuck' cases. Sometimes I act as a sounding board to clients needing to vent their frustration, to obtain a second opinion or point them in the direction of specialists who can help. It isn't therapy but a cost-effective service which complements the help offered by other professionals dealing with serious relationship breakdown.

I am committed to making separation and divorce more affordable with a free eCourse entitled 'Become Your Own Divorce Coach' available to download from my website and newsletters with cost-effective methods and tips to help negotiate the divorce maze.

The support I offer is both practical and emotional: how to collect up all the threads of a marriage breakdown, tie them altogether and move on - finding a balance between the divorce process and getting on with life.

If your life is in turmoil, if you need help with kick-starting your divorce or maybe a slower paced support to keep you focused, then I may be able to help. An initial discussion to find out if coaching could help is free. For further details click:
http://www.divorcecoaching.co.uk/page7.html to find out more about my coaching programmes of One-to-One Support from just Ł95 per month, or get in touch.
Call: +44(0)208 123 9046
E-mail: kirsten@divorcecoaching.co.uk
For more information: www.divorcecoaching.co.uk

Pitta Pattas was founded by Karen Diedrich, who's son Joseph, suffers from three life-changing disabilities. Due to the nature of Joesph's problems, Karen, whilst still young herself, became the stero-typical parent finding herself struggling to raise her new born son without help, support or advice.

After 11 years Karen still finds it extremely hard to find help and support, and is constantly delving to get answers to her questions. Now with two more sons, Jack(5) and Ellis (10 Months), Karen realised there is a distinct requirement to pass on and share information, experience, support and advice, in an unintimidating environment. She wanted to bridge that gap in our health services and support groups that more often than not are so lacking.

Pitta Pattas is simply a web site forum aimed at parents of all ages with any type of personal or parental issues. Her goal is to make it the first place parents will come to, to ask questions, pass on experience or just generally support one another. Most new parents are entitled to something in one way or another; our aim is to make it readily available to all.

Pitta Pattas is NEW so please help support Karen and Pitta Pattas by spreading the word. Help us to get people sharing their own experiences and get us all talking, learning and most of all supporting.
Please contact Karen Diedrich on +447883009760 or Graham Cole on +447796767646
or email graham@pittapattas.com

www.pittapattas.com

Above is the front cover of the celebrity recipe book which was produced in memoryof our friends that perished in the Tsunami. It is the perfect gift for Christmas and there are only a few left!

The recipes are all fabulous - after all which celebrity wants to be associated with a recipe flop!
I have just had friends for the weekend and only cooked from recipes in the book and the food was very well received.

ALL proceeds go to the charity too as we have no overheads.Call or email your order asap to avoid disappointment:

Call: 01243 372 079
Email: info@parentsdirectories.com

Seat belt Height Adjuster on BBC2 Dragon's Den

You may have seen recently BBC2's "The Dragon's Den" Peter Sesay of Autosafe Products. Peter was pitching his invention of a seat belt height adjuster. Which is a unique clip attached to the car seat that adjusts the seat belt away from the child's neck. This has the obvious advantage of encouraging the child not to put their arm over the seat belt… turning it in to the dreaded lap belt.

A product which many parents have been crying out for arrived with a bang… With Peter Jones describing it as one of the best things he had seen on The Dragon's Den. Many people have asked where they could buy the product. The Seat Belt Height Adjuster can be found in several outlets mainly nursery stores and can also be purchased on the web at www.autosafeproducts.co.uk

The long awaited child seat law came into force on the 18^th September this year. The law has left many parents not knowing whether they were coming or going?? The problems ranged from which seats to use, seats not fitting, could or should people use boosters in a lap belt and was it all children under 12 that had to use them?

The chart below may help you answer some of you questions.

*From 18 September 2006* in cars, vans and goods vehicles**

	Front seat	Rear seat	Who is responsible?
Driver	Seat belt MUST be worn if available.		Driver
Child up to 3 years*	Correct child restraint MUST be used*.	Correct child restraint MUST be used*. If one is not available in a taxi, may travel unrestrained.	Driver
Child from 3rd birthday up to 135cms in height (approx 4'5") (or 12th birthday whichever they reach first)**	Correct child restraint MUST be used***.	Where seat belts fitted, correct child restraint MUST be used. Must use adult belt if the correct child restraint is not available: - in a licensed taxi/private hire vehicle; or - for a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity; or - two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third. A child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available.	Driver
Child over 1.35 metres (approx 4ft 5ins in height) or 12 or 13 years	Seat belt MUST be worn if available.	Seat belt MUST be worn if available.	Driver
Adult passengers (ie 14 years and over)	Seat belt MUST be worn if available.	Seat belt MUST be worn if available.	Passenger

If you still are unsure or have any problems relating to seat belts etc Autosafe can be contacted on 0207 372 3141

Children's Book Giveaway!

Hoo Ha House are giving away 50 of their beautifully illustrated children's books!

Written for children aged 3 to 7, Hoo Ha House tells the adventures of household objects that are magically brought to life with wonderful pictures and colourful descriptions.

See how Wally the Wobbling Wellington reacts when tickled by the naughty sock twins, or find out what Ida the Incredible Ironing Board has to overcome in order to save the day.

Join our Fan Club and register your child as a Hoo Ha Housemate!

You will receive a free introduction pack, which includes a colouring-in book, a badge and a certificate! There will be more free stuff to follow throughout the year.

You can sign up today at www.hoohahouse.com. The first 50 to enter "Parents Directories" on the "Where did you hear about Hoo Ha House" part of the registration form will receive a free book besides everything else!

So open the door to the Hoo Ha House and let your child step into a magical world of excitement and imagination.

Me & My Baby Therapy Rooms & Clinic is London's newest healthcare centre dedicated to pregnant and postnatal women and provides a unique nurturing environment for both new and expecting mothers. Open 7 days a week and located directly opposite The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, they offer a wide range of luxury one-to-one therapies, exercise programmes, information and networking opportunities.
Me & My Baby can also offer the support and guidance of a qualified midwife throughout your pregnancy.

The team is lead by Lisa Barnwell, a qualified and experienced aromatherapist & reflexologist who has been specialising in therapy care for pregnant and postnatal women for over six years.
The Clinic's Midwife is Diane Morris who has over ten years of qualified Midwifery experience working at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and The Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth.

The uniquely designed Me & My Baby Signature Treatments, which last for a blissful 90 minutes, have been created for both new and expecting mums. Using combinations of Aromatherapy, Massage and Reflexology these amazing treatments are guaranteed to relax, restore and revitalise.
Me & My Baby Classic Treatments include Acupuncture, Allergy Testing, Aromatherapy, Chinese Herbalism, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Cranial Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Remedial Massage, Osteopathy, Nutrition, and Reflexology. All therapists are fully qualified and insured.
Classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of 8 places to ensure a strong personal focus and include Pregnancy Yoga, Pilates, Method Putkisto and Baby Massage.

Dads are welcome too at Me & My Baby, and Gift Vouchers are available for all treatments.

Me & My Baby Therapy Rooms & Clinic
236d Fulham Road London SW10 9NB
T. 020 7751 4170 www.meandmybabyclinic.co.uk

Introducing my child magazine…..

If you're one of the thousands of parents who have already subscribed to my child since its launch this summer, you'll already know what a fantastically useful and interesting read my child is.

Not only does it give you the 'real deal' on what's being taught in your children's school, but also how they're being taught and how you can help support your children at home - 'coz let's face it, a lot's changed since we were there!

In addition to lots of news stories, National Curriculum updates and features on general parenting topics, such as nutrition, health and family finance, when you subscribe to my child you also get:

- National Curriculum wall charts for every school term
- Key Stage and SATs software (worth over Ł150)
- Family fun and reference software titles (worth over Ł50)
- Best-selling book by Bill Lucas (rrp. Ł7.99)
- Unlimited access to discount gift vouchers to use in High Street stores, supermarkets and leisure outlets
- Access to Members Travel Club for exclusive savings on weekend breaks and family holidays

So subscribe now to get your copy hot off the press….

The my child team are busy working on the next issue, which is published in January and is packed full of
competitions, giveaways and articles including: 'Mobile Phones: in touch or out of control?', 'Summing It Up',
The Power of Sleep', 'My Child is a Bully' PLUS reviews on books, DVDs and games!

"It's always a challenge to ensure any new magazine lives up to its launch issue.
But with education a key concern for most parents and growing issues facing the modern family, such as finances and work / life equilibrium, there is never a shortage of things that you want to know about.
Of course, this next issue comes at the start of a new year - a time when you are particularly hungry for information and advice, (not too mention a jumble of emotions if you've a little ones starting a new school term!)
So this is for all you fellow parents out there -
no doubt it'll be another year of highs and lows, but we're hoping my child will make it that wee bit less whatever it is you're feeling now! "

my child team

We are delighted to announce the opening of a new Blooming Marvellous shop on Bellevue Road in Wandsworth, SW17. The new store is bright and airy, full of fresh maternity styles, adorable baby clothes, nursing bras, toys, gifts and practical products for pregnancy and beyond. Find Blooming Marvellous at:

Address Blooming Marvellous, 5 Bellevue Road, London, SW17 7EG

Opening Hours Mon-Wed: 9am - 5.30pm | Thurs-Sat: 9am - 6pm | Sun: 11am - 5pm.

Monkey Music, the pre-school music group based in Harpenden (and long-time advertiser in the Parents Directories), has been crowned winner of the 'Brand Builder of the Year' category in the British Franchise Association's annual Franchisor of the Year Awards – the first time the company had entered the competition.

Beating off stiff competition, founder and Managing Director Angie Davies was presented with the category winner's trophy by BFA Chairman Sir Bernard Ingham at a glittering gala luncheon at London's famous Savoy Hotel. The success of a business like this depends on the consistent delivery of quality, and Angie takes responsibility for ensuring that every new franchisee is well motivated, enthusiastic and has the right combination of business and musical skills. The Monkey Music brand is now synonymous with the best of children's music – to the extent that the name pops up in the most unexpected places! In an interview with the Sunday Times, Tim Henman included a Monkey Music CD amongst his family's preferred listening!