MARTIANS 2014 - Thread 7: Are you due next March? Do you have wrecking balls for breasts? Getting moist over iCandys? Then come and talk shyte with us..

[PramQueen1971]

Thread 6

www.gov.uk/sure-start-maternity-grant/overview

Thanks cool And pram xxx

pram actually i think 100 pound is alot for an 8 year old?? I spose people are growing up quicker and everything costs more but surely even half of that would be enough? I would be very anoyed especially with what hes left you both with... Xx

Ps. Am i right in thinking the grant is only for people on some kind of benefits? X

Says on the site...

You usually qualify for the grant if:

you?ve no other children - unless you?re expecting a multiple birth (eg twins)

you get certain benefits

You must claim the grant within 11 weeks of expecting the baby or within 3 months after the birth.

BN, thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it.

Hottie, the battle I have is that I know full well that this little boy will have been told weeks ago that his daddy is buying him a bike (his mother is a nightmare for telling DH what he must buy for their son months in advance and then raising the little boy's hopes). I hate that these financial plans have been put in place without any discussion with me (why would there be? It's DH's money - he works and I do not) when our financial difficulties are pressing on all sides. AIBU to think DH should have said ages ago that, due to our circumstances (again - all his fault), the boy will have to wait until Christmas for a bike?

Bionic, thanks very much for your take on the situation (you, too, Gawj). DH's parents have disowned him a long time ago so no help there. I have just told him: 'I unhappy that you are considering spending £100 on Oliver when we are in these financial straits. Can we talk about this some more? Does it have to be £100? Does he have to have a bike right now?'. He replied: 'Pram, he's having a bike; I've told him I'm buying him a bike and that's the end of it. If it costs £100 then that's what it costs.' My retort: 'You're a selfish bastard at the end of the day, aren't you? You should never have told that boy to expect a bike for his birthday when you've been gambling more than £200 a fucking month for a year and we have fuck all for the new house or this baby.'

His parting shot as he left for a fag: 'Go and take an extra tablet, for fuck's sake. The boy is having a bike'

BN I was wondering about a buggy board but was thinking it would make you crouch further over pram and wouldn't be good on the back. Also I have read some reviews which says it has damaged the pram due to extra weight on back. Might be worth looking into more?

The present dilemma - it's a tricky one. I was going to ask if the boy knows to expect a bike. If he does, that makes it much harder as he'll be disappointed through no fault of his own. But it's an awful lot to spend given the circumstances so maybe DH should explain that he wanted to buy a bike but now can't afford it and get him something else he'd be equally delighted with. I think DH needs to concentrate his efforts on providing a home for you and your baby, Pram. The boy's mother has money so he's not going to be deprived of anything important.

Sorry, I don't seem to be able to post without writing an essay

I see I'm a bit late. Ok, if the boy MUST have a bike, he can have one that costs considerably less than £100. DS1's first bike cost £30 second-hand and he loved it. It was in good nick, just outgrown by the previous owner. Sadly, someone stole it from our driveway last year.

Well can he not just buy a bike that doesn't cost £100?

*Disclaimer, I have no idea how much these things cost!

Pram - ebay or look in ads in paper for 2nd hand bikes? Or see if anyone you know has one that their child has just outgrown or just sitting in shed?

Just had a Skype video chat with DP at last (he hasn't had good wifi till now). He's looking really tanned and gorgeous. God, I miss him. Only 10 long days to go...

If anyone's watching Celeb Masterchef, don't tell me who won. I'm watching yesterday's on iPlayer.

I've also read mixed reviews bionic but I'm not sure i would get my money's worth out of a double. DS will have just gone 3 when #2 arrives and he's pretty happy to walk, I'm just not sure what his stamina will be like at that age and I don't fancy trying to carry him and push the pushchair. Anyone know if it's easy to convert an Icandy peach into a double?

Men can be total dickheads sometimes pram. I wouldn't waste my breath trying to change his mind but would ask "what type/brand of bike" he's going to get then search high and low for the cheapest option and make sure he spends whatever is left of the £100 budget on the baby or the house.

Oh pram it's so tough. It might be difficult to raise the subject again, but I think a cheaper bike is a good idea.

I am having really bad pain on left hand abdomen. Agony whenever I move. Should I see GP on Monday? Would a "belly band" help at all does anyone think?!

BNmum I'm just jumping in quickly to say have to considered a buggy board? If your older one will be nearly 3 when new one comes then I don't think you'll get much use from a double buggy - I had one for my 21 month age gap which I used for a year but not much past when older one was 3, it was so cumbersome I couldn't wait to get rid of it! Mind you it did the job - was the Phil and Teds Vibe 2 (how dodgy does that sound).

My DD will be nearly 3 when baby comes and I'm totes avoiding double buggy confidently because she scoots everywhere already like a tiny pavement hooligan.

Oh and to answer the question properly, whilst DS still got tired, we used the buggy board and he loved it. You do have to step back a bit but I much preferred it to double buggy. When he turned 3 I wanted to start encouraging him to walk/scoot as much as possible for exercise, and you can hook the board up easily up the back of the buggy when you are not using it. It didn't do any damage to my maclaren

Have you used a buggy board pirates? I'd much prefer this option but I've read mixed reviews about them. Do many places stock them? I'm just wondering I'd I could take the pushchair to somewhere like mothercare and 'test drive' one?

I'm too slow at typing and see you have answered my questions, what brand did you use or was it a scooter hat also doubles as a buggy board?

That's useful to know Pirates about buggy board.

Am thinking maybe get a baby carrier for baby as DS will be almost 3 & 1/2yrs, so could use current pram if needed. He is starting to walk longer distances, but am worried he would flag on longer trips.

Have read you can get a seat that attached to side of single pram, but not sure how steady those would be? Anyone know?

Becca - how long have you had pain? Is it a sharp pain or what?

BN there will be 3 years between my DC's when this one arrives and I'm getting a buggy board, will also have sling so if DS wants to go in the pram I can pop baby into the sling. From what I've learned you're better off getting a brand's own buggy board to match the pram, as otherwise the warranty will be void. Icandy aren't suitable for buggy boards though, can make the chassis buckle. Re making the Peach a double its easy although if its the Peach 1 you may struggle to buy the blossom kit in the same colour as your pram as its a while now since it was discontinued. It's also very heavy with 2 kids in - it was what I was looking at when I was last pregnant but sadly miscarried, I'm not just a complete geek!

Bionic think its a buggy pod you mean, but no idea about them as the paths where I live aren't wide enough for side by side prams so I discounted them fairly quickly!

Bionic I've had it, gradually getting worse, for the last 7/8 weeks. EPU suggested it is muscular/round ligament pain/basically where unfazed.

Has for really bad today after I walked for 15 mins carrying two laptops (yes I am an arse!)