Parentdish http://www.parentdish.co.uk Parentdish http://www.parentdish.co.uk/media/feedlogo.gif Parentdish http://www.parentdish.co.uk en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Do we worry too much about keeping our children stimulated and busy?http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/05/22/do-we-worry-too-much-about-keeping-our-children-stimulated-and-busy/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/05/22/do-we-worry-too-much-about-keeping-our-children-stimulated-and-busy/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/05/22/do-we-worry-too-much-about-keeping-our-children-stimulated-and-busy/#comments Filed under:

Do we worry too much about keeping our children stimulated and busy?
Getty I was in a café the other day and there was a child - about the same age as my youngest - who sat, doing absolutely nothing, whilst her mother finished her coffee and chatted to a friend. This, in itself, was ... Read more

 

]]>boredomentertaining childrenhelicopter parentingkidsnews-and-viewsparentingpushyrelaxedstimulating childrenstylesShona SibarySun, 22 May 2011 03:00:00 ESTHow a parenting guru changed my lifehttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/05/16/how-a-parenting-guru-changed-my-life/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/05/16/how-a-parenting-guru-changed-my-life/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/05/16/how-a-parenting-guru-changed-my-life/#comments Filed under:

How a parenting guru changed my life
Getty The other day as one of my four children held another in a head lock under the kitchen table and screamed: 'I wish you were dead' at such a decibel I feared the neighbours would come running, I took a moment's breather outside the back ... Read more

 

]]>advicechildrendisciplineKathryn MeweskidskindnessnannyraisingrulesThe Bespoke NannytipsShona SibaryMon, 16 May 2011 13:00:00 ESTNits: What works?http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/03/08/nits-what-works/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/03/08/nits-what-works/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/03/08/nits-what-works/#comments Filed under:

Nits: What works?
There is nothing more likely to strike terror through a mum's heart than the dreaded nit text from school. Usually it appears some time mid afternoon, before pick up, just as I'm wondering whether I can get all the children in bed and asleep ... Read more

 

]]>chemical treatmentschemicalsclearingconditionerDavid Camerondry combingelectric combshairheadhead scratchinghead+liceheadlicehedrinimmuneimmunityinfestationliceLyclearnit nursenitsnurseryPrime Ministerschooltea tree oilwet combingShona SibaryTue, 08 Mar 2011 09:00:00 ESTTeens v Toddlers: Which age is the most challenging?http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/02/09/teens-v-toddlers-which-age-is-the-most-challenging/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/02/09/teens-v-toddlers-which-age-is-the-most-challenging/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/02/09/teens-v-toddlers-which-age-is-the-most-challenging/#comments Filed under:

Teens v Toddlers: Which age is the most challenging?
Teens or Toddlers? Ever wondered which age is the most challenging for parents? Shona is mum to one just-teen and one toddler (plus two children in between her eldest and youngest). Here's her hilarious A-Z guide... A: Answering back Teenagers ... Read more

 

]]>challengingfunnyhard workhelpinglanguagescreenstantrumsteenteenagerteenagersteenstoddlertoddlerstwo-year-oldtypicalwhateverShona SibaryWed, 09 Feb 2011 10:00:00 ESTKids and sick days: How ill must your child be to miss school?http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/01/14/kids-and-sick-days-how-ill-must-your-child-be-to-miss-school/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/01/14/kids-and-sick-days-how-ill-must-your-child-be-to-miss-school/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/01/14/kids-and-sick-days-how-ill-must-your-child-be-to-miss-school/#comments Filed under: ,

Kids and sick days: How ill must your child be to miss school?
I'm writing this with a child upstairs, sick in bed. I know she is sick because she proved it to me by vomiting all over the back of the car on our way to school this morning. Even our black Labrador turned a shade of green, but then his head had ... Read more

 

]]>bedchildrendoctorduvet dayfluGPillkidsmiss schoolmissing schoolsicksick childsick daysstaying homeStayingHometemperaturevomitShona SibaryFri, 14 Jan 2011 05:00:00 ESTI forgot the Christmas nativity play: Moments Like Thishttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/12/02/i-forgot-the-christmas-nativity-play-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/12/02/i-forgot-the-christmas-nativity-play-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/12/02/i-forgot-the-christmas-nativity-play-moments-like-this/#comments
I have a horrible confession of the kind that will send an icy shiver through the hearts of any mum who, like me, may be in a bit of spin as we enter the end of term run up to Christmas. In fact, I can hardly bear to recall the exact details, so ... Read more

 

]]>calendarcarol concertCarolConcertcarolsChristmascostumesdisappointmentforgotmissed the timenativity playwordswrong dateShona SibaryThu, 02 Dec 2010 09:00:00 ESTHow happy are you? Moments Like Thishttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/25/how-happy-are-you-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/25/how-happy-are-you-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/25/how-happy-are-you-moments-like-this/#comments Filed under:

How happy are you? Moments Like This
Apparently the Prime Minister David Cameron is to officially measure how happy we all are. He's going to ask statisticians to come up with a questionnaire that quantifies whether we're getting more jolly - or not - as a nation. I ... Read more

 

]]>childrenDavid Cameronhouseworkhow happy are youmeasure happinessmeasuring happinessMeasuringHappinessquizsleep deprivationShona SibaryThu, 25 Nov 2010 09:00:00 ESTI was an only child - that's why I wanted four childrenhttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/22/i-was-an-only-child-thats-why-i-wanted-four-children/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/22/i-was-an-only-child-thats-why-i-wanted-four-children/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/22/i-was-an-only-child-thats-why-i-wanted-four-children/#comments Filed under:

I was an only child - that's why I wanted four children
When I was a child my favourite game was making up families in my head. I'd create siblings for myself, spending hours imagining they were right there in my tidy bedroom with me, nicely sharing my toys. I was never an only child in these fantasies ... Read more

 

]]>brotherchildrenfamilyfamily lifefamily+only+childfamilyonlychildInstitute for Social and Economic ResearchInstituteForSocialAndEconomicResearchlonelyonly childselfishsibling rivalrysiblingssisterShona SibaryMon, 22 Nov 2010 08:40:00 ESTThe death of the weekend: Moments Like Thishttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/18/the-death-of-the-weekend-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/18/the-death-of-the-weekend-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/18/the-death-of-the-weekend-moments-like-this/#comments Filed under: ,

The death of the weekend: Moments Like This
There always comes a point during my weekend - usually on a Saturday morning around eleven o'clock - when a feeling of panic starts rising in my body like a tsunami. I survey debris strewn across the kitchen from breakfast and realise, ... Read more

 

]]>birth controlchaoschildrendrudgeryI dread weekendsI hate weekendsmessMoments like thisparentingweekendShona SibaryThu, 18 Nov 2010 09:00:00 ESTThe baby is sick: Moments Like Thishttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/04/the-baby-is-sick-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/04/the-baby-is-sick-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/11/04/the-baby-is-sick-moments-like-this/#comments Filed under: ,

The baby is sick: Moments Like This
The baby is off sick. The nursery is refusing to have her because of the green gunk emitting from her nose. This is despite the fact I waved a copy of last week's Daily Mail in front of their noses which, in the health section, rubbishes the ... Read more

 

]]>childcarechildrenemptying cupboardsMoments like ThismothersmumsnurseryShona Sibarysick babytrying to work with childrenShona SibaryThu, 04 Nov 2010 11:27:00 ESTShould my child have a Facebook account? Moments Like Thishttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/28/should-my-child-have-a-facebook-account-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/28/should-my-child-have-a-facebook-account-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/28/should-my-child-have-a-facebook-account-moments-like-this/#comments Filed under:

Should my child have a Facebook account? Moments Like This
Should I let my 11-year-old daughter have a Facebook account? The problem, when your daughter moves up to senior school, is that it becomes much harder to compare notes with other mothers. There just don't seem to be the opportunities anymore. ... Read more

 

]]>AOL safe socialbedtimeFacebookmake-upmascaraparental worriespeer pressurerulessecondary schoolsenior schoolteenagerswhat ageShona SibaryThu, 28 Oct 2010 04:00:00 ESTParent teacher evenings: Moments Like Thishttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/21/parent-teacher-evenings-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/21/parent-teacher-evenings-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/21/parent-teacher-evenings-moments-like-this/#comments Filed under: ,

Parent teacher evenings: Moments Like This
Five reasons why parent teacher evenings are torture: 1. All the non-working mothers grab early slots leaving me with the end of evening dregs. The problem with this is that by 7pm the teacher in question would rather be sitting at home watching ... Read more

 

]]>childchildrenmumparentparent teacher eveningparents eveningsteachertorturewhy I hateShona SibaryThu, 21 Oct 2010 09:00:00 ESTWhy is it women who always apologise?http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/21/why-is-it-women-who-always-apologise/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/21/why-is-it-women-who-always-apologise/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/21/why-is-it-women-who-always-apologise/#comments Filed under:

Why is it women who always apologise?
A recent study by psychologists has unearthed something we women already know - that we're the ones who always apologise. And not because we think we're in the wrong, either. Quite the opposite, in fact. Women say sorry more often than men because ... Read more

 

]]>apologiseapologisinghusbandsmenOntariosorryUniversity of WaterlooUniversityOfWaterloowiveswomenShona SibaryThu, 21 Oct 2010 08:10:00 ESTThe joys of autumn term: Moments Like Thishttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/14/the-joys-of-autumn-term-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/14/the-joys-of-autumn-term-moments-like-this/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/14/the-joys-of-autumn-term-moments-like-this/#comments Filed under: ,

The joys of autumn term: Moments Like This
Joys of autumn? Hah. Too busy. We're fast approaching Harvest Festival - yet another date in the school calendar that requires me to do something above and beyond getting the children into uniform and out of the front door. It seems that just ... Read more

 

]]>autumn termBonfire NightchildrenChristmas fairclassHalloweenHarvest Festivalkidsmothersmumsparental inputPTApumpkin soupPumpkinSoupschoolthe joys of autumnShona SibaryThu, 14 Oct 2010 04:00:00 ESTMoments like this: Talking about weight with my daughtershttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/07/moments-like-this-talking-about-weight-with-my-daughters/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/07/moments-like-this-talking-about-weight-with-my-daughters/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/10/07/moments-like-this-talking-about-weight-with-my-daughters/#comments Filed under: ,

Moments like this: Talking about weight with my daughters
With two daughters, both fast approaching that age where it's going to take a ten ton truck to move them from the front of a mirror, I'm really, really careful what I say about weight and I never mention the diet word. They're right at that hot ... Read more

 

]]>boysdaughtersdietsdiscussing weightgirlsmothermummumsrole modeltalking about weightweightShona SibaryThu, 07 Oct 2010 09:30:00 ESTMoments Like This: A month of birthdayshttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/30/moments-like-this-a-month-of-birthdays/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/30/moments-like-this-a-month-of-birthdays/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/30/moments-like-this-a-month-of-birthdays/#comments Filed under: ,

Moments Like This: A month of birthdays
Two of my children were born in October, another just before Christmas. This is an expensive time of year for us, sandwiched between the summer holidays and the festive season. I've always gone a bit to town on their birthdays. I love making a ... Read more

 

]]>belt tighteningBeltTighteningbirthdayschildrenChristmasEbaypresentsrecessionshoppingShona SibaryThu, 30 Sep 2010 09:00:00 ESTWhy I wish I'd never given into pet pesterhttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/29/why-i-wish-id-never-given-into-pet-pester/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/29/why-i-wish-id-never-given-into-pet-pester/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/29/why-i-wish-id-never-given-into-pet-pester/#comments Filed under:

Why I wish I'd never given into pet pester
With around 47% of the population owning a pet, it seems we all love having something furry to care for. Even goldfish require attention (although perhaps taking one out of its bowl to give it a cuddle, as my daughter can attest, is not a great idea, ... Read more

 

]]>catchildrenchorescostdogguinea pigGuineaPighamsterhard workHardWorkparentspester powerPesterPowerpetsShona SibaryWed, 29 Sep 2010 05:00:00 ESTWill I ever not 'owe' pocket money to my children?http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/25/will-i-ever-not-owe-pocket-money-to-my-children/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/25/will-i-ever-not-owe-pocket-money-to-my-children/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/25/will-i-ever-not-owe-pocket-money-to-my-children/#comments Filed under: ,

Will I ever not 'owe' pocket money to my children?
I owe my son £8.53 pence. I know this because he has it written down on a tally sheet - entries marked in red biro for every time I have helped myself to his pocket money stash - and he waves it, indignantly, in front of my face ... Read more

 

]]>allowanceborrowingchoresdebtoweingpocket moneypocket money droppedPocketMoneyPocketMoneyDroppedShona SibarySat, 25 Sep 2010 03:00:00 ESTMoments Like This: International Dayhttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/23/moments-like-this-international-day/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/23/moments-like-this-international-day/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/23/moments-like-this-international-day/#comments Filed under:

Moments Like This: International Day
There is nothing guaranteed to send me into more of a spin than the words: 'International Day' on the school calendar. 'Book Day' has pretty much the same effect, but at least I can whip out odd socks, put my daughter's hair in a plait and send her ... Read more

 

]]>Book DayBookDaycostumesdreadInternational DayInternationalDaymoments like thisMomentsLikeThisShona SibaryShonaSibaryworking mumsWorkingMumsShona SibaryThu, 23 Sep 2010 09:45:00 ESTMoments Like This: The grandparent gaphttp://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/16/moments-like-this-the-grandparent-gap/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/16/moments-like-this-the-grandparent-gap/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2010/09/16/moments-like-this-the-grandparent-gap/#comments Filed under: ,

Moments Like This: The grandparent gap
Our family life feels buoyant, full and happy except for one ever-present cloud. And that is the stark absence of any grandparents on the home front. At school I watch other people's children wave cheerily at Grandma before assemblies start. I see ... Read more

 

]]>grandchildrengrandparentslong distanceLongDistanceMoments like thisMomentsLikeThisrelationshipShona SibaryShonaSibaryShona SibaryThu, 16 Sep 2010 08:57:00 EST