Greenparent

Online GP book club anyone?

2013-05-24T18:32:27+01:00

If this already exists let me know but I was wondering if anyone fancied joining an online book club if I set one up? I’m stuck in a bit of a reading rut and could do with some fresh book recommendations to read and chat about. Not thought it through much more than that at the moment but just wanted to see if anyone else was interested before I went any further

craft book recommendations please

2013-05-24T23:00:22+01:00

What are your favourite crafty type books?anything from knitting to needlecraft to felting etc etc.Would really like to get some idea s and get stuck into some projects for both me and little ones and would love to know which books are good for this as it is so hard to tell.I know there are probably some fantastic web sites out there but find this more challenging as dont like to spend hours looking at the screen and our printer is pretty hopeless.I much prefer working from a book,so…..recommendations please?

Attachment Parenting And Siblings

2013-05-23T10:02:52+01:00

I wonder if anyone can offer experience or thoughts.

I have two lovely boys and the single hardest thing about having my second had been helping my first to adjust and accept the new family situation and especially the changed dynamics between him and I. My first was poorly for the first 8 months and we were very physically close, although I know I would have parented in this way even if he hadn’t been poorly. He is also a very strong character and we have had challenges with behaviour and managing his strong emotions for years now (he is currently 4.5). My first refused my cuddles for a year after my second was born :-( although he has now come back to me in this way. My second likes to be physically close to me whenever he can and struggles with jealousy when I cuddle my eldest. He is not walking yet (currently 1.5).

Anyway, we are just about getting there although there remains lots of jealousy, a fair bit of violence, and fighting for affection. I have been trying lots of the playful parenting type approach and have a few hours each week with my eldest to help “fill his cup”. I also find Faber and Mazlish’s Sibling Rivalry brilliant for tips on validating what both siblings may be feeling.

I am now almost 10 weeks pregnant with our third and wondering how I will manage the changed dynamics once again. My gut feeling is my eldest may be ok but my 18 month old may struggle. Any thoughts on what I could be doing in pregnancy to smooth the way?

where DO you put your money where your mouth is?

2013-05-17T21:19:42+01:00

I’m curious.
I’m aware many of us are frugalistas on GP, and we love sharing our ‘how to save money’ tips but I’d love to know which areas of your life have no expense spared.

Is there a hobby you won’t compromise on? (I’m hearing stashes of yarn calling from the cupboards!)
A ‘must have’ gadget you can’t be without? (hello iphone)
Something you feel so passionately about you will buy it no matter what? (do shoes count?)

I’d love to know where you splash out and what the value of that is to you.

For me I eat about 80%+ organic food - my food bill is pretty extortionate but I won’t eat non-organic because I value the way I feel when I eat organic food and I feel good about the lessened impact on the environment.
Another area I don’t skimp on is therapies; I currently have reflexology and see a healer because I’m not particularly impressed with what orthadox medicine can offer me to support my health.
If my laptop broke there would be no hesitation; I’d replace it straight away (but then I do need that for business, but even if I didn’t I’d replace it for pleasure…)
Ditto the vitamix; if that broke I’d buy another straight away - it’s revolutionised the way I eat; I eat far more healthily now and I use it every day twice a day, so it earns its keep. I’d rather have a one ring camping stove with no cooker and splash out on the vitamix if I had to choose one or the other.

Over to you…

Where to buy fabric for making a ring sling?

2013-05-22T17:43:17+01:00

I’d like to make my own ring sling and I wondered if anyone can point me in the direction of a good fabric website with fabrics suitable for slings?
Thanks x

Last chance to win festi tickets!!

2013-05-23T20:00:25+01:00

Get your entries in for Gaunts House, Just So and Sunrise Another World as We’ll be picking winners tomorrow.
Good luck!
Jez

BPA free bottles/ eco bottles

2013-05-22T17:31:55+01:00

Hello

I want to buy some BPA free plastic bottles for us to use when outside. I dont like the stainless stell/aluminum ones. can you recommend any eco plastic bottles which are good quality too? Any help, ideas welcome.
Thank you.

Alternative to dioralyte

2013-05-22T10:13:33+01:00

HI All,
DD has d+v, only about 12hours so far and hoping it will disappear and just a bug. However to be on safe side I thought get some dioralyte as she is not eating and what water she drinks comes straight back up. DD is 20months and was told dioralyte is prescription only so could not get any at chemist, rang docs and asked if coul dget prescription and told she is not ill enough to need it and to see a doctor it would have to be next week anyway as they are busy.Today is Wednesday and bank holiday looming, so me being panic mode, just wondering if there is any fact in the theories around that you can make your own dioralyte, or offer them a watered down still sports drink, flat lemonade etc. I know when DS had noro when he was little doc told us flat lemonade - didnt quite believe it at the time lol
Thanks as always

Lisa xx

Where to buy baskets?

2013-05-19T17:04:10+01:00

I really want to buy some nice baskets but can’t find any well priced ones anywhere. I keep looking in our charity shops but it seems no one here uses a basket or if they do they never relinquish them!

I like these kind:
http://www.africanmarketbaskets.com/products/

But any nice ones really, ones that look lovely as part of your homes decoration ....anyone know of a good place to buy?
Thank you x

Chickpea recipes please?

2013-04-26T16:32:39+01:00

Hi. I have 3 kids (8,6 and 2) and a fairly fussy husband when it comes to food. In the shop the other day I was feeling brave and adventurous and bought a couple of tins of chickpeas. However, I am not sure what to do with them! I have searched online and found lots of curry recipes, but was wondering if anyone had any other ideas of how to cook/hide them in something yummy! We are 90% veggie (kids and DH have meat once a week) and I want to make sure we get enough of everything, especially as DD1 is suffering with constipation at the moment.

Many thanks
xx