🌟 Practical Help For Families Of Children With Special Needs

A child sitting on a horse with Riding for the Disabled

Parenting a child with additional needs is a journey filled with both challenges and deeply rewarding moments. Alongside navigating diagnoses and daily routines, families often find themselves searching for opportunities that allow their child to thrive — be it through joyful hobbies, supportive community groups, or vital financial and equipment assistance. This guide brings together … Read more

Is My Four-Year-Old Ready For School? Understanding Your Options In England

A young girl in school uniform walks away from the camera with a large satchel on her back, capturing the feeling of a child's first day at school.

Starting school at four can be a big step — especially when your child isn’t quite ready for full days, new faces, and long routines. When my granddaughter started school three weeks after turning four, she looked so tiny with her satchel on her back — but she walked in cheerfully. She already knew the … Read more

How To Help Your Toddler Make Friends: Playdate Tips For Parents

Two toddlers playing together in a sunlit living room; one holds a toy and laughs while the other smiles and reaches out with a teddy bear.

Helping toddlers learn to make friends is one of the most meaningful – and sometimes underestimated – parts of parenting. Those first shy moments of connection, the sharing of a toy, or a game of chase around the garden, can blossom into genuine friendships. For many parents, however, supporting these early steps in social development … Read more

Top Advice For New Dads: How To Get Involved Early On

A new dad bottle-feeding a baby

Becoming a first-time dad brings excitement, nerves, and lots of questions. From nappy changes to night feeds, it can feel like everyone else knows what they’re doing – but you don’t – especially in the early days. But the truth is, every dad starts somewhere. Getting involved right from the start not only builds a … Read more

Cooking With Children: Age-Appropriate Kitchen Tasks

A smiling young girl proudly presents a colourful fruit salad she helped prepare in the kitchen.

Once children are interested in helping in the kitchen, it can be surprisingly easy to involve them in everyday cooking. With a bit of preparation and a flexible approach, even busy family mealtimes can become a time to connect, learn, and grow together. This guide offers age-by-age ideas, tips for managing mess, and simple suggestions … Read more

Cooking With Children: Skills That Last A Lifetime

A primary school-aged girl helps her father cook a meal at home

Cooking with children can feel messy, slow, and occasionally chaotic – but it’s also one of the most rewarding ways to support their development. From language and maths to coordination, patience and independence, time spent in the kitchen offers a surprising number of learning opportunities. Better still, it’s a chance to spend time together doing … Read more

How To Support Parents Of Newborn Twins: Practical Ways To Make A Real Difference

Twin pushchair and baby bottles

Welcoming twins is an incredible journey, but it’s also an intense one. The early days can feel like a whirlwind of feedings, nappies, and sleepless nights, all multiplied by two. While friends and family often want to help, figuring out what’s truly useful can be tricky. So how can others genuinely support parents of new … Read more

Surviving The Baby Stage With Twins: Practical Support That Makes A Difference

Mother feeding twin babies

Bringing home newborn twins is an incredible experience, but it also comes with unique challenges. Managing feeding, changing, and soothing two babies at once requires adapting everyday routines and finding creative ways to get support. Many parents of twins find that the usual advice for single-baby households doesn’t always apply, making a strong support network … Read more

Book Of The Month – June 2025

A children's bookshop with a dad about to enter it with a toddler

Welcome to our June Book of the Month selections! This month, we’ve chosen four joyful, imaginative, and heartwarming stories for children from toddlers to tweens. From noisy flaps and gentle farm sounds to a time-travelling mystery under a London garden, these books celebrate adventure, kindness, and curiosity. Whether you’re reading aloud at bedtime or encouraging … Read more