We went to anti natal class before we had our daughter and the midwife 'teaching' I use the term loosely, asked what to do when I baby is crying and you've done everything you can think of 3 fold. My partner said let baby self soothe to which the midlife replied very sternly "never ever let a baby self soothe if they are crying it is because they are need something" this lady was no older than 20 had no children of her own so instead of speaking from experience she quoted and requoted the national guidelines. Since we were first time parents, naive and let's be honest terrified and since she had 'told off' my partner, we never let our little girl self soothe so she never learned how. She screamed 12 hours a day never slept more than 2 hour stints until she was 2. My partner and I were running on fumes. When I'd had enough and thought I was loosing my mind I let her self sooth (it was the most heartbreaking thing I've ever done) now she sleeps through the night she is 3 and is a genuinely content child. Very different from the uncontent screaming baby/toddler... Government guidelines are exactly that, they are guidelines. Mummies know best!

Tip 1: Make sure the air quality in the basement is good, so air it during the day for 10 mins or so. Use a ambi pur plug in diffuser. The lavender ones smells strong and last the longest. You want people to enjoy the smell as they come in - it is inviting. Tip 2: The quality of light needs improving to invite as much natural light as possible. It looks like you have blind therefore some natural light comes in during the day so leave the blind completely open during daylight and close them as soon as it gets dark. I have blinds but also curtains because in winter it keeps the cold of the window coming in, in summer it keeps the light out when you watch TV and it makes a room feels homey. Curtains don't have to be expensive. Add lush plants and look after them very well. If you don't have a green finger buy hardy plants but the foliage needs to go up (not droopy downwards), the leafs should be rounded or soft (peace Lilly) - No spiky plants indoors (they are good guardians for outside window sills only). Retain the energy of the room by placing a round crystal on a red thread hung from the ceiling close to the window (50 cm or so) or just a beautiful chandelier (giving rainbow spectrum light) in the room. Your chi flows very fast from the stairs through the window so you are losing opportunities (if in the north, it is your career opportunities, in the SE it would be your wealth etc). Tip 3: For colors I would find what compass direction your window is facing to choose the color for the curtains as follows: North: silver, white, gold, blue, black (negative: pink, brown or yellow) South: reds, pinks, greens (negative: earthy colors like skin tone, aquatic colors). East and South east: blues, greens, browns. (negative: grey, silver, gold) West and N. West: silver, white and gold, pink, yellow, brown, metallic colors (avoid: reds, orange, blue, black. N. East and S. West: love colors, earth orange, reds, for S. west. green, earth brown, (avoid wooden tone of browns, wooden tones of yellow, metallic colors like grey, silver or white). Remember though too much of the same colors will make you a dull person. Pink can be used anywhere by the way. You don't have to change your sofa - if the wrong color, compensate by putting a touch of the right color with cushions, carpet, throw. I don't recommend leather sofas, especially not a red one or you will have problems at work. Position the furniture to enhance conversation in a kind of circle, pentagon shape. So add two more seats (always even number preferably). Put the table in the middle of the carpet when you finish using it. The energy flow needs to go around everywhere. Get organised and put homework, papers in a box a pretty one which you can use as a table for a nice oval bowl in which you can keep your remotes in. Don't stick sofas or furniture in corners. Add a tall Halogen lamp (nearest to natural sun light) in the corner between the wall and sofa . Choose a shade fit for the compass direction. Contrast a bit to have yin (calming energy ) and yang (vibrant energy). TV should not be the focus of the room - conversation is. Don't make it central. Tip 4: Carpet the stairs - expensive underlay, shiny carpet or two tones carpet to keep it interesting and put a safety panel wood or glass Do not go for stripes (encourages arguments). A lush plant at the bottom of the stairs to keep the energy going to fast. Put a light under the stairs, have an office there for example. Tip 5: Add romance - Place a pair in the S. West for love. Place candles in the South or bright lamp. Where you are dining put on the table a bowl of fruit and a mirror on the wall reflecting the table with the fruit. This is to represent abundance/wealth. The mirror needs to be framed and flush to the wall. A mirror needs to always reflect something nice. If you reflect paperwork you will have more work. Tips 6: Houzz has thousands of living rooms/dining room - get inspired. Velvet, throws add luxury, good lighting adds warmth, a whisper carpet in the right tone would be lovely. Jan will bring sales. Tip 7: Canvases are reasonably prices. You have a big room so you can have two or three. Bring nature in with landscape (not sad or lonely), choose inviting, cheery, romantic. The dancing theme on your is good. If you can afford it go for a wall mural with a beautiful scenic image. Trees, beach (open window mural), New York skyline, blossoming pink trees, https://www.transformawall.co.uk/shop/product/atlantic-ocean-coast?cid=181# Tip 8 One of the most important tip is keep the place tidy, keep it spotless and do this often. Cleanliness is next to godliness we say. This also applies to your car and patio. Good energy flow will bring luck. I won't cure you or diseases or make you rich but it will make your dreams come easier to you. Get rid of any clutter. This is the biggest fault to a lot of bad luck in peoples lives. You don't need hundred of socks - 10 should be enough. You don't need 30 dresses, 30 pairs of shoes. Have a few, buy one, get rid of one. Never keep things for just in case I need it. Making room will actually make sure that when you need it you can buy it. Spread good karma, give to the needy. The runner on the table is good - it soften the sharp edges. It may even look like you have a kitchen at the back - all open? No doors? That should give you a start. Places like Wayfair.com or lightinthebox will give you good prices for what you need. Good luck. Val

Hi moiraford, I keep an eye on The Gables, but they don't seem to have sighthounds very often, or they don't update their website regularly. Seems to be mainly Staffies. Thanks for the comment though, nice to know that there is someone else from Plymouth on here

@Christa Taylor. Most aggression in dogs tends to be fear based. She is basically telling everyone to go away. Have you had her all her life? There is a crucial socialisation period where a puppy needs to meet all sorts of people and other animals so that she gets used to them. However, some dogs are still fearful despite this socialisation and it is part of their inherited personality. How old is your grandson? If he is older, he could try feeding her tasty snacks so that she gets used to him and sees him as less of a threat. He needs to wait for her to approach, never the other way round. He mustn't try to stroke or pick her up as he could get bitten. Now i could suggest a Dog Behaviourist, but there are so many charlatans out there as it is un-regulated so tread carefully. Your little Chi probably won’t change, but you can manage her safely with help, I do know of a very good Behaviourist in Herts who also carries out Consultations for Wood Green Animal Shelter in Cambs if you want her details?