Is your bedside table stacked with books or muslins and wet wipes!? We’ve kept it so simple that we only chose 5 top books, the first of which is, in itself, the only book you might ever need. The rest have terrific value and can be referred to time and again. We’ve also added extra recommends if you’re a book worm and love the journey of discovery that motherhood and fatherhood inevitably invites us to embark upon. 1. Parenting from the Heart: A Guide to the essence of Parenting from the Inside-Out by Jack Pransky Discover the beautiful simplicity of providing an environment i ..read more

Being told your child needs surgery can be hugely shocking. It can arouse so many feelings and puts you in a place of deep vulnerability which may be difficult to acknowledge or express. The information here is offered as support for a time in your life which will be memorable but hopefully with the potential too for positivity and personal empowerment for everyone involved. Diagnosis & Details Decide whether you think it is appropriate for your child to be present when a medical professional is explaining things to you for the first time – it is difficult to be fully present to your chil ..read more

Sleep deprivation kills motivation, desire, and mood and is often the biggest challenge to enjoying your child as opposed to getting through the day (and night). The lens of sleeplessness colours our world very differently because sleep is the first step to coping. Running on empty makes us accident-prone and frazzled especially when our adrenalised bodies are in the naturally high-alert state of early parenthood. If you’re responding with sensitivity to your baby’s instinctive night-time needs here are some ideas to support you: Love your mood, whatever it is Something your child does o ..read more

‘Adolescence’ – from Latin, ‘Grow to Maturity’ British society has developed in ways that have elongated adolescence. Once a phase lasting a few years, it now stretches from the onset of puberty well into a person’s 20s. During the early years of adolescence, many parents opt to let go, to encourage ‘independence’ or because their child seems to have more fun with their peers. But adolescence is no time to relinquish adult-child bonds, it is a time for adults to claim their position as the key players in their children’s transition to adulthood. Role of Adults in Adolescence Our children be ..read more

‘Adolescence’ – from Latin, ‘Grow to Maturity’ British society has developed in ways that have elongated adolescence. Once a phase lasting a few years, it now stretches from the onset of puberty well into a person’s 20s. During the early years of adolescence, many parents opt to let go, to encourage ‘independence’ or because their child seems to have more fun with their peers. But adolescence is no time to relinquish adult-child bonds, it is a time for adults to claim their position as the key players in their children’s transition to adulthood. Role of Adults in Adolescence Our children be ..read more

Halloween! Does it feel like one of your favourite holidays or a dreaded sugar-management exercise?! Have you ever longed to acknowledge what this time of year really represents? Or maybe you’d like to create some special family traditions that sit alongside the cultural norms? Here are 4 fab ideas to make Halloween more meaningful and less treat-focused. 1. Acknowledge the veil This time of year is when the veil between worlds is thinnest. What does this mean? It is when the days shorten and the natural world prepares to withdraw from growth and the realm of life. Samhain and the harvest r ..read more

If I were to stand up in a room full of parents and say the word ‘bedsharing’, it’s likely that within 5 minutes, there would be an ‘interesting’ debate going on. But since I’m among friends and fellow advocates here, let’s talk about bedsharing. Let’s talk about bedsharing from the perspective that it is culturally normal in most of the world. Let’s acknowledge that it’s prevalent, also that it is often chosen by informed parents who wish to maximise their sleep, facilitate easier night feeds, and provide close, responsive care to their little ones. Finally, let’s assume for the record that ..read more

Have you ever thought about an alternative nanny?! I am excited to share with you my story and tips on how to find a peaceful and holistic person to help you with childcare. I began my Peaceful Learning Nanny Agency journey while living in New Zealand in 2014 when I thought of setting up an alternative nanny agency. As a nanny and teacher myself, I am immersed in the RIE® principles and Magda Gerber’s Educaring® Approach. But I also felt the frustration and longing to find the right family after joining countless nanny agencies. Families usually seek someone who recognises pos ..read more

We live in a culture which relies on a rewards based system in a huge way. It might start with sticker charts and end with huge business bonuses. And amazingly, research shows that pay does not improve performance even for the corporate fat cats. Here’s why the idea that rewards work is a well-misunderstood myth;  Rewards DON’T motivate Rewards only have some effectiveness in the short term. This applies whether you’re young or old, in school or the workplace. It’s often referred to as temporary compliance. And I hear you – temporary compliance, sticker charts and reward charts might sou ..read more

Yelling! We all lose the plot sometimes. Parenting a little one and living in a state of high alert, sleep deprivation and less time with yourself is a potent combination. We are human, we all have our triggers. The occasional rant isn’t pretty or pleasant but it doesn’t mean you’ve left your child emotionally scarred for life. Children are exceptionally forgiving but they are resilient too and trust in the love that exists within the relationship. But what if you find yourself regularly shouting, yelling or arguing with your child? Or worse still you catch yourself belittling, blaming or und ..read more