Mother's Day Gift Guide

FAMILY RECIPES

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

Celebrities, charities and families launch 'shout out for a sure start' campaign

TV presenter and former Mum of the Year, Melinda Messenger, and popular children’s TV character, Peppa Pig, will today come together with charities, trade unions and parents to ‘shout out for a sure start’. 

Peter Rabbit gets into to mischief at Selfridges this Easter!

Selfridges, London will abound with Easter treats for Peter Rabbit fans this spring. A collection of original Beatrix Potter illustrations and early edition books will be exhibited in-store from 8th March to 12th April, leading up to an Easter extravaganza across the long weekend with special Peter Rabbit appearances and fun story-telling events daily.

DELICIOUS NEW 'COOKIES WITH LOVE'

How do you show someone you love them? Well this year baking experts Green’s have the answer with their delicious new, ‘Cookies with Love’!

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.

Get Fruity This Winter

Whilst we are all attempting to stick to our New Year’s resolutions to lose those last few pounds and keep them off this winter, it doesn’t mean we cannot indulge in something sweet and tasty when we fancy it.

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).

CBeebies Offers Something New for the Weekend in the New Year

CBeebies, the most watched tv channel for the under-6’s, is refreshing its weekend schedule in the New Year to offer a raft of high-quality programming at key times which will reflect the fun, freedom and excitement of the weekend and encourage families to enjoy CBeebies’ output together.

The Learning Bubble Software

Do you struggle to keep your 5-12 year olds on task at homework time?  Help is now at hand with the launch of The Learning Bubble (tlb), a powerful piece of software featuring a special learning desktop that creates an interruption-free environment in which children can learn – similar to a quiet study at home.

Research reveals the Nation's Under Fives Need More Relaxation

Research released reveals that the lives of today’s tots are deemed more stressful than that of their mums and dads in their own childhoods.

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? 

Lunchbox Breakdown

Picky children, few ingredients and early mornings rushing around trying to organise the family before school… when it comes to making up their kids’ lunchboxes, mums certainly don’t have it easy.

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.

British kids miss out on regular swimming due to Mum's body image concerns

British parents see learning to swim as a key skill they want their children to have – coming second only to academic success. Despite this, a new survey commissioned by the British Gas Free Swim initiative, reveals that almost a fifth of parents asked NEVER visit their local swimming pool.

Carrot Crunch Kids

Carrots are extremely good for you.  They are high in fibre and brimming with beta-carotene, which the body uses to make vitamin A, a nutrient that’s needed for growth and healthy hair and skin as well as good vision.

The 21st Century Breakfast for British Schoolchildren

According to new research £646 million is being spent each year by sweet-toothed kids buying biscuits, cake and meat snacks on the way to school with around one quarter of 7-14 year olds admitting to regular early morning junk food binges. 

Greens Revolution - Broccoli Gets a Make-over

We all know we should “eat up our greens” to be fit and healthy. But many of us, particularly children, find the bitter after taste of cruciferous vegetables difficult to swallow. But that’s all changed with the launch of Bellaverde®, a new sweet tasting long stemmed broccoli.

Bank of Mum and Dad is Open for Business

One in five university students will be living with their parents in the coming academic year, showing while some banks may have suffered during the recession, the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ is alive and kicking

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.

1 in 3 children have never experienced a traditional family day out

The findings of a national survey of children, released today by the charity 4Children, provide a stark reminder that children are not immune to financial pressures experienced by their parents during tough economic times.

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.

Change4Life

Change4Life, the lifestyle revolution launched earlier this year to help combat childhood obesity, announces an exciting schedule of summer activities to encourage families and kids to eat well, move more, live longer and above all, have fun!

Hypnotherapy for Kids

Hypnotherapy CD’s for children and teenagers are increasingly popular and successful in treating a variety of conditions. One of the great benefits is that children can hear them over and over again, as the more often they listen the greater the effect. 

Family Breakfast Report

Amanda Ursell (GMTV's resident nutritionist)  & Tanya Byron (British clinical psychologist) worked with two real life families to look at the impact of breakfast on nutrition and family relationships

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.

Cybercriminals are targeting your home PC. We prevent you becoming a victim

Recent statistics from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency (CEOP) show that the number of cases of reported online child abuse have risen 76% on last year's figures.

New Scheme helps Families save on their Energy Bills

A new initiative in conjunction with the Government and verified by the Energy Saving Trust has been set up to assist homeowners seeking to reduce their energy bills. By encouraging the installation of energy efficient windows in homes, its aim is to assist people in reducing their household bills by as much as £461 per year

Big Lottery announces new funding for family learning

Five million families in England will benefit from new lottery funding awarded to a project run by the National Family Learning Network. The project will support family learning practitioners across the country.Five million families across the country will benefit from a major new project – The Big Impact – run by the National Family Learning Network through its lead partners the Campaign for Learning, NIACE and ContinYou.

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.

Credit crunch hits disabled children

Disabled children across the UK are emerging as some of the largest victims being hit hard by the credit crunch.  The UK’s leading child disability charity, Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, has reported an alarming increase in requests for help from struggling parents refused assistance by the government funded statutory services, turning to the charity.

Kids Stealing Parent's Details

A fifth of children are going behind their parents' backs and shopping online without parental permission. And half of those who buy through the internet are using their own parents' credit cards to make purchases. That's according to research from life assistance company CPP.

Lifting The Lid On Lunchboxes

Packed lunches eh? Days were when we were all happy with a cheese sandwich, carton of drink, some bruised fruit and a packet of crisps. But that’s all changed now, as the numerous healthy eating campaigns over recent years have emphasised the need to ensure children are getting the nutrients they need to see them through the day.

Oz Clarke’s favourite tipple

British wine taster extraordinaire Oz Clarke has admitted that his desert island drink wouldn’t be some grand red wine, an exalted champagne or a venerable vintage port. Instead he would choose the drink of his childhood, pure British organic milk, and in our video Oz is teaching the nation how to become a connoisseur of the white stuff.

Butterfly Conservation

Schools Minister Jim Knight has launched a new children’s website as part of celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the charity Butterfly Conservationremarkably, as he was posing for pictures at the launch, a Red Admiral butterfly landed beside him and then moved onto his finger.

How to be butty brilliant

The sandwich was born and 'bread' in Britain, and our love of sarnies is famous the world over. Concerns about cash in recent times have prompted a swing away from buying pricey shop-bought sandwiches and back to making our own. More and more people are packing their own lunches and eating them 'al desco' at work, and in doing so they're inadvertently rediscovering the joys of the classic British sarnie. And, if it needed to be said, schoolkids love them too.

Preparing To Welcome Home Baby

It’s amazing to see, despite months of planning; how ill prepared some new parents are for the arrival of their little bundle of joy. Many aren’t aware of the implications of having a little person join their family at all and have no real understanding of the basic do’s and don’ts.

KIDS GO DIPPY FOR HOUMOUS

Gone are the days of feeding children a mashed banana and a cheese sandwich.  Their tastes are now much more sophisticated, with houmous becoming a staple in many parts of the country, particularly in London according to a recent survey of mums with children.

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. 

Preston Museums Group

If you’re looking for a brilliant family day out in Preston, meet the Hands On Gang who want to introduce you to round 5 great museums across the city ! 

Lighten Up the Lunchbox

There has been a lot of media coverage recently about getting children to eat healthily but getting children to “eat their greens” has always been a problem since time began!

Connecting Parents

A groundbreaking new online service and social networking site supporting parental relationships will be unveiled at the DCSF’s Parent Know How showcase on Wednesday 7 May 2008. Thecoupleconnection.net is being developed by the UK’s leading relationship research organisation One Plus One, to help couples understand and work on their relationships.

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!

Kid's Kitchen

With obesity reaching epidemic proportions, the emphasis on healthy eating for children has reached an all time high. It goes without saying that wholesome nutritious food should form an integral part of the diet, and by blending this into a daily menu plan will help us and our children avoid treading onto the slippery road to obesity.

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.

Belt your kids for their own safety call

Belt ‘em up and keep ‘em safe is the message being put out to parents this week by the Staffordshire Casualty Reduction Partnership. It is a shocking fact that around 2000 child deaths or injuries would be prevented if children were always restrained correctly when travelling in vehicles.

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.

Dads are as Good as Mums

7 out of 10 mums (68%) believe dads are as skilled at parenting as they are, yet the father role is seen as still secondary by much of society, according to new ICM research launched by the Fatherhood Institute today.  The new institute says involving fathers has a major impact on child welfare yet they spend on average a month less with their children than mums every year, mainly because of unsocial hours and inflexible working.

Improving Child Literacy Gaps in Britain

The Department for children, schools and families recently released results about 7 year-olds schooling, stating that writing standards have fallen for the second year (80% reaching the expected standard, down from 82% in 2005).

Children's Poetry

Josie Whitehead is a retired teacher who has written hundreds of children’s rhyming poems and, at the request of children in her local primary school, has made them freely available on her own internet website.  What makes them especially valuable is that she has added her own clear voice recording to the poems, to help the children with their reading

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. 

Bullying - How Parents Cope

What do you imagine was the most common problem dealt with by Childline during the past year?  Believe it or not, more than 20,000 children and young people last year called the charity with their concerns about bullying. And in a survey by the organisation, half of primary school children said that they had been bullied in some way or other in the last 12 months. So, how can parents deal with the issue?

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.

Cost of Raising Children reaches £180,000

Children come with a £180,000 price tag If you think babies are expensive, wait until they get to university. Esther Shaw on the cost of child-rearing Published: 12 August 2007. What price parenthood? The cost of food, clothing and childcare soon mounts up, and that's before you've even contemplated putting your child through higher education.

Car Seat Belt Safety for Children

Car manufacturers need to ramp up their safety measures for children according to the Local Authority Road Safety Officers’ Association (LARSOA). Consumers have already been alarmed by a new Which? survey that urged them not to buy four models of child car seats that failed their latest round of safety tests.