Development

Model behaviour: Behind the scenes of a Mothercare photo shoot

By Liz Stansfield, Jan 30, 2012

Find out what it’s like to be involved in baby and mum modelling with this Mothercare photo shoot video

The Potty List: 36 things your child 'must do' by the age of three

By Keith Kendrick, Jan 11, 2012

You’ve heard of a Bucket List – now welcome to the Potty List. A survey of 1,000 mums has drawn up a list of 36 “must-do’s” for toddlers.

Girl with autism talks for the first time ever after starring in dance DVD

By Keith Kendrick, Dec 8, 2011

An autistic girl who couldn’t speak can now hold conversations after starring in a dance DVD.

£5 for a tooth! Don't tooth fairies know we are in a recession?

By Keith Kendrick, Nov 9, 2011

About a year ago, when my son was six, I found him tying some cotton thread to the knob of his bedroom door. For a minute or so, I watched as he attempted to wrap the other end around one of his front teeth.

Why I won't lie to my children about sex

By Emily Carlisle, Oct 7, 2011

My daughter proudly announced recently to her pre-school class that babies came out of mummies' vaginas. I know this only because I was taken to one side by another mother, who disapproved strongly of such brazen honesty.

How football helped my son's school work

By Jackie Cosh, Oct 5, 2011

I'm not into football. In fact I would go as far as to say watching it bores me. But ever since the World Cup last year I have been very grateful for the place it has in my six-year-old son's life. And I'm sure his teacher is too.

Is SpongeBob SquarePants destroying our children's memories?

By Kyrsty Hazell, Sep 13, 2011

Fans of the wacky yellow sea sponge Bob and his trusty marine sidekick Patrick Star should look away now... Psychologists have warned that children who regularly tune into SpongeBob SquarePants' escapades have lower concentration spans and bad problem solving skills.

Gender stereotypes: Does your child dress the part? BritMums discuss

By parentdish.co.uk, Sep 5, 2011

Are you a pink for girls and blue for boys kind of parent? Or are you from the school of thought that it really doesn’t matter and if it’s clean, sort of fits and you can find it, they’ll wear it?

Hands up for hand-me-downs

By Keith Kendrick, Aug 29, 2011

As my four year-old son opened his final present on his birthday, he wasn't quite sure what to make of the gifts inside. 'Clothes?' he asked, bemused. 'NEW clothes?'

Spoilt or normal behaviour? You decide

By Suze Nowak, Jun 13, 2011

My daughter celebrated her fifth birthday basking on the sunny shores of Western Australia. Now I know adults have a tendency to impose their opinions and preferences on their children, but I've had some time to reflect now and have come to the conclusion that we may have unwittingly spoiled our little girl.