Advise on Childminders / Nannies (UK) 🇬🇧

The dreaded time of going back to work from Mat leave is here 😓. I’ve missed the deadline to get the code for free govt childcare hours this term, I was on holiday so now have to wait until January! So, now I’m trying to find someone but I don’t know where to start, does anyone know any websites where I can search for trusted, OFSTED certified childminders or nannies in my area? Or just any other advice in general what I can do from now until January. Thanksss x

in our community

Mess at home triggering husband

So I'm about 2 months after birth. I have a 3 year old and my recent baby. I have my toddlers toys in baskets around the home and I usually tidy up twice a day once midday then end of day. My toddler tips out the toy basket and it keeps triggering my husband as he can't stand the mess. I have explained that it's normal for toddlers to do this. He wants to throw out all the toys and leave her with a few. I explained that I've spent money on these toys and I'd rather she had them. Any advice?

Keeping toddler entertained whilst pregnant?!

Does anyone have any ideas of things to do with my almost 3 year old whilst also 8 months pregnant? I’m finding it really difficult to keep up with his energy and am running out of ideas to keep him happy and entertained that don’t require me to run around after him 24/7 but I feel really guilty about him being bored etc and I don’t want to just shove him in front of a Tv all day! We do arts and crafts, play with his toys all day, go out for a coffee and a cake etc but I’m worried he’s getting bored, and when he gets bored the whole world knows! He’s a very active little boy but also very needy (ie if we go to soft play with grandparents he only wants me to play with him) so any ideas would be really helpful!

Baby not ready for weaning

My baby is a week away from 6 months and is only showing the sign of bringing toys to his mouth as being food ready. when we’re eating he has no interest at all, and i’ve tried a little spoon of a few purees and he just pushes them out of his mouth. I feel like i’m going crazy as so many relatives are telling me he’s ready, and he’s up through the night every 2 hours for a 7oz bottle but he’s just not ready yet? Anyone else in a similar boat?

Baby staying over at the in-laws for the first time

I’m a first time mum and I’m meant to be going away for a couple of nights in October that’s 4 hrs away and my baby who will be 5 months then is planned to go stay at her Granny’s (MIL) , this will be her first time away from me and her dad and I’m really beginning to get bad anxiety from it all.

MIL has only seen her twice , once when she was born and the second when we drove through for a hour, we live over an hour away from them so hence the not constantly seeing eachother and I’m not going to constantly pack up and travel over there all the time.

I’m really really nervous as the time is approaching, we had booked this pre pregnancy and i genuinely thought I’d be okay but I’m really starting to panic. I don’t want to say anything to them incase they take it the wrong way like they think I don’t trust th or that they aren’t capable as she has had two boys. I feel so nervous im considering not going and just staying at home whilst my partner takes a friend and goes, but another part of me believes I should go as my life shouldn’t just stop because I’ve had a child and I deserve to have fun too but I also just don’t know anymore, I love my girl but I also want a break but I also don’t want her to go somewhere else. My mum died years ago and my dad’s too old to do it himself. We have no friends nearby who would help out either so this is really our only option.

Any advice on how to cope with this and if anyone has been in the same boat and just bitten the bullet and gone for it? xx

When does the messiness stop?

Started weaning for a few weeks now and baby prefers feeding himself. After each meal he is cover in food. The bib and high chair too. When does it get manageable? Feel like I can't go out now.

Food

Hey,
My baby is 7 months, she doesn’t like pureès, and I’m really unsure what to offer her ?
She is ready for food, as I spoke to my doctors, my health visitor, and she’s showing all signs, she will eat snacky things like wafers, and puffs, we’ve given weetabix a go which she was happy with, but I’m just unsure what to offer to a bit of a picky eater🙈
Any tips or advice will be appreciated😊xx