FAMILY RECIPES

Spotlight on Bedwetting

Log onto our live and interactive WebTV show with experts Dr Hilary Jones and child psychologist, Emma Kenny, where they will discuss the causes and solutions to bedwetting.

Show date: 8th February 2012

Show time: 1pm

PARENTS CAN BE ‘APPY TOO WITH NEW PLAY APP

A new phone app to assist parents stuck for play ideas has been launched today, the 25th January by the British Toy and Hobby Association [BTHA], as part of their ‘Make Time to Play’ campaign.

All About Bedwetting

Does your child wet the bed? Have you tried every trick in the book to stop this from happening? Are you out of ideas? If so, then don’t worry, we have something that might help and want to hear from you!

Sue Perkins’ advice for a family life less complicated in 2012

There are lots of complicated things in this world like combating global warming or solving the Eurozone financial crisis. But is anything as complicated as organising and running a family?

Cow & Gate launches free app for parents

Cow and Gate have launched the ‘Let’s Toddle!’ app that ensures parents never need miss a moment of their toddler’s extraordinary growth and development – a way to snap the Potty List moments maybe? .

Top tips on how to get your children reading

For some parents, a seemingly simple task like reading your children bedtime stories can send them into a nervous panic. But, it’s never too soon or too late to get your children reading and needn’t be a stressful experience. 

Toddler Potty List.. or 36 Things To Do Before You're Three

Never mind the Bucket List, here’s the Potty List – a tongue in cheek guide to 36 things toddlers should have crayoned off a must-do list....by the time they are toilet trained

The Era Of Iparenting

New mums are more likely to log on than go to their own mums for parenting advice, according to a new report released today.

Major UK report identifies significant gaps and weaknesses in children’s health information

Children and young people who have chronic health conditions or need operations don’t always have access to the high-quality, child-friendly information they need to understand what is happening to them

Managing Tourette Syndrome

Tourettes Action, the UK’s leading support and research charity for people with Tourette Syndrome explain more about this much misunderstood condition.

THE SECRET TO GETTING KIDS TO EAT THEIR GREENS - NEW RESEARCH PROVES PLAYING WITH FOOD WORKS

New research has revealed that toddlers who use all their senses to play and engage with vegetables outside of mealtimes are more likely to eat them than those who don’t.

Parenting Plans For Families After Divorce By Joan H McWilliams

Parenting Plans for Families After Divorce presents a fresh, contemporary, and practical guide that shows divorcing parents how to create a healthy and vibrant Post-Divorce Family. It acknowledges that while the parties' original family will take on a different form after the divorce, their original family will still exist and need to be nourished.
It discards the "one size fits all" approach to divorce and provides creative processes and solutions that strive to meet the needs of each family member. Using a step-by-step method, the author explains how to write a Parenting Plan in which the parents make the decisions, not the judge. It contains suggestions for monitoring children's use of social media, addressing the needs of non-traditional families, adopting child-inclusive provisions, and designing dispute resolution techniques Using a Celtic Tree, a symbol of love, strength, connection, and renewal, Ms McWilliams delivers a pragmatic and common-sense approach for dealing with the variety of issues that families encounter in divorce.
www.gazellebooks.co.uk

Parents reveal the top tricks they still use to get their kids to eat their greens

It’s an age old struggle for parents around the world. How do you get your kids to eat their vegetables instead of pushing them around their plates, hoping you’ll give up?

Ford introduces technology to help parents teach their kids to dive safely 

Ford is helping parents encourage younger motorists to drive more safely with a new technology that can block incoming phone calls and text messages while they are behind the wheel.

Brighten yourself up this winter

The evenings will become darker much earlier, which will be a worry for any parent. However, darker nights and bad weather shouldn’t prevent you from encouraging your children to walk or cycle to school.

Busy mums at breaking point at end of school

From the school pick up, to the after-school taxi service to clubs and sports, to the dinner rush - how do they manage?

Young at heart... the Peter Pan syndrome  (or, should we say, Rita Pan syndrome!) is alive and well in UK mothers

Millions of mums are living like teenagers, wearing ‘young people’s clothes’ and still ringing their mum and dad for help

MUMS UNITED SUPPORTING EXTRA-TIME FOR FAMILIES

Celebrity mum and Beko Mums United ambassador, Kirsty Gallacher, is backing a nationwide campaign to engage mums in their child’s sporting activities, following a nationwide survey of mums that revealed that 68% of mums wanted to get more involved.

Suffering in Silence

A report from the national charity, 4Children, says a chronic lack of awareness of the symptoms of postnatal depression is leading to as many as 35,000 women suffering in silence from the condition each year with devastating effects on their families.

Kids care about their pets more than their siblings

We’re often referred to as a nation of animal lovers and now a new study shows that our love of all things furry is firmly being passed on to our kids with a poll of children revealing they care more about their pets than they do about their brothers and sisters and their friends.

Martin Keown paves the road to Wembley for mum and dad grassroots coaches

Grassroots football voucher scheme launched along with a search for 12 coaches to head to Wembley for Coaching Masterclass with football legends

Falling family incomes and rising costs put out of school childcare at risk

As the new school year begins, research published by national charity 4Children has identified serious potential threats to the future viability of out of school childcare

Excluding children from discussions about their hospital care causes unnecessary distress

Children who are excluded from discussions about their hospital care often feel scared and angry that no-one is listening to them or telling them what is going on. That’s why health professionals and parents need to do more to consult them and include them in decisions

Sir Chris Hoy’s top tips for getting your kids on their bikes this term

The Olympic Champion reveals the benefits of cycling to school and gives parents tips on how to keep their kids safe on the road

BRING THE WORLD TO LIFE AT HOME

Do your children get excited by amazing feats of accomplishment? Do they love big facts that stretch the realm of possibility? Would they like the chance to meet real life record breakers, or even attempt a record themselves?

Dining out with children

Last year, Primary Times conducted a comprehensive reader survey which revealed some very insightful results about how families prefer to spend their time.  Notably, on the subject of dining, 74% of families highlighted that they enjoy eating out regularly, leading us to delve a little deeper to discover how ‘hungry for custom’ dining establishments are currently catering for the family market.

UK TODDLER ‘CENSUS’ RELEASED

A snapshot of what it’s like to be aged one to three in Britain today, the ‘Census’ reveals our pre-schoolers are an impressively sociable and cultured lot.  85% own designer clothes, they average ten friends (rivalling mum) and enjoy nearly £1,000 of activities a year, including ‘soft play’, swimming and even yoga classes!

University fees and student loan advice for parents

Since the new university fee structure was announced earlier this year, concern has grown amongst parents and students alike that attending university may become too expensive an option to consider

Is today’s ‘complicated’ world hindering our children’s development?

It is widely understood that playing freely is good for children, but today’s parents are united in the belief that their children lack the freedom they had as a child (63%).

Free Range Kids

Being free range is something we care about when it comes to our food but although our chickens may be getting plenty of fresh air – our children apparently are not, and this could mean dire things for their health and the travel habits of future generations

Kids shunning health benefits of their local parks, commons and greens

Taking the family to the park has always been an easy way for parents in urban Britain to get their kids back to nature, but a new study shows we are now becoming such an indoor nation that even a walk to the park is proving too big a chore for the average family

A Look at Finances as a Parent

Different stages in life require different budgets. We are always encouraged to save for the future, but with the current economic climate and predictions of a gloomy horizon ahead for families, it's now more important than ever to look carefully at your family finances

Film Street

Combining video, interactive games and workshops, Film Street introduces children and teachers to the world of films and filmmaking and inspires them to create their own films and animations. Originally funded by the DCMS, Film Street is now primarily funded by LGFL (London Grid for Learning).

Pester Power Takes To Cyberspace

Children’s demands for the latest must-have toys are being translated into parents’ Facebook campaigns which are catching the attention of retailers

Jenny Frost Gives Girls Guide To Confidence

Bad hair day? Sudden skin break out? Nothing nice to wear?  We’ve all had days when we’re not feeling our most confident and research suggests that we’re far from alone

10 Things Every Child Should Do Before They Are 10!

Can you remember the things that made you happiest when you were 10? Parents around the country have come up with the definitive list of the 10 things that every child should do before they are 10.

Jeff Brazier interview on the importance of play and spending time together as a family

Are you a parent that thinks sending the kids out to the garden for a bit of playtime is just a way of keeping them occupied? Well, new research shows there’s a lot more to playing than just passing the time after school and on weekends

UK hooked on hoarding according to new poll

Research by Netcycler, a new internet service that allows to you swap and give away unwanted items for things you really want, reveals the UK is a nation of hoarders, with a huge 93% of people stashing items that they don’t use at home.

Child's Creativity

If you’ve always thought that children were either born with imagination and creativity or not, then it might be time for us all to rethink, as experts believe that what and how children learn as pre-schoolers can determine how creative or imaginative they become later in life

Pirate Party Guide

We have some great ideas on how to make your party amazing!!

British kids teach their parents a lesson...in life

When most of us were kids, our lives revolved around toys, ice creams and playing and not much else – let’s face it, we didn’t worry too much about the world outside our bubble.

Building a Child’s Self-Esteem: Help a child manage stress

The pressures of everyday life are not exclusive to adults.  Indeed the stresses and strains of school work, family relationships and friendships can all take a turn in burdening a child with a mixture of overwhelming feelings they may not be able to control

Building a Child’s Self-Esteem: Improving a Child’s Confidence

A child who possesses high self esteem will acquire a healthy attitude towards life. A rooted foundation of confidence will enable them to face life’s challenges and will act as a passport to a positive outlook, to well-balanced social skills and future success

Have fun keeping fit – with some retro games and sports!

Exercise is so important to the health and well-being of younger children and yet sadly many children don’t meet the recommended daily minimum of just an hour of physical activity every day.

Good Books For Tough Times
     

The guide was compiled by the Partnership for Children charity which promotes emotional and mental well being of children throughout the world. The books have been independently chosen by Partnership for Children in coordination with the BookTrust charity.

Neil Buchanan's Top Tips To Help Parents Encourage Kids To Get Creative At Home

Research from Robinson Double Concentrate found that 78% of UK's parents are worried about the tradition of arts and crafts disappearing for their children in today's 'indoor culture of modern technology. So Robinsons has teamed up with kids TV presenter, Laura Hamilton, and Art Attack presenter, Neil Buchanan, to launch 'Squash Monsters' - a national competition

13 Year Old Schoolgirl Invents New Personal Attack Alarm

13 year old schoolgirl Forrest Smyth has come up with a great new design for a personal attack alarm, the Boo Bear "Keep Me Safe" key ring

Family Fun that wont break the Budget

Does family time in your home revolve around watching telly and taking the kids with you to do the shopping? When was the last time you all got in the car and escaped for an afternoon at the beach or in the woods?

Parents Keener for Kids to be Greener

Despite a plethora of Government and local council targets to get us to be greener and more ethical – it seems we often don’t start thinking about the damage we are doing to the environment until we have kids.

Getting time together

Professor Geoff Beattie offers advice on making the most of family meal times. Spending quality time together as a family without distractions can seem ever more difficult in modern times.

Wipes Camera Action

A staggering 82% of mums film their children going about their lives up to six times a week. That’s according to a new study that shows the compulsion to capture every milestone and everyday occurrence and share it with friends and family has reached an all time high.

British mums are seriously cringey

If you’ve ever been embarrassed by your mother, you’re not alone. In a new survey of British mothers released Monday 25th October two thirds (66%) admitted to embarrassing their children, with 30% saying the old ‘lick the thumb and wipe your face’ move is their most cringeworthy act.

Mums Take On The Eco Challenge To Cut The Cost Of The Family Budget And The Environment

In this exclusive video, three mums reveal the rewards of living the eco-high-life in a unique video diary of their daily lives.

MILLIONS OF BRITISH PARENTS PUTTING CHILDREN AT RISK IN THE CAR

New research out today reveals a staggering four out five British parents are unaware of the in-car safety legislations for children, suggesting millions are at risk.

Andrew Brodie four maths video clips

Take a look at four great new videos from Andrew Brodie. Looking at addition for ages 8-9, these short video clips show the four main methods that are used in schools to teach children addition. Although not all teachers will use these methods these examples are a perfect step-by-step guide to help you see what will work best for your children.

'THE CLOSETED GENERATION' BRITISH KIDS CLUELESS WHEN IT COMES TO NATURE

British children are increasingly out of touch with the natural world, demonstrating an alarming lack of knowledge when it comes to the seasons and indigenous plants and animals. That is the verdict of a compelling new study, which highlights a ‘closeted generation’ for whom outdoor activities such as climbing trees, camping and going on country walks are fast becoming a thing of the past.

Helping Your Child

As parents we are all keen to help our children gain the best possible education but sometimes it’s just not clear how we can do this.  Here are my top five tips for how to help your children at home

You’re never too old for playtime

We all know how important playtime is for our children’s development. Not only can it help them to understand their surroundings, but it will also teach them how to share and even relax

Celebrating Lone Parenthood

PARENTS BLAME THE GREAT BRITISH WEATHER FOR POOR FAMILY EXERCISE HABITS

A new survey of parents of children aged 15 or under across Great Britain, identified that a third of parents (31%) feel poor weather conditions prevent them from exercising as much as they like as a family.

Boys Get Baking

Think of all the famous chefs you know. Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Marcus Wareing, Heston Blumenthal, Marco Pierre White. Notice a trend? They’re all men. And traditionally, all the best bakers are male too.

Find out about: Ball Games

Parentline Plus Live Chat

Parentline Plus, the 24 hour support service, is currently piloting a new free online chat service that enables parents and carers to talk in real time to Parentline Plus’ trained advisors regarding any parenting or family issues.

BE-AWARE of the silent killer, is it in your home?

CO-Awareness, established in 2005 is a registered UK charity, founded by Lynn Griffiths a widow and single mum, whose own direct experience began over 20 years ago after her entire family was poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO).

More out of school clubs needed to fill childcare gap

The recent introduction of changes to benefit rules for single parents means that up to 68,000 new places for out of school care could be required.

Fathers-To-Be DVD Launched

“Darling ... I’m pregnant.” However you choose to share the news, those three little words have rocked millions of men to the core, turning their lives upside down, and changing their title instantly to “dad”. However, fathers- to-be now have nothing to fear with the release of the ground-breaking and often humorous DVD – Being Dad!

How to encourage children to eat veg

Time to Tidy Up

Orienteering for Children

In an era where chilling out is regarded as ‘crucial’ and comfort is the key, where food is plentiful and where more and more people are following sedentary lifestyles, how can we help ourselves? 

Learning difficulties spot the signs - Online resource for parents

As parents we all want to give our children the very best possible start in life.  Seeing your child develop is so rewarding but sometimes there are areas of where a child might need a little extra help.  Spotting strengths and weakness early on will give you the chance to positively help and understand your child’s individual needs.

CHILD SAFETY EDUCATION COALITION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

CSEC, which aims to tackle the problem of unintentional injuries to children and young people, now has a website – at www.csec.org.uk – to raise awareness of its work and the injuries it seeks to prevent.

How To Keep Kids Entertained On A Budget

As the summer holidays draws to a close and budgets become ever tighter Cesarina Holm – Kander takes us through the best tips from hard working Mum’s across the country and gives her run down of how best to entertain the kids on a budget.

Parents welcome "Boomerang Generation" children back home

Despite growing up and spreading their wings, a third (31%) of parents have welcomed their ‘boomerang’ adult children back to the family home according to new research out today

Parents Need to do their Homework - Online

Two thirds of British mums and dads (66%) say they fear their child cannot tell the difference between online advertisements and factual information and therefore could be using untrustworthy information as a source for learning.

New links between pet ownership and child development

Half of Brits think that having a companion, such as a cat, dog, rabbit, fish, hamster or reptile around the house helps to teach kids lessons in responsibility. Whether it’s helping to feed them daily, cleaning their hutch or home, taking them for walks or looking out for signs of ill health – taking care of a pet can both aid child development and provide kids with improved social skills

Family learn together, grow together

More than 90 per cent of parents think it is important to learn within the family, with 78 per cent admitting that they too had learnt something new alongside their children, finds a new report from education innovator Futurela

MORE BRITISH CHILDREN DROWN ABROAD THAN IN THE UK

With the school summer holidays only a week away, millions of British holidaymakers will be preparing to depart to foreign shores, and the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA), the UK’s leading authority on water safety, is advising parents to be sensible and prepare in advance for a fun and safe holiday.

Foresight

Nim, a sprightly 78, founded Foresight, a leading charity dealing with pre-conceptual care and infertility. Foresight’s approach is soundly based on nutrition, whilst encompassing other areas such as hidden infection and electromagnetic pollution.

Is A Bedtime Book Still Best?

Parents, are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin. Almost two thirds of children have revealed they want their parents to read to them more often. That's according to new research into kids' views on storytelling, with findings developed into a formula for children's perfect storytime by a leading child psychologist.

So Your Kids Going Veggie

If your child is thinking of joining the 1.5m people who’ve gone vegetarian in the UK over the last decade, you might be a little worried.  As a new survey shows, more than half of parents think a veggie diet could spell nutritional problems for kids.

Bereavement

For many children their first real experience with loss happens when a pet dies. There are many ways you can tell your child that a pet has died from using a soothing voice or finding a comfortable and familiar place to tell them, but the most important thing is to be honest.

How parents can support their Young Gifted & Talented children at home

For parents of gifted or talented children, finding out that their child is gifted or talented can be very rewarding. There is plenty of help and support available for parents to best enable them to encourage their child reach their full potential.

Safe Surfing on the Internet

In the same way that some people said money is the root of all evil, some people blame the internet as a medium which damages, or even depraves. Most of us would struggle to survive without cash and we would be loath indeed to dispense with our computers. So,  what’s the verdict on the internet? On balance, is it a curse or a blessing for children?

The Priceless Grandparents

It may seem scarcely credible, but this statistic will not raise the eyebrows of those who have been following the shift in social behaviour. This enormous shift is a result of grandparents literally coming to the rescue of working parents; those Mums and Dads who struggle to meet the costs of childcare, and who fall victim to guilty feelings when leaving their loved little ones in the hands of childminders.

Government supports new breastfeeding DVD

Support will be given to help all pregnant women across the UK with breastfeeding, with the availability of a new DVD. The free DVD entitled, 'From Bump to Breastfeeding - following real mothers' stories to find out how', gives positive and practical information to encourage mums to breastfeed and help increase breastfeeding rates across the UK.

Family Breakdown – Child Support

Parents who are separated each have a legal duty to maintain their child which means both parents are financially responsible for their child, broadly speaking if (s)he is 16 years old or under, or up to the age of 19 years and in full time secondary education. 

Entertaining the kids becomes child’s play

Although you want to keep the kids entertained over the holidays, day-trips out with the family can be a nightmare if you don’t plan them properly.  Above all you want the kids to have a good time and stay safe. The question is: How do you turn this into a reality with minimum effort?

Invest in your Child's Future

Uphill all the way, with plenty of scope for a serious fall:
starting adult life from a financial viewpoint can be likened to scaling a mountain. So when it’s time for your child to turn 18, wouldn’t it be great to give them enough cash to establish a solid base and help them take that mighty step upwards towards independence.

Making Story Time Special

Every parent understands the importance of reading to their child but exactly when should you start? According to new research more then three quarters of parents begin reading to their child before their first birthday and over a fifth introduce their kids to the world of books before they are 3 months old!

How to build a Confident Child

Confidence comes in many packages, in many different forms of character, but it is always closely linked to a foundation of healthy self-esteem. Your child will be handed a passport to happy, healthy social skills and success as an adult if he or she has this sense of self-worth. Nurturing self-esteem is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give to a child, so let’s look at a number of ways on how it can be achieved.

Parents more open to hard drugs than hard drives

Despite living in a world of 3G mobiles, PDAs, and mp3 players parents are not the software-savvy role models you would hope for.  Even computer literate parents would prefer to chat about the trying topics of alcohol abuse and bullying than strike up a conversation about modern technology.

Dealing with Divorce

In the early days of separation, children may find that they have to move house, change school, and start to divide their time between Mum and Dad.   With the parents suddenly living under separate roofs, money issues may arise, and puts pressure on whoever pays the bills, the mortgage and so on. As a result, a child may find that the trickle of life's little luxuries temporarily dries up.

Tantrums

When a child throws a tantrum in front of his peers in school, it may frighten other children and make it more difficult for that child to form friendships and to be included in playground games. The safest and best place to deal with tantrums is in the loving environment of home, as that is usually where the first tantrum happens.

How to Hire Private Tutors Safely

Despite the fact that one in four families in the UK employs private tutors for their children (University of London, Institute of Education 9/05), tutoring is an unregulated “industry”.  This means that, unlike teachers who work with schools, private tutors do not have to have a Criminal Records Bureau check or even a university degree to teach. 

Modern Parenting

If you are lucky enough not to fall straightaway, after a while you will finely tune this balancing act. But before you know it, your children will grow. And as they get bigger, you have to start finding the perfect balance all over again. That is what being a parent feels like to everybody - not just to you. More challenging than a commando obstacle course: more rewarding than an Olympic gold medal.

Parenting Plans For Families After Divorce By Joan H McWilliams

Parenting Plans for Families After Divorce presents a fresh, contemporary, and practical guide that shows divorcing parents how to create a healthy and vibrant Post-Divorce Family. It acknowledges that while the parties' original family will take on a different form after the divorce, their original family will still exist and need to be nourished.
It discards the "one size fits all" approach to divorce and provides creative processes and solutions that strive to meet the needs of each family member. Using a step-by-step method, the author explains how to write a Parenting Plan in which the parents make the decisions, not the judge. It contains suggestions for monitoring children's use of social media, addressing the needs of non-traditional families, adopting child-inclusive provisions, and designing dispute resolution techniques Using a Celtic Tree, a symbol of love, strength, connection, and renewal, Ms McWilliams delivers a pragmatic and common-sense approach for dealing with the variety of issues that families encounter in divorce.
www.gazellebooks.co.uk

Building a Child’s Self-Esteem: Help a child manage stress

The pressures of everyday life are not exclusive to adults.  Indeed the stresses and strains of school work, family relationships and friendships can all take a turn in burdening a child with a mixture of overwhelming feelings they may not be able to control