Tips Guides

To begin with, let’s be done with jokes about young Swedish girls with long blonde hair. The connotations of employing the services of an aupair endured somewhat of a sleazy reputation, with the emphasis on extracurricular activities rather than on help with childcare. Either being or employing an aupair can be a rewarding experience, and it is primarily aimed at creating a symbiotic relationship between the two parties.

The role of the aupair differs from a nanny, or childminder in many ways. Firstly, the role does not warrant any formal qualification, and may not necessarily require [ Read more ... ]

Children are very intuitive, they will always look for Christmas presents, even if they know what you’ve bought them. Theres something about finding out what they’ve been brought for Christmas that they can’t resist. You might not be able to stop them looking but you can certainly do all you can to stop them finding them.

The first rule of hiding Christmas presents is to never use the same place twice. Even if you don’t think they’ve found your hiding place, change it anyway. They wont tell you if they have found it so its best to be on the safe [ Read more ... ]

It is a well known fact that the modern man and woman live in a world where combining parenthood, a successful career and a social life is an equal and achievable possibility. This is predominantly thanks to a countrywide private childcare system that caters for child-caring needs pretty much around the clock. The way this industry has come forward is a reflection of the Government’s inability or unwillingness to provide a childcare system whilst insisting that parents must work.

The reality is, for those that are not privy to a glittering career that brings in bug bucks, the employment [ Read more ... ]

Being a parent is not an easy task. If it were then there will be no more problems regarding moral values in our children nowadays. As parents part of our concerns is to be able to pass values that we have learned in our lifetime to our children. But passing values and following them up in our child’s daily care is already possible. By simply staying by your child’s side during his or her homework making, you will be able to pass some important values or maybe even teach them to do it. There is no need for you to [ Read more ... ]

Unlike childhood birthday parties of yesteryear, which revolved around a birthday cake and a small gathering of mostly family and a friend or two, today’s parties require a bit more. Generally, all of your child’s acquaintances from school are invited to the party, which should at the very least have a theme if not an exotic locale. What is a parent to do when faced with the monolithic task of planning the party of the century for their toddler, without the time or even energy to begin thinking about doing so? Fear not, Austin offers plenty of kiddie-party [ Read more ... ]

Children of all ages love to play, and the importance of learning through play is emphasised within the education system. Nursery and primary schools provide play equipment that encourages social skills and physical activity for children of all ages. Even secondary schools have taken to providing assault course style adventure areas for teenagers, commonly featuring scramble nets, climbing walls and zip lines. Whilst this is providing exercise for the kids at school, it is often the lack of physical activity at home that is blamed for the growing number of overweight children.

If you are reading this and [ Read more ... ]

Are you a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach or employer who is dismayed at the sense of entitlement many of our young children have?

And that is not all they have. They have clothes enough to outfit a small orphanage, toys enough for a play land and an excuse for every chore they are asked to do.

If so, you will certainly agree with Fred G. Gossman, author of Spoiled Rotten, Todays Children and How to Change Them.

He asks: “how can we take back our kids, restoring respect, excellence, civility, and decent values, not to mention self-esteem? For these children [ Read more ... ]