Baby & ToddlersParenting Skills

NICK CLEGG: 'MUMS AND DADS WILL SHARE PARENTAL LEAVE'

Radical reforms will allow both parents to share up to a year’s leave to look after their new-born children, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced. The changes will allow dads to play a bigger role in bringing up their child, help mums to go back to work when it’s right for them, and make more flexible workplaces to boost the economy. Under the new system of flexible parental leave…
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BlogBooksFitness & HealthParenting Skills

14-year-old Hayley Okines has co-written a book about her experience of living with Progeria. We talk to her mother about their story so far...

Kerry Okines’ daughter, Hayley, suffers from Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome. This condition means that she ages about eight times faster than the average person. I asked Kerry about the work both she and Hayley do to raise awareness of the condition and the progress that they have already made. Despite being told she would probably not make it past her thirteenth year, Hayley is fast…
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BlogMumpreneurs & Mums at workParenting SkillsSchooling

Mumpreneur's testimonial: 10 minutes chat with 'Every Teacher Matters' author Kathryn Lovewell

Inspirational chat with ‘Every Teacher Matters’ author Kathryn Lovewell. Do you have children? I am a very proud mum! I have three beautiful boys, two birth sons and one step son. As I mention in my book, Oliver, Dominic and James have been my biggest teachers. Every day I have the challenge to guide my children the best way I know how. Helping them grow in confidence, build their…
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BlogFitness & HealthParenting SkillsSchooling

Teachers need to step up as parents’ lax attitude to handwashing could be putting children at risk

Research released today by Initial Hygiene suggests that teachers need to be encourage their pupils to wash their hands, as parents may be endangering their children’s health by taking a ‘laissez-faire’ approach to hand hygiene. A survey of primary school children and their parents has shown kids lag behind their parents when it comes to handwashing, with over 40% of youngsters saying that…
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BlogGet CreativeParenting SkillsSchooling

Disney Research Shows that Busy Parents are struggling to find the time for Storytelling

In the 70s when I was a toddler, I grew up with Disney stories and at that time there was only Disney to entertain us. My 6 year old son now is growing up with so many new characters but personally I still prefer the Disney ones as they appeal to a universal audience and offer such great values to look forward to. A few days ago I attended the launch of the Winnie the Pooh Storytelling Academy…
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Baby & ToddlersBlogChildcareParenting SkillsSchoolingSpecial Kids

Let me play (Trust me ... I'm learning)

A picture speaks a thousand words and this is one of my favourites. A shame it wasn’t around in 1999 when my 4 year old son was being constantly scolded, chastised and persecuted by his teachers. I’ve felt for a long time that children in the UK start school far too early and when this is compounded by being an August born child – the odds for a smooth ride in the early years, dwindle to…
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Baby & ToddlersBlogParenting Skills

New research reveals that it takes up to two years to get the hang of motherhood

Feeling overwhelmed, nervous and scared are the overriding emotions today’s parents feel when they’ve had a baby. According to a new survey of 2,000 UK parents, it can take new parents up to two years to get to grips with parenthood, with 58% of mothers fearing they would never get to grips with it. It’s not just mum worrying about herself either, with two thirds stating it takes dad a long…
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Baby & ToddlersBlogMumpreneurs & Mums at workParenting Skills

Mumpreneurs' testimonial: Mother sings song to deaf son… 'Ethan Song'

We often receive touching letters from mums and mumpreneurs. It is amazing and this letter is one of those that really touched me. This letter is from Katherine Mount. I hope you love it as much as I do. In 2002 my son Ethan was born. He was diagnosed profoundly deaf and my world fell apart. 90% of deaf children are born into hearing families, the majority of which, just like mine, have little…
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BlogParenting SkillsSchooling

Student Finance Day 2012 – Understanding the new university finance system for your children

As Freshers’ Week (an annual festival to launch students into university life), run by all the student organisations on campus kicks off across the country, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in many young peoples’ lives, and most importantly, a new student finance system for English Universities. Student Finance Day (20 September 2012) is the focal point for the media and the education…
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BlogParenting SkillsSchooling

Child’s first day at school tops poll of unforgettable family moments

If you are like me, you may regret spending more time behind the camera and videocamera than in front of it. Over the years, I have created so much footage of my child’s progress than you can imagine. And the problem now is to find the time to edit all of it to turn into viewable chunks to show to the family… A recent survey made me smile as it found out that mums wish they’d filmed…
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