There should be library systems for things we would like but can't afford to buy...

[Dottydot]

Was just thinking that I'd post a thread asking if anyone in the Stockport/Manchester area would consider lending me a portable DVD player for a week so we can make it to Suffolk (5 hour car journey - shudder...) in one piece next week.

So I kind of have (and let me know anyone fitting the above description!) - but there should be library-type places that lend things other than books! (Are there library-type places that lend things other than books?? ).

toy libraries!

Could you pick one up off ebay cheaply?

Or look at the www.freecycle.org website for your area.

Just checked on ebay but we're going away on Saturday and as it's the bank holiday this weekend I didn't want to take a chance with people not posting it on time (it's just possible I've left it until the last minute to get my act together...).

you could always check out
www.cheapestelectrical.co.uk
They have some really cheap stuff - we got our digi box from there. It would be posted the next day.

dd, being bored out off your mind in the car is a formative childhood experience. you can't deprive your children of that!

I know. It's not that we won't cope, it's just that ds2's relentless singing for 5 hours (oh yes, he really will) will drive me BONKERS...

Would much rather they zoned out watching Monsters Inc or something, but then it wouldn't be a typical family holiday then, would it?!

ahh the fond memories of me singing to the whole kylie album, followed by Jason all the way up to Scotland and back came to mind! We always had to make do otherwise - playing eye spy, how many red cars can you see on the oncoming carriageway, how many mint humbugs you could eat before you felt totally car sick.......etc.

Can't you get one of the those back of the front seat wallets full of activities for DCs? Or a lap tray with puzzles/games etc?

Yes, I'm thinking of getting them an aquadraw thingy each?? Was going to start a thread on what else I could get for them that's cheap and cheerful but will keep them occupied - think I'll do that now!

You can get a service that will hire you a new designer bag each month. Probably still costs a fortune, but if you are in to that sort of thing...

My MIL in Belfast was part of a little mini-co-operative when all of her friends were becoming grandparents. Between them one got a travel cot, another a highchair etc and then whenever a grandchild came to stay they were fully equipped.

Within my church we have done something similar, so no-one lacks for those items that you might only use occasionally or for a short time (eg Moses basket, baby bouncer etc)

have had a laptop idea - am going to see if I can borrow one from work that can play DVDs - will need to tie in a flimsy work-type reason, but a laptop would work wouldn't it?

you may be able to hire one from a AV hire company. Look in Yeloow pages under AV/ conference / video services

Toy librarys MIGHT have one, expect to leave a resonable depoist for a high value item.

Ask around friends.

it's a good idea, especially for things like lawnmowers