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Parenting
From toddler to teenagers get great expert advice and hands-on advice and family support. Get a guide to the school years advice on healthy eating and keeping your family fit explore the latest parenting issues ? hot off the press ? and have fun with interactive tools and quizzes.
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/channel/parenting
Baby
Your long for baby has finally arrived but if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed don't panic. You and your baby are doing great but we've got tons of advice on feeding sleeping health and development for when you need a helping hand.
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/topic/baby
Childcare
Childcare information and advice for parents grandparents and child carers including details about daycare nuseries and babysitting
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/topic/childcare
Toddler/pre-school
Information and advice on all aspects of your toddler and pre-school children
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/topic/toddler-pre-school
Teens
Teenage years - information advice and support on all aspects of dealing with or being a teenager
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/topic/teens
Practical advice
Practical advice for you and your family on anything from first aid to your legal and financial situation
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Family
Your family - whatever it is like. Informaition support and advice whatever the make up of your family is
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Primary school age
Your schoolage (5 - 12) children - information advice and support
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/topic/primary-school-age
Features
Features relating to the topic of parenting.
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/topic/parenting-features
I thought parenting rules were universal: don’t let your kids don’t eat too much junk, make sure they go to bed at a reasonable time, use their manners, clean their teeth … Until I moved to Jordan.
When you think about drug driving, it likely conjures up images of revellers homeward bound after an out-of-control party or spaced-out hippies. You’re less likely to think about run of the mill mum and dad types - John Smith on his way home from work, Sue from next-door doing the school run.
Parents can be fined or jailed for leaving primary-school-aged children home alone. However a new survey has revealed one in 10 children under 12 is regularly being left home alone. That number significantly increases during the school holidays. It's a big shift in attitude from the days of the 'latch key kid'. Generation X is often called the 'latch key kid generation' with parent from the mid-seventies and well into the nineties often leaving children home alone either before or after school.
Got a kid who hates putting on sunscreen? So do we! Here are smart strategies to get the job done.
“Last night,” Tracey told me, “I got about two hours broken sleep. She coughed, she kicked me, she complained. I held her and patted her back and talked to her.” “You were awesome,” I told my wife. But she knows I think that. She knows I know how much she did last night. This isn’t the problem.
Why are girls toys so pink and old fashioned? Think about it...most girls toys stick to traditional gender roles. Girls get babies, prams, appliances, food and everything is bloody pink. Even the most popular girls toys haven't progressed. Barbie is still all about the perfect partner, house and wardrobe, Polly Pocket is either a rock star or trying to create the perfect bedroom and, Bonza Brats are the ultimate mean girls with a million different clothing choices and trendy accessories. Can toy companies get real?
So after twenty years one pattern I have really noticed and saddens me to say is on the rise is that children as young as four are showing signs of stress. Stress that is debilitating in exactly the same way it is with us grownups. The stress the children are demonstrating is showing up in their behaviour. Presenting itself in different ways in their behaviour from being exhausted at school, over emotional, meltdowns and general ‘misbehaviour’. Now still taking into account a child’s individuality in that one child may cope really well with four after school activities a week, not all will, this is not the so-called ‘norm’. In saying that the new ‘norm’ that I am seeing at work daily is that activities after school are increasing for each individual child. Some children are not coping with so much on their plate. I am loathed to subject children to labels, I see the child, their diagnosis gives me some ideas of how to assist them. For me to announce that children are stressed is a big deal. Children should not be portraying levels of stress due to over commitment.
If you thought Channing Tatum's first photo with Everly was cute, you're gonna love these Dad's Day twit pics.
Do you let your children watch the evening news? Go on, do a quick Google search. You’ll soon find a few of the samples of what the news is serving up today. I found: “NY woman helps track suspect in dad’s killing”; “Clashes in Istanbul extend into night”; “Santa Monica gunman was mentally evaluated”; “Accused lifeguard basher gets jail”; “Granddaughter abuser loses appeal”. Is it any wonder that the answer to the headline of this story for me is a resounding “NO! Are you crazy?” With a five-year-old and a two-year-old in residence, we never have the nightly news on anymore. For us it’s just a minefield not worth navigating.
I have a confession to make and it goes something like this….I am jealous of my husband.
A Sydney school has drastically cut back on student's homework to free children up for some quality family time instead. It sounds like a dream. St Charles Primary School in Waverly recently swapped formal homework for 'lifestyle tasks' instead. Children are encouraged to do something physical, do something around the house, read, talk to their parents about something they've learned and so on.
It's our job to ensure our children have high self-esteem right? You're so handsome, you're so pretty, you're so talented, you're so special... But what if our desperate attempts to build our children up are actually harming them? What if we're going about it all wrong? A new book called The Happiness Trap argues that trying to make your children happy and trying to keep them happy is destined to make them miserable. British-born Aussie doctor and author, Russ Harris says, "So many people now think 'If I'm not happy, there's something wrong with me.' We seem to have forgotten that feelings are like the weather - changing all the time."
A routine quiz throughout your pregnancy is supposed to identify the risk factors for women who may have the potential to develop postnatal depression. A routine quiz in my pregnancy, I ticked all the right boxes to stay under the radar. I knew which ones were red flags to the midwives because I am a midwife, amongst other things.
So what is it about being a parent that's so exhausting? (Especially a parent of a go-go-go toddler who has no independent life without his Mummy and Daddy.)
How can I help my child lose weight without making him feel bad about being overweight? Hinting to your son about his extra weight (or hurling insults) will only backfire, because it chips away at self-esteem. Boys and girls do much better with weight loss when parents play to a child’s strengths, rather than his weaknesses.
You are a hero for your kids. You are. You're a go-the-distance, fight-the-dragon, face-the-challenges hero for your kids. Taking a beating makes that more true. Not less.
I have a confession to make. Sometimes I think REALLY TERRIBLE THINGS about other moms. Mean, spiteful, hateful, “I hope your future baby has colic and you end up wearing schleppy mom clothes and driving carpool with cheerios stuck to the bottom of your slippers” type of thoughts. There. I said it.
Birth! Pah. I started with flash cards before conception. When my kids were just sperms and eggs. I'd wave them around in front of my stomach. Yeah, right! Most of us are flat out feeding, cleaning and caring for our babies and squeezing in the occasional shower for ourselves. Now a new book claims we should be teaching our a babies to talk from the time they are newborns.
If watching every stroke of a swimming lesson is a sign of being a good mum, I am very, very content to be a bad one.
We all live in fear that our children will be bullied at school. Many of us have dealt with it already. Normally schools can deal with incidents and we can work on empowering our kids to stand up for themselves. But what if you don't even know there's a problem until it is too late? What if the bullying causes your child to completely withdraw from life, and nothing you do to try and help them works? Isaac is a 16-year-old Brisbane boy who has refused to go to school for two years due to bullying. His mother is desperate for help. She says her son has gotten worse and now barely leaves the house.
I like a challenge, so for my starter funification I took on the piece of my world that made me the craziest: nagging. I knew I couldn’t eliminate it; our whole house would implode. But could nagging be hauled out of the drudge zone? Could I make nagging... fun?
My son and I sat down for a serious discussion a few weeks back. He wanted to start getting a weekly allowance. I happily agreed but explained that he’d have to do jobs around the house to earn it. I rattled off a few ideas and he excitedly agreed and was a busy little bee that afternoon. A few weeks later the novelty wore off and I was faced with a tough choice – should I keep giving him his allowance and spend countless minutes nagging him to do his chores or should I simply withhold his allowance because they haven’t been done?
My husband had an affair, but long before he did this he made choices that kept him away from us. Right from the very beginning. He chose other people, other events, other places over his family. So even though our relationship only broke down two months ago I’ve been functioning as a single parent for about eighty percent of the time that Bo has been alive.
To nurses everywhere: You should know that you have made a difference to so many people in this world, my family included, and I cannot thank you enough.
You know the Beginning of School Enthusiasm? When the pencils are fresh and the notebooks are new and the kids’ backpacks don’t look like they lined the den of a pack of filthy hyenas? Mums, remember how you packed innovative and nutritional lunches and laid clothes out the night before and labeled shelves for each child’s work and school correspondence and completed homework in a timely manner? I am exactly still like that at the end of school, except the opposite.
Our favourite blog from last week's iBlog Friday has been chosen! Josefa Pete is the winner with her post at Always Josefa. Congrats Josefa! The CDs are in the mail. Here, Josefa talks about a modern parenting dilemma we've all struggled with.
I got home from walking the dogs this morning and did something extraordinary-I baked a cake. Yes. A cake. First thing this morning because I saw a recipe on the net and decided I had the time. The time? Yes the time. As I folded the chocolate chips into the batter it occurred to me what I was doing. I stopped for a moment. Truly stopped and considered what I was doing. Was I on a hormonal high, had I hit my head unwittingly on my walk? Why exactly was I making this cake apart from the reason I could? Was it asked for? No, there was no reason apart from the fact I felt like it. It was easy to do.
I had my first heart stopping moment as a soccer mum this past weekend. Except my heart didn’t actually stop, it more kinda pushed its way up to my ears and started pumping all beserko in my head and oh yeah I was at Rugby and not soccer when it happened.
A few weeks ago we tried to transition Ezra from his cot, to the big bed. The whole process - if you remember from your own experiences - was very stressful, strenuous and challenging. He just doesn't get how to stay in bed. The moment you leave the room he gets up, but if you are in the room, he thinks it is play time. If I try to lay down next to him, I would get punched or my hair pulled. It drove me crazy and it it made me so angry. The whole ordeal was a nightmare and it wore us all out.
Country kids are more independent than city kids, with more time spent left to their own devices and away from technology. Researchers at Edith Cowan University also report that country kids understand life and death, are more relaxed and less materialistic and find it easier to make friends than city folk. They can also drive tractors, ride motorbikes and shear sheep. Pretty impressive, huh.
aris Jackson's suicide attempt has put the spotlight on the fragility of teenagers and the importance of being aware of the difference between regular moodiness and depression. Here, an iVillage reader reveals how she fought teen depression and self-harm and won. Plus, an expert answers parents most pressing questions.
Tim "Rosso" Ross from Mix 106.5 talks about being a dad and how he's being forced to relive his childhood.
Once when I was a mother of a newborn and a toddler a mother of teenagers said to me “you know I think they need you around more when they are teenagers than when they are babies”.
This is Sophia Grace Brownlee. This little girl from Essex in the UK was discovered by Ellen DeGeneres after Ellen saw a YouTube video of she and cousin Rosie McClelland performing the Nicki Minaj song Super Bass. They were invited onto the show where they performed and got to meet Nicki Minaj. Sophia Grace's confident rendition of the bawdy rap song is what made her stand out. Clearly she was special and her feisty personality matched her song choice. She has now released her own rap song. Is it appropriate for the now 10-year-old to be performing like this?
Whether it's their static frizziness or a Grease-esque quiff, these babies and their crazy coiffures are bound to put a smile on your face. We've all met babies who have more hair than parents know what to do with. Send them to us at info@ivillage.com.au
Childhood is fleeting -- so try one or all of these easy ways to stop and cherish your kids while they're little
From camping to cooking, we've rounded up more than 30 awesome things you need to do with your kids - now!
Photographer Jaime C. Moore has created a beautiful series of photos of her 5-year-old daughter Emma.
It’s not a huge deal, but I am suddenly conscious of it, and I wondered if I can go frugal for one month. A friend did it recently, and she survived. I’m sure I can too. The rule is, I can’t buy anything that is not an essential food or household item during the month of June.
If you are a sleepless, desperate mother looking for some help, support and constructive, detailed advice about helping your baby (or toddler!) sleep, you’re in the right place.
Is it ever okay to lie to your kids? Considering most of us lie or extend the truth to our children on a daily if not hourly basis, let's hope the answer is, "Yes!" My dad used to always tell me that if I ate tomato seeds a plant would grow in my tummy. Thus was the beginning of a life time aversion to tomatoes. I think I just don't like them but in truth is I eat them occassionally - after carefully scrapping every single seed off.
Despite being strongly encouraged to terminate our daughter's life on account of the Down syndrome, we chose to keep her. Perhaps I should be more honest here: my husband chose to keep her. My husband was adamant about keeping her, saying that we needed to “play with the cards we are given.”
Blue Wiggle Anthony Field writes: Anaphylaxis? Before my little boy Antonio had his first anaphylactic reaction, I knew little of it and could not even spell the word.
Today, I wasn’t a good mum. The morning came too soon after a long and exhausting night. I rolled out of bed and put pants on an hour before you normally woke up. When I came into your room you were ready for me, your hair tousled and your smile crooked. “I up!” You said reaching your arms out to me. “I pay wif toys!”
Welcome to the latest installment of our brand new series Mum vs Life. Each week we'll feature a prominent Aussie mum and take you through her day. This week we talk to Mrs Woog of woogsworld.com. Mrs Woog is a successful Sydney-based blogger and author of the book Mrs Woog: Tales from the front line. She is the mother of two boys, a cat and two guinea pigs. She was one of five 'mummy bloggers' invited to an intimate dinner with the PM. Mrs Woog takes us through her crazy day and offers us absolutely no time-management tips. We love her!
I wish I had memorised everything about the moment the doctor said “It’s a boy” and placed him on my chest for the first time. I wish I had spent more time enjoying the late night feedings instead of doing them one eyed all while dreaming about getting back into bed. I wish I could relive the first time he crawled, walked or said mama. The first time he reached up for me. I want to do it all again. I want just one day to rewind and relive all of it, but I can’t.
25 Ways to Keep Your Kids Busy without television! Turn off the TV and keep your kids busy (and having fun!) It may surprise your kids to learn there was life before television. Also, before DVRs, before remote controls and before Dora the Explorer.
25 Ways to Keep Your Kids Busy without television! Turn off the TV and keep your kids busy (and having fun!) It may surprise your kids to learn there was life before television. Also, before DVRs, before remote controls and before Dora the Explorer.
25 Ways to Keep Your Kids Busy without television! Turn off the TV and keep your kids busy (and having fun!) It may surprise your kids to learn there was life before television. Also, before DVRs, before remote controls and before Dora the Explorer.
Not every parent relishes the idea of allowing their child to bury their bodies in jelly on an average afternoon. Chances are, you are probably aware of the many reasons why messy play is a must, but perhaps you are still not convinced the mess is worth it. Or maybe you want some tips for ‘clean’ messy play? Oh good! Read on...
James Boylan was a devoted husband and father to two sons when he began the process to become the woman he felt he’d always been on the inside.
I’ve always joked that I would love my family to pack up our life as we know it, escape the horrors of the world and go and join an Amish community somewhere. This is why.
Sam Jackson and Tom Philbin were thrilled with their bright, healthy, happy six-month-old baby. But when Luke had his routine vaccinations, the family's world fell apart.
AFL star Adam Goodes was shattered to discover that the audience member who shouted a racial slur at him on Friday night was a 13-year-old girl.
When this girl was caught bully, her stepmother went to a local thrift shop and spent $50 on a number of second hand outfits no self-respecting 10-year-old would want to be seen dead in - and then made her wear them for two days.
It's quite possible I've arrived at everything I've ever dreamed of and it smells like baby poop and has automatic sliding doors.
It'd be hard enough to find out your 15-year-old daughter is involved in a serious relationship with someone three years older than her, but what if you then found out it was a same-sex relationship? In this case the parents of the 15-year-old have pressed charges against 18-year-old Kaitlin Hunt. She's been charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery of a child 12 to 16 years of age as a result of the relationship and faces 15 years in prison.
I swore I'd never belittle their problems. I swore I'd meet their angst with compassion and understanding. I swore that our relationship wouldn't suffer the same kind of breakdown that mine did with my parents. But here I am. Despising myself for being angry and impatient... it's the beginning.
If you ever needed proof that parents should never text their kids, here it is in all it's hilariousness. Enjoy!
My mother cared much for my education and my accomplishments. We were a team she and I.
Rather than planning all the things I thought would take place in my son's life, I planned a funeral in my head for thirteen months.
I determined that I wouldn’t let Giovanni be affected by this. He would still receive all the attention he deserved. I’d just have to figure out a way so he didn’t feel left or neglected when the new baby came along. Giovanni was 16-months-old when Caterina was born. All my intentions quickly went out the window as I battle fatigue, mastitis and tried to recover from my third c-section. Giovanni was lost. He wanted me to pick him up but I couldn’t. He tried to sit on my lap as I breastfed his sister but there was no room. He went from being to the centre of attention to being forgotten way too often. And I saw it. I knew it was happening but I couldn’t do anything much about it.
Oscar Layton has been videoed numerous times by his parents since birth but it's his one-year-old birthday video that has people talking. Looking for a unique way to celebrate his son's birthday, dad Corey put this together and we are loving the results. Check it out and send in yours.
From the tea parties and pedicures to the hair dilemmas. Having daughters may be fun, but it's not easy. Here are 20 important 'girl-centric' life lessons from one mother to her daughter.
It's official. Don't mess with mums who drive 4WDs. A new study by insurer AAMI has found that mums who drive 4WD vehicles are 'aggressive' and 'impatient'. The study looked at driving behaviours of Aussie motorists and found drivers of 4WDs are the most aggressive on our roads and almost two thirds of 4WD drivers are women aged 25-49.
A playground encounter forces a dad to assert his right to parent.
I often feel inadequate as a mum and think of her: the other mum, the mum I "planned to be," the mum I think I "should be," the mum I never will be.
Luckily, there were many more things that my mother was right about. Like how I can do anything I set my mind to (like being an au pair or not getting fat!), and how to think critically (and work out for myself exactly how far away the Eiffel Tower is). She and my dad sacrificed to give me a fantastic education, and she taught me how to pick a good man (which I definitely got right!).
While this picture makes me laugh now, when I first saw it I cringed and packed it away. I felt like it represented everything that was wrong about me as a mother.
Considering the women abducted as teens in Cleveland, Tom Burns schemes to control and protect his six-year-old daughter
There are many moments as a parent when I have no idea how I'm going to make it until their bedtime. The constant demands, the needs and the fighting are fingernails across the chalkboard every single day.
I don’t do supermarket trolley covers or antiseptic wipes. I don’t care if that kid took your toy. Or if the neighbour sneezed on you. Time out occurs at anytime or anywhere, so be on alert.
When I was in high school, senior year "superlatives" were a big deal. Graduating students got to choose who among their peers was the most popular, best looking, funniest or most likely to succeed. But at one Washington high school, the only thing that matters is who is the hottest. Students at Issaquah High School have created a controversial "May Madness" bracket, according to msn News, that pits female students against each other in a NCAA Tournament-style contest ranking nothing but their looks. Pissed-off parents tried to have the May Madness website taken down, but school administrators say their hands are tied because the contest isn't school-sanctioned or run on its property.
If you need to minimise the drama, the power struggle and the full-blown assault on your sanity involved with getting your child clothed in the morning, these 15 proven tips from experts and mums can help.
A lesbian mum muses on the assumptions that society makes about who a married couple is or what a family looks like.
A Queensland mum is pushing for her nine year-old child, who was born a boy, to have the right to live as a girl.
This American clothing retailer say being fat and cool isn't possible and fat kids aren't welcome through its doors. And now they're opening up here in Australia.
I’ve always wanted to be the kind of mother who had a school bag nook. I’d carefully and lovingly design the nook in the perfect position in our home. At the start of each day I’d pack my children’s bags and they’d retrieve them from their designated hook on their way out the door. When they arrived home they’d hang them back up without me having to remind them because I’m super organised and so are they. Our family runs like a well-oiled machine.
We all have our share of bad family photos. But these Mum and me ones will make you absolutely cringe.
Mums, this is how your daughter feels when you call yourself fat. So don't do it, ever.
Kristi Mansfield gave up a high paid job when she became a mum. She realised she wanted to make the world a better place and that money wasn't important.
One dad's struggle to allow his daughter's to attend a sleepover.
Most mums would kill to have this gift on Mother's Day - but I can't think of anything worse.
I'm petitioning the government to swap Mother's Day and Father's Day on the calendar. Father's Day needs to come first, and this is why.
It broke my heart to hear that a 13-year-old Sydney girl, Maddy Milne, committed suicide a few weeks ago as a result of bullying.
I guess I’ve always known something was maybe amiss with my son but honestly: I didn’t want to know. There. I said it. I didn’t want to know.
Worked up, stressed, outnumbered and events like crossing the street can be a source of anxiety? There's a good chance you're a mum. Find out what this survey pegged as the most stressful number of kids.
Kids are having sex. And since we can’t stop them, we might as well help sexually active teens stay safe.
If you ask parents what the most difficult time period was for raising kids, you usually get one answer: The Terrible Two's. I looked him square in the eye and said - F@#K the terrible two's. The two's ain't got shit on the three's. The three's are where it's at.
For me, one of the scariest parts of my diagnosis with breast cancer was the challenge of keeping life as normal as possible for my two young daughters. How would I explain things so that they would understand the idea of cancer, but not be overly fearful?
You’re a good parent if, whatever decision you make about where or how the baby is sleeping or even if the baby is not sleeping, you manage to get through the day without putting the baby in the microwave.
Michelle Obama recently made an interesting faux pas. She mistakenly referred to herself as a 'busy, single mother' and for that, a volcano of social disdain erupted, showering scorn and derision all over her. I say 'interesting' because there are, of course, several sides to any story, and she deserves to have her Freudian slips understood, just as much as anyone.
Prepare yourselves. Parents are letting their babies, some as young as newborns, roam freely about without nappies on. The method, known as Elimination Communication (EC) is gaining traction among “hipster” parents in Brooklyn (NYC)
The Dropped Baby Pact. Simply you are not to judge, comment or criticise one another under any circumstances what so ever should you accidentally and inevitably drop your kid.
My son is a funny, kind, curious 9-year-old kid who likes to draw, swim, learn about whales and play Legos and tag with his friends... oh, and he happens to have food allergies.
The biggest threat to parents of teenagers and children is not bullying, drowning or being run over in the family driveway, as real and horrible as those risks are. It’s this: cyber-safety.
Grandparents are becoming an endangered species leading to a generation of grand-orphans. Now that Australian women are often waiting until their late 30s and early 40s to have children, the unintended result is that children often don’t have grandparents at all. If they do, they are too old to help care for them or even play with them.
Being a “retro housewife” is apparently the hot new trend for Aussie mums.
How these simple words from a perfect stranger stopped this mum's heart.
A four year old UK girl is receiving treatment for an iPad addition. How early should parents be introducing their kids to tablet decides and smartphones?
Straight from the mouths of babes - this is how kids describe love. Aw.
Having children has definitely ruined my social life. It’s never been the same. But can it be salvaged?
Tia Mowry writes: I am not afraid to admit it - my son still sleeps in bed with us.
New research from the US shows parents in 2011 were twice as likely to name their daughter ‘Nevaeh’ (‘Heaven’ backwards), as they were to call their daughter ‘Mary.’
Gwyneth Paltrow has been caught up in a frenzied storm over a range of kid's swimwear she is selling through her site Goop.com. But Mia Freedman asks: is she really sexualising kids?
Teach your kids house work by making it fun
Doing homework with your kids can be hell, especially when you didn't like doing your homework as a kid
Parents—let’s not lose our girls to the cancer of PRETTY. What can we do to help our sons and daughters learn to see and appreciate all forms of beauty in others?
Some UK parents are banning Peppa Pig in their houses because it promotes naughty behaviour. Really. One mum comes out swinging in Peppa's defence.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jewel writes about how she had to learn to put aside her sense of perfectionism to feel the “actual joy” of being a mum to 15-month-old son Kase with husband Ty Murray.
While girls can be tomboys, a boy in a skirt is a much more challenging quandary. One mother tells of her conflict as to whether or not let her son wear a skirt to school.
The story of a sleep deprived mother of a new baby girl.
From the nonstop movement to the near-universal obsession with cars, here are 20 things we wish we'd known about raising a boy.
Kristen Bell and Jenny Frost are the latest celebrity mums to give their daughters boys' names.
If you didn’t experience a teenage relationship break-up, or if the years since then have muddied the memory, researchers are here to remind us that it’s very, very painful.
Is humiliation an inevitable consequence of tending to little people with strong wills, loud voices and poorly-tamed bodily functions? Or is motherhood special – the perfect storm of unrealistic societal and personal expectations meeting the harsh realities of tantrums and unrestrained bodily fluids?
Friends and family may be key in parents decisions on whether to vaccinate their young children, a small study suggests.
A mother explains how online gaming has been beneficial for her son, who has Asperger's syndrome.
Taking a look at the less discussed, but just as important milestones in your child's life.
One mother's touching letter to her daughter about why she works.
British research has reported a sharp decline in traditional toys, with children these days preferring sophisticated devices over teddies, blocks, dolls and marble runs.
Sleepless nights, postpartum bleeding, leaky nipples, pooey nappies, it’s not exactly the stuff made of foreplay but a survey has found that nearly half of new mothers wait just six weeks to have sex again after giving birth.
Why have a dolly that only wees and poos and burps when you can have one that attaches its little mouth to the nipple-flowers on your daughter’s (or son’s?) bib and suckles away?
The Williams decided against vaccinating their three children, believing they had made an informed choice due to concerns and information about adverse reactions.
Okay, I pictured the kids as accessories. But like most pre-conceived notions of how your child will behave and what you’ll be like a mother, I got it so very wrong.
Then Dawn discovered a Facebook group set up to connect men and women who want to have children, but unlike dating sites, romantic love isn’t the name of the game.
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kate and by today’s standards, I’m a young mum.
It was the purpose of this invention to suspend infants from the exterior of high-rise buildings, adjacent to windows, so that they could enjoy fresh air and exercise without the pesky business of taking the child outside.
This is a post from Mamamia contributor, Catherine King, about what we can all do to make sure children are safe at home.
A new deal that will allow Australians undergoing IVF treatment to import eggs from America is a serious game-changer for couples who are struggling to conceive.
Would you rather be described as bold, active, sociable, and dynamic? Or, rather, as sensitive, quiet, and serious?
I’m thinking of starting a support group for people who live with three and four-year-olds.
A simple bedtime ritual between Kelly Paniagua's partner and his daughter inspired her to sit down and write her first book
Whether you have a big yard or live in an apartment, there are lots of easy ways to get kids into nature. Try these cute and fun ways to nurture your child's green thumb.
Day after day I live with the notion that it’s more than probably that THAT school bully is my kid. Well one of them at least anyway.
There are many parenting battles I’ve wasted time on over the years. These are only some of them.
Victoria's Secret has just-announced a "Bright Young Things" product line for tweens featuring panties with phrases like "Dare You" and "Feeling Lucky?" on them. And how about this gem - a lace-trimmed thong with the words, "Call me" on the front. I guess a primary school girl needs to strip down to her thong to let the object of her affection know she is interested.
Many people ask how to behave around a person with a disability, be it physical or intellectual. Here are a few tips.
Feminism arrives in many forms and presents itself at different stages of our careers. We get to choose, that’s what it’s all about, that’s how it started.
Do all dads have trouble doing their daughter's hair? Ian Mendes from Today's Parent explains his struggle and wonders if it's the same for all men.
An American dad, Greg Pembroke, has become an international sensation after creating a photo series on Tumblr called "The Reasons My Son Is Crying"
Ranging from cute to downright hilarious, this gallery of apology letters from kids will have you in stitches.
We all know the obvious rules when it comes to parenting - don't shake the baby and all that. But it's time to explore a few of the 'rules' of 'modern' parenting.
Some tell-tale signs you have a newly minted teen in your midst and how to deal with it.
More than anything, I want my kids to be happy, but I’ve realised wanting the best for them and treating them like royalty are not pathways to happiness.
Too much time, too much money, too much stress. How many activities is too many for your kids?
It’s human nature to want to choose your kids friends but it’s how ruthlessly you do it that makes the difference.
When my kids get home tonight -- they are 7 and 10 and yes, they are both on Instagram -- I'm going to take a few moments before all the after-school craziness begins to really sit down and talk to them about what it means to use social media correctly and responsibly.
Your ex may have been an unsuitable mate but still can be a good parent. Helping your ex be the best parent he or she can be will benefit your child and ultimately may benefit you as well.
Shortly after the birth of my second child, a friend politely inquired “So, how are you finding Motherhood?”. Stuck in a fog of sleep deprivation and a toddler hell bent on assassinating his new baby sister, I found it incredibly difficult to answer.
We are crossing over. You are my baby. But I cannot carry you now. You walk alone into a new world. I want you to linger here, but you constantly push. You will change. You will grow. You will stumble. You will rise. I will be soft and firm. I will guide and step aside. I will lean and I will pull. I will be lost and I will be certain. I will reach for you, and if you do not reach back, know that my heart remembers your heartbeat. And I will always be holding you there.
Research by Flinders University has shown that “ugly parent syndrome” is responsible for diminishing numbers of young children wanting to play soccer. Researcher Sam Elliot says, “Parents’ verbal behaviour towards children, umpires and coaches – yelling, bagging, and disagreeing with positioning – can be problematic and there is a clear emphasis on performance, playing well and, for some parents, winning.”
Whenever my sons laugh until they fall over, disappear into a make-believe game or run across the room to hug me, I’m reminded of the glory of childhood. One of the greatest things about being a parent is the constant reminder of what is so awesome about being a kid.
The day I decided enough was enough and promised my sons I would go 365 days straight without yelling.
In what can hardly be described as news, a study by online retailer Littlewoods reveals that mothers are asked around 288 questions by their children in a typical day at home.
We were lucky that we had resources to fish our bedraggled child out of the swirling mess of his horrible beginning at school, to reassure him and hold him tight.
We know there will be people who will whine that birth photos should be kept private. But we think images like this send a powerful message: That birth, for all its pain and messiness, is beautiful -- and so are the powerful mamas who deliver.
I have done many things of which I am not proud. I have ignored Little Dude as he calls me from the backyard. I have hidden in the bathroom. I promise to come back and play in one minute and I leave the room for twenty.
Too much of a mother's life goes undocumented and unseen. People, including my children, don't see the way I make sure my kids' favorite stuffed animals are on their beds at night. They don't know how I walk the grocery store aisles looking for treats that will thrill them for a special day. They don't know that I saved their side-snap, paper-thin baby shirts from the hospital where they were born or their little hospital bracelets in keepsake boxes high on the top shelves of their closets.
Time to bust out those paintbrushes, glitter and hard-boiled eggs: It's Easter! From cute chickies made from teeny baby socks to origami-inspired eggs and more, we've rounded up lots of easy-peasy Easter crafts from our favorite bloggers. Check 'em out!
From unconvincing homemade costumes to creatures straight out of an Easter-themed horror movie, this gallery of Easter Bunny family photos is hilarious. Try not to choke on your hot cross bun.
Mark Latham is no stranger to controversy. This time he’s in hot water for suggesting Australian children are at risk of becoming “poor white trash” because their parents don’t push them enough to excel. And I can’t quite believe I’m saying this, but I’m on his side.
Every Easter since my father’s death, the celebration has never been the same. Always feels bittersweet. Like a peacock displaying its feathers, nature pulls out all stops at this time of year, with the triple act of golden sun, autumn leaves in brilliant colours and the crisp, reviving air. And though I still find pleasure in the egg hunt and of course, the togetherness of being with my children, family and friends, deep down my heart always breaks a little.
This list of parenting action items has been created in the hope of raising a generation of children who have less rape and sexual assault in their lives.
Diagnosed with motor-neurone disease, Susan Spencer-Wendel has written a book, Until I Say Good-Bye: My Year Of Living With Joy. In this heartbreaking extract, she writes about realising she wouldn't live to watch her teenaged daughter get married and taking her dress shopping to create the memory.
Applications open! Job description: An opportunity exists to work from home in a chaotic environment in the most demanding and challenging role of your life. Candidates must be willing to work on call, including frequent 24-hour shifts. Do not apply if sleep is important to you.
The hardest thing to do, as a parent, is to let your kid go out into the world on his own, even if it’s just to to kindergarten. Dad and I may talk a tough game about loving that you guys are getting bigger, but if we’re honest, it’s pretty scary.
A new study suggests anxiety is far more common in the days after childbirth than depression, with nearly one in five new mothers reporting acute mental stress surrounding delivery and the transition to a larger family.
13 Ingenious Ways to Prove the Easter Bunny Exists! Are your kids starting to ask questions? Keep the spirit of the Easter Bunny alive with these cute ideas
The movies and books about parenting never fully prepare you for what being a parent is like; going in, you believe parenting is a task that you’ll set aside time for—an hour each day, maybe two, but the reality is parenting is not a task, but your new life, and that life can be scary.
Callie Mitchell is a 25 year-old photographer and an exceptionally brave and honest woman. Her diary, which she shared with the Daily Iowan, tells the story of her life, her relationship, her pregnancy and her decision to give up her baby for adoption.
The average age of first exposure to online pornography is 10. How to handle the subject with your son.
I don’t like actively lying to my child. Not because I’m moral. Just because if she is going to ask a question, she is going to get an answer. A full answer. A complete answer. With charts and graphs. You see, while some moms are good at making cake pops and turning average holidays into magic and actually cooking the recipes they put on Pinterest, I’m good at answering questions.
Our child's Down Syndrome diagnosis was such a strange time. I want to go back and give that mum and dad a great big hug and say “you have no idea just how okay you will be, you have no idea just how beautiful she will be just as she is, you have no idea that one day you will start to write a blog about her and your eyes will well with tears because, frankly, the light inside her makes you feel a beautiful, tender and caring love that you could not ever have expected”.
The Newcastle mother of 12 who gave birth to the poetically named Passion Brinessa Ajayla Quinatee Martin (read iVillage's previous story on the family here) earlier this month has confessed she doesn't rule out having more kids.
Avoiding Scary Situations May Make Your Kids More Anxious, Says Study - Study author says counseling may help youngsters face issues head-on
Trend Alert! Half-Birthday Parties for Kids Are Officially a Thing Yep, the half-birthday celebration is officially a "thing." But before you send out the invites, check out these rules!
The beginning of my tenuous relationship with the word “normal” as a parent. “Please tell me this is normal,” my friends and I say to each other. Regularly. They are loaded words. What we are really asking is, Am I doing this right? Am I missing something? Do I need to call a pediatrician? Do I need to call a psychologist? Do I need to chill out? Is this a phase, or is this for real
Most mums would be running out of inspiration for names once they got to baby number 12, but not Brinessa Martin. The Newcastle mum has just given birth to her ninth daughter, Passion Brinessa Ajayla Quinatee Martin.
My son seems to be obsessed with guns and it's troubling me. When it came to buying toys for my kids (I have a daughter aged 3 and a son aged 4), I was one of those parents who always said I wouldn't do 'trucks for boys and dolls for girls'.
I don’t want children. I’ve known it for as long as I can remember. I am missing the maternal chip.
Around-the-clock childcare will be trialled for 500 families across Australia in an attempt to see whether extended hours are viable for centres and just as importantly, if the new hours reduce the stress levels of families.
Fashion designer Tom Ford has revealed his joy at becoming a first-time father at age 51.
Loved Fiat's hilarious Motherhood rap? Now dads answer back with their very own Fatherhood song - starring 'insane' first time father
Ronan's Escape is a visually stunning short film set in the rural wheat belt of Western Australia, providing a candid insight into the life of Ronan (David Lazarus), a 14 yr old boy who’s been bullied his whole life at school.
ween really is the perfect term, as they’re truly somewhere between “Mommy will you come in my room?” and “Mom my room is off limits to you.” They’re between, “Mom I think Katie likes me because she always says ‘Hi,’ so what do I do now?” and Mom overhearing him tell some friends he wants to date Chastity because she puts out. (This is why you should never name your child Chastity … because irony is a bitch.)
Why Saying "You're So Smart!" Will Screw Up Your Kids - Researchers say that too much praise can end up undermining your child's self-esteem
A 22-year-old woman who needed money to get her boyfriend out of jail has tried to sell her kids on Facebook.
Move over "helicopter" and "tiger" mums, there's a new trend on the block - "snow plough" parenting.
Laughter is contagious. When I was a kid my friends and I sometimes played a game where we would lay in a circle with our heads on each others bellies and pretended to laugh.
Dear mom on the iPhone: I see you over there on the bench, messing on your iPhone. It feels good to relax a little while your kids have fun in the sunshine, doesn’t it? You are doing a great job with your kids, you work hard, you teach them manners, have them do their chores.
Over the past six years, I've uttered the most peculiar phrases -- things I never would've imagined myself saying before becoming a mother. "Keep your pants on at the playground" and "Tuna sandwiches don't belong in the DVD player" come to mind.
The teen pregnancy posters, which recently launched in train stations and bus shelters, feature pictures of distraught children with messages like "Dad, you'll be paying to support me for the next 20 years," and "Honestly Mom... chances are he won't stay with you. What happens to me?
The author of Raising Girls, psychologist Steve Biddulph, believes Jessica Rowe's decision to use botox may have harmed her children - daughters Allegra, 7, and Giselle, 3.
I’m the mom that sits at TaeKwonDo tournaments and hopes for the first place that doesn’t come. I’m the mom that’s been at soccer games and basketball games and ached inside, wishing that the sheer will of my love for this kid could make a ball float effortlessly from his foot or hand into the goal or hoop.
I found a "diet list" today in my daughter’s room. My daughter is seven. It was innocently sitting on the floor amongst the Polly Pockets, friendship bracelets and a variety of other crap seven-year-olds love to hoard.
Lisa Baker's five-year-old daughter still wants "mama's milk" twice a day. And Lisa doesn't know what to do about.
My son Ronan died last week before his third birthday. He’d been sick with a terminal illness for his entire life, but as a friend of mine wisely noted, “Death and dying are very different.” Now he is dead, which has marked the beginning of a new stage of grief, one that is characterized by deep sadness and longing, but cleaned of the mania of panic that is part of anticipatory grief.
Supporters of changing Minnesota's law banning same-sex marriage bring their kids along to a news conference announcing a bill to repeal that ban. The kids are oblivious to the occasion and make life difficult for their dad
A lot of the pressure I feel as a mother is keeping my kids entertained. I buy paint, plaster, colouring books and endless amounts of cardboard and paper. I buy electronic devices and associated games and accessories. I buy reading books, movies and interesting snacks. Because children need to be kept busy. My job as a mother is to take up their every waking moment with something fun.
When I first became a parent, I found myself either constantly giving or receiving advice. Potty training, co-sleeping, TV time—there are hundreds of conflicting opinions out there about every parenting-related topic. However, when my really good friends become parents for the first time, there are certain pieces of advice that immediately jump to the top, nuggets of wisdom that I mention before all others.
Michelle Obama may be campaigning against childhood obesity in the United States, but there’s one topic she never talks about at home: her daughters' weight.
I hadn't intended to frighten her. My mouldy memory recalled fairytales as happy stories with rainbows and frogs finding their inner prince. Not a lot of real life going on there. But do four-year-olds need real life or a protective coating to the harsher realities that await them when their parents no longer cut the crusts off their lunch?
That is the landscape of parenting an autistic child, a child who is misunderstood, mislabeled and mistreated. When society doesn't understand the reasons behind behavior, it's the child's fault. And it's the parent's fault. We get used to people not believing our experience, finding little help and feeling like we have failed our child.
Five days after the birth of my first daughter, I held her in my arms as my husband held me. My head was bent against his shoulder and I was sobbing so heavily that I shook. I could barely breathe, but I pushed out the words: "I. Just. Want. To. Feed. My. Baby."
The story of how Danny and I were married last July in a Manhattan courtroom, with our son, Kevin, beside us, began 12 years earlier, in a dark, damp subway station.
A new Tumblr dedicated to pictures of parents on their phones while they are with their kids. Seriously?
Earlier this week we published a gallery of magnificent birth photos. One of the photos we received was from Marika McMahon whose beautiful baby Thomasina died at 7 months old. We were so touched by Marika and Thomasina's story we had to share it with you
Pocket money. Should I be paying him to help out around the house or, as a member of our household, should he just start contributing like the rest of us? It’s a tough one. Because at the end of the day I do want him to start learning that we all have to work for our money and if he wants his $5 a week for the canteen or to save up for games, he has to put in the effort.
You don’t get a better baby. It is fine if you take personal pride in achieving the miracle of birth. I know I do. Yes, even after having two caeseareans, I am proud that I brought life into the world. My body, very unhappily, carried them and at the end I had healthy babies. Job well done in my book. This whole tone of ‘I did it tougher, harder, longer and BETTER than you’ from some women is crap.
Parenting peer pressures you should ignore - Think children are the only ones subjected to peer pressure? Not so. From being the yummiest mummy in the playground, to raising a multi-talented child - here's how to stay sane when the competition hots up...
There are plenty of parents who cannot stand it when their kids make a noise with musical instruments (having once been the mother of a 2-year-old with an obsession for drums I kind of understand it). Then there are parents like Joey Angerone, of New York City, who encourage their children to play with instruments.
Am I wasting my education by investing it and myself into my children’s development – a task no one else is more qualified to do? I don’t think so. Am I overqualified for the task? You obviously haven’t met my four children. The value of my education can’t be assessed or quantified, any more than we are able to assess or quantify the value of motherhood, despite the endless debates on the matter.
When something horrible happens, we struggle to put a "why" to it. And, sadly, for months many parents have been forced to ponder why Adam Lanza decided to walk into an elementary school and viciously take so many innocent lives in Newtown, Conneticut.
As a mother of one, I know it is not wise to freak out pregnant women with weight gain and birthing tales. No, no, no! Instead, I go for a stronger line – the things you don’t expect after you’ve expected.
Even at two, my daughter is wary of risk. She tells me to “be careful” when I stand on a stool and reminds her friends, “don’t tip ovah!” when they climb the stairs. You’d think she was parroting our language, but she’s not. I’ve rarely had to tell Ellis to be careful. Just the opposite. I’m constantly encouraging her to jump, leap and tip over all she can. I want her to push her limits, to ride the edge, even if that means falling and failing. Yes, I want my daughter to fail.
Most of us end up at least stretching the truth with our kids at some point -- whether we're talking about sex or Santa. Here, parents fess up about their biggest lies -- so you can feel better about the whoppers you tell your own kids.
"Choosing your child's friends may be the smartest thing you can do" has to be the funniest thing I read in the Sunday papers yesterday. Well, not quite as amusing as the break-out box of "Tips for parents", which suggested: "If kids get caught up in the wrong group, tell them they can be friends with them, but point out they might not show their full potential."
You may have read, or even know, mums that have live tweeted their births, sent facebook updates on every contraction but THIS, this is amazing. In fact it has blown me away completely. The staff at Women's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas live tweeted the birth of a baby by caesarian section. Just look but be warned some of it is pretty graphic. Actually VERY graphic. But so worth clicking through....
You've seen it before and maybe even done it yourself - parents who pay more attention to, say, a son over a daughter or clearly prefer a younger sibling to an older one. Turns out the whole family is likely to pay if when parents play favourites regularly.
Games you can play with your kids when you really can't play at all. I’m not at all accustomed to negotiating a full day at home with three children and a hangover. Here are some of the ideas I came up with …
An extract from Australian psychologist and family activist Steve Biddulph's book, 'Raising Girls'.
My 3 year old fibbing to my face, and it is surprisingly cute haha! After I filmed it we had a VERY long talk about the difference between telling the truth and not telling the truth. He has an amazing imagination and loves to tell us stories. I
We've come a long way since children were expected to be seen and not heard. Or at least I thought we had until I saw an article in today’s news about a Sydney shopping centre banning screaming children.
Just because you are a parent doesn't mean you aren't a kid at heart. Check out these parents that could well be classified as trolls, or just parents with a (warped) sense of humour. Thanks Buzzfeed
Growing up, I had a 'perfect mother'. My sister and I often talk about how amazing mum was/is - how patient, selfless, giving and calm... As parents, we both felt quite inadequate in comparison until we asked her about it one day.
The helicopter parenting debate has taken a disturbing turn with news that police in NSW alone issued 19 warnings for incidents where children have been followed, lured into vehicles or inappropriately touched by strangers in the past month.
Hands up who dreaded their swimming carnival? The very words “swimming” and “carnival” strike fear into the heart of many. T
A doctor told a very good friend of mine that the first three months of a baby's life is like a fourth trimester. He said that some major development is far from done but we wouldn't be able to give birth to their giant heads if they stayed in the womb any longer (I wouldn't say that they fit really well at 40 weeks either but I'm not going to argue with nature.)
we’re currently living in a society that decrees all the costs (physical, emotional and financial) of ’intensive mothering’ are to be shouldered by mothers. And done so with good grace and little regard for the considerable impact on themselves. Breastfeeding is but the first rung on the intensive mothering ladder, but it is a big one.
Best Mum Ever Recreates 'Baby' Photos for Adopted Teen - "Baby" photos of a 13-year-old? See why Latrell Higgins' photo shoot is going viral
Before porn was available online, you had to to wait until your mate snuck you a VHS. Then you had to wait until the house was empty so you could use the video player. You watched that video again and again until you had to pass it to another mate. Computers changed the game. Suddenly you had access to unlimited amounts of free porn in the privacy of your bedroom. Variety. Access. Quantity. Woot.
Would You Pay Your Kid to Take a Break from Facebook? This Dad Did! This enterprising dad figured out a way to managing his teen's time on Facebook. Is this the most brilliant parenting bribe ever?
It’s been more than nine years since I had my first child, and I still shudder when I think about how much it hurt. So I'm feeling sympathy agony for the Rockhampton woman who gave birth to a 6.7kg baby. My bub was only a hefty 4.3kg and that felt hellish enough.
I know why I don't want more kids. I want to sleep. I enjoy one on one time with my son without the distraction of another baby. I like having my body back and I don't miss feeling like my sole purpose in life is to make milk for an infant who doesn't appreciate the sacrifice. My husband and I are re-familiarizing ourselves with date nights. I'm planning a mommy/son trip to visit an old friend this spring and for the first time in years my packing list does not include wipes, a diaper bag or a stroller.
I fear we’re turning into a nation of wussbags. Softies. Princesses. People in need of a big bowl of cement for breakfast. Everywhere you look, there’s wuss. Like when I heard a recent news report about adolescent obesity where a health professional was explaining why so many young girls don’t like to exercise. “They don’t like to get hot, sweaty or out of breath” he said. Unfortunately, these things are the point of exercise. But apparently, girls become panicky because even mild physical discomfort is such an unfamiliar sensation.
The sound of your baby crying for the millionth (or so it seems) time in a night while you are just trying to get some sleep (any sleep - even a nap) has got to be one of the hardest parts of parenting a baby. The sleep deprivation, the sound of crying, the tug on your heart strings and the overriding desire to just Switch. It. Off.
Ensure yourself and your kids a little good luck in the Chinese Year of the Snake by celebrating with these easy ideas.
A letter to my husband who committed suicide. Dear Tony, you’re stupid and I hate you and I miss you still and I wish you were here. Not for me… I’m OK, for the first time in a long time. But for your son.
Mia Freedman writes: My daughter is 7 and she woke up complaining of a sore throat. She often complains of various symptoms. She is a sensitive little thing. So I sent her to school with a sore throat. Is that a bad thing
Okay, so this week like a million people (fine, I exaggerate, a half million) have sent me this video of these two DJ guys getting strapped up to some weird ass machine that simulates what it’s like to be in labour
"Elijah's drowned. Elijah's gone.' These are the words with which David Fisher allegedly greeted his wife Lauren and their four daughters when he returned from taking seven-month-old Elijah for a walk at Brisbane’s Logan River Parklands almost a year ago.
Clinique de la Muette is an 84 bed hospital which specialises in a obstetrics and gynaecology and a range of other surgical specialties. It is also the hospital at which France’s First Lady  Madame Carla Bruni Sarkozy gave birth to the first French presidential baby. But what I think you are going to love most about the hospital is the bath service they provide to newborn babies.
We were standing in line at the 10 items or less counter when little traveler number 3 turned to me and asked in a nice big loud voice “Why is the front of your bottom hairy?” I prayed that the people around me were non English speakers but when the girl behind the counter smiled and the man in front of me snorted I gathered this was a conversation we were sharing with everyone.
National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines banning children from blowing out the candles on their birthday cakes and requiring them to use hand sanitiser before and after playing in sandpits at childcare centres.
When I was a kid, we went to Canberra on a school excursion. We explored the Australian War Memorial, we ogled the Carillion, we slept in cheap hotel rooms at night ... it was AWESOME. At least, I thought it was, until I heard that year 5 and 6 students at Lindfield Primary School went to the US Space and Rocket Center in Alabama to allow them "to go beyond the school curriculum and develop scientific skills related to space, as well as a personal skill set associated with experiental learning".
The practice of wet-nursing is undergoing a revival among women who can't breastfeed their children, either for medical, physical or vanity reasons. Would you let someone else breastfeed your baby?
The Patron saint of trickily spelled names may be Kath & Kim’s Epponee Rae but tricky spelling is not a new phenomenon. And we know this because the first generation afflicted by it are coming of age.
Every time I’m out with my kids – this seems to happen: An older woman stops us, puts her hand over her heart and says something like, “Oh- Enjoy every moment. This time goes by so fast.” Everywhere I go, someone is telling me to seize the moment, raise my awareness, be happy, enjoy every second, etc, etc, etc.
Are you looking to create a unique memory of you and your baby? Well if you're after something a little different, Etsy may have the answer for you. You can buy a range of custom made items - from pendants to soaps - made from your own breast milk. Apparently you can ship your frozen milk to them, and you get the custom made item sent back. Interesting.
A letter of apology to my middle child. Dear Curly Mop. I can recall the exact moment that your fate was sealed. You weren’t even born yet. It was the day of my 19 week scan and your father and I were waiting for our turn.
By the time your child is ten, your nipples will be safely tucked away inside your bra. If you were to pull them out at the local coffee shop it’s possible you may be arrested. There will have been 964 new experts in children’s sleeping patterns, and you will groan and change the channel each time they pop up on the telly to promote their new book. The aisle in the supermarket with the wet wipes and the boxes of Huggies will be a complete mystery to you.
Birth dolls - It seems that these are made to help children (or clueless adults) understand how babies come into the world. Part of me "gets it" but the other part of me thinks you're just going to add to any confusion and/or possibly traumatize a kid with some of these.
A Sydney school has introduced a trial timetable that starts at 8am. Students at Merrylands East Primary School start their day at 8am, they finish at 1.15pm. Then they can either go home or stay in "homework club" until 3pm.
If the only thing I told my kids about sex was to use protection, would you think me a good parent? If I had never said more about drugs than, stay away, would that have been alright? Then why is it okay that the only thing I told my kids about social media is be careful and don’t post anything that you don’t want employers, colleges and your grandparents to see. One caution, one phrase…clearly a dereliction of duty.
Hattie has made the decision not to spend any money on her toddler in 2013 (follow her blog here). Obviously she will feed him and clothe him but she won’t buy specific kiddy food like miniature cheeses or apple flavoured rice cakes; she’ll dress him in hand-me-downs and through clothes-swaps , use cloth nappies (given away via “swap or sell” pages on Facebook); kitchen haircuts; and home made toys. She will spend money on essentials like medicine and child care (she has to work after all) .
There's nothing like spending a long holiday with your kids to make you want to send them back to school as soon as humanly possible. If I have to break up one more it's-my-turn-to-play-Angry Birds!-fight, I'm going to lose it. Needless to say, I'm counting down the days 'til I can send my two boys off to be someone else's responsibility for a few blissful hours so I can bolt to the nearest coffee shop to sit and stare off into space.
From the moment my son was born, we would grocery shop together. It was our special time. We’d start off the trip at our favourite café. From the age of one-and-a-half he was a babycino connoisseur. Then it was off to the supermarket. He’d reach out for packets of biscuits and apples with his chubby little hands and was always friendly at the checkout.
This incredibly moving and completely riveting clip was made by Nummies Nursing Bras. It is beautiful (as is the track that accompanies it). And we just loved what these mothers had to say
As my children have grown older I’ve grown wiser. I no longer feel the need to explain myself to the people who pass me by. And If I want to communicate my feelings to my husband I do so directly and not though the medium of cute and cuddly bab
Here's the thing, before people have kids there are many occasions where they'll observe people who have children and think "When I have kids I will never ______" Then you go and get yourself some of those cherubic, little angels and if you're like me, you have about 8 million "Oohhh, Now I Get It Moments" – they're like Oprah's "Aha" moments but without the free car
I have never understood the jubilation people feel over the sporting victories of others. When Team England wins at any sport, in any competition, my English husband runs around the room, clenching his fists and punching the air. He then drops to his knees (in a manly way) and shouts to the heavens, “Go on Englaaand!” (fists still clenched). It is as visceral as it is vicarious and I just don’t get it.
Summer is essentially a free-for-all. Blame it on the long daylight hours or just the joy of being outside with minimal clothes on, but somehow my kids' sleep schedule has been on a slippery slope down to disaster all summer long. Naps are often skipped in favour of another hour at the pool or the beach and those sleepovers at the lawless society called "the grandparents' house" always require a two-day recovery for my boys. Now that school is just about to start (yippee!) it’s time to get the little buggers back on a schedule. But how can we stop the madness of the summer and get them ready for the school year?
If you think about it, if you had a baby thousands, if not hundreds of years ago, you would have had your mother, all your sisters (all of whom were probably lactating), and your nieces all taking care of your baby. They would help with food preparation, show you how to manage, and make sure your baby wasn’t eaten by a bear. Your kid’s feet probably wouldn’t have touched the ground until they themselves would be able to carry around an infant.
You don't need to have a toddler to appreciate the genius of the HonestToddler twitter account. Take a look at our favourite tweets.
Who knew that some noises could eventually become as extinct as the passenger pigeon? Depending on your age, you or your kids or grandchildren may have only heard some of the following sounds in old movies, if at all.
You guys are fiercely protective of your family jewels and for good reason –it’s a sensitive area, not only to physically but also verbally threaten. Make a joke about a kicking a guy in the balls and it’s enough to make him wince. But I have a question – since when did your “man bits” become more precious than our “lady parts”?
That day when our kids leave us for the first time, whether they are off to school, day care or a sleepover, can be a tough parenting moment. We realise that the umbilical cord has really been severed and our babies are growing up.
I'm all for public debate but the breastfeeding-in-public/Kochie kicking debate has gotten way out of hand. Saying it wasn't "classy" to breastfeed in public wasn't the smartest remark David Koch has ever made. Backing it up on Sunrise this morning by comparing breastfeeding to topless sunbathing wasn't his smoothest move either. But live television lends itself to ill-considered remarks.
David Koch (Kochie), host of Channel Seven's morning show Sunrise has outraged mothers with his out of touch comments that suggest women who choose to breastfeed their babies should do it discreetly.
The birds and the bees need a software upgrade. Urgently. A girlfriend discovered this the hard way during a conversation with her daughter last week. “We’d just finished reading a brand new copy of “Where Did I Come From?” and I was congratulating myself on getting through it without giggling inappropriately” she told me.
Whoa, Elizabeth Banks has angered mothers of only children by saying she only felt like a 'real mom' now that she has two children. The Hunger Games actress - best known for her television roles in 30 Rock and Scrubs - told People magazine: “Two is very different from one. When you have one kid, you feel like you can jet set around and you can throw him on the hip and you get your life done.”
What do stay at home mothers share in common with the likes of Julian Assange and Aung San Suu Kyi. Just like me, they have endured time in exile. As a stay-at-home mother of three young children, I sometimes feel like I've been sentenced to house arrest. It can be lonely and isolating and right now it seems interminable. Aung San Suu Kyi was under house arrest in Burma for more than a decade and the duration of Julian Assange's exile is anyone's guess
Here we are, in the year 2012, and my daughter is only 14 months old and already she's being elbowed out of fun and frolic because she has a vagina. Way to move forward, society.
Let’s all dress as cows … awesomely awkward mother and daughter photos
Many new parents find it awkward to ask for the help they really need, like walking the dog or throwing out old food from the fridge. One Brooklyn couple had no such qualms and put their eight (very specific) requests right out there on Google Docs for all of their Facebook friends to see.
If I were an Anthropologist studying the many and diverse styles of parenting, I would head straight for the park. You can see it all in the park, all the stereotypes played out together, a soap opera on asphalt.
Like eating and crotch shots, one of our favourite past times is baby name judging. And now that we’ve reached the end of the year, everyone is jumping on the “OMG WORST NAMES OF 2012!” bandwagon.
Am I the only one having difficulty reconciling my inner thoughts with the things I know I’m supposed to say to my children, for the sake of their developing self esteem?
Everyone says this is what happens when you slow down. You know, it’s holiday time, the stresses of the year have ended, and you just let yourself fall apart. But I don’t think that’s what’s happening to me. I think that I simply have a finite number of intelligent thoughts, and by the holiday period I have used up my quota and am empty
The first thing I will say is I do not have kids. So, if you have kids and you read this you may hate me a bit and I'm sorry in advance. The second thing is that I am three months pregnant, so I am noticing how people parent a lot right now. The third thing I want to say is I hope none of my friends who do have kids read this because I'm going to lay some shit on the table and it's probably going to hurt some feelings.
Mums are often better parents than dads. And that goes double for me. I’ve had three kids across two marriages and I am undoubtedly the weak link. My 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son trust their step-mother more than they trust me, which proves that I married well but am still getting the hang of being a dad. Most of us are.
Dave Engledow, a photographer from Washington has come up with brilliantly funny ways to portray himeself as a distracted, incompetent father who clearly isn't paying much attention to his daughter's welfare or safety in a series called "World's Best Father"
Confessions of a Stay at home mother: I Have Forgotten How to Talk to Adults. I am stimulating them – are they stimulating me? Yes, without a doubt. Do I find mothering as mentally stimulating as I did trying to set up a legal training programme in Rwanda. No, probably not. For now, I am comfortable with that. Am I wasting my education and intellect by being at home?
The baby, born via c-section in October in Phoenix, Ariz., was captured on camera grabbing hold of her doctor's finger, AZfamily.com reports, and the photo, posted on Facebook recently, is getting all sorts of attention.
What advice would you give to a woman pregnant with her first child? I mean, I don't know. Don't drop the baby? Don't forget to change their nappy every few hours? Find a wooden spoon and bite on it until the baby turns 1?
My child doesn't want to do competitive sport. There is a place in the world for the Ferdinands. He is quite the artist and quite the storyteller. I like him the way he is, and more importantly, he likes himself the way he is. He doesn’t think he needs to be an athlete.
With all the pressure to be a perfect parent, it’s so tempting to kick and back and be lazy once in a while. So why don’t you do just that? Here’s an idler’s guide to blissful, stress-free days…
If January usually involves giving up the things you love, why not put a fresh spin on the year ahead and pick from these positive parenting resolutions instead?
The Biggest Parenting Trends of 2013: A 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Baby Boom, Archery,Vintage Parties and More!
For the forthcoming year, my resolution is to be more attentive, because these moments where she actually likes us and wants to spend time in our company should be treasured and won't last forever, according to almost everybody with older kids.
There’s a big difference between sophisticated and independent. Huge. Kids may be more sophisticated but you could argue it’s been at the expense of independence. They may have embraced sushi but can they walk to the shops by themselves?
This prayer to her daughter is from Tina Fey's book Bossypants which is a million shades of awesome. Most of the iVillage team have already printed it out to keep (and pass on): A Mother’s Prayer for Her Child By Tina Fey
The Most Amazing Parenting Photos of 2012: Blue Ivy, Nude Pregnant Celebs and the Spit-Up Shot Seen Round the World
I’m so tired of everyone telling you that your life is over once you have a kid. Really, it’s just begun. I mean, for me, having a kid was an introduction to all of those things in life I was missing out on
Scary Netball Mummy is not alone at our local netball association. There is also Scary Netball Daddy. I know it’s not politically correct to say this but my heart sinks when I realise we’re playing his daughter’s team. I just haven’t had enough coffee by 8am to get through his impersonation of Al Pacino in an NFL block buster.
Word to all the mothers out there. This one goes out to you... Car manufacturer Fiat have released a 'Motherhood' rap video to market their new compact family car, the Fiat 500L, and we think you're going to love it.
This Christmas here is what I want for my kids: I want my kids to be happy. Giddy and blissfully happy. Not all the time, but often enough that they have memories to sustain them when things are sad and difficult and painful.
Sexy Housewives Gangnam Christmas Special was created by a group of British middle-aged wives and mothers in a bid to raise money for breast cancer research. They have also created a JustGiving website where they are hoping to collect "as much money as possible for cancer research."
There’s a fashion victim living in my house and it’s freaking me out. Seemingly out of the blue one ordinary day, my pre-schooler had her first fashion crisis and it was quite a sight to behold. I’d never witnessed one from the outside before.
I know it’s unnatural of me to detest group baking sessions, every family magazine you look at shows softly lit scenes of mothers and their endearing offspring, neatly putting together nutritious offerings that they will share together after they finish painting pictures of each other. Which reminds me of my second most hated set of words, “Mum, can we paint ?”
Whilst contemplating what to give my children this Christmas I tried to remember the best present I ever received as a child. With the exception of my first tennis racket I couldn’t think of a single thing. What I could remember, however, was a Christmas experience, which became an annual ritual and remains one of my most cherished childhood memories.
Earlier this year Jada Pinkett Smith came under fire when her daughter Willow cut most of her hair off. Smith was criticised for allowing her daughter to make such a drastic change. Recently she came out on her Facebook page with the reasoning behind her decision to “allow” the hairstyle.
It was 10:11 am that I saw an email flash along the bottom of my laptop screen. Schools in our town were on lockdown because of a shooting. My heart dropped. Within seconds, I learned it was my children's school.
There is something delightfully innocent (and frank) about children when they speak. And when they carry this through to their writing nothing changes - but it does make for hilarious reading. Check out some of these very awesome letters from kids
Lottie is a new doll made by Arklu a British toy company that has recognised the demand for dolls that look well, like dolls and not mini supermodels. The fact that Lottie can stand on her own two feet, wears regular clothing and is no way sexualised is just one of her drawcards.
A study into Australian families has discovered that kids as young as 10 are being left home alone.
Shtty Mum If you read that title and thought, 'Oh, I could never do that! It's so irresponsible! Just stay home!', then this chapter is not for you. Move along, princess. Enjoy your supportive husband or your family nearby or your boss who lets you work from home, or your own money, or whatever it is you have that allows you to react to a working mum's dilemma with such horror.
Santa down the chimney, flying reindeer, wishes coming true… the Man in Red and his entourage are one of the very best parts about the holiday – especially for the under-five set. Help make the holiday even more magical with our amazing list of ways to “prove” that Santa is real!
What your child needs from you : Taking the time to understand someone is an idea that seems intuitive. Of course we need to understand our kids - that’s simple, isn’t it? It sounds easy enough to listen and even understand. But in practice it can be difficult to implement.
David Pennington an eminent professor (who was at the help of Australia’s response to the AIDs crisis during the 1980s) has suggested that children’s weight should be included on the school report card to help tackle the obesity crisis.
Running up the road (ok, let’s be honest here, walking, I reserve running for special occasions, like being chased by a wild animal or hot footing it away from vague aquaintences when I realize I’m wearing baby vomit like a smock) for a coffee can be an enlightening experience.
Sh*t my kids ruined: we all know the saying, do not leave your children unattended - these are some hilarious reminders of what happens when you do.
A new report launched by the federal School Education Minister, Peter Garrett highlighted the importance of parents becoming actively involved in their child's learning. In fact the report states that taking an active role your child's education, getting involved with the school and the ultimate shocker - encouraging learning in the home, has a huge positive effects on your child's wellbeing, academic achievement, whether they stay in school and whether they go on to uni.
Sitting there, sipping my coffee, listening to the journalists discussing running lists of what was going to happen later at the funeral of poor Daniel Morcombe and estimating the crowd numbers, I suddenly heard a sound behind me.
It was the first time the new dad had left his little baby, and he was all sorts of nervous, even though he was leaving grandparents in charge. Having raised him (or his wife?) and likely pretty confident in their abilities, grandma and grandpa had a little harmless fun put his baby in the oven
If you have a pram you are not welcome here. Have you ever been harassed for having a pram? Have you ever been asked to leave somewhere because of your kids?
Would you rather your child learn about this important topic from you or a complete stranger? If you begin the conversation at an early age, you establish a relationship in which your child feels comfortable and safe to come to you as new questions/issues arise.
World Breastfeeding week launches today and we want to see as many of our readers doing what they do naturally - breastfeeding their kids!
It's almost back-to-school time but it doesn't mean that the weather is cooling down and your kids are still going to be coming home for a swim at the beach or the local pool (or the dreaded swimming lessons) . If their cossies have taken a beating over this intensely hot summer, here are nine irresistible options for your little tackers
Everything you need to know about your tweens and instagram. Many well intending parents have refused their tweens access to Facebook after hearing horror stories about Cyber Bullying and Paedophiles.
Photoboobing: there's a new genre of funny pictures going around the interweb involving sweet little babies and their ogling tendencies.
In the parenting stakes, most of us feel we could do better. Here's why your best is good enough, and why should give yourself a break...
Joshua Littman was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at 5 years old. But the condition that denied him of many social skills also played a role in him becoming an honour-roll student at 12 and joining MENSA at 9.
This morning I read a fascinating article about a Swedish toy company that has defied typical gender stereotyping by switching girl models for boys and vice versa. In their new Christmas toy catalog, Top Toy pictures young boys playing with dolls and girls holding toy machine guns.
When I had my first baby, I felt I had my head screwed on straight and whatever happened, we would get through it together. I would figure it out. But sometimes she would just be, I don’t know, a baby. I couldn’t read her cues, I couldn’t figure out why she was crying and she certainly couldn’t tell me. Once she screamed inconsolably for ages and I found myself wondering… was it something I did?
It’s less than four weeks until Christmas and if you’ve found yourself wheeling out the “Santa won’t come to little boys/girls who are naughty” line in order to get your kids to behave, you are most definitely not alone.
Yesterday results of a University of Melbourne study into NAPLAN made headline news. Many parents (and teachers) were indignant about the reports which showed “significant concerns about the ‘unintended side effects’ of NAPLAN, including teaching to the test, a reduction in time devoted to other subjects and a negative impact on student health and staff morale.
As a stay-at-home mother of three preschoolers, I feel like I am suffering from Groundhog Day Syndrome. Never before have I endured such repetition in my daily life. Admittedly, in my former (working) life, I started each day the same w
Sleep deprivation is not a new phenomenon to parents of newborns but the auto-pilot, zombie-like state has a new name. New research has coined it ‘babylag’ for its similarities to jetlag (I’d argue it’s only similar to jetlag if you had 12 glasses of champagne on the plane and also suffer from amnesia).
I flounder. This child – my first and wildly celebrated daughter – was breastfed girl power. I read picture books with only central female characters, I insisted she wrestle her big brothers, demanded family call her words like smart and brave as much as cute and adorable. I tell her we are all different – straight and thin to round and plump and millions of ways in between. I tell her it’s what makes us all beautiful. Unconvinced
From the mystery of the perfect mum to the time it will take you to leave the house, here are 19 things we wish we'd known about having a baby.
A complete guide to all things parenting. Or is it drinking
As any honest parent can vouch, when it comes to raising kids, sometimes you do what you’ve gotta do. Here are just some of the many ways we get by.
It never ceases to amaze me how such little things can light up my daughters life. We can buy her everything Dora's ever released (seriously, there's nothing they haven't put her name too) or the latest Elmo incarnation, but she'll happily cast it aside for a pen and paper, a balloon or to check out the intricacies of a hair clip. At what point in life do we stop finding fun in the simple little things?
From pretty much the moment they could talk, both of my daughters have loved pretend-play. And this is how it is driving me mad
Got a baby on the way? Or one that's just arrived? Share the news with one of these gorgeous birth announcements. From e-cards to printables, you're sure to find one that's right for you
It is official. According to my daughter, I am the Worst. Mother. Ever. I do things that make her scream. Things that make her arch her back, kick her legs and wail like all the most unjust things that could ever happen to a kid just happened to her, all at once. I do things that make her run from me, desperate for escape.
If job titles were handed out in families, I would immediately claim mine as Operations Manager. My husband and I work very much as a team but when it comes to the day to day machinations of the house, all requests and schedules land on my desk.
As Christmas fast approaches you race around buying presents, decorating the tree, untangling fairy-lights, squeeze in visits to relatives while your immediate family - as lovely as they are - sit around hardly helping?
All kids generally go through a phase about being fussy over food. This generally happens with toddlers when they realise they have some control over what they eat, so they experiment – knowing you can’t force them to eat gives them some autonomy. They are making the rules and in control!
Coles is the first supermarket in Australia to bring fashion to the grocery aisles with an exclusive mix of quality basics and on trend clothing at surprisingly good value. Available in selected Coles stores and online, Mix is fresh, affordable, and stylish.
The best advice for your sons - It’s harder to take a punch than to throw one. Find the people who make you laugh and follow them around like a golden retriever. Laughing is like a vitamin. You can never get enough of it.
When I fell pregnant with our youngest, I discovered that the hospital was offering a homebirth pilot program. We were assigned the same midwife and I was delighted! Pre-natal visits were in my home with my other children involved. We chatted over tea and biscuits. It was everything I had once dreamed pre-natal care could be.
Tizzie Hall will be live blogging here on Wednesday 7th November at 8pm (AEST) so leave your questions about sleep settling, fussy toddlers, feeding and below and join us on Wednesday night.
Each night Maha Al Musa lies in bed beside her daughter Aminah and offers her chocolate milkies – milk from her breast. There’s nothing unusual about this, except Maha is 50 and her daughter is four. This mother-of-three from northern NSW is an advocate for breastfeeding and cherishes this precious end-of-the-day routine, which she says enables mother and daughter to bond
A Woman's Day article featuring a 50-year-old woman who breastfeeds her four-year-old daughter four times a day is getting the Boob Brigade all hot under the collar. You know the Boob Brigade: those people who may or may not be breast-owners themselves who love nothing more than telling other people what they should/shouldn’t do with their norgs.
Last Thursday saw a 12 year old student in WA, receive a detention for hugging a classmate. Have we gone daft in our protection policies?
Carrie Bickmore says: Most of my childhood was spent in Perth. I love being outdoors and being physically active has always been important to me, but the strong WA sun mixed with just enough teen foolishness meant I learnt the importance of sun protection the hard way a couple of times!
There is a selection of words that seem unique to the experience of parenthood. How do I know this? Well, I dropped a couple of them into conversation with childless friends over breakfast, only to be met with looks of mild bewilderment and confusion.
Does commuting really put women's health at risk? This hilarious post will tell you the very real risks that driving creates for women
An outspoken little girl has put Pippa Middleton in her place, reminding her that not every 10-year-old girl likes pink and princesses. Awkward
I am a helicopter parent, but I think of my 'hovering' more as 'nurturing'
There, I said it! When it comes to breastfeeding my babies, it definitely ain’t my forte. I wish it was, but it’s not, and I’m ok with that. However, accepting this fact was a heart-wrenching realisation for me as a new Mother.
Coles Mix presents its new clothing range for toddlers and babies. And you can buy them online right here and now
Sexism and shoes. Having had a good look round the shoe department I decided a pair of boys brown sandals would do nicely. They were practical shoes, exactly the type of that would give G the support she needed to bomb about the park like an over excited puppy.
Don't buy the most expensive pram in the world, chances are you'll be downsizing it to a lightweight stroller the first chance you'll get (you will ignore this tip, you will buy the fanciest pram, and you will get sick of carting it around and get a stroller the first minute you can, but don't say I didn't tell you!).
This morning was joy. Pure joy. I didn't care about the inappropriateness of eating ice cream before lunch. I didn't care about the melted ice cream dripping in my car. I didn't care about the Flakes smearing all over three tee shirts. And I didn't care about the exorbitant cost of soft serve cones. It was joy. Pure joy. And we will all remember it.
Amanda Todd became a victim to a bully whom she had never met. The internet had felt like a game – just like a movie, not real life. She seems to have been vulnerable – like many young girls, critical of her own looks, not believing in herself, perhaps believing that she was ugly or not worthy of love.
Looking for an inventive way to teach your kids manners? It seems we may have the answer for you. From Fitzy of Nova 96.9
All best baby laughs at dog videos have been put into one place for you to enjoy. If this doesn't make you smile, nothing will
If current research is to be believed, then step or blended families are the fastest growing family type in Australia today. The increasing divorce rate, the search for happiness and meaning and a woman’s capacity to say no when it isn’t working might all be contributing to this emergence of a family group that doesn’t look as white bread as it used to. Nuclear families be gone.
In good news for stay-at-home dads and single mums research suggests that cuddling and closeness by a doting parent or parents in infancy may make for better-adjusted kids later on
Kidsafe: Did you know that more children die from injury than of cancer, asthma and infectious diseases combined? Are they kidding? I want to wrap Madeleine in bubble-wrap and wrap that bubble-wrap in cotton wool.
A new study says there's no evidence to support that sharing family meals improves children's school performance or reduces their risk of behaviour problems.
Last week he was out every morning on a radio show while I was on duty at home - which meant, woohooo free reign for all! My daughter was lovinglydressing herself in the most ridiculous layers of clothes you can imagine. Daycare day came around and I greeted my daughter with "today you can wear whatever you want!". Two minutes later she struts out in the most ridiculous multiple layers of skirts over shorts over tights over two pairs of undies (she couldn't choose so wore both).
You'll never care about (or talk about) poo as much as you will when you're a brand-new mama. From the colour to the texture to -- sorry -- the odour, you'll wonder, "Is this normal?" almost every time you change your baby's nappy.
It happened. I broke. Last night while my 18-month-old child screamed, I sat on her bedroom floor and cried. I heaved. I wept until my husband came in and gently touched me on the arm, swept the baby up with him and whispered: "Go to sleep, honey".
I remember being a teenaged girl, all too well. Everything is extreme. The highs are soaring fireworks of bliss. The lows are deepest, unfathomable despair. You are old enough and smart enough to believe you are ready to make your own decisions and forge your own path.
At what age does cuddling in bed with your child become inappropriate? My son is 11, and nearing the end of his primary school days.
Blog STFU Parents takes down parents for the ridiculous things they overshare online about their kids. Do you read it?
The Halloween countdown has begun! But before you head to the costume shop and spend big bucks on a cookie cutter costume, look through your kids' crafts boxes, closets and junk drawers for inspiration. Check out the creative costumes these mums made!
From a baby jacuzzi to an handy ergonomic pillow, we've found the wackiest baby products out there!
There’s all the new stuff that you need to learn how to do; breast or bottle feed, soothe tiny cries, fix sore knees, puree four different foods into a goopy paste.
This new commercial from Luvs aims to normalise breastfeeding. Showing a woman who is initially shy about exposing her breasts in in public and then becoming more comfortable with feeding her baby at the table while ordering lunch
Make a Mummy Friend! 5 Playground Pickup Lines That Work. Want to be friends with that cool mom you see on the playground every day? Break the ice with one of these clever pickup lines
From the moment the word ‘only child’ leaves my mouth peoples faces automatically begin to change. Their smiles turn to stiff upper lips and they usually say ‘Oh I wouldn’t pick you as an only child’, or ‘you’re the best behaved only child I’ve ever met’. Only last night one of my closest friends informed me that ‘I was the only ‘only child’ she could handle’ because I didn’t behave like a ‘normal only child’.
Few things can be more stressful to a new parent than not being able to soothe your baby's crying. Here's what you need to know to stop your baby's tears -- and your own!
Each year, thousands of Australian drivers are involved in car accidents, many of whom are unsure of the proper steps to follow at the scene of the accident. Keep this on hand so you are never in that situation
The best and safest choice for your car, there is no substitute for Genuine Parts. Specifically designed and tested to meet Australian Design Rules, all Genuine Parts are made to the highest quality and are guaranteed to work in perfect unison with all other genuine components of your vehicle.
I have a confession to make. I have fallen into the deathly parenting trap known as ‘the bribe’. I know, I know, it’s not good, I’m creating a rod for my back with this kind of behaviour but the problem is that when I’m in a hurry and need to get Coco to move fast, it works. A treat. Touche.
In light of the heartbreaking and very public news of the murder of Jill Meagher, it is more than likely that many children will have been exposed to the communal outpouring of shock and grief. This may occur through snippets of adult conversation, passing by a newsstand, listening to the car radio or television news.
Mums may soon see stronger official warnings on baby formula labels about the risks of not breastfeeding. The nation's food watchdog is looking for feedback on whether "breast is best" messages should be changed to clearly spell out the health benefits of breast versus bottle.
Mum to a baby boy? Back away from the dummy. ScienceDaily reports a trio of experiments show pacifiers, well, kinda suck when it comes to the emotional development - particularly learning facial expressions - of young boys.
Matt Damon told People at a recent Family Reach Foundation fundraiser that your kids don't just like to eat veggies, they love to eat veggies, well, dude, you broke one of the cardinal rules of parenting: You're perfect, your kids are perfect -- now, stop gloating.
Buzz Bishop, a Canadian radio show host and self described ‘daddy blogger’ has sparked an online backlash by writing a post titled, Admit It,You Have A Favorite Kid. I Do on parenting website, Babble.
Fussy eaters- Once I bought the wrong chocolate biscuits once. After watching my children turn their noses up instead of being happy (more for me!) I yelled, “Some children have never even had a chocolate biscuit, ever. They have one bowl of rice a day.”

Mothers tend to be hard on themselves about not baking enough, not staying home enough, not working enough, not being fun enough, not playing enough. Stop comparing yourself!
I remember, 24 hours postpartum, weeping in excruciating pain whilst feeding my baby. It felt like I was experiencing labour all over again. “Oh they’re just the afterpains,” the midwife said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Your uterus is contracting again, just like during labour. It shouldn’t last more than a few days”. And then she was gone. I felt like I’d been had. As if 30 plus hours of uterine contractions wasn’t bad enough, I now had to endure more of them. Everyone had told me that as soon as labour ends, so too does the pain. They had lie
We discovered by accident that the Star Wars Theme Song has magical abilities to calm the baby down. He was screaming and crying in the car one day, and the MP3 player started playing this song and he just stopped.
I am a feminist, a mother, a writer, and I have dreams for both myself, and my children. Out of 384 friends, four have solely children as their profile shots. Two women, two men. Do I warn the men that they too are disappearing? And what about my friend Dave, he has a stuffed kangaroo staring forlornly out of the window. What does that say about him? And my friends who have pictures of other peoples children? Is that okay?
It’s almost impossible to breeze through parenting without feeling a sense of guilt, but could you be doing any better than you are? Take this quiz and find out.
When it comes to this parenting gig, it’s easy to identify the genuinely hard bits. There’s a verifiable feast of options to choose from, even when blessed with healthy children, food on the table and a roof over our head. But what about those pesky parts that don’t really quantify as being especially tricky but still manage to sneak up behind us and put us off our game.
The little padded tunnel at the playcentre was finally free. I directed my toddler to it, just as a boy of about five sprinted over and launched himself into it from the other end. As I took my daughter’s hand to lead her to another toy, the little boy looked me dead in the eye and kicked her fair in the face.
My name is Carli and I yell at my children. If you’ve ever gotten lost down the rabbit hole of articles that shame particular parenting methods or websites that focus on endless hours of crafting and baking with children – you could be forgiven for thinking that yelling is now a capital offence.
Every school term around this stage I start seeing and hearing people complaining about the upcoming school holidays.
My good friend Amy's toddler son Sam used to call me "that guy." We’re not sure if it’s because he really didn't know who I was (not possible, I saw that punk everyday), or if everyone who wasn’t mummy, was just "that guy." We were at least partly to blame, of course, because we never gave him any real direction on what he should call me.
Pushy parenting just stepped up a gear! Should learning should be fun, or do you demand nothing but the very best from your offspring? Take our test and find out if you’re a tiger mother or more of a pussy cat when it comes to parenting.
Many of us have faced that fraught, nerve-wracking decision where we have to choose whether or not to take your sick child to the GP, to the hospital’s emergency department or to call for an ambulance. It can be a daunting situation and one that we all hope doesn’t happen very often, but when faced with this decision it is important to be armed with the knowledge and skills to know how to respond appropriately.
An Australian mother who complained in court that her six-year-old son’s fruit was not cut up in his lunchbox has won custody.
With the cost of raising a family at an all-time high, it pays to find ways to keep costs down. Here’s how some small changes can make a big difference to your bank balance…
Behavioural sleep techniques known as “controlled comforting” and “camping out” provide a cost-effective way to help infants sleep better, reduce mothers’ depression levels, and are safe to use in the long-term
From the nightmare to the heart-breakingly cute...things to expect when your little baby turns into a toddler.
We're twin baby boys on our first flight and we're only 14 weeks old! We'll try to be on our best behavior, but we'd like to apologize in advance just in case we lose our cool, get scared or our ears hurt. Our mom and dad (AKA our portable milk machine and our diaper changer) have ear plugs available if you need them. We are all sitting in 20E and 20F if you want to come by to get a pair."
You want to be the best mother you can be -- and surprisingly, sometimes that means taking a step away from your kids and actually doing something for yourself. By yourself.
More research is desperately needed in the eating disorders field, not just for those whose lives have already been touched by the illness, but indeed for us all. The more we understand any illness that so deeply and devastatingly impacts the minds, bodies and souls of children so young, young people so bright, men so talented and women so incredible – the more we can develop the means to support them to health and wellness again
Identical twin girls get so excited whenever their dad plays the guitar and they have become a viral sensation!
German photographer Paul Ripke created a series of photos, called "Grown Ups", where parents swapped roles and switched heads with their children.
19 things no one told us about having a newborn baby. Beautiful, honest and caring advice
There comes a moment when a new dad suddenly realises that Father's Dad is about more than a picking out a new tie for his own father. It's about him. So how can you help ensure his first father's day is special?
Researchers in Victoria have called for compulsory weigh-ins for school children as part of the fight against obesity. The Deakin University research, published in the journal Pediatric Obesity, calls for all young students to be weighed regularly at school to help collect official data and to confront parents about the health of their children.
Tired of giving your dad socks and undies for Father's Day? Here are 20 gift suggestions to suit every budget.
A leading US organisation of pediatricians says the medical benefits of male circumcision outweigh the risks, but they're not enough to recommend the controversial procedure be performed on all baby boys.
That woman who so rudely parked in the disabled zone? Her son is intellectually disabled. He runs from her at a moments notice and has had many near misses in parking lots. He is a risk to himself and others and whilst she feels the stares, the safety of her child takes priority over other peoples assumptions.
Formula is a little bit like AIDS. Nobody actually dies from AIDS; what happens is AIDS destroys your immune system and then you just die of anything and that's what happens with formula. It provides no antibodies. Every 30 seconds a baby dies from infections due to a lack of breastfeeding and the use of bottles, artificial milks and other risky products. Every 30 seconds."
I have become silently fascinated as to the uncanny ability of the mums (and dads) in these images to look so damn good while going about their everyday, parenting business.
It turns out that nursery rhymes were the way in which children were taught life lessons back in the day – by providing them with examples of what would happen if you didn’t follow the rules. So you would see children getting beaten or being sent to bed without food. Or you see cat eating mice or fighting each other – all real life occurrences, possibly something children of this day and age will never be exposed to due to the trend of bubble-wrapping children, city living and cat obedience schools.
It really used to annoy me how parents would pull out the “you can’t understand love until you’re a mother/father” line when talking about their kids. It was such a cruel and patronising exclusion. Like saying I’m not capable of real love because I don't have a child. Or that I lack the understanding or imagination to empathise with someone, simply because we don’t have a shared experience.
If your child hits, bites or lashes out aggressively you are not alone. Check out our tips that could help you
The questions that really matter and the answers that don't. Read this hysterical set of questions every mother wants answered and then tell us your own
Although most widely recognized for her roles in iconic television shows like “The Wonder Years” and “The West Wing,” Danica McKellar is an internationally recognized mathematician. In the wake of her bestselling book, “Math Doesn't Suck,” McKellar kicks it up a notch with “Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape.”
Pregnancy should be a time to be savoured but all too often stress and anxiety creeps in. Stay positive throughout your pregnancy with these motivational tips. By Lynne Roberts
Most Australians know the story of Daniel Morcombe who was abducted from a bus stop close to his home just weeks before Christmas 8 years ago. Working in the missing persons field it really resonated with me having seen first hand the stories of loss and despair from families in similar situations.
I lie to my children. Blatant, bold faced lies. Not just little white ones, but great big (jelly bellied full bearded) lies. We believe in Santa. Tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny as well.
Is it reasonable to leave a child alone in a car while the parent pays for petrol? Did you know in Queensland parents could be charged with neglect for letting an 11-year-old walk or ride to school alone?
Research from Monash University suggests that migrants who come to Australia from places like Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, often find Australian parenting styles too laidback and are surprised to learn that smacking isn't that common. In these societies parents are usually more authoritarian, and smacking is a part of that role.
Is tween fashion too 'trampy'? Port Macquarie mum Ana Amini has written an outraged comment on Target’s Facebook page urging the company to ‘make a range of clothing for girls 7-14 years that doesn’t make them look like tramps’. As I write this, the ‘open letter’ has received over 52,000 ‘likes’ and nearly 3,000 comments.
Play School is teaching children who can’t even read or write how to use social media” (emphasis mine). Unfortunately for these children, they will quickly find that using social media is quite difficult when one is not able to read or write. Surely, then, this is an exercise in incorporating elements of everyday life into a show for kids about things that happen in everyday life?
iVillage blogger, Bern Morley presents her hilarious version of the Olympics, The Parenting Olympics: Change Room Wrestling, The broken Sleep Marathon and Lego Hurdles.
Nestle has been feeling the full sting of a social media backlash as Australian mothers flood their Facebook page with angry messages. In fact 1000 likes have been recived on the newly formed “Recall all Nestle NAN HA Gold Baby Formula” page . And it’s not a happy page.
Why terrible books are great for kids: They get people reading, and in the case of children, that’s a fantastic thing. Forget the expensive after school tutoring and private coaching.
Your phone is probably loaded with photos of your children. But those sweet smiling faces aren't the only pictures that you need. Check out our list of the 14 photos every mum should have on her smartphone:
It's funny how when you're in the thick of babies and toddlerdom and preschoolers you can sometimes feel that this is a phase almost to be endured in some ways. Yet once it's gone you yearn for those dimpled bottoms, first steps, and tantrums on the supermarket floor.
Miranda Kerr appears in Harper's Bazaar talking about her son Flynn. Again
They had just finished eating a hearty lunch of pasta I’d lovingly prepared and the two little ones were fast asleep. I was in the kitchen making Honey Joys (Cornflakes, butter and honey – yum!) when I overheard a conversation between my nephew (9) and my son (8).
“Shapewear products are now attracting a younger audience: teenagers,” it said. What? Teenagers wearing Lycra and Spanx to mould their bodies and look slimmer?
Violent video games - "The thing that's concerning me is the prevalence of people who are at this stage not just prepared to carry a knife, but prepared to use it," Mr Scipione said. That has increased significantly."
After watching my partner, who has an abnormally high pain threshold, battle through a relatively straightforward first labour and uncomplicated natural birth I am qualified to say that there is nothing that compares to the pain of delivering a baby. It is nature’s cruel little joke that women forget all about it and willingly go back for more. I’ll still need a few years to make sense of the whole thing.
I had no idea that ‘baby wearing’ was a thing, all rolled up in the attachment parenting debate. To be honest I’d never even heard of the term. I just thought it would be handy to sometimes have my hands free while out and about with my bub.
As parents, we all know that smacking is a big no-no - yet occasionally, we're pushed to the limit. Here's how you can encourage good behaviour with positive discipline. Cue happier parents and happier child..
It’s my fault. I was way too smug. I toilet-trained my daughter and it only took three days. I felt like the best mum ever. Obviously with three kids I was now an expert. I could write a book. I am the world’s best toilet-training mum!
They love your child, they mean well...so why can handling your parents - and in-laws - be so fraught with difficulty? Here's how to tackle those tricky family matters...
My school days were happy ones. I loved learning. I felt safe surrounded by supportive friends. I know I was lucky because not everyone had this shiny-happy-days experience.
In a matter of weeks, I will be the proud owner of a brand-new bundle of joy. And in preparation, even though it’s not my first time on this merry-go-round, I’ve been reading up on what to expect. I have a wonderful collection of very, very dated books on cooking, homemaking, mothering and birthing which are an absolute hoot to look over, especially when it comes to advice for the new mother. And it got me thinking – while I’ve been very fortunate in avoiding the possibly well-meaning but truly incredibly annoying unsolicited advice brigade, I’ve not been totally immune. Here are some crackers I’ve heard.
Fiona Harris' husband is travelling the country with a show he is performing in and she is staying behind to try and write (she has just been commissioned to write two childrens books) and continue with her acting work (she's doing a guest role in an ABC Drama series at the moment). She is also sharing the joys of being "not quite single" parenting with us on iVillage. Today she writes:
I have just had my 5th baby and like to think I know a thing or two about having a newborn in the house. But let me tell you that whether it's your 1st or your 5th baby there are some universal facts of life about having a newborn in your life.
Lawstuff Australia, in partnership with the Children's Legal Services of Legal Aid NSW, have developed a series of fact sheets to provide children with information on what types of activities are against the law when using social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Information on sexting, copyright infringement, defamation and privacy are included. A great resource for your teens, and hopefully for them to share around on Facebook.
As a parent, worrying seems to be part of the job description - but are you fretting too much? While it's natural to be concerned, here are12 things you shouldn't worry about... By Fiona Gibson
The Amazing Things These Babies Would Say if They Could. We searched the web to find the funniest, craziest and cutest baby memes around. Check out the 16 most hilarious (and surprisingly accurate) meme photos!
A cute kid is a cute kid, and 10-month-old Valentina Guerrero certainly fits the bill. And while she may not exactly fit the mold of a traditional child model, the Miami toddler, who has Down syndrome, is the new face of the Dolores Cortés swimwear collection for youngsters, Adweek reports.
A study of 5000 Australian children recruited as infants in 2004 has found whether a child goes into formal care as a baby or a toddler, there are no long term negative impacts on the child.
An alarming new study has found that girls as young as six years old are keenly aware of their (so-called) sex appeal. The research, published this month in the journal Sex Roles, focused on studies conducted by psychologists at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois
"attachment parenting" — a back-to-basics approach to child raising that's becoming more and more popular with mothershere and around the world. Read more about it here
Every now and again the Australian media trot out this old chestnut in an attempt to SHOCK and HORRIFY the ‘normal’ Australian public. To be honest I’m more shocked and horrified that anyone actually thinks the parenting choices of others are any of their business.
The Aurora, Colo. movie theatre shooting on Friday that killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more -- with a reported six victims being taken to an area children's hospital -- is a sombre reminder that no matter how hard we try to keep our kids out of danger, we can't protect them all the time.
You can't make it safe for your children all the time. There is a certain element of risk that you have to learn to be comfortable with
We asked our iVoices to take on the subject of tween waxing, given the controversy in the US about one salon promoting a 50% deal for girls aged 15 and under.
And this made me realise I have reached that certain point in a woman’s life when she must concede her daughter is more beautiful than she. It’s a bit of a wake-up call, certainly very humbling, and has prompted an entire gamut of emotions to unfold.
A study conducted at Deakin University has investigated the link between the parenting styles of 117 Australian mums and the diet and weight gain of their pre-schoolers.
Expectant celebs are usually coy about their baby name choices -- keeping them well under wraps until after the baby is born while the rest of us wait, impatiently, to pass judgment. But not Snooki! The Jersey Shore star has confirmed to USA Today (after castmates inadvertently spilled the secret during an interview) that she and fiance Jionni LaValle plan to name their baby boy... Lorenzo!
I had a baby two months ago. About two weeks ago, my husband had to go out of town for a few days, so his mother came to stay with the baby and me. One night I heard the baby crying, and heard my MIL go to him. I thought she was going to bring him to me to nurse so I stayed in bed for a while. When she didn't bring him, I figured she was just rocking him back to sleep and went to see if she needed anything, like a bottle from the fridge. When I entered the room I saw her holding my son to her breast, letting him suckle
You won't believe what some of these parents have tried.
Remember the controversial “Are You Mom Enough” Time magazine cover of Jamie Lynne Grumet breastfeeding her 4-year-old son? Well, the ensuing debate about breastfeeding beyond infancy is the impetus for a new reality show from the makers of Bridezilla and Dance Moms.
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar UK recently Miranda Kerr revealed that Flynn’s birth was completely natural because she wanted to give him “the best start in life” free of “drugs”.
Like most people gobbling up the TomKat stories, I can't help wondering what Nicole Kidman's take is on the split. And the thing that really intrigues me is what really went on with the custody arrangements of Isabella and Connor. Nicole doesn't talk much about the teenage children she adopted with Tom Cruise but she recently admitted that her two oldest kids chose to live with their father -- and that the decision was tough on her.
kids' names speak volumes about their parents. After all, there is little more you can do for your baby -- other than actually create it -- that so thoroughly reflects you. You can spend days, weeks, even the whole nine months (and sometimes beyond) choosing a name. You try to formulate just the right combination of first, middle and last name that will open doors and facilitate future relationships, unlocking the key to happiness.
You know you are a bad mother if....You had a homebirth. Or a hospital birth. Maybe an elective caesarean. Whichever it was, you are doing it wrong and if you've not figured that out yet someone will be along to tell you so shortly.
Sides and Kids is a non profit organaistion "dedicated to saving babies and childrens lives through the elimination of sudden and unexpected infant deaths during pregnancy, birth and childhood" They also provide support to bereaved families and funding research into stillbirth. Their safe sleeping guidelines are comprehensive
Family and friends are often a trusted source of parenting information, they can provide practical and emotional support and offer relief, advice and reassurance. But not always. I’ve heard many stories of mums feeling judged or criticised by their mothers or mother-in-laws...
The onesie that looks like a bikini complete with adult silhouette
The parent teacher interview - you'll find out the most important thing right at the end. "Yes Mrs Anna, your child is very clever and she gets most of the answers right. She's polite and she contributes well in class. Well, that's about all we've got time for BY THE WAY SHE SOMETIMES STEALS PENCILS."
Nuckin Futs - a brand new snack food just registered in Australia. Would you buy them? Would you allow your kids to take them to school?
There is confusion about how to talk to children and that's what is behind many family disputes. ''There was often a mismatch between what the parents thought they were saying and what the kids were hearing"
By the time you get to baby number 5 you’ve kind of used up all of your favourite baby names so where do you go to get a name for baby number 5?
As I frantically run from a full-time job to my children’s day care, I find myself reconsidering my longing for Sarah Jessica Parker’s life.
Is it better to spend quality time with your child when you can or just stay with them all the time? Another look at the stay at home versus working mum
Many people have told me that sending your child to long day care is good for them. GPs, paediatricians, other mothers and a plethora of forum contributors
Hints and tips about keeping your child safe and happy while travelling in the car.
Our mummy blogger, Katy Hill takes us through her trip glamping it up with her kids for the first time. How will the kids cope when they let go of their modern comforts and go back to basics...
So an unruly young visitor has complained about your 'nasty' cooking...and is now using your sofa as a trampoline. Is it ever okay to tell off someone else's child? Here's the lowdown on what to do - kindly and fairly, with sanity intact... By Fiona Gibson
Are you and your partner more loved up than ever - or only sticking together for the sake of the kids? Find out how you’re coping as a couple, and if you need to bring back the sparkle… By Fiona Gibson
Interviewers often ask 'What's the worst thing about being recognised?' For Katy Hill it's the possibility of it happening during one of Akira's 'Terrible Twos' tantrums... Glam...
Katharine Merry has been off the blog radar for a while and now baby Lucas looks like a real little man! Kath brings us up to date with her son's progress and shares memories and images from his christening
Binge drinking, failing schools and violent crime - there's no shortage of scare stories to make every parent fear for their child. Yet is it really so tough to be young these days? Here are the facts behind the headlines... By Fiona Gibson
There's nothing like raising a family to spark debate - so which side are you on? Here are some of the hottest topics right now... By Fiona Gibson
The baby is ten weeks old already! And yes, it quickly felt as though she had always been there, nestled in her basket, or her bouncy chair, smiling up at us. Her baby smell is so familiar and there is a twinkle in her eye that tells me she knows me well...
From the time your child takes those first steps to the moment when the teens sets in, you're in for a lot of change. This year-by-year guide helps you follow your child's development from the toddler years through to high school. You'll find a range of skills for each age and school year, from academic abilities to social development and growth spurts.
Put an end to sleepless nights! In less than a minute, you can have The Gift of Sleep in your hands.
When you're likely to have just ten minutes with your child's teacher, it's important to be prepared. These ten key questions will help you to get the most out of your meeting... By Fiona Gibson
Appearances can be deceiving. If you thought Katy Hill had the whole parenting thing down pat you were sorely mistaken, friend. Our mummy blogger extraordinaire opens up about her recent epic fail when a planned trip to Euro Disney went more than a little bit off-piste. Oh dear...
Breast v bottle, c-section or home birth – when it comes to pregnancy, some issues can awaken deep-seated opinions you didn’t know you held. Here are a few decisions guaranteed to provoke a debate. By Lynne Roberts
When wedding photographer Jason Lee’s mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, he decided to capture his two cute daughters in a series of wittily posed pictures so that they had ‘a germ-free way’ for his mum to see his kids. Here’s 20 of his most inventive and quirky set-ups. Prepare for cute overload…
With the issue of whether or not to use real nappies constantly on the agenda for new mums, we thought it would be a good idea to remind you of the positive aspects of ditching the disposables and move towards cloth nappies. In case you need convincing, here are ten reasons...
The last days of pregnancy are a waiting game, but watching the clock will just increase your anxiety and slow down time even more. Here are a few ideas to help you stay sane, with tips to ease you through the birth itself. By Lynne Roberts
Travelling with a baby can be a real challenge. During the first few months of Oscar’s life, every time we went to visit family our 7 seater car was always crammed full of things we just couldn’t cope without.
Welcome to the iVillage Easter extravaganza, providing you with all you need to have fun family time over the Easter period.
We all want to encourage our children to do their very best at school. Here are some everyday tips on how to help them on their way towards a brilliant future... By Fiona Gibson
If the thought of a fortnight's Easter holiday brings mixed feelings - worry about how to keep the family amused as well as the anticipation of the well-earned break and a celebratory meal - look no further. We've put together some great ideas for family fun to keep you all happily occupied
Who's calls the shots in your family when it comes to disciplining your kids, deciding what they eat and when they go to bed - you, your partner, or are you in this together? Find out with our fun quiz... By Fiona Gibson
Every fortnight, journalist and mum Laura Mason will review three of the best baby products on the market for iVillage.co.uk. This week, she looks at baby changing bags.
Before you know it, your baby’s growing up - and there comes a point when you need to talk about body changes, relationships and sex. While we can’t guarantee it’ll be blush-free, here are some pointers to make it easier… By Fiona Gibson
Next week is the Easter holidays and I have been asked lots of times about how I am going to entertain the troops, in the tone of voice that you normally associate with an impending disaster.
Bedwetting is a more common childhood problem than you might think. A fifth of five year olds wet the bed on a regular basis and almost one in ten four to 15 year olds wet the bed at some point.
So your child’s asked one of those questions that stops you in your tracks. Should you be totally honest, fudge a reply or mutter, ‘Ask dad?’ Here’s how to handle those tricky moments… By Fiona Gibson
This weekend I got to celebrate something I have been hoping to be a part of for most of my life: Mother’s Day. I have always known that I wanted to have a family, and yet with the problems I’ve had with Endometriosis there were several years when we weren’t really sure we’d ever get to this point.
Any mum of a child with Asperger Syndrome (and possibly several other conditions too) will recognise the need to provide your child with suitable things to ‘fiddle’ with. Our middle son, 9, has to have a 'fiddle thing' in his pocket at all times (though he frequently forgets and produces a piece of crumbly tissue – not ideal!) and it’s very easy for a lack of suitable ''fiddle things' to result in chewed clothes, ripped nails and ruined books. So when I was offered the chance to review a Pillow Pet, a soft, tactile cuddly toy that rolled up into a pillow, I jumped at the chance.
Stuck for inexpensive things to do with the kids at home over Easter? Look no further..: iVillage
My wife is very lucky to have me, apparently. She knows this because wherever she goes she gets told it. Repeatedly. She really has won the marital jackpot.
Swearing, partying, having high-maintenance hair...what will you be giving up now you're a mum?
From parenting tips and techniques to posts about parenting that will make you laugh and cry. This is the one resource you need as a mother
I am all about reading to the troopers, but does it matter what we read to them? Do we have an obligation to read them ‘the classics’ from our own childhood? Enid Blyton, E Nesbit, CS Lewis?
It's hard enough being a mother and having to juggle everything, while making sure your child has a good diet. Here are 14 quick, easy and healthy recipes to help you out!
I often felt like there wasn’t enough time in my day even before I had a baby, but now that feels truer than ever. Once the bottles have been washed, sterilised and made up, purees have been made for weaning, feeds have been given and nappies have been changed, there barely seems enough time to clean the kitchen worktops and put the dishes away.
Reading to your child is a mutually beneficial experience, nurturing self-expression, self-confidence and increasing literacy skills, not to mention providing a valuable bonding experience between parent and child. To celebrate World Book Day, we have compiled 10 benefits of reading to your child along with some reading suggestions to suit a range of ages.
As part of iVillage.co.uk's partnership with Huggies DryNites, users of the site were given the opportunity to submit their bedwetting questions to a panel of experts with the answers being streamed live. If you missed the live show you can catch up here as Dr. Hilary Jones explains the basics of bedwetting, psychologist Emma Kenny offers advice to parents coping with the problem and mum Emma Bradley talks about her personal experiences and the techniques she employed to solve the problem.
A few well-chosen words of praise can do wonders for your child's self-esteem, but is it possible to praise too much? And what does this do to your child's confidence? Take the quiz to find out.
When there are tears and tantrums, it’s no wonder you dread having to say goodbye to your child. Here’s how to make the parting stress-free…
Just recently my family has been feeling rather under the weather. It started a couple of weeks ago when I felt particularly sick for a few days, continued when Oscar started projectile vomiting after his feeds, got even worse when my own sickness increased and eventually worked its way through my husband, my mum, my dad and finally my sister. We have, like many people these past few weeks, been hit by a particularly nasty stomach bug.
From coping with the issues arising from bedwetting to instilling confidence in your child and helping out with homework, check out our guide to keeping your kids happy and healthy all year round...
Every fortnight, journalist and mum Laura Mason will review three of the best baby products on the market for iVillage.co.uk. This week, she looks at electric steam sterilisers.
Planning a pregnancy? For many women, stopping the pill is the first step to having a baby. We look at what happens to your body, how to improve your chances and when it’s safe to start trying. By Lynne Roberts
Do you find yourself baffled by mode, mean and median? How’s your knowledge of the properties of triangles? Take the primary-level maths challenge to find out how much help you’re going to be with your child’s homework!
Is dinner time a battle of wills? As 49 per cent of mums describe their children as fussy eaters, here’s how to make family meals fun, not fraught… By Fiona Gibson
Do you find your primary school child’s English homework baffling or simple? Do you reckon you’ve got a good grasp of grammar, punctuation and spelling? Take this test, which is based on Key Stage 2 learning, and find out your true ability level. You may be surprised...
'Breast is best, but stress is worse.' These are the words that my GP said to me when I eventually admitted defeat during the rollercoaster ride that was breastfeeding my son.
Is parenting more stressful and complicated than it’s ever been? It sure feels like it sometimes. Here are some smart ways to handle those 21st century dilemmas… By Fiona Gibson
This half term, there are plenty of excuses to get the kids to down game consoles, leave the sofa behind and discover new surroundings - whatever the weather. Here is a selection of all-weather activities around the UK, courtesy of the National Trust.
Every fortnight, journalist and mum Laura Mason will review three of the best baby products on the market for iVillage.co.uk. This week, she looks at baby monitors.
Whether they're angels or devils, your children are probably behaving as they do because of the climate you've created. So before you issue your next reward or punishment, take this quick quiz and find out exactly what you’ve got to answer for...
I don’t read for pleasure – I read to get information. I did have a novel about Brian Boru in 1993, but I leant it to a fellow Commando in Norway and he never returned it. I think it took me two weeks to notice.
Bedwetting can be stressful, causing embarrassment for both the child and the parent. This year, DryNites, the bedwetting experts, will be working in partnership with iVillage.co.uk to help mums understand that this is a normal part of your child’s development and give you the tools to help your child overcome the phase.
Someone once said to me, not all that long ago in fact, that guilt seems to be a pretty standard part of parenting. ‘Mummy Guilt’ starts to kick in almost as soon as that second pink line appears on the pregnancy test and only continues to grow the more time progresses.
When you're expecting, it's easy to get bogged down in the process of buying new products, preparing your home and generally making sure you're ready for life with another little person. Naomi Hill, soon-to-be mother of twins and sister of iVillage.co.uk parenting blogger Katy Hill, offers her top tips on how to navigate through this period with minimal stress.
Getting kids to eat a healthy, balanced diet can be a struggle but it is vitally important they get their recommended intake of nutrients to aid both their physical and academic development. Take our quiz to see if your child is on the right track.
Recently I had the opportunity to attend an NCT group meeting for new dads called ‘Hit the Ground Crawling.’ We got talking about the daunting experiences that these dads were facing as new parents and, unsurprisingly, playgroups ranked highly.
Bedwetting can be upsetting and isolating for your child - not to mention frustrating for you. Follow these tips to help you ease any anxiety your child may be experiencing and help you overcome the problem sensibly and calmly. By Fiona Gibson
If your child is wetting the bed - whether regularly or just every so often - you may find it useful to track their bedwetting behaviour using a night time tracker.
We all want our kids to feel confident - yet children suffer from shyness and shaky self-esteem, just as we do. Here are ten simple ways to help your child to shine.
From rainy day activities and creative craft projects to fun days out and garden games, these eco-friendly suggestions will ensure you're never short of ideas for things to do with your kids.
Having a baby is arguably the biggest decision you will ever make in your life so it's vital you get it right. It's natural to have doubts and while often they are simply minor insecurities, sometimes they can mask a greater reason why having a child may not be the best course of action at that time. Take our quiz to give you a better idea of whether you're ready or not to take the plunge... By Lynne Roberts
As technology advances, our children become more exposed to online threats. The online world offers a lot of benefits to children, which can be educational and rewarding. However, along with the benefits come the dangers that are associated with the online world. You should be aware of how to keep your kids safe online, to reduce the risk of them being exploited by online predators.
Being a new mum can be hard. You spend your pregnancy worrying about all the things you read and hear, wondering whether you’ve remembered everything and if you’l l ever get to grips with the confusing world you are about to enter. And then your baby arrives and it seems even more overwhelming as you try to cope with a crying baby, on less sleep than you have ever had before.
Every fortnight, journalist and mum Laura Mason will review three of the best baby products on the market for iVillage.co.uk. This week, she looks at baby carriers.
Colds, chills and that cabin-fever feeling - no wonder winter can be a trying time. Here's how to keep your family healthy and happy - and put a smile on your face too... By Fiona Gibson
My wonderful granddad Edward, ‘Teddy’ Williams died today, aged 94. He was a wonderful man, and everyone who knew him would tell you that. He lived in Guernsey all his life – apart from when he went away to fight in World war II - and he loved that island so much he even wrote a poem about it, which was published.
I first came across cloth nappies in 2006 while I was working in a nursery. Or rather that was when I first came across modern cloth nappies.
You don't need a Victoria Beckham-style bank balance to be a yummy mummy. Here's how to look fabulous with a minimum of time, effort and cash - yes, even on the school run... By Fiona Gibson
So here we are in another new year. Did you make any resolutions? I don’t very often make resolutions because I generally find it hard to think of any. This is because I know I will only get frustrated and cross with myself if I try things such as being more organised, eating more healthily or getting more active.
Something caught my eye on Twitter: 'When you really want to know what kind of parent you are, ask your child. Your child's perception of your parenting matters'.
Many of us tend to plough on with the everyday ins and outs of parenting without too much thought about the 'bigger picture'. And while constant 'green' messages can feel a little bit like we're being battered into submission, there are actually some fairly minor lifestyle changes we can all take to help make the future brighter. By Fiona Gibson
Cheer up cranky kids in the post-Christmas slump with one of the exciting new books out in the New Year. Here are January and February's highlights for toddlers to 11-year-olds.
The decision for me to become a stay-at-home dad began with a pact made on the tarmac of Heathrow in 2003.
From travel cots and high chairs to strollers and baby monitors, we pick out some of the newest baby products that will be hitting the shelves in 2012. By Laura Mason
Make Christmas afternoon as lively as the morning with our selection of traditional parlour games
My little man is growing so fast. He has been in 3-6 months clothes for several weeks now and at 12 weeks is as long and almost as heavy as my friend’s baby who is almost three months older than he is. And let’s not mention the size of his hands and feet! Have you ever seen one of those puppies that look like they need to grow into their paws? Yeah, he reminds me of those!
Something amazing has happened this week. Something we have been waiting for but wondering if it would ever come. Something every new parent hopes for. Our baby slept through the night!
You’ve looked forward to it for so long, so it’s vital that your family holiday ticks all the right boxes. Try our quiz to discover the ideal break to keep everyone smiling.
I am a huge fan of Christmas. It is actually quite ridiculous how excited I get about this time of year. I love everything about it. Whether I am busy writing cards, wrapping presents, or decorating the house, you can usually find me with a massive grin on my face.
Make Christmas extra-special this year - make these beautiful decorations for your home or as gifts, and send your friends and family a card to remember
In the noughties, a glut of celebrities put their name to children’s books. In these more austere times, however, publishers have become much choosier about which actor, pop star or model to back as a children’s writer (or at least someone who sits in the same room as a writer and chats with them about some half-baked plot ideas). Has this meant an increase in quality? Here’s a round-up of new titles to find out. By Melissa McClements
This past week my husband and I have had our first taste of caring for a poorly baby. And I have to say that it isn’t much fun. Oscar has been congested since birth and we have grown used to his grunts and snuffles. But the addition of the most pitiful sounding little coughs that have developed this week thanks to a cold has made it so much worse.
Your child's life is dotted with significant milestones. From starting big school to finally fleeing the nest - and all those unforgettable events in between - here's how both you and your child can handle those life-changing experiences...
After the traditional snooze on Christmas afternoon, liven things up in the evening with a few modern parlour games. By Hilary Pereira
With world Diabetes Day being on 14thNovember, the wider media will undoubtedly focus on Type 2 diabetes, which is on the increase because of a huge rise in obesity rates. But there’s another, more serious form of the condition that is on the increase too, diagnosed in childhood and not connected to weight or lifestyle, and for which there is no cure.
Life can be a tricky path for children to negotiate. Here's how you can help to curb anxieties and put the smile back on your child's face... By Fiona Gibson
Cyberbullying has become a serious problem among children and adolescents; a problem deepened by the arrival of new technologies, and the expansion of online communication platforms. In August 2011, the term ‘cyberbullying’ was acknowledged by the Oxford English Dictionary, and is now recognised as a commonly used word. Tragically, we’ve even seen a rise in cases of teen suicide as a direct result of this particular form of bullying. So what happened to the old saying, ‘sticks and stones…’?
Comforting our children after a nightmare is one of the fundamental tasks of being a parent. But what if you can’t? What if your physical presence, cuddles and “shushes” do nothing to alleviate your little one’s upset?
Like many pregnant women, I have been unable to avoid the current news storm which has been rumbling for a number of days. Since the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) revealed its revised plans for pregnant women requesting caesarean sections, a number of articles have been written and social media has been talking.
Thinking about who will hold your hand when it comes to giving birth? For many women, the father of their baby is the obvious choice, while for some it’s either not possible or he’s just not cut out for the labour ward. Whether it’s your partner, mum or best friend you need someone who knows your birth plan and will speak up on your behalf – try our quiz to help you decide. By Lynne Roberts
Babies may not come with an instruction manual but you don’t have to look far to find one - head to any book shop and you’ll find the shelves groaning with expert advice. From Gina Ford to Penelope Leach, the question is, which to go for? Whether you’re an earth mother or a queen of routine, discover which baby guru is right for you… By Lynne Roberts
We all want our children to be the best they can be, and to get the most out of life. But how can you encourage without nagging, hothousing or being a tiger mother? Here are some ideas to try… By Fiona Gibson
From X Factor karaoke to dance mats and crafty gifts, be inspired by our great present ideas for older girls.
A new campaign was launched recently to encourage more parents to become adopters and foster carers. The Give A Child A Home campaign, led by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) and the Fostering Network (tFN) and backed by the Government, is aiming to speed up the adoption and fostering process and help some of the 65,000 children currently in care in the UK find a permanent home with loving and supportive parents.
This week I’d like to talk about breastfeeding. But before I start I want to make it clear that I believe in a woman’s choice as to how she feeds her baby. I’m all for giving women as much information as possible about the benefits of breastfeeding so that each new mother can make an informed choice based on the facts, but nothing annoys me more than those who forcefully push the ‘breast is best’ campaign and even look at formula feeding mothers as some kind of failure.
Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world, but for many women it doesn’t come naturally at first. From latching on to feeding in public there’s a lot to learn, but with the right support you’ll soon be breastfeeding like a pro. Here are a few tips to help make it easier. By Lynne Roberts
Being bullied, at any age, is a frightening experience and can damage your child’s self-esteem – but there’s lots you can do to help. Here are some basic steps you can take to help guide them through the unpleasant world of bullying. By Fiona Gibson
With kids using the internet and sites such as Facebook more and more, it's almost inevitable that your child will be approached by a stranger online at some stage. So how do you help him/her prepare? Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind...
Discussing sex and the facts of life with your child can be daunting and embarrassing – but it can also be a chance to share thoughts, feelings and set them on the right track for life. Here’s how to start talking... By Fiona Gibson
When your child hits the teenage years, their bedroom is no longer ‘cool,’ (‘wicked’ or ‘sick’) enough for their new teenage status. This means celebrity posters, a new level of untidiness and the total absence of your teenager from all other areas of your home. Here are some tips on how to make sure your teenager’s bedroom can handle it - from TV beds to coat hangers.
It’s hard to believe that five weeks ago I had just given birth to my son. Everyone says that time flies during pregnancy and these first few weeks but I have found the exact opposite to be true. Because I was so ill during pregnancy it seemed to drag on and I assumed that time would suddenly seem to speed up once my little man was here, but it hasn’t.
If you aren’t worried about your child’s safety online, you should be – statistics show that 69 per cent of teenagers regularly receive personal messages online from strangers – and most of them don’t tell a trusted adult about it. Additionally, 64 per cent post photos or videos of themselves, while more than half (58 per cent) post info about where they live. Concerned about this kind of activity? Then read on about the four kinds of parental controls you should absolutely consider.
Can’t keep your eyes open? Lack of sleep goes hand in hand with a new baby, and no matter how clued-up you are nothing can prepare you for the mind-numbing exhaustion of the early weeks. If your newborn is keeping you up all night, here are a few tricks to help you cope.
Going out to work, turning on kids’ TV for a bit of peace....for time-starved mums, there’s no end to those guilt triggers. But don’t panic – you’re doing a far better job than you think. Here’s why...By Fiona Gibson
‘Friending.’ It wasn’t common parlance before the advent of the insanely popular social networking platform Facebook in February 2004. Now it seems like its run amok. Twelve-year-olds are friending their grandparents, parents, and even teachers on Facebook, even.
So your child’s tantrums shoot off the Richter scale? You’re not alone. While you might not be able to stop them completely, here are ways to turn down the heat...
When it comes to pregnancy there’s an old wives tale for every change your body goes through. But sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. We debunk some common myths and explain a few surprising facts.
Are evenings fraught, with your child bouncing around, insisting he’s not tired at 10.30pm? Does he prefer to crash out and go to sleep on the sofa rather than cosying up in bed? Here’s how to reclaim your adult time – and your sanity – with a relaxed and calming bedtime routine.
You know breastfeeding is best for your baby and for you, but what about the practicalities? Take our test to find out how prepared you really are.
When your kids are begging you to join a popular social networking site like Facebook, it can be difficult to resist their pleas. After all, they want to be included in all the grown-up fun too — so how do you let your kids experiment while making sure they’re safe at the same time? The answer: be extremely strict with profile settings. Here are some ideas to take into consideration.
Shopping for your newborn baby? New parents often bemoan just how much stuff babies seem to come with – and how much it will set you back to buy it all. Don’t panic. Most babies have simple needs and that list of ‘must-haves’ can be whittled down to a few essential items. Here’s what you don’t need… By Lynne Roberts
Oh, help, it's the holidays! What are you going to do with the children? Why not entice them away from the telly with a fun day out you can all enjoy? Try some of these great ideas for things that are quick, easy and nearby. We've been careful to choose places that are child-friendly, offer good facilities and most importantly, are FUN.
Carly, author of the blog Mummy's Shoes, looks at the little acts you can do to be more sustainable and green, with help from daughter Belle.
Rebecca, author of the blog Two Become Four, gets crafty with the kids and makes eggbox owls. Read about her experience and learn how to make the owls with your little ones.
The author of blog The Boy and Me asks how future friendly we really are and gives tips on ways to live a greener lifestyle
Are you worried about your security while playing online games? You should be. Between April 17 and April 19, hackers stole account information from users on Sony Corp’s 77 million member-strong Playstation Network. Sony turned off the PSN in response, but said that the information stolen or compromised likely included the following: name, address, country, email address, birthdate, password/login, purchase history and billing address, and credit card information (the card number and expiration date).
If you have been following my pregnancy journey, you’ll know by now that I have found it incredibly taxing on my body. I’ve suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum since week 5, was diagnosed with Pelvic Girdle Pain at 16 weeks, and despite trying to avoid anaemia after my blood results showed borderline iron levels at my 28 week check, I am now on iron tablets as well because no amount of natural supplements just weren’t enough to keep it at bay.
My husband and I went to our first, and only, antenatal class yesterday. That’s right, I’m currently 37 weeks pregnant, considered full-term, and we only just had the chance to go to a class.
From coping with back to school anxiety and budgeting for the new term, to staying on top of your child's literacy and numeracy levels, our back to school special has all you need...
Discovering you are pregnant is, generally speaking, a joyous thing but there are a range of emotions that can occur, not least when you find out you are expecting not one, but two little bundles of joy. Naomi Hill made that very discovery and decided to put her experience into words...
Big hair, space age lasers and other hilariously awkward photos! Take a look at these embarrassing pics and count yourself lucky your school days are over...
The controversy over smartphones for children continues to escalate. Some argue that they may be actually educational for children, while others maintain they’re simply a distraction. However, children are gaining more and more exposure to smartphone technology. A survey conducted by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center and detailed in The Wall Street Journal reports that most parents ‘allowed their kids to use a smartphone at least occasionally.’ Moreover, ‘About two thirds of the children said they have used an iPhone before, and almost two thirds said it was ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’ to use.’
Becoming a mum can rock your friendships - but it can create a whole new social circle too. Here’s how to make sure your old friends don’t drop off the radar, while creating the support network you need now…
Parenting is by no means an exact sicence and we all want our daughters to grow up happy, healthy and brimming with confidence. We have compiled some useful pointers to help ensure your daughter gets the best possible chance to shine. By Fiona Gibson
We've all been there; you're on holiday and you're asked to pose for a cringey family photo in a strange location, trying all the while to look like you're enjoying yourself. Often the results are slightly embarrassing. But, I would wager, they're nothing compared to this weird and wonderful collection, given to us by those kind souls at awkwardfamilyphotos.com
From Halloween costumes and crafts to Halloween hunks that send a shiver down your spine, we've got all you need to make this year's celebrations a thrill a minute.
Cyberbullying has become a serious problem among children and adolescents. Online safety research firm I-SAFE performed the most extensive study on cyberbullying to date, and found nearly 60 per cent of children have experienced cyberbullying in some way and not told their parents about it, with more than 4 out of 10 saying it has happened more than once.
Despite the fact that my due date is still several weeks away, it feels good to have everything sorted already. The cot is ready and waiting, the nursery is almost complete, and my hospital bag is packed. I feel confident that should I go into labour at any time from now on we’ll be good to go.
Many parents enjoy taking their kids to, or participating in sporting activities but the problem of abusive behaviour - whether it be racist, homophobic or some other form of verbal or physical aggression remains an issue. And while there have been a number of high-profile campaigns targeting racism in sport, the problem of homophobia remains something few seem willing to discuss. iVillage.co.uk spoke to Dr. Jim Lusted, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Northampton, to ask why this is the case.
Many women comment on how quickly their pregnancy seems to fly by. It is something I read regularly on pregnancy forums and the ladies on my Mums Due board seem to be commenting more and more these days on how crazy it seems that we are all so close to the end of our pregnancies.
Ideas for having more echo friendly family habits and how to teach your children to be more environment concious.
Keeping the kids entertained for six weeks over the summer holiday is a challenging task which isn’t always kind to your purse strings. Fear not though, because we have come up with 10 free or cheap things for your kids to do before the head back to school.
We all love to get out and about when the weather warms up but it's worth taking a moment to consider how best to keep your baby comfortable and safe in the sun. Here are 5 quick tips to protect baby skin this summer, courtesy of Children’s Dermatology Nurse Specialist Jean Robinson.
From sensitive issues covering sex and relationships to health concerns and emotional support, we have compiled a package to help you help them through the often turbulent teenage years. You may also want to share you views or seek support and advice in complete confidence on the Parents of Teens message board.
If ever there was a time to turn your family into a clan of eco warriors, then this is it. Not only will the planet benefit, but you could also reduce your own workload
There are pros and cons to almost everything – social media included. As dangerous as social networking sites such as Facebook can be for children unused to the world of online sharing and communicating, it can be informative – and even developmentally necessary in this highly digitalised age.
Last week I finished work for the summer and so my maternity leave has officially begun. Being self-employed and having worked part-time for the past few months has meant that planning maternity leave and sorting out maternity allowance has been a challenge. We’re still unsure of what, if any maternity pay I might get and so we’ve been backwards and forwards over the thought of when I should return to work after the baby is born. Isn’t it a shame that we have to think about this even before maternity leave has properly begun.
We're always told that breast is best, but while breastfeeding is the most natural and healthy way to bond with baby, it's not always a straightforward process. From expert tips and advice to your legal rights when feeding in public, we've put together a handy guide to help you through. You may also choose to seek out support or offer your help to other women, on our Breastfeeding Support message board
When you get the list of uniform and school equipment requirements for your child’s school, the first thing that’s likely to spring to mind is the cost – but there are ways of cutting down on the expense associated with back to school. Here are 10 back to school budget tips to help get you off on the right foot when term begins.
Whether your child is starting school for the first time, moving to a new school or going back after a long holiday, the back to school process can prompt feelings of anxiety. From getting the school run right and making new friends to helping out with homework and being prepared for the big day, here are 10 steps to avoiding back-to-school anxiety.
From sex and puberty to health problems, lumps and bumps, sometimes the questions teenagers have may make you uncomfortable. Here’s some help in answering the big ones...
Almost every other day a child is abducted from England and Wales to a country where they are unprotected by international conventions to ensure their safe return home. Recently published statistics from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) state that the last 12 months saw a 10 per cent increase from the previous year of such cases, up from 146 to 161. So what is happening? Why are the numbers going up and what does it mean?
From savoury meals and healthy snacks to fairy cakes and treats, Annabel Karmel offers 10 quick and easy dishes for babies and toddlers.
Radio One DJ and mum-of-three Sara Cox talks to iVillage about motherhood - how CBeebies Live is the new Glasto and Mr Tumble is her big pin-up... And why she would rather look like a hobo than be a 'celeb-mum'
Remember when you couldn’t keep your hands off each other? After having a baby, sex is likely to be the last thing on your mind, but while you may not be swinging from the chandeliers, it doesn’t have to spell doom for your relationship.
This past weekend we travelled to Lincoln for the wedding of one of my closest friends. It was lovely to spend the day with her and we had a glorious time, especially as we got to meet another of my friends’ newborn daughter. Her three-year-old daughter was there too and wanted to know where our baby was and why he couldn’t come and play with her. I guess having her baby sister out of her mummy’s tummy now makes her think it is about time our little boy made an appearance too!
To celebrate the launch of our first e-book, “The Gift of Sleep: teach your baby to sleep in 3 days“, we recently asked readers to tells us what they wish they’d known before they had their first baby.
Breastfeeding is an emotive subject and doesn’t come easily to every new mum, but if you do want to breastfeed your new baby, these expert tips can help things go smoothly for you and your baby.
The emotional side of pregnancy hormones seemed to creep up on me and catch me out this week. It’s funny because I expected to be crying at all sorts of things throughout the pregnancy, and yet a couple of emotional meltdowns this weekend made me realise that actually I haven’t been too bad for most of the past few months.
Kourtney Kardashian has had her baby girl and according to People, the reality TV star and her boyfriend, Scott Disick, have named her Penelope Scotland Disick.
Having a baby is a magical experience but even the most natural mum find herself suffering cabin fever from time to time. Here’s a rundown of easy and low-cost ways to keep your baby, toddler and pre-schooler happy when boredom strikes.
Are you ready to ditch the nappies? Follow our 10-step guide to make potty training a breeze – from when to start, to how to go about it and what not to worry about. By Lynne Roberts
The iVillage child friendly tool allows you to rate and review all manner of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, museums, supermarkets and parks/playgrounds, among many other things, with particular emphasis on how child friendly they are. If you are a parent and you have had a good or bad experience, simply add your review quickly and easily. Similarly, if you would like the inside track from other mums, browse through the reviews to find the most child-friendly solution for you and your family, whether it be buggy/pushchair access, breastfeeding-friendly establishments or baby changing facilities - the iVillage child friendly tool is here to help inform your decision.
Book shops and the internet are flooded with parenting guides for mothers, but what about a Dad's guide to coping with the arrival of a new bundle of joy? iVillage.co.uk spoke to writer and comedian Andrew Clover, who has attempted to redress the balance with his new book Dad Rules: How My Children Taught Me To Be a Good Parent.
It is many women’s dream to find a man who wants to stay at home and bring up the kids, leaving them free to pursue their own career aspirations in the knowledge their offspring are being well cared for. There are currently 192,000 ‘househusbands’ in the UK. We take a look at the facts behind the fantasy...
Approximately one in 10 primary school children have head lice at any one time yet many mums are badly informed about this common pest. Nurse Consultant Christine Brown offers iVillagers her expert advice.
In recent weeks my bump seems to have grown very rapidly and suddenly everything is getting much more difficult. Just walking the short distance to work each day gets my heart pumping and me breathless in the same way walking up a steep hill would have done prior to pregnancy. And getting up from a sitting position takes some pre-planning if I have been sat for any length of time.
Do you try to be a perfect mum, and berate yourself when you’re not? Here are ten smart things an imperfect mum does, making life less stressful and more fun along the way. Makes perfect sense to us…
There’s no doubt having a baby changes your life, but whether to have a second (or third or fourth) is a decision that will affect your family too. Are you emotionally and financially prepared for another child, and do you have the energy it takes? Take our test and find out. By Lynne Roberts
The addition of a new member to the family is an extremely exciting event, but as my pregnancy progresses I am beginning to realise just how much we need to do in order to prepare for our baby’s arrival.
What do you do when you get called for jury service if you are a mother or carer? Most people choose to defer, but is this right, when a jury is supposed to consist of a broad cross-section of society?
There are plenty of excuses to get the kids to down game consoles, leave the sofa behind and discover new surroundings - whatever the weather. With uncertain forecasts always threatening to ruin half terms and holidays, a rain-proof day out is sure to be a winner with the whole family.
When you're expecting your first child, there are a host of questions waiting to be answered - one being, what kind of father your husband or partner will be. Take our quiz to establish your man's parenting style and some tips on how best to utilise him when your bundle of joy arrives.
If there's one gift sure to warm the cockles of his heart this Father's Day it's a drop of his favourite tipple. Or, better still, something he's not tried before. Check out our guide to the best boozy gifts...
Jeff Brazier has been working on the ‘Make Time to Play’ campaign, after new research revealed the long-term effects on health and wellbeing that lack of play can have - including obesity, poor social skills, an inability to make friends and less resilience to cope with pressures. We checked in with Jeff to talk playtime in the Brazier household...
One of the best ways to keep a child occupied during a long journey is to give them a suitcase and travel accessories of their own, to make them feel more grown-up and truly part of the process. Check out our guide to some of the most innovative, fun and compact products available.
Do you run your family military-style, or prefer a go-with-the-flow approach? Rate your organisational skills with our fun quiz...
When we first decided to start trying for a baby, my husband and I were convinced the hardest part would be falling pregnant in the first place. We knew that with my Endometriosis there was a chance infertility could affect us, and so we did all we could to prepare ourselves for trying to conceive.
Research suggests children and teenagers are eating higher levels of salt, sugar, and saturated fat than official guidelines recommend, and are failing to reach the five-a-day target for fruit and vegetables. As a parent, it's not always easy to stay on top of what our kids are eating so here are 10 quick tips to help encourage a more healthy outlook...
Are you a stickler for tradition, or set to give your baby a name that’s all their own? Take our quiz to find out what kind of namer you are.
It’s the most challenging job known to woman - but it can also bring positive changes to your life. So, when you have a pang of longing for your old, pre-baby self, take a look at our checklist to reassure yourself…
Spring has truly sprung with an all-new series of video adventures featuring a much-loved farmyard favourite from the multi-award winning Aardman Animations. And, the great news is, they are free and exclusive to those with a Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming system.
Long car journey coming up? Feeling the terrors already? Here's your ten-point plan for a safe, happy drive - even with kids on board…
Forget the gadgets and so-called must-buys. Here’s what really makes parenting easier, and a whole lot more fun…
This week I have had a rather extraordinary experience. While writing a post for my blog, I decided to focus on the hardships we must all face during our lives. The post explained that, like many people today, my husband and I constantly have to battle with our finances. We always get there, but it can be a struggle and budgeting is a skill that I am glad I learnt from a very young age. Nevertheless, sometimes always having to justify every single purchase can be demoralising.
Televsion presenter and journalist Kate Thornton talks to iVillage.co.uk about motherhood - her relationship with her own mum, and her role as a mother...
As a time-starved mum, you need time to yourself - but so often, even when your partner or a friend takes the kids off your hands, it never feels quite right. Try our quiz to discover the best way to recharge those batteries…
Having a pressure cooker moment? Steam about to burst from your ears? Check out our tips for taking the heat out of the situation…
Everyone needs the occasional breather from family life - but who'll look after the children? Here's how to find (and keep) the perfect babysitter. Your social life re-starts here…
Easy to make Mother's Day gifts that you and your kids can make together: iVillage
Rather than (or as well as) give your mum the standard flowers and chocolates this year, why not set aside some precious family time and take her to one of the National Trust's beautiful locations. From lavender parterres and calm lakes to exquisite painted ceilings and restaurants serving delicious seasonal treats, there's something for everyone at a location near you.
From gift ideas and picturesque places to visit with your mum to the perfect flowers for the occasion, we have everything you need to make Mother's Day special.
Whatever their age, eating a balanced diet is crucial to a child's development and general health. Check out our A-Z guide of foods that will ensure your child is healthy in mind and body.
Blogging is, quite simply, an easy way to keep a diary in the internet age. The only difference between an old-fashioned diary and a blog is that a blog is available online, so you can share your thoughts with others.
Ever feel that your friends' children behave beautifully - while yours is an absolute horror? If so, you're not alone.
With the papers full of doom and gloom, tales of the British economy on the downturn and stories of businesses facing bankruptcy on an almost daily basis, Vickie Corner, founder of a small UK TV production company, V&S Entertainment, has managed to buck the trend by developing what has become one of the most popular kids' shows on TV.
Supporting your child with homework doesn't mean taking over or providing all the answers, even if that seems the easiest and quickest option. The idea of homework is to reinforce and apply the information learned at school and to enhance your child's understanding of the subject - and this requires research and exploration on his part
why not make some resolutions to keep your family healthy and happy: iVillage
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of juggling kids and a busy lifestyle, try these top tips on how to slow things down and start enjoying life again: iVillage
Give your kids the right nutrients to help them get through the long school day staying alert and able to concentrate
Rounding up the troops for a family meal can be tricky but it's worth the effort as dining together can aid the development of a child's behaviour and social skills
Stuck for ideas when it comes to bedtime stories for the kids? If you've exhausted your bookshelves' stocks, find new ideas here. Simply enter the gender and age of your children, and we'll suggest the best of the bedtime books for happy sleepy children
Whether your child is going to 'big' school for the first time or is a hardened veteran of the school playground, we have a selection of school bags to suit every taste and budget
Stuck for what to buy a 12 year old girl this Christmas? Follow our gift guide for some inspiration
Nicola Tunbridge, Managing Director of By the Bridge, explains the growing importance of fostering as a credible career, and how to become a qualified therapeutic foster parent.
Yes, the countdown to the big day has begun! The excitement and magic of Christmas might have dwindled slightly in your adult life but joy of joys, when your kids are old enough to 'believe', it totally re-ignites.
The distraction of TVs and mobiles can make life a little tricky when you want to bring the family together. Thankfully, The Den offers a smart solution that the whole family will love. Family fun starts here!
Bamboozled by the huge number of new children’s books out there, but determined to put some reading material in your little ones’ stockings? Here’s a Christmas guide to the best new books for babies to ten-year-olds.
Each and every parent looks forward to the birth of their first child with excitement and anxiety in equal measure but what happens when number two comes along? Author and mother, Naia Edwards, talks about the different challenges - and rewards - involved when your second baby arrives
A recent survey controversially found that 53 per cent of the UK's headhunters think women should forget about having children if they want to be among the country's high earners
However confident or otherwise your child seems approaching school age, they will need more bolstering from you as they embark on this next big challenge.
Children need lots of sleep, so help them wind down after a busy day. From nightlights to starry nights, these sleep aids will send your child happily off to the Land of Nod.
Self-esteem is an enormously significant issue during teenage years. Author Debi K Moore offers advice for children and parents alike on how to approach this often sensitive subject
From the time your child takes those first steps to the moment when the teens sets in, you're in for a lot of change. This year-by-year guide helps you follow your child's development from the toddler years through to GCSEs. You'll find a range of skills for each age and school year, from academic abilities to social development and growth spurts and other developmental milestones.
A recent Government survey suggests that talking with teenagers about sex encourages them to wait longer before losing their virginity and helps them make better decisions about relationships in general. Agony aunt Anita Naik offers some expert tips on how to talk to your teen
The relationship between teens and their parents can be a fraught one, but is it really as bad as everyone thinks? Is the generation gap getting bigger or smaller? And does anyone understand a word their teens are saying? We try to get to the bottom of the misunderstandings and misconceptions and do our best to zap the gap!
From action figures to crazy games, we've found the best toys for boys this year.
One of the best things about being a new parent is enjoying the special moments with your baby - a walk in the park or a cuddle before bedtime. Make the most of those treasured times and create an amazing bond with your child.
Getting ready for Halloween needn't be scary. Our ideas for ghastly games, creepy costumes and terrifying treats will ensure that you and the kids will have a fiendishly good time this All Hallows Eve.
With many parents having recently packed their little cherubs off to 'big school' for the first time, TV presenter and iVillage blogger Katy Hill recounted her experiences, from initially finding a school to finally reaching that emotion-filled first day
The number one tip in terms of child nutrition is variety; in colour, texture and taste. Children exposed to a wide variety of foods have the best chance of consuming all the nutrients required for health and growth
Watching your child take those first steps is a magical experience but they undoubtedly need some help along the way. Check out our selection of the best baby walkers available
It's such a relief when you've finally accepted a school place for your child - but that sense of relief can give way to anxiety as the big first day approaches. Here's a checklist of 10 things you can do to minimise the stress and maximise the enjoyment for you and your child
Whether your child is starting school for the first time, moving up a year or making the transition from primary to high school, read our tips for easing any anxieties and getting them into a good routine
Recent research suggests many of us will experience health problems while we're on holiday - whether it be an insect bite or sunburn. Dr Sarah Brewer offers her expert view on what medicines and remedies you should consider packing in your suitcase
The hottest kids' film of the year, <i>Toy Story 3</i>, is here and to celebrate we've picked out a selection of the world-famous toys that accompany the film, some new and some old favourites...
With SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) and other testing in the classroom becoming the norm for children at school, quizzes are a fun and stress-free way to help children with their learning at home
Whether you're keen to stimulate your child's interest in reading or you're on the lookout for new material for a seasoned reader, our list of the hottest new children's books for all ages and abilities will give you plenty to choose from
The new coalition government has announced its first budget and a number of measures have been announced that will affect parents and families. Take a look at the key points in brief and add your comments
As football fever begins to sweep the nation and charting World Cup games in the coming weeks leads us swiftly towards the summer holidays, parents may be forgiven for pushing matters of their children's literacy to the back of their minds. But encouraging reluctant readers and stimulating an interest in books doesn't always have to be hard work and can be inspired from just about anything, including football
Annabel Karmel toddler treats - Mango ices, a fun twist on this refreshing treat.
A healthy, refreshing treat from Annabel Karmel toddler recipes
Annabel Karmel toddler food. This is a great favourite with my family. Grated apple adds a delicious flavour to these chicken balls, which makes them appealing to young children, and they are delicious hot or cold. These little balls make perfect finger food.
Annabel Karmel food for toddlers - This makes a good, creamy-textured fish puree.
This puree from Annabel Karmel makes a tasty introduction to spinach.
More often than not, holidays with kids involve trips to the beach or swimming pool. Laura Molloy, founder of Swimbabes, offers some helpful advice to parents on keeping them safe at all times
Whether you're at home or on holiday, it's important to be prepared for the inevitable scrapes and falls that your child will encounter during the school holidays. Former paramedic Allan Withers offers his expert advice
Most parents will be familiar with the 'tantrum at teatime' routine. We caught up with best-selling author and nutrition expert Annabel Karmel to get her top tips on how to get kids more interested in eating healthily
Whether you thrive on it or not, the buzz of life is hectic and demanding. But the whirlwind of working your way up the career ladder or tending to family life may leave you feeling exhausted and forgetful of the most important thing of all - you!
Having a baby may have changed the way you look at yourself; you are new to motherhood and don't have the time to spend on fashion and beauty or you simply have no idea where to start, and sex is probably the last thing on your mind!
Families can be wonderful but you may find that your hectic family life leaves you with very little 'me' time and that sex is now much lower on your list of priorities
If chocolate is the 'food of the gods' then Easter is their carnival. Find out how chocolate can be part of this Spring festival without any adverse effects on the kids
Insead of the usual egg-fest, treat your child to one of these great gifts this Easter.
Easter Sunday can descend into an eye-popping frenzy of chocolate if you're not careful. One way of prolonging the fun is to organise an Easter Egg Hunt
As you pass your eyes over these words you might have long forgotten your awkward first fumblings with the art of reading. But it remains one of the most important hurdles of childhood education and a big step towards independence
Think of all the things your child has learned to do since birth - walking, talking, getting dressed, riding a tricycle - the list is endless. The next important step towards independence is learning to read
Your child is just settling into primary school after leaving the familiar environment of nursery school, pre-school playgroup or home. Now they will be expected to sit still and concentrate for longer periods than before
So your child has started to read. She may be slow and stumble over a few words but they can manage. Fluent reading will not be far behind. Here are some tips for selecting the appropriate reading matter
Learning to read is a considerable undertaking for any child. Here are some tips to help keep them interested and engaged once they have conquered the basics
Learning to read is a long journey so if the odd issue arises along the way, don't be overly concerned
Reading provides the key to much of your child's future success and development and it's useful to get them used to reading a variety of high-quality publications
Reading with a child isn't just for mums, it's a father's responsibility too and it's just as important for their reading ability and development. Here's why...
Scrapes and bruises are part and parcel of growing up but no one wants a child to be seriously injured or even killed in an accident that can be prevented. Parenting expert Kim Johnson talks about how to avoid perils in the kitchen
Mums are special - and that's why there is a whole day dedicated just to them. This year, devote Mothering Sunday entirely to showing your Mum just how much you love her
With many of today's parents juggling hectic lifestyles with the demanding needs of their toddlers, it can be very difficult to spend time preparing and cooking a freshly-made meal. Parenting expert Kim Johnson explains the importance of educating children about healthy eating
Explaining why teaching kids to swim from an early age can help aid their development in a number of ways
An article exploring the actual risk of abduction posed to children in the UK
Help your child wind down after a busy day and get ready for a restful night's sleep with these relaxing bedtime
A nationwide search is on for Britain?s Most Adventurous Family! To launch its brand new land, Wild Asia, Chessington World of Adventures has teamed up with wildlife enthusiast and broadcaster Nick Baker and tourist board VisitEngland to find families that take adventure to a different level
Nursery World editor Liz Roberts gives advice on choosing a nursery
With the cold and flu (not to mention swine flu) season upon us, keeping our children fit and well is a top priority, so make sure your kids are eating a healthy diet and including lots of immunity-boosting nutrients
Advice on how to supplement childrens' diets to help boost their immune systems
British youngsters are recognising the benefits of language studies, both in terms of career prospects and immediate appeal. The following case studies explore lifestyles enhanced by languages...
From action figures to crazy games, we've found the best toys for boys this year.
Really cool stuff for older boys - we've found gifts they'll love you for.
Prepare to be (very) scared when you visit Alton Towers this Halloween. From mild thrills to truly terrifying encounters, there are spooks galore during Scarefest
Five short video clips offering an introduction to the basic stages of using the internet
Use these fun Halloween costume ideas and make them - right up to the witching hour - with items you have around the house. Find your 'base' item and add a few choice elements to put together these ideas in a snap
Whether it's construction, word play or creative activities, these toys and games are a fun way to help your children learn.
Send them back to school in style with these uniform essentials
Results of a survey conducted by BBC Magazines about parents' views on kids' behaviour
Win a free sample of Waybuloo Magazine by playing a fun online game
Ex-Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis and Dolmio have created a guide to help busy mums and dads keep the kids entertained with inspiring, fun and cost effective ideas during the summer holidays - and any other time of year come to that
A gallery of the latest Peppa Pig toys, books and games
Advice on how to understand a child's dreams and nightmares through creative parenting
Former Olympic gold medalist and mother of three Sally Gunnell speaks exclusively to iVillage.co.uk about kids' health and fitness
Sally Gunnell answers questions on how to encourage kids to take up sporting activities
Sophie Devonshire reveals the secrets to travelling with kids and keeping your sanity
Most kids go through a fussy-eating stage and for those parents who have particularly stubborn children, mealtimes can turn into a regular battle ground. Child food and nutrition expert Annabel Karmel offers her top tips and recipes to help you convert your kids into fledgling foodies.
Treat your mum on the 14th March 10 with one of these thoughtful gifts to remind her how special she is
Take a sneak preview of Mothercare's latest collection of high quality contemporary travel and home accessories; perfect for all yummy mummies with a sense of style
Down's Syndrome births are on the rise, but prenatal testing means that a large number of parents are terminating their babies if the results are positive. Are these parents right to opt for an abortion on the basis of a disability?
Clinical psychologist Tanya Byron offers tips on how to make sure your kids have a more 'viewtritional' TV diet
Forget X-Box and expensive consol games. Take your kids on a trip down memory lane with this inspired selection of gifts from your childhood
A look at the MMR Vaccination, it?s pros and con: iVillage
Dr Howard Lee on which drugs - legal or recreational affect breastfeedin: iVillage
WALL?E picture gallery is coming home to Blu-ray and DVD on 24th November. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment are inviting you to join in the hunt for WALL?E! He's coming home to the UK on 24th November but whereabouts in the UK will he land? Daily clues will be released to help you guess his landing location and win out of this world prizes, including a holiday for four to San Francisco!
What can you get for the dad who has everything? Or for the hubby who deserves a gift with a difference? We've got all the ideas you'll need in our gallery of gifts, from boys' toys to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and something to suit every pocket
First time parents are plunged into a world where sleep becomes a huge preoccupation. Here, some ideas and products designed to help baby (and mum!) sleep through the night
The kids are back at school, their uniforms and stationary is sorted, now all they need are some funky new gadgets for their computer. Check out the latest gizmos from Microsoft
How do you avoid those irritating little blighters that seem to love your kids' hair? Head lice beware because Lyclear has the answers
Which parent has managed to escape the dreaded hand-out or school notice announcing that 'There has been an outbreak of head lice and we suggest you check your child'? It's the scourge of primary-school-age children ? and their parents ? but can be surprisingly easy to deal with when you know the right course of action to take
Find out how you can stay two steps ahead of dreaded head lice
Fanta Guide to Teenagers' celebrity panel biographies.
With the new school year fast approaching you're probably thinking about some new gear for your kids. We've selected a hot-list from the H&M Autumn/Winter children's selection so you can do a spot of window shopping from the comfort of your home.
It's vital for kids to eat fruit and veg to get their five-a-day and to keep their hearts' happy and healthy, but it's not always so easy to get them to eat it! By getting kids to join in the cooking they're more likely to try the food, so we've put together some yummy recipes, that are simple enough for kids to make and tasty enough for them to love.
Whether it's singing loudly in public, doing the birdy song at a wedding, telling embarrassing stories about your childhood or calling you 'Poopy' in front of your friends, we've all got horror stories about how our parents used to show us up. We thought this was a right of passage for every child, but according to a new survey by 'Fanta' only a third of teenagers polled described their parents as embarrassing. We got together a celebrity panel, a teenager and a 'normal' mother to discuss the findings and to get their tips on how to embarrass teens, being a cool parent and how to get through the teenage years.
Now is the time to stock up on all the equipment your kids will need before the big back to school rush. These quirky bags, pencil cases, stationery ideas and lunch boxes are not just practical - you will keep up with the latest playground trends.
Tips on how to give your child a healthy packed lunch to take to school
Tips on how to be an environmentally friendly parent
Tips on how to prepare yourself and your child for the first day at school
If your children are keen to cook and can't wait to get their hands on all your different utensils, now's the time to lay a few ground rules and teach the basics.
By showing your kids how to cook they'll not only learn about food preparation and healthy eating, they'll pick up a lot of other important skills too
Once you've taught your kids the basics of hygiene and safety, you can move on to giving them age-appropriate jobs to do
What's the real value of spending time with our teenagers and is there a winning formula for doing it well?
Bringing up teenagers can be confusing for the teens and parents alike, so to make things a little easier we've put together a top ten list of dos and don'ts
When it comes to first toys, there's nothing more soothing than a teething toy that's safe for young gums. Primary colours, rattles and animal characters can mean they are stimulating too
Accessories to make mummy feel yummy
If you have room for little else in your holiday luggage, do pack a well thought out selection of toys and games. We've found something for everyone, from travel toys that are easily portable to fun family games, so there's no excuse for anyone wailing 'What can I doooo?'!
Protecting children online is a primary concern for parents, but how do you go about it?
Creating a safe summer play area for the kids outside not only gives them a healthy dose of fresh air - you'll get some extra space around the house. It will nurture their creativity, team spirit and sense of adventure. With these specially-adapted outdoor toys they'll be swinging, sliding, splashing and building all summer.
A book extract describing parenting methods for young boys
Are you looking for inspiration for Easter gifts for the kids this year? Try to avoid the inevitable choc-fest with some healthier, non-edible options.
A selection of reflections on motherhood from the iVillage community
Pre-schoolers are curious little people who love to explore, but keeping them busy and engaged during the day can be quite a challenge. Here are some simple, fun and educational ideas to make life with them creative and enjoyable
DDH and hip problems in babies and toddlers
Every parent has to deal with tantrums at some stage of their child's development -and there are many effective ways of dealing with them. Are you struggling to take control? Here are some helpful and first hand advice from iVillage community members who have been there too.
Chips, sweets, biscuits, fizzy drinks - you certainly don't want your kids diving into junk food when they get home from school. But it's unrealistic to think they'll snack on apples and carrot sticks while they're doing their homework
Advice on the working tax credit from Working Families
Advice and information about benefits for teenage parents
Advice from The Maternity Alliance on who qualifies for the Sure Start payment
Advice on Tax Credits from the Maternity Alliance
If you are on a budget this year at Christmas but want to add some homemade glitz to your home, make these sparkly baubles. All you need is some kitchen foil, thread, tissue paper and PVA glue - and any glittering bits that you may want to add.
Information on what benefits you are entitled to if you work during Maternity Leave
Kids everywhere are desperate to sing a duet with dreamy students Troy and Gabriella and their classmates at East High. Don't miss a second of the East High craze this Christmas with all the latest High School Musical Gift and gizmos
Single parent and workin: Your benefit rights explaine: iVillage
Benefits - means-tested explained. By Maternity Alliance: iVillage
Social fund loans, what is it and how do you clai: iVillage
Kids everywhere are desperate to sing a duet with dreamy students Troy and Gabriella and their classmates at East High. Don't miss a second of the East High craze this Christmas with all the latest High School Musical Gift and gizmos
Katie Elwig answers your questions about kids and food
Concerns related to teen use of social networking sites include unsafe disclosure of personal information, risky sexual behaviour, 'cyber bullying', and posting 'cyber threats'
Watching fireworks is popular and fun, but fireworks are explosives and burn at high temperatures, so they need careful handling and storage.
Extract taken from How to Help Your Child Succeed at School by Dr Dominic Wyse
Jo Frost, better known as Supernanny, recently stopped by on the iVillage Kids & Food message board
In an extract from her book, Help Your Children Cope with Divorce, Relate psychotherapist Paula Hall talks about helping your children adjust
Unless your child has specific neurological problems, there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to sleep. A good sleep pattern is something that you help your children learn
Ellen Currey-Wilson, a former 'telly addict', made the radical decision to cut out all television before she gave birth to her son. She spoke to the iVillage community about her views on children and television viewing
Making a healthy lunch box can be a labour of love for many mums. To get the new school year off to a good start, here are some tips on how to get your kids tucking into a nutritious lunch
With so much choice in the supermarkets, yet so many guidelines as to what is really nutritious for your child, it's easy to get confused about what's healthy and what's not for school lunches
With prices traditionally being hiked up out of school term-time, many families find holidaying with the kids a hefty strain on the wallet. We consulted the iVillage community for their views
With prices traditionally being hiked up out of school term-time, many families find holidaying with the kids a hefty strain on the wallet. We consulted the iVillage community for their views
Sue Atkins, iVillage's parenting expert, hosted a live online chat on 17 July, answering your questions about parenting problems. If you missed it, here is a selection of the topics that were covered
Zoe Tyler is well known for her role as a celebrity voice coach and panelist on Any Dream Will Do but she is also a single mum who combines looking after son Jake with her many professional commitments
Father of two Fraser MacLellan thought he had it all figured out, then along came the most recent addition to his family, baby Isla
Men can prove a challenge when it comes to present buying - socks, aftershave and cuff links have long been cliches. But there are a host of unusual gadgets and boys toys out there waiting to be snapped up for Father's Day.
Maternity nurse to the stars, Rachel Waddilove, comes to the rescue of mums struggling to balance feed times, naps and leaving baby with other carers
iVillage nutritionist Catherine Matthews hosted a live online chat, answering your questions about kids and food. If you missed it, here's a sample of some of the questions she fielded
Is bottle-feeding the right thing to do and how do you go about it? Su Laurent, author of Your Baby Month By Month, offers her view
Children live on the cusp of their imagination and are consequently very aware of the 'what ifs' of life. For this reason, childrens' fears can seem bizarre to adults
Professor Lord Robert Winston spoke exclusively to iVillage about nurturing a child's interest in science
The decision to become a parent is a tough one for anybody and questions about changes in lifestyle and the financial implications have to be considered. But if you're gay, the decision can be even tougher
The toddler years can be a trying time for any parent. But learning how to read certain signs of toddler behaviour learning to de-stress and dispel tantrums before they even begin
Despite the popularity of the Internet, television is still the most popular medium for kids and can occupy up to 13.9 hours of a child's time each week according to Ofcom (Office of Communications)
For many children, reading for pleasure can play second fiddle to computer games or surfing the internet, meaning parents have an increasingly important role in helping encourage their kids to read
The disappearance of Madeleine McCann has inevitably struck a chord with every parent. A selection of mums and dads discuss how the case has impacted on their lives
Arriving home from hospital with your brand new baby is when reality kicks in for most new parents
Rachel Waddilove, maternity nurse to Gwyneth Paltrow and author of The Baby Book, reveals some home truths about what to expect when you bring your newborn home
The past few years have seen the introduction of a new area of teenage life where many parents have almost zero knowledge of what's going on - the Internet
The vast majority of teenagers are not, nor ever will be, addicted to drugs. Nevertheless, your child will not get through their teenage years without being offered drugs and they already know somebody who is taking them
Men can prove a challenge when it comes to present buying - socks, aftershave and cuff links have long been cliches. But there are a host of unusual gadgets and boys toys out there waiting to be snapped up for Father's Day.
Going away with a toddler in tow is rarely a relaxing affair. However, after a weekend in Cranmer Cottages on the beautiful Norfolk coast, my husband and I managed to recharge our weary batteries and returned home feeling revitalised!
Extract from Raising a Happy Child, written by Steve and Sharon Biddulph
There has been a lot of debate about whether to start teaching pre-schoolers to read. If done in the right way, why shouldn't the basics of reading (and writing) be introduced?
If you've got a mortgage and you're on income-based Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit, you may be able to get help with your interest payments
Health benefits for people with a low income explained, by Working Families: iVillage
Dr Carol Cooper, iVillage's parenting expert, hosted a live online chat on the 13 March, answering your questions about 'the early years'. If you missed it, here's a sample of some of the questions Dr Cooper fielded
When it comes to the early years of a baby's life, Dr Miriam Stoppard's knowledge and experience is second to none. She looks at how important skills can be nurtured as your baby grows and develops
GCSE and A-level students should be starting to revise in earnest by the start of the summer term but getting them in the habit can be difficult. Read on for tips on how to motivate your child and help them get the best results they can
As soon as spring is in the air it's time to think about getting out and about with your family. There is an enormous choice of events and activities around the country. But where do you start when planning your special day out?
The first weeks or months of parenthood are not always a bed of roses. Kate Long, author of The Bad Mother's Handbook gives some candid truths about early motherhood
Here's our pick of the best baby books to help you bond with your little one
There are some excellent mother and baby activity clubs around the UK, from soft play and circus-themed fun to music and swimming classes. We've found some of the best ones
There are many special moments in pregnancy and early motherhood that come along unexpectedly, but many more that you can plan into your day and really relish
It's not uncommon for newborns to emerge into the world sporting a rash, a few patchy pink areas or even a yellowish tinge caused by mild jaundice on her skin
The early days are so important. Make time to talk to your baby now and they will reap the benefits later in life
Bonding is not a single magic event in the relationship between parent and child. It's a growing feeling that happens as two people fall in love and deepen their relationship over time
Our instincts urge us to respond rapidly to our baby's cries; to pick them up, use comforting words, offer food, fresh nappies and funny faces, but do we do listen to them?
Children and bugs seem inextricably linked. During the early years, it can seem like kids catch every illness going, but when a sickness and diarrhoea virus really takes hold it can get serious
Parenting expert Helen Brown, author of Parenting for Dummies (Wiley, #14.99), joined iVillage for a chat
Becoming a dad for the first time is a daunting prospect. Gavin Conway, father of four-month-old Kieran, offers ten tips on how to cope with the whirlwind experience of early fatherhood
Getting your child into the right primary school is an issue many parents worry about. Hilary Pereira offers advice on how to go about making the right choice
Securing a place at your preferred secondary school may feel like walking through a minefield, but there are steps you can take to make the process easier
Having fun, splashing and playing is the best part of the bedtime routine. We round up our favourite bath time toys and products
Going from one child to two is double the trouble but is also fun and rewarding. Chloe Campbell talks about her experiences
Don't let the winter weather chill your spirits. Marneta Viegas, founder of Relax Kids, shares her top tips on how to keep the whole family happy and entertained
Baby food expert Annabel Karmel answers the most common weaning questions, offering advice on how and when to wean as well as the ideal first foods for a healthy, balanced diet
Get cooking with baby feeding expert Annabel Karmel's delicious recipes for babies and toddlers as well as meals you can adapt for the whole family
Exhausted and overwhelmed by the responsibility of your new baby? Life coach Alison Porter comes to the rescue
If you're not a parent yourself, choosing the right gift for a baby shower can be a little daunting. Don't panic, follow our guide to great gifts for baby and first time parents and you'll get it right every time
Is adoption skewed in favour of celebrities? What are the laws regarding internation adoption?
Carve a mean pumpkin, stage a spooky play, make scary masks and more with our guide to Halloween crafts and activities.
Half the fun of dressing your child up for Halloween is coming up with a fun outfit - but only if it's a breeze to put together. Try these easy-to-make traditional costumes.
How to make the most of parents' evenings with your child's teachers.
Find out how much homework your child should be getting and how to help.
How to make the most of parents' evenings with your child's teachers.
Find out how you can help your baby's language skills develop by providing a rich communication environment: iVillage
When home is not the best place to do homewor: iVillage
Teaching your child French will be an advantag: iVillage
Summer camps - the benefits for children, what they offer and where to find them: iVillage
Travelling light on holiday with kids in tow need no longer be a weird fantasy...Find out what to pack to keep everyone happy: iVillage
Courtesy of mums and daughters from our message boards, here are five great ideas to make 18 June really specia: iVillage
Ban cabin fever with our easy, fast and, best of all, cheap ways to keep babies, tots and pre-schoolers happy: iVillage
You're expecting to hear your little one say 'mama' any day now. But when it doesn't happen, should you be worried: iVillage
alternative presents for the kids at Easte: iVillage
Try these simple craft ideas on the next rainy day at home: iVillage
Is it safe? How does it affect your relationship with your partner? How do you break the habit? All these points are raised by iVillagers on the co-sleeping divid: iVillage
Courtesy of mothers from our discussion boards, here are five great ideas to make Mother's Day really specia: iVillage
Those early days and months of a newborn's life are so precious that we parents are always looking for new ways to preserve the memories of them forever: iVillage
Take a look at our guide to keeping children safe and happy during a car journe: iVillage
Children are what they eat. But how much impact does food have on your child's behaviour: iVillage
A staggering 20 per cent of children leave primary school unable to read well. So what's the answer - and how can parents help? Susan Elkin report: iVillage
Getting ready for school doesn't have to be a stressful. According to iVillage parents, developing a routine and sticking with it is the key to happy mornings: iVillage
Children are naturally active creatures - make sure you help them stay that way. Tracey Williams explores some simple ways to be a physically active family: iVillage
Jo Douglas provides effective ideas for handling common problems in family life, like temper tantrums, eating and sleeping and coping with brothers and sisters: iVillage
The first birthday party is undoubtedly more special to you than to your baby. In fact, your 12-month-old will probably view the celebration as an unnecessary interruption of playtime. So the key to creating a wonderful event is to make it memorable - for you: iVillage
Get them off on the right foot when they start schoo: iVillage
Pregnant for the first time ? help and advice from Christine Hill our antenatal exper: iVillage
How breast size affects feeding, getting the baby in the right positio: iVillage
Sleep - a look at the different approaches to settling crying babie: iVillage
Get your baby off to a good start by introducing a wide range of fresh foods and flavours. Try these quick-to-make, tasty recipes from best-selling author Annabel Karmel: iVillage
Toy Guide Christmas 200: we review the best new toys: iVillage
Dr Pam Spurr gives advice on how to foster and encourage your teen's interests, academic work and future aspiration: iVillage
Pyschologist Dr Pam Spurr helps us deal with the teenage issues that affect life in the hom: chores, freedom, sibling relationships and family communication: iVillage
Christmas 200: we review the best new toys for babies: iVillage
Toy Guide Christmas 200: we review the best new toys for preschoolers: iVillage
Toy Guide Christmas 200: we review the best new toys for children aged 4 to 7: iVillage
Toy Guide Christmas 200: we review the best new toys for toddlers: iVillage
Toy Guide Christmas 200: we review the best new toys for children aged 8 to 12: iVillage
Toy Guide Christmas 200: we review the best new toys for young teens: iVillage
Finding the right costume for your little one is not always easy. These classic ideas are easy enough to pull off with basic supplies and won't keep you slaving over the sewing machine: iVillage
Teen behaviour in the home seems difficult enough, but it's even more daunting worrying about what your teen's getting up to outside of the home domain. Pyschologist Dr Pam Spurr helps us deal with peer pressure, sex and drugs: iVillage
Advice from iVillage on dealing with negative behaviour from children and saying sorry: iVillage
How to overcome the challenges of your child's first term at schoo: iVillage
How to keep the family safe at the seasid: iVillage
The authors of <em>The Art of Hiding Vegetables</em>, Karen Bali and Sally Child, give some great tips on getting your kids to eat fruit and veg with minimum effort: iVillage
The authors of <em>The Art of Hiding Vegetables</em>, Karen Bali and Sally Child, give some useful tips on making sure your kids eat healthy food on holida: iVillage
Ros Jay, author of Kids & Co, explains how to put your business skills to use as a parent. Here's a light-hearted look at how to get the best out of your children, and your relationship with them, by treating them like customers and colleagues: iVillage
The author of various books on nutrition, including The Children's Food Bible, Judith Wills answers iVillagers' questions about weaning: iVillage
Bedwetting is a more common issue than most parents imagine and, amongst school-age children, it can lead to great anxiety for the whole family
Find out how much it costs to send your child through university: iVillage
Benefits and money that all mothers are entitled to claim, what they are and how to claim: iVillage
Health benefits for people with a low income explained, by Maternity Alliance: iVillage
Housing Benefit explained. By Maternity Alliance: iVillage
Tax credits information from Maternity Alliance: iVillage
Advice from the Maternity Alliance on benefit allowances for teenage parent: iVillage
For a unique and memorable child's birthday party, it would be hard to beat the Golden Hinde, a real galleon berthed on the Thames. Read about one lucky boy's swashbuckling sixth birthday bash: iVillage
iVillage toy guide. Find toys here for boys aged 3 to 7: iVillage
iVillage guide to the season's best toys. Find toys for boys aged 8+: iVillage
iVillage toy guide. Find toys for girls aged 3 to 7: iVillage
iVillage toy guide. Find toys for girls aged 8: iVillage
iVillage Toy Guide - Discover the season's best toys: iVillage
iVillage Toy Guide - Discover the season's best toys: iVillage
iVillage Toy Guide - Discover the season's best toy: iVillage
iVillage Toy Guide - Discover the season's best toy: iVillage
iVillage Toy Guide - Discover the season's best toy: iVillage
iVillage Toy Guide - Discover the season's best toys: iVillage
Annabel Karmel rustles up some super-scary halloween treats for you and the kids to make: iVillage
If your child has learning difficulties could a food intolerance be to blame?
Could your child be Britain's next big hope for the Wimbledon tennis championships? Hilary Pereira explains how to nurture a budding sports superstar: iVillage
Is your child going up with her friends next year? Or have the year's classes been mixed up? Hilary Pereira investigates this practice of mixing infant classes: iVillage
A new five-in-one vaccination will be introduced in September 2004 to protect babies against diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib and polio. We look at what this means for parents, and find out what people are worrying about: iVillage
Set up a day of running and jumping this summer, and have your own Olympics with the kids: iVillage
Weaning can be a bewildering process, so Hilary Pereira guides you through the do's and don'ts of first foods for your baby: iVillage
Try our best outdoor activities and make sure your kids have a healthy, fun-filled summer: iVillage
iVillagers from the Kids & Food message board help a worried mum sort out her toddler's diet: iVillage
Guide to breastfeedin: getting started, problem solving, feeding in public, help and advice: iVillage
iVillagers give their advice on filling party bags for children: iVillage
Add this favourite game to your child's party: iVillage
A great outdoor party game for a kid's party: iVillage
Make sure you have plenty of room for this traditional children's party game: iVillage
A fun game for children and adults alike, a scavenger hunt can have many different themes: iVillage
An outdoor game for larger parties, it's a great pre-tea activity: iVillage
Does 'bigger' equal 'better' when it comes to family size? We look at the pros and cons of large-family livin: iVillage
Avoid the commercialism of TV characters and throw a low-key but fun pizza party: iVillage
With some planning and lots of flexibility, parents can find huge rewards in the inevitable chaos of a toddler's birthday party: iVillage
A community article where members describe the joys and challenges of raising a large family: iVillage
Father's Da: get recipes for his favourite meal and ideas for the perfect gift, and tell us why your dad is the greatest: iVillage
Father's Day needn't be an expensive extravaganza. Find out how you and the kids can make it a simple, yet special, occasio: iVillage
Stay organized planning for your child's birthday with this sanity-saving checklist: iVillage
Exam season means frayed tempers and raw nerves for many. Debbie Davis gives advice on calming stress and managing revisio: iVillage
Terms and conditions for the It's your birthday Winnie the Pooh Competition: iVillage
Throw a Winnie the Pooh themed party and enter our giveaway competition to win one of ten copies of <em>It's Your Birthday Party With Winnie the Pooh</em> on Disney DV: iVillage
Here's everything you'll need to turn your home or garden into a big top of celebration! How to throw a circus party for your child: iVillage
From bees to butterflies, kids just love bugs. Encourage your future entomologist with a bug-themed bash, perfect for bug lovers of all ages: iVillage
Cancer Research UK on how to protect your children from the su: iVillage
Having a baby may not mean saying goodbye to your beloved pooch. Find out how to help your two 'babies' become best of friends: iVillage
Are you busy, working parents? Is your family life out of control? Do you find it impossible to get any of those jobs done around the house, or organise the children's after-school activities? You need the services of a very special compan: iVillage
With summer almost here, saving money on your energy bills may be the furthest thing from your mind. But there are things you can do now to help you save money all year roun: iVillage
Reviews of BBC CD-Rom games collections for children: iVillage
Helpinghandz and BT click&buy launch a #10 million mobile content giveaway to promote safer surfing for kids: iVillage
A community story where mums from the Parent's Problem Solver message board share tips on coping: iVillage
The Home Office's Child Protection on the Internet campaign provides advice for parents whose kids surf the Net: iVillage
Have fun with the kids this Easter and make charming gifts and treats, like marbled eggs, Easter biscuits and bird's nests to display your chocolate eggs: iVillage
Four iVillagers tell their baby illness storie: iVillage
From toys and gadgets, to kids food and new rights for parents - if it's new in the parenting world you'll find it here: iVillage
Real Nappy Week is coordinated by Women's Environmental Network to highlight the environmental impact of cloth nappies and to inform parents about modern cloth nappies. Find out why cloth nappies are fast becoming the busy mum's choice, as well as keeping baby cool in the summer: iVillage
iVillage and Disney have teamed up to bring you the opportunity to win one of 10 Springtime with Roo DVDs: iVillage
The career climate for women is changing - find out how many modern mums are successfully fitting work around their home and family life: iVillage
Help your children learn about where food comes from with these fun projects from Suzannah Olivier: iVillage
Whether you're a busy parent, you have a fussy preschooler or a teen who will only eat junk food, Suzannah Olivier has great ideas for finding the right food balance for your kids: iVillage
We are seeing a whole generation of children grow up to be junk food junkies. This habit is firmly established in childhood, although parents often do not see that their child is really affected. Suzannah Olivier, author of Healthy Food for Happy Kids, tells us how to minimise the jun: iVillage
Suzannah Oliver, author of Healthy Food for Happy Kids, gives advice on good grazing habits and healthy snacks for peckish offsprin: iVillage
If your child is having trouble sleeping, it may be worth checking his diet. Suzannah Olivier, author of Healthy Food for Happy Kids, investigates: iVillage
Childhood obesity is on the increase - as are the associated health problems. But how can we help kids realise the benefits of healthy eating and exercise when tempting 'treats' are never far away? Mel Field investigates: iVillage
The idea of dads staying at home to be full-time childcarers used to be unusual, but new statistics show that this situation is changing rapidly. Read case studies of men who have decided to stay home and look after the kids: iVillage
iVillagers from the Get Organised message board dish the dirt on how to maintain an air of cleanliness in your home with minimum effor: iVillage
iVillage speaks to five young women from the Teenage Mums message board to find about why they made the choices they did, the struggles they have faced and what they think about teenage pregnancy: iVillage
Get tips on how to boost the nutritional content of your children's meals. Extracted from Healthy Food for Happy Kids by Suzannah Olivier: iVillage
The best foods you can give your children for breakfast. Extracted from Healthy Food for Happy Kids by Suzannah Olivier: iVillage
Advice for time-pressed parents on making nutritious family meals. Extracted from Healthy Food for Happy Kids by Suzannah Olivier: iVillage
If your child will only eat chicken nuggets and burgers, find out how to make your own - healthy - versions of these favourite foods. Extracted from Healthy Food for happy Kids, by Suzannah Olivier: iVillage
By learning about games, you can help your child find alternative games that provide action without the blood and gore. Find out from our experts on family computin: iVillage
Expert advice on how children can learn critical thinking by creatively using a compute: iVillage
Homework, exams and general knowledge. There are brilliant sites out there for children and this superb article gives you an excellent starting poin: iVillage
For parents who want to educate their children at home, this is an excellent mine of informatio: iVillage
Excellent tips to how children can get their homework done in a secure online environmen: iVillage
Essential advice for all parents seeking to invest in a family compute: iVillage
Find out the 3 top reasons that children have for using the Internet and why they love the online enviroment: iVillage
Find out how this education and entertainment site is rated by our exper: iVillage
Review of Parents, the government sponsored website which give excellent all round information on exams, revision and how the school system work: iVillage
A look inside the UK?s most technologically advanced school, and an in depth interview with Mrs Jenny Noel Storr, the school?s visionary head teacher: iVillage
Exams are at the heart of learning, and in this extremely helpful guide, education advisor, Joy Chamberlain, explains the process from Key Stage 1 to A-levels: iVillage
Whether it's maternity gear, nursery equipment or the newest baby bible, we'll keep you up to date with the latest developments in the pregnancy and baby world: iVillage
Your guide to making bedtime stories a lot more exciting for you as well for your childre: iVillage
The Internet is a fantastic learning tool for children. Find how parents and teachers, as well as children, can use it to their best advantag: iVillage
Review of Schoolsnet, the remarkable education site for students, teachers and parents, that was created by 16-year-old Tom Hadfiel: iVillage
The Toy Story films have revived the fortunes of the once forgotten tuber-man. Find out what his what website has to offer toddlers and parent: iVillage
Essential guide to educating your children at home using the Internet as the main teaching too: iVillage
Have fun with your little ones by helping them to make a Winnie the Pooh friendship card. Plus, your chance to win a video featuring the loveable bear: iVillage
Browse our choice of the most adorable books about love to read to your little loved ones. Babies and young children love them: iVillage
Valentine'a day gifts you can make with your child, including a picture frame, painted flower pot and home-made chocolates: iVillage
Valentine's day gifts you can make with your child, including a picture frame, painted flower pot and home-made chocolates: iVillage
One iVillager at the end of her tether with her teenage daughter gets advice from fellow members and parent: iVillage
One iVillager at the end of her tether with her teenage daughter gets advice from fellow members and parents: iVillage
Find out about your child's skills and milestones from toddler to age 16: iVillage
Check out your two-year-old's language skills, physical changes, emotional development, challenges and ideas for boosting skills and confidence with the Development Tracker: iVillage
Ten women talk about motherhood, work and the choices they've made about their lives: iVillage
iVillagers discuss the merits of stay-at-home dads and how it has worked for the: iVillage
Read our review of Window FX - an art activity for children: iVillage
iVillage parents discuss the issue of children?s diets and offer tips on how to encourage your kids to keep fit and health: iVillage
Read the iVillage review of the Alien Cosmolight: iVillage
iVillagers from the parenting community who are against smacking children discuss alternative discipline method: iVillage
Recent movements within the government indicate that smacking might soon be outlawed. iVillagers' give their view on whether smacking is an acceptable disciplinary method or no: iVillage
Increasing numbers of Britain's kids are getting fat and unfit, so perhaps the New Year's resolution should be to tear them away from their X-boxes and bags of crisps, and think up fun ways to get them into shape. Tips for healthy kids: iVillage
Find out what iVillage testers thought about the Junior Talking Bank: iVillage
A dinky four-storey solution to keep stationery essentials and other important items in order. A must for every girl's bedroom! Read the iVillage review: iVillage
Create the coolest stickers and badges around with this fab new art set. Read the iVillage review: iVillage
Create web-tastic designs, creepy crawly spider writing and spiders webs with these pens, stickers and stamps. Read the iVillage reviews: iVillage
Yu-gi-oh! fever sweeps the nation! We review this Yu-gi-oh costume from Rubies Masquarade: iVillage
This New Year, why not make some resolutions to keep your family healthy and happ: iVillage
A 9-step approach to making New Year's resolutions to add more love to your life and your famil: iVillage
Reviews of the most popular children's books, from birth to age 6: iVillage
Read the iVillage review of the new Bob the Builder CD-ROM: iVillage
Tips for making your first Christmas as a parent run smoothly: iVillage
The Rt. Hon. Margaret Hodge MBE, MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families launches Parents Online Safety Week: iVillage
Check out these ideas to make the Christmas holiday sparkle with magic and fun: iVillage
Parent's will be re-living their own childhood this Christmas - find out wh: iVillage
iVillage mothers discuss the issues surrounding the MMR vaccination and its suggested link to Autism with iVillage resident expert, Dr Sarah Brewer: iVillage
Having trouble settling your child at night? Try some of these suggestions to give your family the rest you nee: iVillage
Find out how to deal with your hormonal teenage: iVillage
Acne tends to strike the group of people most anxious about their appearance - teenagers. So what should you do to help your child to cope with this difficult condition: iVillage
Some classic quotes from some of the more junior members of iVillage: iVillage
Child internet safety expert John Carr answers questions from iVillage parent: iVillage