Fri, 09 Jan 2015 10:00:00 Happy New Year! Let's be honest, how many times have you heard or even uttered the phrase "I can't believe it's 2015"? You can't avoid it, but it's getting a little annoying now | Back to the FutureAs 15 comes straight after 14, it shouldn't come as any great surprise. But it does sound a bit futuristic doesn't it? It puts it into perspective when the film Back to The Future II sent the DeLorean car into the future, to the year 2015. The film ..read more

From the moment you find out your partner is pregnant to the day she gives birth - and beyond - your life will change in many ways. Here's how to get to grips with it all! | From day one, you'll be there watching as your partner's body performs the miracle of developing and giving life. Dads sometimes feel like they have been relegated to the sidelines, but taking an interest and playing an active role from the very beginning has a positive ..read more

There are always lots of purchases to make when you have a new baby or growing children, but one decision can have a lasting impact on ease of travel and mobility in the days, weeks, months and years to come | If you pick the wrong one, you'll find it doesn't fit in the boot or your car, or its too wide to go through the shop door, or it doesn't fold easily if you take public transport or that there just isn't enough space to carry a few extra ..read more

Learning through play is an important part of a child's development, helping them develop imagination and discover new and exciting adventures | Play is fun. Play is learning Through play, children learn basic skills such as language, creativity, problem solving and self-control. We understand the importance of role play either in a nursery setting or at home, so we asked the experts at The Great Little Trading Co for their thoughts on role play ..read more

The primary school curriculum has just had a big shake-up. What are the main changes and how will they affect your child? Here are all the important details you need to know | The new national curriculum will be statutory in your child's primary school this autumn. The national curriculum contains all of the content and attainment targets for the main subjects taught in English primary schools (Scotland and Wales have their own curriculums). We ..read more

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:00:00 My friend has just had a newborn baby, which is a total blessing (I can say that because I'm not having any more..!). This is her first baby, and so she has the joys of motherhood ahead of her | Hiring a maternity nurse / nanny She asked me whether I thought she should get a maternity nurse or nanny to help her out just at the start. I didn't have a maternity nanny for my boys That is a hard question. I didn't have a maternity nanny for my boys ..read more

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Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:00:00 With Christmas a long way behind us and the new Spring term in full swing, normality has well and truly hit home in our house... and suddenly I have playdates to host! | The first re-emergence of familiar routine was a game of 'who to pay back first' - with other kids wanting to arrange a playdate with my daughter. Before Christmas it was easy to excuse myself from this inevitable part of being a mother. I had a whole ream of plausible ..read more

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:00:00 My sister phoned me recently. She sounded very strange because she was whispering, but was also quite excited so it was coming out like a squeak... A celebrity had been spotted! | She said she was in Robert Dyas in Chiswick (have no idea why as she is the last person to be doing a spot of DIY). And she said she had been standing in the aisle admiring the cleaning products (aahh, that's why she was there) when Javier Bardem walked past her ..read more

Thu, 18 Dec 2014 10:00:00 I love my boys. They are brilliant fun to be around, and although everyone else seems to think I must be devastated at having two boys rather than at least one girl, I can assure you I'm delighted. I may live to regret it when they are teenagers... | At that time I shall pass all parental responsibility onto my husband. Which will mean they'll probably spend the majority of their teenage years down the pub. Buying presents for girls and for boys ..read more