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Joanne Mallon

Brighton - UK - http://joannemallon.typepad.com/joanne_the_coach/

Joanne Mallon An experienced life coach and journalist, published in The Guardian, Daily Express, Daily Star Sunday etc. A mother of two, she regularly comments on parenting issues for UK and international readio and press. Her eldest is 9, she's a trained life coach and NLP practitioner and is interested in children's behaviour, offering practical support and advice for parents. She blogs at http://joannemallon.typepad.com

Does your family celebrate St Patrick's Day?

Fun & activities

I was recently on the phone to a colleague arranging a work appointment. We talked about meeting on 17 March, but then my colleague said, "Of course, you won't want to do anything then will you?"

Because, you see, I have an Irish accent, and the seventeenth is St Patrick's Day, when we traditionally celebrate all things Irish. For some reason people associate this festival with large consumption of alcohol, so I had to reassure my colleague that I would still be fairly sober for our meeting at 10am.

People outside Ireland seem to embrace St Patrick's Day with much more enthusiasm than those on the homeland do. There are worldwide celebrations, which people cheerfully embrace, whether they have a genuine Irish connection or not.

There's due to be a big St Patrick's Day parade in London on Sunday 14th – this is also Mother's Day, so if you're an Irish mother you really need to be there.

Tip of the Day: Days out for Mother's Day

Just for dads, Just for mums, Fun & activities, Places to go / holidays, Tip of the Day

We've been celebrating Mother's Day since the 1600s, and chocolates and flowers are perennial favourites. But what many mums want is simply some quality time spent as a family, having fun. Preferably outside the house, with no washing up to do afterwards.

Here are some ideas from the National Trust for days out around the UK this weekend, from delicious high teas in stunning locations to quirky events suitable for all the family:

Bateman's, East Sussex
Mother's Day English tea, 14 March 2.30pm - 4.30pm
Visit the beautiful home of Rudyard Kipling deep in the Sussex countryside and treat mum to a traditional English Tea of sandwiches, scones with lashings of jam and cream plus a slice of Victoria sponge cake.
Normal admission charges apply plus an additional event charge of £8.50 per adult. Booking is essential for this event, please call 01435 882302.

Belton House, Lincolnshire
Mothering Sunday, 14 March 10.30am - 5.30pm
Why not treat mum to lunch or afternoon tea on her special day? Drop into the gift shop for special deals on pampering products. Relaxing mini massages available in the afternoon (small charge applies). Normal admission charges apply plus small additional event charges. Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01476 566116.


Mummy Bloggers' Friday Roundup

Best of the Blogs

Exciting times in the land of MumBlog, friends. The first conference for UK parent bloggers has just launched. At this event you get to, y'know, meet other bloggers in real life! And have conversations that don't start with @! Scary, I know.

Also launching this week is the MAD Awards - where the UK's best parent bloggers will be crowned. Watch out for more news of that on ParentDish next week. And finally, some lucky families are being offered a free holiday in Denmark, in return for blogging about it. Good times, people.

But if you're wondering where blogging will fit into your busy life, Little Mummy has this advice.

Also this week: A standing ovation for More Than Just A Mother who's pleased to report that she's getting some adult action. You go girl!

More mundane matters for Sharon at Three Kids and the Cat, who's battling with the devil's dust. And Karen at The Real Mamma Diaries has a poignant reason to remember Mother's Day this Sunday.

Here on ParentDish this week, we were feeling a little peckish, but then our appetite waned when the only thing on offer was breastmilk cheese.

Finally, I was asked this week if bloggers can nominate themselves for this roundup, and the answer is: yes you can. Just don't get the hump if I don't choose your submission, as the roundup may already be full for the week. Sometimes people will nominate a post, and I will go and look at their blog and choose something else. But it's always good to hear new voices, so don't be shy about putting your blog forward – either leave a link in the comments box below, or tweet me about it.

Ask Joanne: I want a baby at 40

Babies, Pregnancy & birth, Ask Joanne


What's your dilemma about any aspect of life as a parent? Our experienced life coach Joanne Mallon is here to answer your questions. Send your questions in here and say if you'd like your name to be changed.


CC writes:


I gave birth to a stillborn baby boy last October. Post mortem results came back that there was no medical problem with the baby, and my blood tests came back with no problems.

We decided straight away really that we wanted to try for another baby. I already have three children aged from 19 to 11. Without a baby I don't feel I can get over the loss. I have just turned 40 and my husband is 42. It's been three months but nothing has happened as yet. Do you think I should go to see my doctor as we can't try for ever as age is not on our side?

Here's the life coach's reply:

Tip of the Day: How to prepare your child for starting nursery

Toddlers, Childcare, Tip of the Day


Preparing to send your child off to nursery for the very first time can be daunting. Many parents worry about what they need to do to prepare for the first day and how their child will adapt to a new environment.

Jac MacLean, centre manager at Durrington Sure Start Children and Family Centre for West Sussex County Council has these top tips on how to make the transition from home to nursery go as smoothly as possible:

1. Find out more
It's really important to visit the nursery setting with your child in advance of their first day to get to know the staff and the surroundings. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I always advise parents to come along with a list of questions so they don't forget when they arrive. If possible, try and visit the session your child will be attending in advance so you know what happens on an average day.


What's the right age for a child to have a mobile phone?

Kids+, Gadgets

I recently changed my mobile phone, and my ten-year-old daughter's eyes immediately lighted on the old phone. Since I no longer needed it, she asked if she could have it instead?

Does your child have a mobile phone? What age do you think is a reasonable age for a child to have their own phone? And who's going to pay for it when they do?

My daughter's reasoning for wanting one seems to revolve around the fact that many of her friends have got one. I don't think that's a good enough argument.

What surprises me is that so many parents will happily hand out electronic gadgets, yet are so cautious about other things. I know children who have their own phones and laptops, but aren't allowed to play out in the street alone or walk to the local corner shop. Yet which of these has the most potential for danger?

Jonas Brothers, Percy Jackson and Alice in Wonderland come to Nintendo DS

Kids+, Fun & activities, Toys & games, Gadgets


This month sees a batch of new games released and competing for your child's attention on Nintendo DS. Here's what to expect from some of the most high profile titles:

The Jonas game is based on the singing brothers' TV show, which is shown on the UK on the Disney Channel. But you don't need to have seen the programme to play the game. My daughter had only ever heard of The Jonas Brothers from their appearance in the film Camp Rock, but she still enjoyed playing this one.

This game will appeal to any child who's interested in pop music and hankers after a life of fame. The story of the game follows the day-to-day life of our heroes, as they're chased by fans, play a concert and – yes! – have to do the dishes for their mum. Yes kids, even being a global superstar doesn't mean you can escape your chores. There really is a game where you can earn points for doing the dishes. I love that.

Players can choose which of the brothers they want to be, as they move through a series of mini games. You can rock out in performances, dress up in (frankly silly) outfits and play around with life as your average teen pop superstar. Just don't forget to do your chores!

Also released this week are games based on two recent blockbuster films:

Would you eat breastmilk cheese?

Eating & nutrition, Weird stories


Several years ago, TV cook Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall became somewhat notorious for cooking and eating pate made from placenta.

Now a chef in the US has gone one better in creating food out of the human body – he's used breast milk to create cheese. And he's planning to make more.

What do you think? Just right for a Ploughman's Lunch with a difference, or a taste too far? If it's OK for babies, then why not us?

Chef Daniel Angerer of New York City's Klee Brasserie made the cheese from the breast milk of his wife and business partner, Lori Mason. He told New York Magazine's Grub Street blog: "Being a chef you're curious about anything in terms of flavour – you look out for something new and what you can do with it." He adds: "It wasn't like, 'Hey, this is such an amazing cheese.' It's just like, 'Can you use human milk? Yes, you absolutely can!'"

So what does it taste like?


Ask Joanne: My twin boys have tantrums

Toddlers, Siblings, Behaviour, Ask Joanne


What's your dilemma about any aspect of life as a parent? Our experienced life coach Joanne Mallon is here to answer your questions. Send your questions in here and say if you'd like your name to be changed.


Ella asks:

I am a mum of 22-month-old twin boys, and every time we go out, ie shopping in town or anywhere, adults will come up to them and say hello and they'll go mad. They both have tantrums, leaving me with no alternative but to stay at home as everyone just stares in disbelief. I feel that everyone is looking at me as much to say, "Oh look she can't cope with her children".

They don't like men, but I think the problem may stem from when they were newborns and everyone would stare at them asking if they are twins! Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Here's the life coach's reply:

10 places to take your pre-schooler in South West England

Babies, Toddlers, Fun & activities, Places to go / holidays, Top 10


If you've got small children, you'll know that South West England is a great holiday destination. I've had some brilliant holidays with my family in Devon and Cornwall, cycling on the Tarka Trail and scrambling over rocks looking for fossils on the coast.

With all the extra palaver that travelling with small children involves, it's great to be able to head off in the car and know you'll soon be at a lovely beach enjoying an ice cream.

But it's not just about beaches, there are any number of adventure playgrounds, animal parks and sanctuaries, and opportunities to explore the historical and natural beauty of the area.

Take a look at our ideas for the Top Ten things to do to while visiting South West England with pre-schoolers:


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