Health

Dry eyes, menopause and too many screens: How my Gunnar glasses changed everything

As a writer, an editor and a lifelong screen addict, my eyes have always worked overtime. Add post-menopause into the mix – and the fact that I practically live on my laptop – and the outcome was inevitable: constant redness, grittiness, tears that never quite moisturised, and contact lenses that suddenly felt like sandpaper. I’ve said it before in London Mums: my eyes simply haven’t been…
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Books

Quiet Please! and Other Humorous Tales: The feel-good short-story collection bringing laughter back to everyday life

If your Christmas list includes someone who desperately needs a laugh (and frankly, who doesn’t in December?), Quiet Please! and Other Humorous Tales by Denise Dumont may be the most delightful little stocking filler you didn’t realise you needed. It arrives with all the charm of a hand-written Christmas card and the warm glow of a well-brewed cuppa, bringing together twenty light-hearted…
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Shopping

Paddington gifts that bring maximum marmalade magic this Christmas

If you’ve popped into the West End lately, you’ll know London is deep in the grip of Paddington mania. With Paddington: The Musical now officially opened in London, children are suddenly requesting duffle coats, parents are whispering “please be gentle” at bus stops, and more than one London Mum has admitted to Googling “marmalade stain removal tips”. So, in the true spirit of festive…
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Shopping

The rise of Preloved: Why second-hand is the new first choice this Christmas

As we head into the festive season, I’m delighted to share a thoughtful piece from one of our beloved London Mums contributors, Julia Minchin, CEO of Hippychick. Julia has been championing sustainable parenting long before it became a trend, and this year she brings us a timely reflection on the growing shift towards preloved gifting – a movement we’re seeing resonate strongly with…
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Books

Books we love: Things You Didn't Know About Chimneys by John Hughes

If you’re on the lookout for a quirky new read to spark your child’s imagination, London Irish author John Hughes has something rather special up his sleeve. His latest children’s novel, Things You Didn’t Know About Chimneys, is already drawing comparisons to the mischievous magic of Roald Dahl. The story follows ten-year-old Millie, who finds herself dispatched to the…
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Mums Tips

The major perks of living in a close-knit park community

Choosing the right place to live later in life is a big decision, especially if you’re aiming for comfort, security, and a calm pace of living. A close-knit park community offers the kind of setting where you can enjoy simple routines, friendly faces, and a home that’s easy to look after. Many people find that this style of living brings a sense of balance that’s hard to achieve in busy…
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Books

BOOKS WE LOVE: The Recyclosaurus and EggBangers: A Fable for a New Generation

A R Trent’s The Recyclosaurus and EggBangers invites young readers to step into LA-LA Forest Park for an unforgettable eco-adventure. When young Ed Williams gets lost, he discovers a secret world of homeless wild animals, a runaway stray dog, and a wise old crow – all debating who’s to blame for the planet’s climate crisis. Along the way, Ed befriends EggBanger, Little Bro, and learns…
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Shopping

Jingle Joy & Santa’s Magic Chimney: The mum-made Christmas magic we all deserve this year

If there’s one thing mums can rely on in December, it’s this: the fairy lights go up, and so does the pressure. The cost-of-living crisis hasn’t exactly taken early retirement, and plenty of us are attempting five-star festive magic on a budget that wouldn’t buy a Pret latte and a mince pie. Add the annual game of “keeping up with the Joneses” – which in London is more like…
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Competitions

Win a bundle of family films worth over £100 this Christmas!

There’s Movie Magic on Blu-ray™ and DVD this Christmas! Your favourite family films are available now at special prices atAmazonandHMV. Enjoy starry nights in at home with these perfect movie Christmas stocking fillers! To celebrate one lucky winner will win a big family films bundle of Disney, Marvel Studios, Pixar and 20thCentury Studios movies on Blu-ray™ and…
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Shopping

How Sky Trails by Playmobil introduces children to real-world STEM concepts

Playmobil’s Sky Trails is rewriting the rules of playtime. With its bold new play pattern, this innovative system blends construction, motion, and storytelling into a thrilling experience that’s as smart as it is fun. It’s not just a toy it’s a launchpad for creativity. At the heart of Sky Trails is a fresh approach to building. Children are no longer confined to flat surfaces. Instead…
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