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VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE 'SQUASH' CLIP. To encourage people to squash their cartons before recycling them, Tetra Pak asked the nation's recyclers to film their most imaginative carton squash and upload the clip to YouTube to win a fantastic prize. Ten finalists have been chosen, and it's now over to you to vote for your favourite.

Hello from MNHQ...

Where we're all keeping eyes right on Mrs Tim of the Regiment, the witty retro tale of army-wife life that topped our December Book of the Month poll. Order your copy and stand by for kit inspection our Book Club discussion on 7 Dec.

We're norktastically pleased to announce we've a live webchat with Gabrielle Palmer, author of The Politics of Breastfeeding, next Friday (20 Nov, 1-2pm). We'll be opening a thread for advance questions soon. And if you missed our webchat with author Anthony Horowitz, enjoy a catch-up.

And don't forget, all you Christmas-bargain-hunters out there: you can bag some great deals with our Discount Partners, including our brand new partner, Hallmark. And (sssh, don't tell everyone) for the next seven days, Mumsnetters can get an exclusive 12% off Mini Boden...

Now for this week's parenting news...

Buggy recall row: Buggy manufacturer Maclaren has come under pressure to issue British parents with safety kits to stop children's fingertips being sliced off after parents from the UK came forward to claim their children had been injured. The company has offered US customers a fabric cover for the hinges of its buggies to make them safer, but claimed it didn't need to take similar action in the UK. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has described the buggy hinges as "a very serious hazard" following the amputation of the fingertips of 12 American children. (Independent 12.11.09)

Better-off parents being better parents: Well-off parents are three times as likely as poor parents to instil in their children the character traits necessary for a person to get on in life, according to a study from think-tank Demos. It says 'tough love' messages have been neglected in too many working-class households, where children are less likely to have clear rules and boundaries. The report challenges current Labour thinking, which puts the emphasis on a lack of educational opportunities for poorer kids. The characteristics identified as most useful for future success are defined as application, self-regulation and empathy. (Sunday Times 08.11.09)

Other stories in brief

HELP KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES HEALTHY THROUGHOUT WINTER with Haliborange Kids Probiotic Multivitamin, which helps maintain natural immune defences. Each complete multivitamin tablet tastes delicious, making life easier if your child's a fussy eater. Click here for more info.

Hot threads

Competitions

This month's prizes are:

It's easy to enter (and keep an eye on winners' corner to see if your name has come out of the hat). 

TALK ABOUT SCHOOL MEALS - FOR A CHANCE TO WIN £250! The School Food Trust wants your comments about school meals. You can either post your thoughts here or, for chance to win £250, upload a video of yourself waxing lyrical here.

Quote of the week

WhatFreshBLOODIsThis spots the most optimistic Freecycle ad ever: "Wanted: world peace. Also, large cardboard boxes for house move."

Looking for an autumn day out? Mumsnetters suggest:

Find more Mumsnetter recommendations for great days out near you in Mumsnet Local - and once you get home, please add a review in our Days out/Attractions section.

Aitch's TV round-up: Dr Who - The Waters of Mars, Sun 15 Nov, BBC1, 7pm
Don't blame me; blame a lady at Taylor Herring PR. I asked her nicely for a copy of this, telling her of my intention to preview it for the many, many readers of the Mumsnet newsletter, and she refused. Boo. So I haven't watched it. But anyone with a passing interest in David Tennant will have seen the clips of him pegging it through an alien Centerparcs pursued by creepy blokes with big mouths, and no doubt knows the gist of the story. Apparently, they've named the space base after David Bowie. Cute but, if they have a character called Gene Hunt, it'll have Gone Too Far.

Blog of the week: The truth about pregnancy
princessfeatures gets the hump about negative bump tales: "Why is it that absolutely no one has any positive stories about pregnancy and giving birth? No one you meet ever says: 'Oh yes, giving birth? Hardly noticed it. Back on my feet in 24 hours.' It's all 52-hour labours and dropping the baby in the back of an ambulance half way round the M25..."
Bursting to blog? Why not start your own?

Recipe of the week: RealityBites' lamb and leek hotpot
Inject a little foodie cheer into drizzly, dreary November with lovely, warming bowls of this meat-and-seasonal-veg casserole. Serve with crusty bread and a weather-beating smile.
Review this week's recipe here - or why not post one yourself?

That's all, we're off to bagsie our place behind the sofa for Dr Who...
Love,
Mumsnet Towers

TSARINA OF THE MONTH. Vote for the Mumsnet Local site you think is the most welcoming, useful, up to date, improved and generally fab, and the winning Tsarina(s) will win gorgeous Mamma Mia goodies (Tsarinas, quick, do some sprucing!) The poll closes on 30 November.

 

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